Cangshan Mountain (Diancang Mountain)

Listed as a World Geopark and National Nature Reserve, Cangshan preserves complete Quaternary glacial relics, vertical alpine vegetation belts, crystal-clear alpine pools and cascading waterfalls. Different from cultural relic attractions, it features primitive alpine landforms, ever-changing sea of clouds and panoramic bird’s-eye views over Erhai Lake and Dali Ancient Town. The core highlight is the 18-kilometer Jade Belt Cloud Trail (Yudai Yunyou Road) winding along the mountainside at an elevation of over 2,600 meters. Other must-see spots include Xima Pool (洗马潭), Seven Dragon Ladies Ponds, Qingbi Stream, Jizhao Nunnery with succulent gardens, Gantong Temple and Zhonghe Temple. Three cable car lines serve different hiking intensities, making it ideal for hiking, cloud and snow viewing, alpine flower appreciation and landscape photography. It can be combined with Erhai Lake cruise and Chongsheng Three Pagodas to form a classic Dali one-day eco-cultural itinerary.