Magnificent Natural Landscalpes

Dali features a magnificent sensry, with Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake under the jurisdiction of Dali City, the capital of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, as its representatives. Since ancient times, Dali has been known as a “land of wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight and a city of mountains and waters.” Cangshan Mountain is the main peak at the southern end of the Yunling Mountains. It extends more than 50 kilometers from south to north and has an average elevation of over 3,500 meters. Its 19 steep peaks stand like a screen, with the highest towering 4,122 meters. These mountain peaks are separated by 18 swift streams to form many scenic attractions, such as the Qilongnu Pond as well as Xima Pool, Huanglong Pool, Heilong Pool, and other alpine morainal lakes 3,800 meters above sea level. Climate varies at different heights in the mountain. The summit is covered with snow under a  blue sky while white clouds lingers halfway up the mountain like jade belts. Cangshan Mountain boasts of a rich vegetation of numerous rate flowers, trees, and other plants. It is called a national alpine botanical garden. Erhai Lake lies at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. Like a crescent embracing Cangshan Mountain, the picturesque lake stretches for 41.5 kilometers from south to north and 3 to 9 lilometers from east to west. It has a water surface of 251 square kilometers. Men of letters in ancient and modern times often called Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake“Jade Erhai and Silver Cangshan.” Erhai lakes, and nine twists and turns. Of which jinsuo, Yuji and Chiwen islets are the best places for people to explore the scenic beauty.

 The area around Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake has a mild and humid climate, suitable for the growth of plants. Flowers are raised in every household, a custom of the Bai people. Xiaguan at the southern end of Erhai Lake is a wind gap, where strong wind blows the year round. Dali is known for its wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight. Snow lingers on the top of Cangshan Mountain in summer, green fields extends around Erhai Lake, the blowing of wind makes people feel refreshed, and the moonlit-Erhai Lake is a vast expanse of silvery white. A saying that has been circulated through the ages goes, “Xiguan is known for its wind and Shangguan, for its flowers. Flowers in Shangguan sway in the wind from Xiaguan. Cangshang Mountain is famous for its snow and Erhai Lake, for the moonlight. The snow on the mountain is reflected by the moonlight in the lake.”

        “The Cang’er Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake) Scenic Resort is surrounded by various scenic attractions. Binchuan County to the east features Jizu Mountain, a holy land of Buddhism known in Southeast Asia. Xiangyun County to the southeast has Shuimu Mountain known for the Forest of Buddhist Tablets from Dali State and Qinghua Cave, a paleoanthropological site. Weibao Mountain in Weishan County to the south, the origin of Nanzhao State, boasts of Taoist structures. There are ruins of an ancient path and Mulianhua Mountain in Yongping County to the southwest. Yangbi County and Yunlong County to the west are noted for the Shimenguan Scenic Resort and ancient paths, bridges, and an area with a dense growth of vegetation for scientific investigations. To the north are the Jiuqita Scenic Resort on Cibi Lake in Eryuan County, the Shizhong Mountain Grotto Scenic Resort in Jianchuan County, and the Longtan Cave, rural scenery, and a tourist area featuring the customs and things of the minority groups.