About this journey
Honghong was one of the first guides for Cangshan Hiking Home. Besides leading hikes, she also runs various cold buffet services in Dali. Here is an introduction to her cold buffet service and the curious story of how she started making cold dishes.
"This is a relaxed hiking activity deeply connected to local life. An easy evening hike on Cangshan, almost like a walk. Pass by streams and overlook the vast, blue Erhai Lake below. It's relaxing and offers a panoramic view of the entire Erhai Lake from the hillside. You'll also pass tea gardens and courtyards hidden in the mountains, which seem like a secret world. Tea is an important part of local life and work. Walk through forest trails down the mountain—pleasant and beautiful. After descending, come to my home to cook and eat together, and have a chat."
For inquiries, directly add my WeChat: zhanghuili002 Honghong
Cangshan Light Hike | Hillside, Stream, Forest • Hidden Tea Gardens and Courtyards in the Mountains
A relaxed hike to experience the nature of Cangshan and the expansive views. It's one of our classic light hiking routes on Cangshan. Almost everyone can easily complete it; it's more like a walk in the mountains.
Difficulty: Easy – Children over 4 years old can complete it
Distance: Total 3 km, 2-hour hike, elevation gain is not high, about 100 meters
Route features: Relaxed, not too strenuous, but includes Cangshan's natural forest, streams along the way, and a broad view overlooking Erhai Lake and the entire Dali plain. Additionally, we pass through tea gardens, which are very beautiful.
Over the years, I often take my dog for walks in the mountains. He loves the grass and trees of nature and gets very excited every time we go into the mountains. This is a route we take in the evening—especially beautiful at sunset.
1. Time: Depart at 4:00 PM. This is the most beautiful time on the hillside. In the evening, you can see the most beautiful scenery and sunset. By the time you descend, it's just in time for dinner.
2. Elevation gain: About 100 meters elevation gain, but the view is expansive, overlooking Erhai Lake and the entire Dali basin.
3. Very representative natural scenery of Cangshan, with ancient tea gardens. Maybe you won't need to visit the usual Cangshan attractions.
4. Tickets: No need to buy tickets. There are no other expenses throughout the trip.
5. Cost includes: afternoon tea, dinner.
Generally, we start from the foot of the mountain, walk along a gently sloping path, follow the stream, and can hear the sound of water. Of course, my dogs come along too. Instantly, we transition from the hustle and bustle to nature.
Qingbi Creek:
Qingbi Creek flows with a murmuring sound, coming down from an altitude of 3,800 meters. The creek water is cool and clear all year round. Walk uphill along the path for about ten minutes, turn around, and you'll see Erhai Lake in the distance. Ahead are the layered peaks and ridges of Cangshan, with wild grass and trees. Such a view is now rare on Cangshan. We'll stop by the creek, sit under a tree, and listen to the babbling water on the fallen leaves by the creek—it feels like a secret little world. Lucky will go to the creek, stick his head out to drink water, and sometimes jump straight into the creek. The creek is shaded by trees on both sides; only from the creek bank can you see the creek extending upward along the tree hollows.
Tea Garden in the Mountains:
After a few turns, we arrive at a tea garden on the hillside. This quiet tea garden belongs to the village below. It has a quiet traditional courtyard where tea is roasted. Except during the tea-picking season, no one is here. It's quiet and beautiful, with a spring piped in that flows all year round. The courtyard has persimmon trees and hawthorn trees, and outside the house stands a towering eucalyptus tree. In spring, there are large patches of raspberries outside the house. Walking through the clean tea garden, on this hillside, you'll find the best view along the entire route. Some chestnut trees are scattered in the tea garden, and pink cherry blossoms bloom in winter. Here you can overlook a large area of the Dali basin and Erhai Lake. Sitting under a tree and enjoying the open scenery is very comfortable.
When I pass by here, I often can't help but feel the beauty created by nature and humans together.
After passing the tea garden, descend from the other side. It feels like returning to the human world after a short journey.
Then go to my nearby home for a meal. I'll cook some home-style dishes, chat about each other's daily lives—the past, present, and future. Time passes quickly.
Other notes:
Bring a jacket and a small bottle of water. Wear light sports shoes. There will be afternoon tea on the hillside, with fruit and snacks.
Photos and videos
