Before the Spring Festival, I was determined to take my family to cross the Jinsha River by paddleboard, but it was full of twists and turns. Paris, the coach who accompanied me twice on paddleboarding in Eryuan, had already returned to Wuhan early, posting beautiful photos with aunties on his Moments. The diving guy Xiao Li and his girlfriend went back to their hometown for a feast, and he closed the Tuesday platform reservation in advance. After confirming by phone, I finally booked the paddleboard crossing of the Jinsha River activity on the reopened platform.
Hanhan was our guide for the paddleboard crossing. During the one-hour drive to Yongsheng County, I was fascinated by the clusters of agave plants, their flower stalks several meters long, creating a strong contrast with the barren, cracked red soil. When the car passed over the Yongsheng Jinsha River Bridge and I saw the shimmering green water, I knew this was the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. This stretch of water determines north and south, it is the center. As I lay down on the board, I kept murmuring the line 'Spring water is greener than the sky.'
With the experience of paddleboarding on Eryuan West Lake, crossing seemed just a matter of direction and time. On the board, I either sat cross-legged or stretched my legs, but I never managed to stand up with the paddle. In a daze, I was subdued by this green water, afraid that if I fell in, I would suddenly wake up from a dream like the protagonist in 'Inception.'
After paddling to the other side, the sweet and juicy oranges brought me back to reality. Sitting in the orchard overlooking the water, I could still see the shadows of dead trees submerged when the reservoir was filled. While I was lost in thought, my family were picking fruits in the orchard; such sweet fruits aroused their possessiveness.
On the return trip in the afternoon, after completing three-quarters of the journey, I gave up trying hard to paddle, lay flat on the board, and let the river breeze carry me back to the center of the river. The sun was warm with heat, and I closed my eyes. Hanhan took a few photos of me, while my wife and son were speeding up to the shore.
I was the only one holding the team back. Until a song came to mind, a duet by Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. The song is very famous: 'Time to Say Goodbye.' At this moment, in this place, with this song, everything was the best arrangement.
I'm going ashore!
You have to step out of your comfort zone, even if it's just once.
Back to today, before coming to Dali, I searched online for relevant guides and found Cangshan Hiking Home and OTC Town. I booked a SUP paddleboarding and tangerine picking trip on the Jinsha River for today. Before deciding to try paddleboarding, I went through a series of mental preparations, including but not limited to: I'm a beginner, what if I have no experience? What if I fall into the Jinsha River? I've never tried exciting sports before, what if it's not for me? And so on.
Fear spread from the bottom of my heart and grew wildly. Then another voice fought against it, saying: I want to try. Life is long, but I don't know if I'll ever have a second chance to paddleboard on the Jinsha River. I have to step out of my comfort zone, even if it's just once. So all the fear disappeared, simply defeated by that 'I want to.'
In the process of self-struggle and reconciliation, I became more and more excited about this trip. Maybe I was looking forward to paddleboarding, maybe to seeing the Jinsha River from textbooks, or maybe to the moment of breaking through myself. Anyway, the day before, just thinking about this trip made me dance in the guesthouse.
In the morning, I met the handsome guide Chen Paris at Sannei Croissant, and then we started the nearly one-and-a-half-hour drive from Dali to Taoyuan Town. Taoyuan Town belongs to Lijiang, and the Jinsha River flows through it, offering magnificent and beautiful valley and water views.
During the round trip, Paris and I broke the ice, chatting about the itinerary, the scenery along the road, the history of Cangshan Hiking Home, and his life experiences. I learned that he is from Hunan, has been to many places, and now his state in Dali is neither tourism nor long-term stay, so let's just call it an indefinable time. When talking about travel, we also discussed whether I had any similar outdoor sports experience before. I said, 'I went hiking in Tibet, does that count?' He said, 'Going to Tibet is impressive; I lived there for a while.' On the way back, I joked, 'You've been to so many places, have you ever thought about writing a book about these experiences? It should be interesting.' He quickly waved his hand, saying he didn't have the literary talent, and after a moment, added that writing a book for him would be too pretentious.
Along the way, the scenery outside the window gradually changed from city to village, with rolling mountains layered upon each other. Occasionally, I would exclaim at passing a few jacaranda trees, and sometimes we would curiously discuss the many domesticated cows in the car ahead. In short, when I looked out again, the Jinsha River view was right before my eyes.
At first sight, I could only sigh at how beautiful the scenery was. Blue-green lakes nestled among the mountains, with some villages and fishing boats not far away.
'The weather is nice today, not particularly hot. It's different from Dali; here it can reach over 30 degrees in April,' Paris said, looking at the river. Due to abundant sunshine, Taoyuan Town is rich in fruits. The government has planted many fruit trees along the roadside—loquats, mangoes, banana trees, jackfruit. As we passed by, we could see green, unripe fruits. Today's itinerary also included picking tangerines here.
Paris briefly explained the precautions for paddleboarding, and then we got into the water. I tested the water temperature and sat on the board to stabilize. The board has a head and a tail; the side with the fin is the tail. The paddle also has a front and back, like a spoon. The technique to move forward is to scoop water like a ladle. But it really tests your core and arm strength. In theory, you should use your core, but I kept compensating with my arms. You can paddle kneeling, sitting, or standing, depending on preference, but beginners are advised not to stand up immediately, as it's easy to lose balance and swallow water. However, Paris told me, 'It's hot this season; falling in the water is a happy thing, don't be afraid of it.' I think this statement influenced me and prepared me for the later jump.
The river was very calm in the morning, with sunlight sparkling on the blue-green Jinsha River—a beauty that a phone simply cannot capture. I quickly got used to kneeling and paddling. Seeing that I was adapting well, the guide suggested I try standing up, saying, 'Standing looks better in photos. Since you're here, why not try? And once you fall in the water once, you won't be afraid anymore.' I was convinced. I slowly stood up from the board, but due to unstable balance, my legs trembled uncontrollably. Just as I tried to support myself, my body uncontrollably fell toward the water in slow motion. So my first fall happened in a blur.
The moment I hit the water, I instinctively flailed, completely forgetting I was wearing a life jacket. My mind went blank, and I just wanted to find something to float on. Finally, following the guide's instructions, I clumsily climbed back onto the board. After resting for a while, I muttered that my goal for the day was to overcome myself and jump once. With Paris's continuous encouragement, I successfully stood on the board again, and after three seconds, I plunged into the water.
I think this saying is true: once you fall in the water, you won't be afraid anymore. After jumping, my paddleboarding became smoother and smoother. From initial fear and curiosity to natural ease—it's just like that.
After crossing the Jinsha River, we arrived at an auntie's house on the shore for lunch and rest. I realized that Paris is also a good cook, but unfortunately, I ate little. However, the butter tea he brought himself was particularly delicious, making me want to ask where to buy it. Blowing the river breeze and drinking hot tea, lying on a hammock in the small shed, waiting for the sun to dry our shoes and life jackets, we picked some delicious tangerines from the tree and then started the second half of the trip.
(The tangerines grown by the auntie in the riverside orchard were very sweet and tasty.)
In the afternoon, the wind picked up, and the river was not as calm as in the morning, but the waves were not big, just requiring more effort. We paddled back to the starting point in one go, and Paris said we could have some free time. Then we noticed a few life jackets bobbing on the river. Looking closely, we saw people swimming in the river, and one of them was almost out of sight. I couldn't help but marvel at how happy and skilled these people are in the water.
(During free time, I floated on the river and almost drifted away, but it was very comfortable, and I almost fell asleep.)
Paddleboarding across the Jinsha River to an orange orchard to pick oranges. Midway across, we even jumped (naked) into the blue Jinsha River for a swim. On the opposite bank, the orchard not only allowed us to eat as many oranges as we wanted, but we also got to taste the incredibly delicious Hunan stir-fry and freshly brewed butter tea made by the handsome guide Chen Paris. The kids even had two extra bowls of rice, eating until their bellies were round. After the meal, we took a wonderful nap in the orchard's hammocks. It was absolutely delightful... Highly recommend Chen Paris's Jinsha River trip!
Yunnan Day 3⃣: Paddleboarding on the Jinsha River in Yongsheng County, Lijiang
“This is a trip deep into natural lakes and rivers. It can be a youthful dive into the water, or you can lie freely on the floating board, gazing at the blue sky and drifting with the current.”
Yesterday, I met a sister from Xi’an in the group. We share the same interests, so we set off happily together! Even better, Xiao Li was still leading the team.
Traveling light, we had pre-paddle training. I felt like a student again and listened very attentively because I can’t swim and am afraid of water. I tried hard to remember but only retained one thing: keep your body centered on the board. Xiao Li was right—he said, “I can tell you a lot, but you won’t remember it all. You’ll learn by paddling more. The key is your mindset. If you stay calm, you won’t fall in.” His teaching was very clear and effectively eased my tension. He said, “Three things protect you: the life jacket on you, the paddleboard under you, and me. So you are safe. You have to tell yourself, you are safe.”
Okay, okay, peace peace… I got on the paddleboard smoothly. After just a couple of practice laps, I quickly got the hang of it and started paddling toward the opposite shore.
“Look at the water surface—bubbles mean there are fish below.” “The green on the opposite mountain is all Wogan oranges.” “Dozens of meters underwater, there’s a city submerged due to a water conservancy project.” “Look in the direction you want to paddle, so you won’t veer off.” “The Jinsha River is most beautiful this season, the water is very calm, and best of all, there are Wogan oranges to eat.” Xiao Li kept talking while also taking photos for us. “It’s okay if you bump into me, but don’t bump into Xiao Zhou~” “There are only three of us on the river—how awesome!”
With a completely relaxed mindset, I felt the water flow, the bubbles underwater, the submerged trees, and the distant mountains. When I lay flat on the paddleboard, I felt like I could fall asleep… The outbound trip was a mix of paddling and resting, and we reached the shore in an hour. Climbing over gravel, we stopped at a farmhouse by the shore, picked a few Wogan oranges—so fresh and delicious! After eating braised pork rice, we rested a bit and then paddled back, afraid of the afternoon wind.
Following the “master’s” advice, I didn’t dare slack off on the return trip. I paddled hard against the wind, and surprisingly smoothly, we reached the shore. Xiao Zhou played diving—she said the water was bone-chilling cold and she almost cramped, but hey, now she’s someone who has swum in the Jinsha River!
I had been longing for paddleboarding for a long time, and today I finally fulfilled my wish. Afraid of water and timid, yet unable to resist the longing, I was torn between anxiety and anticipation the night before. Fortunately, Coach Xiao Li gave detailed guidance, and I kept my pace—not rushing, not overreaching. Although I couldn’t stand up, I completed my first paddleboarding experience without falling into the water, and on the wild Jinsha River at that! Just like the description says: “As for paddleboarding techniques, they don’t matter at all. Paddling comfortably and smoothly, enjoying the freedom of nature—that’s the best way for you to participate.”
The wind was light, the water was calm, and my heart quieted down, making me want to hum a tune.
Successfully crossed the Jinsha River on a stand-up paddleboard with zero experience. Set aside a full day for this trip, and it was totally worth it—had a great time.
Team leader Xiao Li was very responsible. The itinerary was relaxed but the details were well thought out. The kids successfully took on the diving challenge. Got hooked on paddleboarding and hope to have the chance to play again back in my city.
Stand-up paddleboarding is super fun, I'm totally hooked. I'll come back next year!
Third time in Dali, but this trip unlocked many first-time experiences, all with Cangshan Hiking Home, every single one was 100%!
First time paddleboarding on Jinsha River: although the round trip was a bit far, it was absolutely worth it for this trip! Beautiful mountains, waters, and scenery, with improved paddleboarding skills, thrilling jumps, and fragrant braised pork rice and fresh pears picked from trees at a farmhouse... Still the treasure guides (Xiao Li and Shi Tou), full of skills. Dali is fun, but following Cangshan Hiking Home is even more fun. Will come again!
I joined once before and couldn't stop thinking about coming back. This time the new guide was Chen Paris.
There were 6 of us, and the guide arranged hotel pickup and drop-off, which was very convenient. Along the way, another support buddy shared some local stories.
Once in the water, everyone was thrilled. A teammate bravely tried standing up first—even though he fell in, it was a huge encouragement to everyone. The kids had a blast jumping into the water; Paris said he looks like a serious guy but acts totally different, hahaha. With the guide's encouragement, my bestie and I both managed to stand on the paddleboards and complete the breakthrough. Paris recorded it all for us, saying we should improve every time.
Finally, thanks to the girl who held my hand going downhill. Next time, please bring the dog along for double the fun. Lost a pair of sunglasses this time.
Five years ago, I first went mushroom picking with Xiao Jing. This year, I went paddleboarding on the Jinsha River with Paris. Every time is an unparalleled experience.
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Paris said that he and Xiao Li explored this water route on the Jinsha River, paddling for seven or eight hours in a single day to ensure all risk factors were eliminated, so everyone could play safely.
Thanks to their efforts, my child and I were able to shuttle across the vast Jinsha River, feeling the unique beauty between the mountains and water. With Paris's encouragement and guidance, we could freely transition from sitting to standing on the paddleboard, giving us a great sense of achievement. Even falling into the water while standing and climbing back onto the board was fun! We also experienced jumping off the shore into the water—it was so joyful.
There were little surprises along the way: huge pods from the flame tree, like big swords. Paris found a dry one for us, and when shaken, it made a pleasant sound.
There were fresh mangoes by the roadside, and we tasted their fragrant flavor. We even touched cute jackfruit! Oh, for lunch we had braised pork rice—I had two bowls, it was so delicious! There were also fruits and egg tarts.
He also took a lot of great photos.
Thank you, Paris, and his team, for giving us a perfect day.
The Jinsha River before the rainy season is so clear it feels like the Mediterranean.
Along the way, there were sand martin nests, cacti, and agave that blooms only once in a lifetime. Next to an orchard and a sheep shed, we set up a small table at a prime viewing spot for a 'picnic,' drinking very local Big Chestnut Biluochun tea with cold rice noodles, and enjoying unlimited mulberries.
Full of youthful energy, we jumped into the water without fear. When tired, we lay on paddleboards watching the clouds drift freely. The trip ended with a bold ice-cold Dali beer by the river, then we went to a restaurant recommended by locals for incredibly fragrant yam and black chicken—you won't find it on Dianping.
The only regret is that Xiao Li's DJI drone jumped into the water with me, losing the first-ever video record of my dive. But the wild vibe that can't be fully 'seen' with the eyes is the most wonderful and precious.
Full marks experience! After playing SUP on West Lake, I felt it wasn't enough and immediately signed up for the Jinsha River May Day trip. It's amazing that Dali can still offer such a secluded and exciting experience. Many thanks to OTC and guide Xiao Li. The morning sun made the Jinsha River incredibly beautiful. We crossed the river with our good friend, the dog Tuotuo, to pick Wogan oranges (super sweet) at a farmer's home on the opposite bank, and enjoyed the cold rice noodles Xiao Li had prepared for us in advance. On the way back in the afternoon, the wind and waves were huge, making it very fun and thrilling. Highly recommend choosing Jinsha River if you're torn between West Lake and Jinsha River. Max experience!!!
A while ago, I joined the Fern Forest Hike and had an amazing experience. That day ranked No. 1 on my list of happiest days in Dali. So I decided to join another activity from the mini-program with a friend: Stand-Up Paddleboarding Across the Jinsha River & Picking Tangerines. We set off on a sunny day. The guide, Xiao Li, is also post-2000s, haha. We chatted the whole way. At the Jinsha River, Xiao Li patiently taught us paddleboarding techniques. My friend had no experience and couldn't swim, so I was a bit worried at first. But after Xiao Li's instruction, she could stand steadily on the board. Lunch was delicious cold rice noodles—the best I've had in Dali (I got the address). On the way back, we all agreed to jump into the river, haha! A super happy day. Paddleboarding's happiness index has surpassed the Fern Forest Hike and become my new No. 1. Now I'm back in Yinqiao, but my soul is still floating on the Jinsha River, going through withdrawal. Xiao Li is a great person. Although he's a guide, it felt more like hanging out with a friend. His enthusiasm and energy helped us immerse ourselves in nature. He's also great at taking photos—most of the pictures were taken by him. If you're interested in paddleboarding, I highly recommend him.
So much fun, happy
