Five-star review, if there were ten stars, I would give ten!
The guide takes care of everyone. The kids were chattering, and he patiently answered all their questions and explained things to us. Along the way, he also introduced many Chinese herbal medicines. One hike, two experiences. The first part was a fern forest, and the second part had babbling brooks—the kids especially loved it!
About 4 kilometers, 4 hours, both adults and kids had a great time! The noodle shop at the foot of the mountain was also delicious! I recommend it to all friends with kids!
This Dali forest hiking experience was a perfect 10!
The forest is full of pine trees, with clear and beautiful streams. The ground is covered with pine needles, soft and bouncy to step on, creating an especially healing atmosphere.
Our guide (Rini) was friendly and thoughtful, even preparing fruit and hot tea, which was very heartwarming. The accompanying dog, Summer, was lively and adorable, making the whole journey extra fun. The pace of the itinerary was relaxed without any rushing, and they were very accommodating when we needed to adjust the time on the spot. My younger sister even had a cozy nap lying in the forest.
It was an incredibly comfortable day spent with family. Highly recommend, and a thousand thanks!
A very healing 3 hours, light and friendly with low difficulty, easy and not tiring journey, zero pressure for beginners, excellent layered scenery, serene and healing, stunning for photos.
Fresh air, dense vegetation, clear and cool streams, quiet and pristine, far from the hustle and bustle, extremely comfortable for a short getaway.
A perfect experience. The guide Rini was very warm and made me feel comfortable. The snacks he brought were delicious, and his photography skills were good—most of the photos were taken by him.
The little dog Summer was super smart, almost like a little guide. This was my first hike, and I hadn't exercised in two or three years, but I didn't find it too tiring. The high energy after the hike was irreplaceable. I highly recommend it to friends who haven't tried it yet!
-An
If you can only sign up for one hiking route, this one will suit you well. Just like the title says, you can enjoy different scenery along the 4-kilometer journey, including farmland, ferns, pine trees, streams, high flatlands, and more—very diverse. The guide Tailor was professional and meticulous, and the dog Guobao was super cute.
Very satisfied. We saw stunning plants and flowers under the microscope in the mountains. Guide Huanhuan was extremely attentive, took us to collect many interesting plants, and knowing we wanted to take beautiful photos, she brought us delicious tea snacks with local fruits and her own homemade fried snacks—so thoughtful!!! The craft shop Zhenhao was also fantastic. You can take the 'parts' collected from the mountains to Zhenhao to learn how to dry and make interesting little trinkets—a very unique experience~
As a hiking enthusiast, this was my first time paying for a hike, but I must say it was totally worth it! The guide was witty and humorous, with knowledge as vast as an encyclopedia, great at interacting with kids, and an excellent photographer. He took care of both families seamlessly and thoughtfully. The tea break at the mountaintop was delicious—truly a new life experience!
I joined the Kuosongping hike. Guide Huanhuan was very professional throughout, with meticulous route planning and encouragement, plus explanations of various plants, making the hike both safe and full of surprises. The generous tea break also provided timely energy replenishment. She took great care of everyone, from a 70-year-old to a 5-year-old! It gave us the best travel experience during our Dali trip.
Thank you Huanhuan for your professionalism and patience throughout the trip! Your meticulous route planning and encouragement made the entire hike both safe and full of surprises. The generous tea break also provided us with timely energy replenishment. From the 70-year-old elder to the 5-year-old child, everyone was taken care of very thoughtfully! You gave us the best travel experience in Dali.
Five-star review, if there were ten stars, I'd give ten!
The guide took care of everyone. The kids chattered nonstop, and he answered them patiently and explained things along the way. He also introduced many medicinal herbs. One hike, two experiences. The first part was a fern forest, the latter part a babbling brook, which the kids especially loved!
About 4 kilometers, 4 hours, both adults and kids had a great time! The noodle shop at the foot of the mountain was also delicious! I highly recommend it to all friends with kids!
After two years, I saw Caifeng again, still warm and friendly. The scenery along the way was beautiful, and the landscape by the stream had an exotic feel, as if entering another white planet. Looking forward to meeting again next time.
Originally we booked the Bosi Temple route, but the kids in the group couldn't keep up physically. After discussing with the guide, Captain Wangwang sacrificed his rest time to take us on the Kuosongping route alone.
The sunlight faintly filtered through the jungle, casting dappled light on this fern world. We stumbled into the home of insects.
Guide Wangwang patiently taught the children to identify forest plants and insects. At first, they were scared, but in the end, they became good friends with the little bugs.
It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. Next time, I want to try more routes. Traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books—discover the beauty of the world on the road. Thank you, Guide Wangwang, and also thanks to the mushroom-picking group that led us the day before, and to Zhamao who accompanied us all the way. See you next time!
The right way to explore Dali is to follow Hiking Home for more life experiences.
Both guides, Tailor and Huanhuan, were professional and enthusiastic. They taught us a lot about plants and mushrooms, and their photography skills were excellent.
When did you take so many photos! Today was super fun! When we parted, the kids were reluctant to leave, they didn't get enough time with you~ Teacher Rini is caring, patient, and attentive.
I've been in Dali for three months now, and I've lost count of how many times I've joined the Cangshan Hiking Home activities. I'm not sure how many more times I'll join, but every activity is comfortable and memorable.
This time, it was a rare opportunity to go hiking alone without the kids, following the guide Wangwang to Kuosongping. After two weeks of rain in Dali, we finally had a rare sunny day (though I also love Cangshan in the rain; it's a different kind of beauty). Once again, I immersed myself in nature. Personally, I think Kuosongping is a very beautiful route. The first half is a stunning fern forest, like walking through a secret realm. The second half is a path accompanied by a small stream, with the sound of flowing water and occasional birdsong from the trees. Plus, when guide Wangwang helped me identify plants and I touched their textures with my hands, it was truly a journey of experiencing nature with all five senses.
I'm fortunate to have found a different way to open up Dali—not a photo-taking, check-in type of travel, but a way to deeply experience nature and local life. However, it's not for everyone; it's more suitable for those who love nature, the outdoors, plants, slow travel, experiencing something different, and want to see another side of Dali.
Lastly, I want to say that my child and I have joined many activities. After each activity, I ask my child what the most memorable point was this time. He always tells me it's the uncle or aunt guide. I believe children can best perceive kindness and unkindness from others. We've been lucky to receive a lot of kindness and patience from all the guides. In the coming days in Dali, we will continue to explore more of the different aspects of Dali in this way.
This was my first time hiking with my child. I originally wanted to broaden my child's experiences, but instead I ended up being the one who was really happy. The whole trip gave me a lot of positive energy and a sense of surprise. There are a few things I was satisfied with:
First of all, Teacher Tailor, three "hearts": caring, meticulous, and considerate. Because of the May Day holiday traffic jam, we arrived a bit late. Teacher Tailor waited in place without getting anxious, and had a very good attitude. The whole journey was full of security and knowledge.
Secondly, the unique vegetation along the way surprised me. Whether it was the sudden little mushrooms in May or the "da li bai" covering the mountains, looking at me like ET eyes. Also, some small bugs that my son really liked, such as "stink bugs," "** bugs," and "beetles." I was scared, but my child loved them, haha.
Lastly, this is a treasure hiking companion: the dog that Teacher Tailor brought, named Guobao, a 6-year-old female Border Collie. She is very beautiful and smart. She "herded us" like "sheep" and "kept us in a circle," always checking whether we were lost. She ran back and forth with her tongue out, and finally when she was tired, she even tried to sneakily eat the picnic food Teacher Tailor prepared for us. My child and I secretly gave Guobao a few strawberries.
I recommend everyone to find Teacher Tailor~~~~~ Go hiking with them quickly.
This is my second time visiting Dali, and I still arranged Cangtu activities every day, trying out all the ones I missed last time. The guides for each activity were absolutely amazing—truly knowledgeable about astronomy, geography, biology, and history. During their explanations, I felt like my long-dormant high school knowledge was attacking me... Stargazing + Hiking + Sunset Watching
First time in Yunnan, I wanted to hike Cangshan. I chose the Kuosongping route. The guide for this route is called Caifeng, very friendly, and he brought a little dog named Guobao, who is cute and affectionate. The four of us happily spent 4 hours in the mountain forest. Cangshan really has strong energy. With Caifeng leading, I didn't feel any fear; I immersed myself in nature, feeling the freshness and purification from the high mountains. It was a truly happy time. Along the way, we were curious about Yunnan's plants, and Caifeng answered all our questions—he knows the forest very well! The interaction throughout the hike was pleasant, and the experience was great. During the lunch break, Caifeng even brought some snacks (as shown in the picture). Finally, we visited the Hiking Home, a small shop at the foot of the mountain with beautiful plant products and specimens. Although this trip was a bit pricey, it was worth it. I highly recommend it to friends who love nature.
Attached is another friend's experience: Brother Caifeng introduced us to many mountain plants along the way: aromatic white pearl, crofton weed, Chinese herbal ephedra, ferns, mugwort, and azaleas—after removing the stamens, the petals are edible and taste like sweet and sour hawthorn. The little dog Guobao was very well-behaved, leading the way without barking once, and was very affectionate, playing with us. But the dog doesn't like cameras; whenever we pointed a lens at her, she would look away. The tea break halfway up the mountain was very pleasant. The Pu'er tea was especially fragrant, the mulberries were sweet and fresh (both little Guobao and we loved them), and the nut cookies were delicious. C really enjoyed the forest hiking experience; getting close to nature really boosts your energy field.
Tailor took us up the mountain with Guobao. It was a light hike with a comfortable distance and route. We had the trail all to ourselves, which made the experience amazing. I even got the photo of a lifetime, haha! Along the way, we picked up many pine cones, passed by Wuwei Temple, and had a tea break with hot tea during rest—great! Before coming to Dali, I had already been eyeing Cangshan Hiking Home. I actually came specifically for the hike. My child had a fever a few days before departure, but that couldn't stop our enthusiasm! Unfortunately, it's the dry season now, so there's a little regret—something to fill in next time!
Hiking Kuosongping felt great. I felt a spiritual connection with nature in Cangshan. When the strong wind blew on the mountain, I opened my arms to embrace the wind and sunshine, listening to the rustling leaves and looking at the fern forest that felt like another world. The guide was very knowledgeable and introduced many interesting plants along the way.
The most reliable choice for outdoor hiking in Dali (no contest). Today I brought my dog along to Kuosongping. The weather was great, not rushed or slow. Our guide Huanhuan patiently introduced us to the plants and their medicinal uses this season. The little girl in our group was also very cute. Everyone shared their lives and hopes for the future, which made me feel more energetic, just like this spring.
Hiking Kuosongping felt great. I felt a spiritual connection with nature on Cangshan. When the strong wind blew on the mountain, I opened my arms to embrace the wind and sunshine, listening to the rustling leaves and looking at the fern forest that felt like another world. The guide was very knowledgeable and introduced us to many interesting plants along the way.
The most reliable choice for outdoor hiking in Dali (no doubt)
Today I brought my dog to hike Kuosongping. The weather was great, not too fast, not too slow. The guide Huanhuan patiently introduced us to the plants and their medicinal values this season. The little girl in our group was also very cute. Everyone shared their lives and hopes for the future, making me feel more energetic, just like this spring.
My kid's diary, haha, today's hike left a deep impression.
#RecordToday First outdoor hike, very happy!
1. Hiking in Cangshan feels like stepping into a plant kingdom, surrounded by all kinds of big trees and ferns. Being wrapped in greenery is so relaxing.
2. For a beginner like me, you need a professional and reliable team like this. Today I was the only one in the group, but they still went ahead. When crossing Baishi Creek, I was a bit nervous. The guide let me sit and rest, then went upstream to carry a big log to make a bridge! Haha, I never felt useless the whole time. It was a state of climbing mountains and crossing rivers, fully enjoying it.
3. I encountered cute mushrooms and kids from a summer camp. Some even climbed rocks, and two people rode mountain bikes downhill—so impressive!
4. During the picnic on the mountain, it started to rain lightly. That's the rainy season in Dali. As someone who usually hates rain, I actually felt happy. Maybe because I had a raincoat and wasn't cold, or because the guide made me feel at ease, or because the rain filled the air with a wonderful fresh scent of grass and wood. I happily finished the hike and went down the mountain.
Day two in Dali
Avoiding the crowds
We went hiking in Cangshan~
The guide brought a dog that's a mix of Teddy and Border Collie, named Egg Custard (I always call it Egg Tart by mistake)
Along the way, we smelled the fragrance of grass and wood in nature. The stream sparkled in the sunlight. I put my hand in the water—it was so cool it made me want to jump right in! Halfway through, the experience was amazing. Xiao Xi prepared a picnic for us. I grabbed a handful of small Yunnan cherries and popped them in my mouth, feeling the sweet and sour little bombs explode. We also saw a beautiful big butterfly and large blooming wild azaleas.
Thank you, nature! Everything was so refreshing and joyful.
[Kuosongping Light Hike] This is my second time joining Cangshan Hiking Home. Although it's a light hike, for someone who hasn't exercised in months, the initial climb was a bit challenging. Right after starting, I sprained my ankle. Luckily, the guide, a young guy named Tailor, had a magical spray that healed me instantly, so I could keep up and enjoy the forest, fields, babbling brooks, and the changing plant communities at different altitudes. The accompanying dog was Tailor's 4-year-old Border Collie named Guobao, very smart—it would come running when called. During breaks, Tailor prepared delicious snacks and hot tea. After reaching the 'cruising altitude,' we stepped on soft pine needles like a carpet and admired magical plants that have existed for hundreds of millions of years. The whole trip was just comfortable and enjoyable. We ended at Wuwei Temple, passed through Yinqiao Village, and even met a kitten with special fur at Xingshan Inn. Thank you, Cangshan Hiking Home, for constantly exploring new routes and letting us discover the beauty of this city. Beautiful Dali is worth visiting a hundred thousand more times.
Today was so happy. With the dog Egg Custard accompanying us the whole way, the child cooperated very well throughout the entire trip. I'd give it a 95 out of 100, no exaggeration.
Thank you, Xiao Xi, for specially returning my stuff today. The child is so happy and wants to find Egg Custard to climb mountains again in a few days. Both adults and children feel refreshed in body and mind.
After each hike, I can't wait to go again.
I got to know Honghong from Hiking Home last year during the Abuji Cuo trek in Shangri-La. During our chat, I learned that Honghong is also from Shanghai. This time, I brought a group of eight friends and classmates for an in-depth tour of Dali. My first thought was to ask Honghong to take us up Cangshan. Considering a friend's leg injury, we chose the light luxury hike. We chatted and laughed all the way, and before we knew it, the hike was over—much easier than I expected. We sat in a circle on the mountain, drinking tea that Honghong had carried up, eating dried fruits and snacks—so comfortable and pleasant. After descending, we went to Honghong's home, where she prepared a sumptuous lunch with lots of fruit and desserts. My friends ate, chatted, and shared photos while I took a short nap on the sofa. Any slight fatigue was completely gone. Thank you, Hiking Home, for providing such a perfect and warm activity. This was a hike that everyone admired, and it's worth recommending to friends.
Being with nature in the quiet mountains
The meeting point is a 15-minute drive from the ancient city, a suitable distance for travelers
Through fields into the forest, in spring you'll encounter large edible fiddlehead ferns; if the weather is fine, we can play in the stream for a while, even doing nothing but listening to the stream is wonderful
Crossing the stream and going up, you'll pass a natural climbing wall; occasionally you might see climbing teams and stop to watch, a rare sight in the city
Walking deep into the forest, stepping on pine needles gives an indescribable comfort, like a natural carpet; having tea here is very pleasant. In the rainy season, you can find many mushrooms nearby. Going down the mountain, you might pass by Zhubi Terrace (a place Kublai Khan reached during his campaigns) or descend through Wuwei Temple
It's a very comfortable route within the scope of light hiking.
Second time in Dali, explored a new route!! After half a year of being worn down by work, I was a bit worried about my stamina (so I chose a light hike, which was indeed not difficult, and after finishing, I could still bounce around at the homestay haha. The uphill path was lush with vegetation, and tall grasses and flowers occasionally brushed my face. When we reached a stream, we had to change into slippers. The stream water was clean and cool, but it might be too cold for women on their period. There were about three stream crossings, with some dirt paths in between. My slippers were a bit slippery, so I took them off and walked barefoot—it was quite a unique experience, and it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought if you find the right spots. At the tea break, there were fruits, snacks, and tea. The tea was said to be the Hermès of teas from Singapore. As a Fujianese, I don't know much about tea (shame), but it was very fragrant. The second half of the descent was on stone steps, a bit slippery, so you need to walk slowly. Along the way, we saw scattered mushrooms of various shapes, but my main concern was whether they were edible. The ferns were dense, and with sunlight piercing through the clouds, there was no trace of the city. Finally, at the parking lot, a little squirrel scurried past my feet. Cangshan is a place with high energy; every time I come, I feel purified. That's enough oxygen for today!
I wanted to sit by the stream and never leave
During the May Day holiday, I came to Dali and stumbled upon Cangshan Family's activities. After joining the pinecone picking activity, I loved it so much. The route was very peaceful, and the guide's knowledge of plants was truly deep. You could tell it came from genuine passion. When encountering beautiful or unique plants, they would carefully stop to record and explain—an unexpected delight of the trip.
Since I had my child with me, I signed up for the bagel-making activity the next day. Aruna was incredibly patient, teaching the child step by step how to make bagels. And we could take all the bagels home! They were so delicious.
Without hesitation, I chose Dali again for summer vacation. This time, I followed a recommendation and chose the West Slope Mountain Day. The weather was overcast but no rain, very comfortable. The pasture was vast, with cows and sheep strolling around. I felt completely relaxed. Coincidentally, Aruna and Xiao Xi led the group again, along with a little dog. Along the way, we encountered many mushrooms and learned about various types. We also had a delicious farm meal; there was a melon seedling dish (not sure if that's the name) that was incredibly tasty!
My child loved the little dog named Egg Custard, so we booked the Meixi Canyon hike. But it rained heavily in the morning, so Xiao Xi helped us switch to the Kuosongping hike, still accompanied by the dog. The most surprising part was stream trekking—it was so beautiful, with the babbling water. Stepping through the cool water made me forget all about summer. I wanted to sit by the stream and never leave, haha.
I really loved it and want to join all the different routes. There's always next time. See you again...
Haven't been in the mountains for a long time. So grateful for this platform, professional and warm.
Checked the school pickup time in the morning and saw I could make this session, so I booked immediately! Time for myself is so rare, I need my hiking break! Thanks to Wangwang for introducing all kinds of plants along the way, a living encyclopedia. Also visited the Tang Dynasty fir at the entrance of Wuwei Temple, so healing.
Bai Li fern, alder, dog spine fern, and raw walnuts, haha, I wrote them down.
This route is amazing, crossing fields, going upstream along the creek, passing through a magnificent fern forest, and finally reaching Wuwei Temple. Along the way, you can see all kinds of mushrooms.
Happy little dog Xiaoxi is very adorable. Sister Yang Mi made me feel the power of women. Carrying me across the stream touched my heart even more. If I have the chance, I want to challenge more hikes.
