Cangshan Mountain, Dali (Zhonghe cableway)

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The Cang Mountains (Cangshan) are a mountain range west of Dali City. Their snow-capped peaks, flowing clouds, murmuring brooks, diverse flora, and historical temples make them one of the most famous attractions in Dali. It is a great place to enjoy a bird's eye view of Erhai Lake and Dali Ancient Town. Cable car and hiking are both great ways to enjoy the scenery of the mountains.
However, you have to know there are three cableways in the mountains: Ximatan Cableway, Zhonghe Cableway, and Gantong Cableway. I just know after I know my tour package is going to Zhonghe Cableway. If you do not want to spend any money for the cableway, you can actually hike too. However, it is not really a hiking friendly terrain. Hiking is a popular way to enjoy the mountain scenery. Near Tianlong Babu Studio City at the foot of Cangshan Mountain is a hiking route, and many locals take their morning exercise along this route. Visitors can hike this route, too. It takes about one hour to reach Yudai Rd (Jade Belt Rd), a 18km (11 miles) walking trail on the mountainside. Walking along Jade Belt Rd, you can not only get a bird’s eye view of Erhai Lake but also enjoy many attractions like Longyan Cave, Zhonghe Temple and Qilongnv Pool. Nearly all the attractions along Jade Belt Rd have stores selling water and food, so there is no need to take much along with you. Also, the vegetarian food offered by Zhonghe Temple is worth a try.

Cableway Costs:

  • Ximatan Cableway: 300 yuan for a round trip, 150 for one way
  • Gantong Cableway: 80 yuan for a round trip, 50 for one way
  • Zhonghe Cableway: 60 yuan for a round trip, 30 for one way
Obviously, the best cableway is at Ximatan Cableway. The Zhonghe Cableway I went is so boring and the panoramic view is so limited. Maximum disappointment. I felt I have been conned by the tour agency. Ximatan Cableway is the longest one, with a length of 5,555 meters (18,225 feet), and takes you to an altitude of about 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). Ximatan Cableway has a mid-way station where you can get off to take some pictures. The whole journey is about 40 minutes. If it is too windy, you will end your journey at the mid station. As the most expensive cableway, it offers the best scenery. You will enjoy panoramic views of Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake, and see different mountain scenes: from pine forests and alpine lakes to patches of snow.
The highlights of Cangshan at Ximatan cableways are:
1. Xima Pond (‘Washing Horses Pond’)
Ximatan (洗马潭) is an alpine lake with an altitude of 3,920 meters (12,861 feet). It is famous for its limpid water and enchanting scenery around it. From March to May, blooming azaleas and lush brushwood make the lake more gorgeous. According to legend, Kublai Khan, the emperor who founded Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), once bathed his horses in the pond when he defeated the Dali Kingdom. So it was named Ximatan, ‘Washing Horses Pond’.

 2. Qingbi Stream (‘Clear Green Stream’)
The Cang Mountains consists of 19 peaks. There is a brook between each of the peaks, 18 brooks in total. Qingbi Stream (清碧溪) is the most famous one. It is very relaxing to walk in the tranquil forest and listen to the gurgling stream.

 3. Butterfly Spring
Butterfly Spring (蝴蝶泉) is at the foot of Yunnong Peak, about 40 km from Malong Peak. It is like a gem laying in the green shade of the mountains. If you visit between April and May when all kinds of flowers are in blossom, you will see thousands of bufferflies around the spring.
While Gantong and Zhonghe cableways, you will just see Buddhist temple and that's it. Overall, I really do recommend to visit the Cangshan Mountain but only Ximatan Cableways. If you do not want to spend that much, just go up with cable car and hike all the way down. If it is still expensive for you, maybe you can just skip this tourist spot.
Ticket Price: CNY100
Business Hours: 8.00am - 6.00pm (daily)
Best time to visit: March - May
Recommended?: 4/5. Yes and only Ximatan cableway
Location: 86 Guanyin Rd, Dali Shi, Dali Baizuzizhizhou, Yunnan Sheng, China, 671003

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