About this journey
In Dali, from Monday to Sunday, different towns and counties have traditional markets every day. These markets mainly feature local specialty foods, clothing, and products, and most of the people you meet there are locals.
One of my favorite activities when I was younger (and still is) was going to the market every week. My parents would give me money to buy things in town that couldn't be bought in the village (and sometimes cigarettes to secretly smoke). It was bustling and crowded with people from various villages and towns.
Dali has market days everywhere. My hometown is Yousuo Town in Eryuan, but my favorite market is in Fengyu Town, just over a mountain pass. Probably because Fengyu was once an important town on the Tea Horse Road, located in a valley below Huadian Basin. As the Tea Horse Road faded, the main highway bypassed it, making transportation inconvenient, but thereby preserving rich traditions and nature.
For example, at the market, you'll find many more locals wearing traditional Bai clothing daily than in the Erhai region. At the market, you can see Bai, Yi, Hui, and Han people from Fengyu and the entire Dali area doing business. You can even distinguish which area or even which town they are from by their clothing, headwear, and accents. There are also many things worth exploring in terms of diet, customs, and holiday traditions.
The market is not prepared for our arrival; it happens only on a fixed day each week. So each time you encounter different people and seasonal fresh produce, different scenes, and see the real life of locals. This is also what our guides like even without guests; we would go ourselves.
Due to developed transportation and modern life evolution, such traditional markets are becoming fewer, and may gradually disappear over time. So I want to see them as much as possible. Just like Cangshan's nature, the market's produce changes with the seasons, and every visit brings joy and harvest.
On market days, many mountain residents also come down to sell their homegrown agricultural products, handmade crafts, medicinal herbs, tobacco, and worship supplies. Vans are packed with people and goods.
After filling our stomachs at the market, we take a walk in the ancient village in the afternoon. Experiencing it firsthand is the best.
Walking in the village, now in summer, the mountains are lush and green everywhere.
After the walk, we have tea under a big tree at the village entrance. The hundred-year-old tree has witnessed the entire village and its people. Now we sit under the tree, overlooking the Fengyu Basin.
Booked activities will proceed even with just one guest.
Don't worry about cancellations affecting your plans. Because we know that canceling an activity is not just about refunding fees; it disrupts your itinerary and makes you upset. Time and smooth, reliable arrangements are very important for most travelers.
Possible discomfort:
Most of our guides' cars: are ordinary vans.
On one hand, we are frugal; on the other hand, we often carry outdoor equipment and go to natural mountains and village dirt roads, making vans the most suitable transport companions. However, children often particularly enjoy the bumpy ride, calling it a "rocking car."
Itinerary:
Destination: Fengyu Ancient Town, Eryuan (80 km from Dali Old Town, 1 hour 40 minutes by car)
Departure time: 9:30 AM
Return time: around 4:00 PM
Arrive back at the starting point around 6:00 PM.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Fengyu Town (cost shared, about 30-40 yuan per person, affordable, you can order according to your preferences).
Weed seeds, a local snack similar to sunflower seeds.
Photos and
