Tucked away in the Yunnan Province in southern China, Shilin National Park is a wonderland of fantastic rock formations. The formations are sculpted from the earth as somewhat acidic water dissolves layers of bedrock. They rise from the ground, forming tall, jagged towers that reach for the sky. For more pictures and video, see this excellent post on the Environmental Graffiti blog.
There are so many of these formations that they look like trees, which is why Shilin Forest is called the Stone Forest. The forest is a national park, and many tourists come to see the ancient rock formations. The area is also home to the Yi people, one of China’s indigenous minority groups.
If you are planning a trip to China, the Shilin stone forest definitely deserves a place on your itinerary. Before you leave on your trip, you need a passport and a Chinese tourist visa (also known as an “L” visa). China doesn’t do visas on arrival, so you’ll need to have your visa in hand before you leave the US. If you try to enter China without the appropriate visa, you can expect to be detained, probably fined and sent right back where you came from at your own expense.
The following documents are necessary to apply for a Chinese tourist visa:
- One visa application form
- A valid US passport
- One passport-sized photo
If you are leaving for China in seven days or less, you should also include a copy of your travel itinerary. This will allow you to request expedited processing.
RushMyTravelVisa can help you research the visas you’ll need for your trip, including any necessary transit visas. We’ll also provide you with clear, easy-to-follow instructions and checklists that make filling out the paperwork less of a chore. If you’re planning a trip to China or anywhere else visas are required, give us a call today!
Tags: China, Chinese visa
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