Cangshan Mountain(Point Cangshan)

Explore Cangshan Mountain (苍山) in Dali, Yunnan, China. During winter, the peaks and pine forests are blanketed in pristine white snow, making it feel like you’ve stepped right into a fairy tale world. ☃️ ❄️ The highlight is the 19 snow-capped peaks stretching across the horizon, with trees draped in snow and frost creating a stunning scene at every turn. 📸 🚡 Take a ride on the Ximatan Cableway to glide above the forest and a sea of clouds, offering breathtaking views of the majestic snow mountains. ☁️ Stroll through the scenic areas to enjoy the snowy landscape, and on clear days, you can catch a bird's-eye view of Erhai Lake and Dali City from above. 📍 Cangshan Mountain | Dali City, Yunnan Province, China ❄️ Best Time for Snow: Generally November to February, especially right after fresh snowfall. 🤍 Cangshan — When the entire mountain turns white, it becomes a must-see winter wonder of Dali that you have to experience at least once! ❄️✨

Going to Dali is the real deal! Start your lazy vacation with slow living by Erhai Lake 🌈 The breeze from Erhai Lake finally touched my face! Here's your 4-day, 3-night Dali travel guide - whether you're an art lover, foodie, or photography enthusiast, you'll find your own joy. 🌟 Highlights Experience Erhai cycling, ancient town night strolls, and Cangshan hiking all at once Revealing secret photo spots to avoid crowds Local-approved food map only insiders know 🚶♀️Day 1: Stroll through Dali Ancient Town 📍 Renmin Road | Artsy hub, afternoon tea recommendation: "Elephant Cafe" 📍 Foreigner Street | Vibrant bar street at night, try "Bad Monkey" 📍 Wuhua Tower | Highest viewpoint for breathtaking panoramic views Tip: Ancient town's cobblestone streets are tricky - wear flats! 🚴Day 2: Erhai Lake Cycling Tour 📍 Caicun Pier | Rent bikes (30 yuan/day) to start lakeside ride 📍 Langqiao | Instagram-famous lonely tree spot, best visited early morning 📍 Xizhou Ancient Town | Must-try Xizhou baba! "Country Squire Yang's" is most authentic 📍 Shuanglang | Afternoon tea at "Muxi Dali" with stunning lakeside seats ⛰️Day 3: Light Hiking at Cangshan Mountain 📍 Gantong Cableway | Easy mountain access via cable car 📍 Jizhao Nunnery | China's most beautiful nunnery with delicious vegetarian meals (20 yuan/person) 📍 Jade Belt Road | Beginner-friendly hiking trail Tip: Bring a jacket - big temperature changes on the mountain!

Cangshan Mountain, also known as Mount Cangshan or the Cangshan Range, is a prominent mountain range located immediately west of Dali City, Yunnan Province, China. It consists of 19 peaks and 18 streams, stretching 50km, and is famous for its year-round snow-capped summits, hiking trails like Yudai Lu, and botanical diversity There is a stream between every two peaks, so the unique landscape of "19 peaks and 18 streams" has been formed. Cangshan Mountain is 3500m to 4122m above sea level. Many scenic spots rich in Bai cultural characteristics are located at vicinity of Cangshan Mountain,examples 崇圣寺三塔Three Pagodas、佛图塔、无为寺、Zhonghe Temple桃溪中和、Qilongny Pools九龙女池、清碧寺三潭, 龙眼洞 Longyan Cave Entrance and return cable access RMB95 (Preferred as you need to hike another 3-6 hours to reach the peak. Good walking shoes suggested. Food. Bring along finger food like breads or biscuits with coffee or tea and water. However, there are area where cup noodles and drinks are sold while you are up there. 七龙女池 Qilongnv Pools Qilongnv Pools are located between Malong Peak and Yuju Peak of Mount Cangshan. It is a magical waterfall landscape of Mount Cangshan. Qilongn Pools were said to be the place where seven daughters of Erhai Lake dragon king had a bath and leisure. Each summer, they would secretly came for bath when the night was clean with bright moon, and went back until daybreak. The eldest daughter was tall and in the largest Pools. The other six fairies were respectively in the rest pools in their ages. The youngest sister was so shy to have a bath under moonlight that she was in the deepest and quietest pool. 清碧溪峡谷| Qingbixi Gorge Qingbixi Gorge is located between Malong Peak and Shengying Peak, This gorge has been formed due to the Himalayan orogeny 50 million years ago and multiple factors, such as the nearly east-west fault block activity during the uplift of Mount Cangshan, runoff erosion, glacier erosion, and gravity collapse. The peak-bottom altitude difference is about 150 meters and the bottom is 5. meters in width. Cliff rocks formed in the Paleoproterozoic era 1.9 billion years ago were originally sedimentary rocks but transformed into metamorphic rocks due tometamorphism in later years. Kindly note last cable car operates till 5pm.

When I was planning my trip to Yunnan, everyone kept telling me the same thing: "Don't rush Dali." At first, I didn't really understand what they meant. I thought Dali would simply be another stop between Lijiang and Shangri-La—a place to see Erhai Lake, take a few photos and continue the journey. But after spending a few days here, I realised Dali isn't a city you visit because of one famous attraction. It's a place that quietly changes your pace. And somehow, that's what made it one of my favourite memories in Yunnan. 📍 I Didn't Have a Plan on My First Morning Usually, I like planning every hour of a trip. In Dali, I didn't. I woke up early, grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee near the ancient town and simply started walking. There was no destination. Just quiet streets, old stone houses, small local cafés and people beginning their day. For the first time in a while, I wasn't looking at Google Maps every few minutes. I just wandered. Looking back, that simple morning became one of my favourite parts of the entire trip. 🚲 Cycling Around Erhai Lake Was Even Better Than I Expected Everyone recommends visiting Erhai Lake, but I didn't realise how huge and peaceful it actually is. Instead of trying to cover every viewpoint, I rented an electric bicycle and explored a small section of the lakeside at my own pace. Some people were having picnics. Others were sitting quietly by the water reading books. Every few minutes, I found another place where I wanted to stop. Sometimes it was because of the mountain reflections. Sometimes it was simply because the view felt too beautiful to ride past. I probably stopped more often than I actually cycled. ☁️ The Best Photos Were the Ones I Didn't Plan Like many people, I had already saved dozens of Instagram spots before coming to Dali. Ironically, my favourite photos weren't taken at any of them. They were taken during random moments. A quiet lakeside bench. A bicycle leaning against a white wall. Sunlight shining through old wooden windows in Dali Ancient Town. An elderly local watering flowers outside their home. Those little moments made Dali feel alive instead of feeling like another tourist destination. 🌅 Sunset Completely Changed the Atmosphere I almost skipped sunset because I thought I'd already spent enough time at Erhai Lake. I'm glad I didn't. As the sun slowly disappeared behind the Cangshan Mountains, the entire lake turned shades of gold and soft orange. People stopped talking. Cyclists slowed down. Even photographers seemed less interested in taking pictures and more interested in simply watching. It felt surprisingly peaceful. Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when nothing special is happening at all. 📸 My Favourite Photo Ideas ✨ Cycling beside Erhai Lake with the Cangshan Mountains in the background ✨ White buildings and flower-filled streets in Dali Ancient Town ✨ Quiet cafés overlooking the lake ✨ Golden hour reflections during sunset at Erhai 💡 A Few Things I Learned ✔️ Stay at least 3 days if you can—Dali is best enjoyed slowly. ✔️ Rent an electric bike instead of rushing between attractions by car. ✔️ Wake up early at least once. The lake is incredibly peaceful before the crowds arrive. ✔️ Leave some free time in your itinerary. Some of Dali's best moments aren't on any travel guide. ❤️ My Honest Opinion Before visiting Dali, I thought it was famous because of Erhai Lake. Now I think that's only part of the story. For me, Dali wasn't about checking off attractions. It was about slowing down. It was about enjoying a long coffee without looking at the time. Watching the clouds drift over the mountains. Cycling until I found a quiet spot by the lake. And realising that I didn't actually need to be doing anything for the trip to feel meaningful. Out of everywhere I visited in Yunnan, Dali was probably the place that made me feel the most relaxed. It's not the loudest destination. It's not the busiest. But perhaps that's exactly why so many people fall in love with it. Sometimes, the places you remember most aren't the ones with the longest list of attractions. They're the ones that quietly make you feel at home. 📍 Dali, Yunnan, China 🕒 Best time: March to May & September to November 🚲 Don't miss: Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient Town, Cangshan Mountains, lakeside cycling and sunset 🌿 Perfect for: Slow travel, photographers, couples, café lovers and anyone looking to escape the fast pace of everyday life. #Dali #Yunnan #ChinaTravel #ErhaiLake #DaliAncientTown #VisitChina #TravelChina #SlowTravel

#yunnanspots Cangshan Mountain is a stunning natural wonder that serves as the breathtaking backdrop to Dali, offering both beauty and adventure. Stretching over 50 kilometers, the mountain range features dramatic peaks, lush forests, and diverse ecosystems, making it a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The highest peak, Malong, reaches an elevation of 4,122 meters, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the shimmering Erhai Lake below. Numerous trails wind through the mountains, leading to hidden temples, tranquil waterfalls, and vibrant alpine meadows. The area is rich in biodiversity, home to unique flora and fauna, including rare species of plants and animals. For those seeking adventure, Cangshan Mountain offers a perfect blend of outdoor activities and stunning scenery, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Dali.

Purchased tickets to Cangshan Mountain on Trip.com, which made the process smooth and convenient for my visit during the bustling National Day weekend. While I anticipated some crowds for the holiday, it’s good to be prepared: each cable car ride took about an hour of waiting in line.⏳ Once at the summit, I found the scenery and overall vibes just didn't quite measure up to the stunning landscapes of places like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain or Blue Moon Valley in Lijiang. If you’ve visited those locations before, you might find Cangshan Mountain’s views a bit less impressive in comparison. A practical tip for future visitors booking online—after receiving your ticket confirmation, there’s a mandatory 30-minute wait before you can proceed with entry. This rule is fixed, so plan your schedule accordingly to avoid unnecessary downtime. Overall, Cangshan Mountain offers a classic mountain experience but shines brightest for visitors who prioritize convenience and accessibility over breathtaking alpine panoramas. #realreview

Today, let's explore a "jade pearl" at the foot of Cangshan Mountain in Dali — Qingbi Creek! 📍 Located in Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, it lies between Malong Peak and Yuju Peak among the nineteen peaks of Cangshan. It is the most beautiful and clearest section of the eighteen streams of Cangshan. Walking along the stone steps deep into the valley, you will hear the babbling water like the sound of a zither. Looking up: sheer cliffs rise thousands of feet, ancient trees and vines hang down, a clear spring cascades layer by layer through the rock crevices, forming a deep emerald pool. Sunlight filters through the treetops, scattering golden fragments on the water surface, as if the entire creek is carved from jade and gemstones 💎🌊 The creek water is cold and sweet. Locals call it "first eye clear, second eye emerald, third eye intoxicating." The water is crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and lush mountain shadows. Every snapshot is a wallpaper-worthy scenic photo 📸🌿 This place is not only one of Dali’s natural water sources but also a tranquil secret hidden on the city’s edge, offering a perfect escape from the world! Itinerary: 1-day light hike | Walk the Cangshan trail + explore Qingbi Creek source + ride Gantong Cableway + taste Bai vegetarian dishes Total budget: under 400 RMB (about 385 RMB per person) Transportation | ¥60 · Taxi from Dali Ancient Town to Qingbi Creek entrance ¥30 (one way) · Return by walking to Gantong Temple or shared taxi ¥30 Tickets | ¥75 · Cangshan Scenic Area ticket (includes Qingbi Creek and Gantong Temple areas) ¥40 · Gantong Cableway one-way up ¥35 (optional hiking up and down with a discount ticket) Meals | ¥250 · Lunch: bring your own simple meal (grilled rice cake + fruit + mineral water) ¥30 · Afternoon tea: buy walnut candy + rose Pu'er tea at a shop near Gantong Temple ¥20 · Dinner: Bai-style sour and spicy fish + cold mixed tree flowers + rice wine in the ancient town ¥80 · Street snacks: Rushan cheese roll ¥10 | grilled baby melon ¥8 | pomegranate juice ¥12 Highlights | Be a creek seeker in the mountains! ✅ Hike the Qingbi Creek plank road, check in at the "First Pool" and "Second Pool," and touch the millennium-old clear stream on the stones 💧 ✅ Take photos in front of the "Tiger Character Stone Inscription" and listen to locals tell the story of the cliff carvings 🖋️ ✅ Climb Gantong Temple, visit the thousand-year-old ancient temple, and see traces of the Ancient Tea Horse Road 🏯 ✅ Take the cableway to overlook the panoramic view of Cang and Erhai, capturing the entire Dali landscape 🚠🌍 ✅ Total cost breakdown: Transportation ¥60 + Tickets ¥75 + Meals ¥250 = ¥385 (with ¥15 left for postcards or small souvenirs) Best season: March to October (ample water flow | lush vegetation | perfect for creek tracing) Essentials: non-slip sports shoes, thermos (to brew tea with mountain spring water), camera, sun hat Off-the-beaten-path tip: Enter the park at 8 AM to enjoy the creek valley alone, listening to the symphony of birdsong and water sounds When my fingertips touched that drop of icy creek water, I understood why Cangshan remains timeless for a thousand years.

Who gets it! This cozy courtyard in Dali old town is the perfect place to stay for a slow, laid-back trip to Dali 🎐 ✅ excellent location ✅ clean and comfortable ✅ friendly host ✨ peaceful yet central: right in the old town next to the Bed Linen Factory art district, but super quiet at night. It’s so comfortable to rest here after exploring the old town ✨ ✨ attention to detail: spacious and clean rooms with great touches, disposable face towels provided, and the balcony offers a relaxing view of Cangshan Mountain 🗻 ✨ super nice host: the host is warm and welcoming, offers free tea and travel tips, and often organizes guest dinners, creating a real sense of belonging 💖

Perfect for a big family or a group of friends visiting Dali, choosing this private courtyard is just right. It’s a five-minute walk to Dali Ancient Town, with a private entrance and courtyard, so you won’t be disturbed. It’s incredibly comfortable to stay here. 📍 Perfect location Right opposite Dali Ancient Town, just a two to three-minute walk to enter the Ancient Town. The entrance is right at San Yue Street, close to the Cangshan Cableway. It’s super convenient for grocery shopping, dining, and strolling around, plus free parking is available. 🏡 Amazing entire courtyard experience A full 400 square meters with a 150-square-meter courtyard. Four rooms, each with a private bathroom, perfect for eight people. There’s a huge kitchen, a separate tea room, and a projection area. You can buy fresh mushrooms and stew soup yourself. At night, everyone can gather around to watch movies, which is a hundred times more comfortable than staying in a hotel. 💁 Super worry-free host The hostess is very enthusiastic, communicates your needs in advance, and recommends great food and itineraries that won’t disappoint. She responds quickly to any questions. This place is perfect for family gatherings and team-building trips.

Dali's Cangshan Mountain mainly features three famous sightseeing cableways Ximatan Cableway: Also known as the Grand Cableway, it boasts the largest elevation drop in Asia, taking you straight to Ximatan at the summit of Cangshan, where you can marvel at glacier relics and alpine rhododendrons. Gantong Cableway: Located near Jizhao Nunnery and Gantong Temple, it offers sweeping views of Qingbi Stream, Zhenlong Chessboard, and Cangshan Grand Canyon. Zhonghe Cableway: A classic, vintage open-air chairlift, ending at Zhonghe Temple, connecting to the Jade Belt Cloud Road trail. Cangshan is a geological park where you'll spot plenty of bizarre rocks and water caves Qingbi Stream is widely recognized among the "Eighteen Streams of Cangshan" as the most representative stream The scenic area is famous for the "Three Pools of Qingbi" consisting of the Lower Pool (Deep Cyan), Middle Pool (Raven Blue), and Upper Pool (Parrot Green) with crystal clear stream water and cascading waterfalls There are also spots to check in, make a wish, and snap photos You can also shop for souvenirs grab a bite, and sip some coffee ☕️ Price 🐻🐻🐻 Scenery 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻 Photo-ops 🐻🐻🐻🐻 The ticket office is located at the foot of the mountain 💰 Scenic area admission only: 30 RMB 💰 Gantong Cableway package: 110 RMB (includes round-trip cable car and Cangshan admission). 💰 Ximatan Grand Cableway: 182 RMB (one-way, includes Cangshan admission) 📍 Yinxian Road, West of Dali Ancient City, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province 🕰️ Daily 08:30 - 15:00 (some cableways open until 18:00)

When Christmas at the foot of Cangshan meets the Winter Solstice on the farm 📅 Date: December 21, 2024 (Sunday · Winter Solstice) 🕙 Time: 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM (farm open for free during this time) 📍 Location: Dali · Taxus Farm (navigate directly) 🎫 Participation: No reservation needed, free entry after 12 PM · — 🌟 Highlights of the Day · A Dali-style Christmas community co-creation 🌟 ❶ 🍬 Bonfire and sweetness at the foot of Cangshan Gather around the firewood and roast a fluffy marshmallow. Sweetness and warmth are the most direct romance of Dali’s winter. ❷ 📖 Listen! Christmas stories from the British neighbor Chris, who moved from the UK to Dali, will bring authentic Christmas picture books and songs. Sit around and listen to feel the festive warmth across mountains and seas. ❸ 🎨 Picture Book Art Workshop · Take inspiration home Led by old friend Baiwu Reading, starting from classic picture books, create exclusive Christmas badges and a community co-creation scroll. Turn Christmas imagination into memorable keepsakes. ❹ 🦌 DLCC Christmas-themed Sports Day · Jump in nature Transform into little reindeer jumping over the “wooden stump forest,” and work as a team to pull the “sled.” Release your energy freely in the open farm. ❺ 🍡 Hand-roll a bowl of Winter Solstice rice dumplings (2 PM) Coinciding with the Winter Solstice, use farm-grown glutinous rice flour to hand-roll a warm bowl of reunion. From the land to your hands, this is the most heartfelt ritual. ❻ 🐞 Insect Chronicles · Touch the magical nature Observe rare insect specimens and live insects up close, and on Christmas Day, open another wonderful tiny world. · — 🎁 You can also be a little vendor! Children are welcome to bring unused toys, picture books, or handmade crafts to set up a small stall (stall setup requires registration ✉️) to exchange joy and make new friends. Just come to browse is also welcome! No reservation needed to visit! · — 📌 Warm tips for visiting Dali: Farm activities are first-come, first-served, so it’s recommended to arrive early. Dali’s winter has a big temperature difference between day and night, please keep warm, especially in the evening. Please interact kindly on the farm and help maintain a beautiful community atmosphere. Please follow parking instructions and park orderly on the side. · — This Christmas, no need to travel far. At the farm in Dali, weave a unique family memory with bonfires, stories, creativity, and games. We are waiting for you to create warmth together in winter.

Dali is so beautiful in winter Live from December 2nd All the little animals on the farm are basking warmly in the sun Accompanied by the sound of wind chimes 🎐, blue sky, and white clouds Who would have imagined such a large farm garden is actually free❗️Free❗️Free❗️ Photo spots: 1️⃣ At the entrance by the wind chimes, there is a Dali flower sign. With the blue sky, grass, and 🐑 little lambs (p2 & p3) 2️⃣ Walk forward and don’t miss the giant mirror that looks like a drawing board! It’s like a huge viewfinder 🪞 (p4) 3️⃣ The hammock for baby photos is at the very back of the garden, near the guesthouse (p5) 4️⃣ Climb the spiral ladder next to the hammock to see the panoramic view! (p8) 5️⃣ The public rest area has a garden 🌹 wooden cabin. From a distance, using 2x zoom, you can capture the Cangshan Mountains ⛰️ in the background! Very beautiful!! (p9) The little lambs here are super gentle!! Even babies aren’t afraid and love to pet them~ We stayed for several hours, very comfortable! Dali really makes babies easily fall in love with the outdoors 📌 Dali Tianyuan ARCADIAN