Chillout, Soulout & Freakout

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 rea...

Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, 'sea shaped like an ear', in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named. The Erhai Lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers (96 square miles) and is located about two kilometers (1.2 miles) east of Dali. It is like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city as seen from Cangshan Mountain. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the scene was commonly described as 'Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai'. There are a lot of ways to tour around the Erhai Lake but I suggested you the best two ways. Cycling/Sightseeing Car/Electric Bike/Electric Car - No matter which type of transportation you are using, you need 2 days to complete the tour around the lake. The total distance is 128km. My suggestion is you leave your big...

Travel 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Dali and you will come to a popular beauty spot known locally as the 'Butterfly Spring'. Situated at the foot of Mount Shenmo, the first of the peaks of Mount Cangshan, the spring rises to form a square shaped pool that is shaded by the dense foliage that lines its banks. To get to here is easy. If you are renting a vehicle, just take about 40 minutes drive towards north of Dali Ancient City. If by bus, just take a bus from the west gate towards northbound. Otherwise, you can join a local tour package like we do.  You will start your walk through the bamboo groove. It is really beautiful but I would prefer a little more density.  On the way you will meet two weirdly shaped trees. The first one is this tree where two becomes one, the guide will want you to walk around the tree for 10 rounds to ensure your marriage is everlasting and if you are single, you will find your life partner soon. The second tree is the two tree...

Three Pagodas located in Chongsheng Temple, is about 1 kilometers (0.6 miles) northwest of the Dali Ancient City. Facing Erhai Lake, Chongsheng Temple is located at the western border Cangshan Mountain. It's said that 9 Kings of Dali Kingdom chose to be a Chongsheng monastery in the temple. The Three Pagodas inside the temple was built 1,800 years ago. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area. As its name implies, Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. This is unique in China. A visit to the pagodas should not be missed by any visitor to Dali City. The entrance fee of CNY121 has always become a debate for the tourists because they think it is too expensive for a temple visit. The historical buildings is just the 3 pagodas. Other than that is just newly built. The middle pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, 69.13 meters (227 feet) high, is one of the highest pagodas of the Ta...