Things to do in Yunlong

To get to Nuodeng, you need to take a three-wheeled rickshaw from Yunlong County. If you've lost interest in the commercialized ancient towns of Yunnan, I sincerely recommend visiting Nuodeng. It's not overly commercialized; you can still experience the authentic, rustic life. Time seems to slow down here, and every step you take tells a story of history.

If you're traveling to Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is definitely worth a visit! Although I didn't see the snow-capped peaks I'd imagined this time, and instead witnessed more spectacular rock formations, the awe-inspiring sight of the mountains in person was still quite unique. Personally, I think it's unnecessary to buy the most comprehensive package ticket; choosing the basic ticket based on your itinerary might be enough. Buying extra items felt a bit redundant 😂 But overall, it was a very worthwhile experience, and definitely worth including in your itinerary when visiting Lijiang!

On the morning of leaving Yunlong, we climbed to the best viewing point of Yunlong Tai Chi Diagram, "Yunlong Tai Chi Observation Deck". The Tai Chi Diagram in the morning is hidden in the misty morning fog, like a fairyland, but from the perspective of shooting, if possible, it is better to arrange it in the afternoon light. The winding river outlines the yin and yang sides of Tai Chi on an alluvial plain in the mountains. The small hills and villages in the middle are dotted into two Tai Chi eyes, which are vivid and lifelike. It is really a magical work of nature!

The weather down the mountain was actually quite nice, a bit overcast but the temperature was alright. As the cable car ascended higher and higher, the entire Dali city and Erhai Lake slowly came into view below. That stretch of scenery was truly worthwhile; looking down through the cable car glass, I finally had a truly concrete feeling about "Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake" for the first time.

A must visit when in Dali, well worth the money. I spent around 2 hours here.

Perhaps you have heard of Nuodeng Ancient Town and seen the panorama of Yunlong that resembles Bagua, but you may not have been to Yunlong Dalangba. Dalangba is located in Xiachangshe, Haicang Village, Jiuzhou Town, Yunlong County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It has beautiful scenery, lush vegetation, and flocks of sheep. Someone once said: "If Tianchi is a bright moon, then Dalangba is a beautiful dream at night when the moon is in the sky - the third country of Yunlong." Dalangba is 2,500 meters above sea level and is a vast meadow surrounded by tens of meters tall Yunnan pines, mixed with trees and bamboos. Here, cattle, sheep, pigs and horses enjoy the sun and grass freely. In the blue sky, there are cotton-like white clouds, and the gurgling stream composes beautiful music. Dalangba is surrounded by green mountains and green waters, and the clouds are ever-changing. The environment here is beautiful and quiet, and there is a touch of elegance in the fantasy. The natural scenery is strange, secluded and beautiful. The scenery of Yunlong Dalangba is like a peach garden and Shangri-La. Large and small villages are scattered like pearls among the green mountains and green waters, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, quiet and beautiful. In the small mountain village, you can hear the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs, and watch the sunrise and sunset. The feeling is like the paradise described in the poems of Wang Wei and Du Fu, which makes people forget their troubles and break away from reality. [Travel Tips]    1. The road to Dalangba is not easy to walk. When passing the Tianchi Archway, turn left and wind for more than ten kilometers. It is all bumpy mountain roads. Because it is shaded all year round, some sections of the road are flooded, so pay attention to safety when driving there.     2. You can bring your own tent and barbecue equipment to camp on the meadow, but the weather will be a little cool at night. It is recommended to bring more clothes in case of emergency. 3. Food: Yunlong bantam chicken, Nuodeng ham, tree beard, Luofeng tea

On my second trip to Dali, I stayed for three days. On the first day, I stayed at Erhai Park, facing north to enjoy the view of Erhai Lake. On the second day, I stayed at Shuanglang Ancient Town, facing west to see the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake together. On the third day, I cycled from west to east along the Erhai Ecological Corridor to enjoy the view of Erhai Lake. I also went to Yunxiang Mountain Road for extreme mountain biking, Shuanglang, Xizhou Ancient Town, Dali Ancient City, etc. Every angle offered a different perspective of Erhai Lake. The scenery in Dali is truly beautiful.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is truly breathtaking! Seeing it in person truly makes you appreciate the immense power of nature. The Jinsha River roars and surges through the gorge, its waves crashing against the banks, creating a deafening roar. The spray from the water on the viewing platform is incredibly impactful. The cliffs on both sides are majestic and precipitous, with snow-capped mountains visible in the distance – the scenery is magnificent and photogenic. The scenic walkways are well-maintained, making it relatively easy to explore, even for seniors. The signs are clear, the environment is clean, and there are no hidden fees. Although the mountain paths are quite challenging, seeing this world-class canyon scenery makes it all worthwhile. I highly recommend visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge when you come to Yunnan; it's an unforgettable stop on your trip!

Rehai Boiling Pot is a local specialty and the only geothermal scenic area in China. It's very unique and highly recommended. However, some attractions are under renovation, so the scenery is still somewhat lacking.

The weather wasn't great, but it was still incredibly beautiful, almost unrealistically so, haha. It cleansed my soul, and I didn't want to leave. I even encountered some squirrels. Along the way by bus, we saw even more beautiful undeveloped canyons, streams, and trees. I look forward to more areas being developed in the future.