Today I went on the Bread Van Tour with Sister Yanzi.
It's been a long time since I've been this close to nature. On both sides of the road stood Chinese pistache and silk trees that have been there for over two hundred years. The cicadas were so loud they were almost piercing, and there were many spider webs hanging from the trees.
The little dogs were very happy, sniffing around everywhere, and many small gifts were secretly hidden on their faces and in their leg fur.
Through Yanzi's calm and unhurried introductions, I got to know many plants: paper mulberry, horsetail, firethorn, dodder, and clematis. I learned to distinguish Chinese yam from wild yam, and watched her step into a small ditch beside the vegetable field to pick wild celery and wild coriander, which she then coated in batter and fried into delicious tempura.
I also learned to pick plants for leaf rubbing on cotton-linen fabric, watching the plant juices leave beautiful marks on the cloth.
On the way back, I saw many egrets strolling leisurely in the rice paddies, and the little dogs curiously poked their heads out.
This unhurried walk and afternoon tea were truly wonderful. Time seemed to slow down, and at that moment, we were people counting the beats together with nature.
Spent a perfect afternoon with Yang Mi and Xiao Xi. Just breathing in the damp forest felt like a spa. Yang Mi knows the nearby mountains and forests well. When the rain stopped, we walked along the creek, learning about various interesting plants. When the rain fell, the van became our roof, and time flowed quietly and full of life. Every time I come to Dali, I sign up for an activity with Hiking Home. Now, before I've even left, I'm already thinking about what kind of trip I want to experience next time. See you next time..
A very worthwhile minivan trip. The countryside of Eryuan is quiet and comfortable.
Hundred-year-old trees by the ancient river, fields and sunshine—perfect for low-energy people to calm down and recharge.
Yanzi led us in leaf rubbing, taught us about plants, and explained things. The whole trip was quiet and soothing.
I will always remember this afternoon.
A very healing minivan trip~
Even though it was cloudy, Dali in cloudy weather is already beautiful. The clouds, distant mountains, villages, and fields were like a painting. Add the specially modified minivan and the afternoon tea carefully prepared by Yanzi, and it was a place where you could quietly stay all afternoon! Liangdian was a bit mischievous at times, but very obedient to Yanzi. During the car ride, he stayed close to my feet, warm and cozy~
The wild vegetable tempura Yanzi fried was especially delicious. I ate so much I was almost full, haha. The aroma of wild vegetables wrapped in batter, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—it was a flavor I had never tasted before!
The dairy products were amazing—another taste of fresh milk and yogurt I had never tried before. I loved it!
Leaf rubbing was so magical—it felt like bringing vitality home. Yanzi said it was like cheating at painting, haha. So this is what outdoor sketching feels like? In the end, she even gave me a ride back to my guesthouse along the way. Watching Yanzi and Liangdian leave, I will always remember this afternoon.
This afternoon's bread car trip to Eryuan was so healing! We drove through mountains and fields all the way, and on the way back, we saw beautiful sunset glow on the mountainside, full of atmosphere! In the afternoon, we immersed ourselves in outdoor picking fresh leaves among the ancient trees, experienced plant rubbing by hand, and made plant specimens. The process was relaxing and fun! Sister Xiaomi patiently took care of the kids, so moms could relax~
This trip not only brought us close to nature but also allowed us to keep the greenery of Eryuan with our own hands. A slow-paced healing journey, super worth recommending, absolutely awesome! My baby is still missing Sister Xiaomi and the dog Xiaoxi.
Also, the northwestern noodle shop recommended by Xiaomi was just right. They have hot porridge for the baby, and I could have a bowl of oil-splashed noodles to satisfy my northern stomach, haha.
Today's activity was absolutely fantastic. Both kids loved it, especially the two little dogs—one named Zamao and the other Xiaoxi. They kept us company and played with us the whole time. We foraged wild vegetables, did leaf rubbing, and finally made tempura with celery, mushrooms, and cilantro—all delicious. Sister Xiaomi was also wonderful, taking us to experience a very special rice field, as well as gongcai tian and cornfields. We got many great photos.
To Sister Yanzi:
Thank you, Sister Yanzi, for taking us into the thousand-year-old secret realm of Miju River.
You are like a walking natural encyclopedia—you know which leaves can be used for rubbing, which wild vegetables can be picked and taken home, and which tree has the most touching story. The children followed you with endless questions of "why," and you always smiled, crouched down, and patiently pointed things out to them.
In just one afternoon, you arranged the ancient dike, ancient trees, picnic, and handicrafts so perfectly and gently. You didn't just take us to play; you opened a door to nature and tradition for us.
Sister Yanzi, I want to go with you again next time.
Another unforgettable experience. Picking wild vegetables in the fields, then making plant rubbings and wild vegetable tempura by the stream. It was very crispy and rich, and I couldn't stop eating. Thank you to the guide for being gentle and attentive, and for taking amazing photos. I love it!
A very meaningful activity. I really liked the guide sister. This was the happiest day in Dali.
This was a very comfortable trip. No noisy sounds, no rush or urgency. We leisurely passed through Eryuan, had an ice pop, and then went into the woods to do plant rubbing and eat tempura (the mushroom tempura was incredibly delicious!). Basking in the sun while the dog rolled around nearby—such moments were absolutely wonderful. This trip opened up a new world for my future travels. Life might just be like this: letting the heart calm down. I really love going out with Yanzi. The first time I joined her group was to look for mushrooms, and I couldn't stop thinking about it since. After leaving Dali, I think I will always remember this trip and will come back to Dali for it again. The dog is also incredibly cute! I absolutely love Liangdian! (Highly recommend joining their team. I've been on three trips with them and never had a bad experience. The sisters are very thoughtful, and you can learn a lot about plants!)
The experience was perfect. Led by guide Yang Mi, we had a great time with "Xiao Xi" accompanying us, chatting and laughing all the way. I learned about the process of making rushan and even tasted rushan that hadn't been fully dehydrated, similar to the texture of burrata. We arrived at a village, got off, and walked while learning about plants and picking wild vegetables. The flavors of the wild vegetables were surprisingly different and magical.
The plant rubbing experience was also special. I picked my own flowers and printed them on a small bag. The overall atmosphere was great, and Yang took good care of us. I'll come back to experience more activities when I have time!
I've been to Dali several times. This time, I'm living here as a resident, slowly feeling the rhythm of life and experiencing the local customs hidden in streets, alleys, and field paths. Without a good guide, it's really tough. I came across a post about minivan travel, and it immediately struck a chord. Avoiding crowds and check-ins, this down-to-earth feeling of being in the soil and grass is exactly the travel experience I want.
Yang Mi led us into Dali's Emerald City. She connected our trip with nature through her own grass-type magical vitality.
First time eating fresh rushan scooped straight from the bucket. It tastes just like cheese, chewy and fragrant.
The tall ancient trees have intertwined roots, standing on this section of the Tea Horse Road for hundreds of years, watching travelers change from horse-drawn carts to modern vehicles. When the wind blows, the pods on the Albizia trees make a beautiful sound like flowing water, as if telling us about the wonderful times they've experienced.
Today, the happiest one was Guagua. A city dog, able to run and explore the wilderness without a care, charging all the way, chasing butterflies, squirrels, birds, and toads, and accidentally ending up in a vegetable patch. Guagua, you're a dog who has walked the Tea Horse Road.
We strolled and foraged, picking beautiful flowers and plants to eco-print onto bags, and also gathered wild greens to make delicious tempura. I learned for the first time that wisteria flowers are edible.
Xiaojing and I sat by the river listening to music, frying tempura, eating fruit, drinking tea, and chatting (haha, doing so many things at once). When I looked up, the sky was divided into so many colors. This was nature's unexpected gift to us.
As a full-attendance user of Xiaohongshu for 11 years, with an annual reading of 23,154,000 characters, I found OTC Town through a note on "adult study tour programs." In this activity, I experienced the platform's concept of "exploring connections with the local." The day before, the staff set up a WeChat group with the platform, host, and guests. The host prepared activity insurance and arranged the meeting time, place, and main content in advance.
Guide Yangmi arrived early in a story-filled van and actively engaged with us along the way. The activity took place at a wetland park, a rushan-making shop, and the Miju River embankment. Looking back, except for the dog being absent due to a cold, everything matched the pictures on the mini-program. During the plant collection, eco-printing, and vegetable tempura making, they patiently taught and chatted with us, ensuring we had a good experience and completed our projects. The guide took photos throughout and sent them to the WeChat group the same day—very efficient and with great taste.
With goodwill and a sense of closeness, I guess our guide's MBTI is INTJ. If you see this review, you can take the test. The guide is a woman with low material desires, a deep love for the mountains and fields, rich experience yet still childlike, full of natural wildness. She answered all questions sincerely and patiently. On the way back to Dali, it started raining. When we asked if she could drop us near our guesthouse, she readily agreed and drove us to the door. With gratitude, I write this review, hoping it gets better and better.
I joined the Bread Van Tempura Tour. The person in charge, Xiao Jing, was very gentle and talkative, making the whole trip relaxed and enjoyable. This activity is perfect for those with average stamina who love food. Xiao Jing not only treated us to delicious milk popsicles and milk but also took us to browse a village market in Eryuan—fresh and fun!
After arriving at the Eryuan secret spot, we walked through an ancient forest, picked some beautiful plants and wild vegetables, and Xiao Jing introduced each one by name. Then came the plant rubbing and wild vegetable tempura, which we absolutely couldn’t get enough of! Eating, drinking, and chatting under the sun—it was wonderful! My time in Dali was too short to experience more activities. I sincerely recommend this fun organization. Everyone will surely find a suitable activity and leave with beautiful memories of Dali!
I really like the activities of Cangshan Hiking Home. Today was my third time joining their event.
Today, I participated in the Village Bread Van Rubbing activity. Sister Xiao Jing was gentle and meticulous. Not only did she introduce various plants during the activity and help design patterns, but she also pointed out scenery along the drive. Besides offering various fruits for tasting, there were freshly fried tempura to eat. She was also very friendly to my little dog. Finally, the photos she took were really beautiful.
Today I experienced the Bread Van Tour with Xiao Jing. It was the happiest and most meaningful part of my entire trip. Walking on the winter path, I could hear the rustling of leaves underfoot. In the evening, I saw the sunset light spilling over the flowing stream. Looking up, I could see the lines carved by time on tree trunks. Spending time with Xiao Jing was relaxed and pleasant. Xiao Jing prepared everything with great care. Looking forward to meeting again.
A perfect, relaxing, and mind-emptying day:
From a noisy place to the mountains of nature.
At noon, I was taken to the village to eat freshly made rushan cheese and drink milk. Then we went to a very local village market, tasted super sweet milk strawberries, and bought my beloved blueberries... A new experience...
In the afternoon, we strolled through the fields, picked plants, took photos, and had afternoon tea. I also made a leaf-print bag. There was almost no one in the fields. The sun was super warm all afternoon, and the experience was top-notch.
Thank you to the guide Yanzi, who was also the driver and interpreter. She knew all kinds of plants and told many stories about the people of Dali. The ride there and back was never boring. A very leisurely and wonderful trip.
I signed up for the afternoon Minivan Tour 2, and guide Xiaomi took our family to live a happy field and forest life!
Actually, on the way in the car, I kept asking Xiaomi why she thinks there are so many fun things in nature. Xiaomi was at a loss for words until we arrived at this ancient forest. Along the way, she taught us to identify various plants, crushed leaves to let us smell different plant aromas, pinned plant 'Lego' into my braids, and squeezed dried mushroom heads to see them puff smoke. At that moment, Xiaomi said, 'See, nature has so many fun things that are hard to describe with words.'
We collected the leaves into a basket, found a big rock by the roadside, and started doing plant rubbing. Meanwhile, Xiaomi prepared afternoon tea for us, including spiny fire melons she just bought from the market that morning, mung bean cakes from the ancient city, and herbal tea made from plants she grew herself. The table was full of snacks and fruits!
Just when I thought it was over, Xiaomi asked us, 'I just picked some water celery and coriander. Want to try?' Then Xiaomi magically pulled out a pot, oil, and even tempura flour. Oh my god, it was so delicious!
Actually, after just half a day together, I was already moved by Xiaomi's vitality. The beautiful and cozy minivan, the little yellow flowers picked on the way, the wild vegetables cooked right on the spot—I will definitely come back to find her to take me mushroom picking next time.
