The Beauty of Cangshan Mountain in Dali

Number of days: 10 days
Time: July
Average cost: 3500 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2022.08.21

The beauty of Cangshan Mountain in Dali

Inscription: The sixth season of Brave the World has come to a successful conclusion. Over the past ten days, I traveled around Yunnan, experienced the beauty of the southern part of the colorful clouds, and left behind unforgettable memories. Now, let's start sharing the joy.

In the sixth season of Brave the World, we headed west to Dali.

More than a decade ago, I visited Dali. At that time, I was fascinated by the beautiful scenery and unique customs of Dali. As a result, I have always been thinking about it and missing the romantic life of Dali. This time, when the epidemic is still recurring, we unanimously decided to go to Yunnan again, revisit Dali, and have an intimate contact with Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake.

The first time I went to Dali, I fell in love with Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, and this time was no exception.

Revisiting the ancient city of Dali, the city gates are majestic, and the flowers and trees are shaded. The ancient city is crowded with tourists, and it is still prosperous. The Wuhua Tower is still beautiful and magnificent. That night, a super large moon, which only appears once in many years, appeared in the night sky. We were fortunate to see the beautiful picture of the bright moon shining on the ancient city. The scenery is gorgeous and unforgettable.

The next morning, we ascended the city wall, overlooking the ancient city and gazing out over Erhai Lake. White clouds drifted across the sky, and the distant Cangshan Mountain was a shimmering dark green. This kind of beauty can only be appreciated and felt in Dali. At that moment, we were truly captivated! Perhaps Dali is that kind of place, a place that resonates with us, captivating us again and again. No matter how many times you visit, you'll always discover its unique beauty and fall in love with it at first sight.

After touring the ancient city, we headed to Dali Cangshan Global Geopark to experience the breathtaking beauty deep within Cangshan Mountain.

Dali's "wind, flowers, snow, and moon" refer to the Xiaguan wind, the Shangguan flowers, the Cangshan snow, and the Erhai moon. Of these, the Cangshan snow can only be seen in winter and spring, but we experienced all the others. But the beauty of Cangshan Mountain lies not only in its snowy landscape. The majestic 19 peaks of Cangshan Mountain form a striking contrast with the beautiful Erhai Lake, creating a breathtaking backdrop. Deep in the Cangshan Mountains, a tranquil Zen temple, towering ancient trees, shrouded in mist, and gurgling streams create a tranquil and picturesque scene, a truly breathtaking spectacle.

Following the mountain path, we first arrived at Gantong Temple. Built in the Tang Dynasty, this temple, also known as Dangshan Temple, has experienced several ups and downs. Once home to renowned scholars and monks, it held a rich history. However, time has passed, and today, I only remember the temple's vibrant flowers; so much else has become a passing joke. Next, we arrived at Jizhao Temple, a tranquil nunnery nestled mid-mountain. Originally a place for quiet meditation, it has become a popular online destination thanks to its abundance of succulents and flowers. Alas, in modern society, quiet places are hard to find. Jizhao Temple seemed to accept this with equanimity, seizing the opportunity to offer its own vegetarian meals, promoting the concept of vegetarianism as a spiritual practice and catering to the influx of tourists and pilgrims. I truly admire Jizhao Temple's approach: everything is predestined, so we should act according to circumstances, rather than impose constraints. There are no restaurants on the mountain, so the vegetarian meals at Jizhao Temple provided the perfect boost for our climb and a chance to learn about the importance of thriftiness. However, the sheer number of people lining up for the vegetarian meals surprised me. After bidding farewell to Jizhao Temple, we took the cable car from Gantong Temple up to Qingbi Gorge to explore the mystical beauty of the Cangshan Grand Canyon. Qingbi Creek, one of the Eighteen Creeks of Cangshan, flows gently, shaded by trees, offering a refreshing coolness amidst the scorching summer heat. The Zhenlong chess game by the creek is said to be the chess game set up by Wuyazi in "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," a chessboard that remained unsolved for thirty years until it was accidentally cracked by Xuzhu. From Qingbi Gorge, continue along the Jade Belt Cloud Road, weaving through forests, secluded valleys, wading through clear streams, and gazing out at Erhai Lake. Enjoy the cool breeze and breathtaking views along the way, a relaxing and refreshing experience. After 4.5 kilometers, you'll reach the Seven Dragon Maiden Pool. From there, take the Ximatan Cableway down to the Tianlongbabu Film and Television Studio. If you have the time and stamina, you can continue the 10-plus kilometers to the Zhonghe Cableway. However, after reaching the summit of the Seven Dragon Maiden Pool, we were exhausted, so we descended directly to the film and television studio at the foot of the mountain. The panoramic views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake from the cableway are truly a delight. The Jade Belt Cloud Road, stretching 18 kilometers, winds like a flowing ribbon between the 19 peaks of Cangshan Mountain. It's the perfect way to explore the mountains and enjoy the scenery. Its name derives from the famous Jade Belt Clouds. At the Tianlongbabu Film and Television Studio, you can visit the Western Xia Imperial Palace, wander around the Song Dynasty City, and even dress up as a fairy or a hero, taking beautiful photos as souvenirs.

In just one day, we traveled through the Cangshan Mountains, feeling its majesty and steepness, appreciating its vastness and depth, and feeling its infinite charm. Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake have since been deeply rooted in our hearts.