Mt. Cangshan
» Dali, Yun Nan

苍山 巍峨秀美 苍莽幽深

Mt. Cangshan, also known as Diancangshan, is located at the southern end of the Yunling Mountains and forms a trailing section of the Hengduan (transversely faulted) Mountains. Cangshan is always jade-green, hence the name. Mt. Cangshan stretches from Shangguan (Upper Pass) in the north to Xiaguan (Lower Pass) in the south, and touches the limpid water of Lake Erhai in the east and reaches the turbulent Heihuijiang River in the west. It measures 50 km from south to north and 20 km from east to west.

What used to be called

Mt. Cangshan, also called Diancang Mountain, was once named Xiongcang Mountain and in ancient times was called Lingjiu Mountain.

Peaks and brooks

19 peaks

Mt. Cangshan is made of 19 peaks and make up the highest peaks of the Yunling Mountain Range. All are 3,500 meters (11,483 feet) above the sea level and at 4,122-meter (13,524-feet).

Malong Peak

Malong Peak, summit of Cangshan Mountain, casting a huge, dragon-like shadow on the icy ground. measuring 4,122 metres above sea level, while the rest of the peaks average over 3,500 metres in elevation, and are covered with snow throughout the year.

Zhonghe Peak

At an elevation of 4,092 metres, it is the third highest peak of the Cangshan Mountain, and is the location of the Cangshan Television Broadcasting Station.

18 brooks

In between every two peaks are streams, and water rushes down the mountain and pours into Erhai Lake. These streams originate from spring water or thawing snow and irrigate the farmlands around. The 18 brooks are respectively named the Xiayi, Wanhua, Yang, Mangyong, Jing, Lingquan, Baishi, Shuangynan, Yinxian, Mei, Tao, Zhong, Luyu, Long, Qingbi, Mocan, Tingming and Yuangnan Brooks.

What to see

Mt. Cangshan is famous for the following eight scenic wonders named in the Qing Dynasty: Painted Screens at Rosy Dawn, Spring Snow on Cangshan, the Belt of Clouds across Autumnal Cangshan, the Radiance of Phoenixes' Eyes, Multistage Falls of Limpid water, Clouds Hovering over Yuju Peak, Clear Streams Running over the Pebble Bed in Early Winter, and Rosy Clouds at Sunset. With a comfortable climate, Mt. Cangshan is a fairyland for nature. Tourists might find the eight famous flowers of Yunnan Province and various wild animals here.

Cangshan Mountain enjoys great reputation for its snow, clouds, springs and marble.

Snow

The unmelted snow on Mt. Cangshan is top of the Four Famous Scenes (wind, flowers, snow and moon) in Dali. The snow is so dazzling and splendent when the sun rises, especially in March. On a moonlight night, the snow reflecting off the mountain makes one feel that they are in a crystal world.

Beautiful legend of snow at Xueren Peak

The Bai People have many beautiful stories about the snowcapped mountains. One story goes that a plague god intruded the city of Dali and the local people suffered from endless plagues. In order to save them, a brother and sister went to a place named Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva to learn magic. With their magic skills, the twosome beat the plague god and forced him to stay at the top of Cangshan Mountain. There he was frozen stiff. The sister became the god of snow at Xueren Peak in order to keep the plague god under control. Since then the mountain has been adorned by shiny and amazing snow.

The belt of Clouds

The mysterious view of clouds on Mt. Cangshan is another wonder. Whenever the sun shines after rain in early autumn, clouds look like a belt wrapping around Mt. Cangshan and colorfully reflecting the sunshine.

The clouds here changes often - sometimes the clouds are thin as silk, sometimes they are as dark as ink. The most magical and beautiful clouds look like Yudai Cloud (a jade belt) and Wangfu Cloud (a woman who expects to see her husband).

Yudai Cloud

Yudai Cloud looks like a fairy holding a jade belt and usually appears after rain in the late summer or early autumn. It is said to be the sign of good harvest for the Bai People.

A legend of "Wangfu Cloud"

The Clouds Hovering over Yuju Peak, believed to resemble the blank wife who is longing in rain for the return of her husband, has evoked a touching legend. Hence the more popular name "the Cloud Longing for the Return of Her Husband" (Wang Fu Yun).

The story goes like this: In the days of Nanzhao, Ah Feng, the sweet princes of the King of Nanzhao fell in love with ah Long, a poor young hunter. The king was enraged and had the young man killed and thrown into Lake Erhai. Ah Feng, the princess in turn died and became a white cloud - the Longing-for-Husband Cloud floating over Mt. Cangshan - waiting for her husband to appear. The story praises the unswerving loyalty in love between Ah Feng and Ah Long.

The springs

The springs here are also famous. Besides the eighteen streams, there are still many lakes over the altitude of over 3,800 meters (12,467 feet). The lakefronts are densely covered with forests, which include valuable medicine materials, rare species of trees and many kinds of flowers. The flowers add even more beauty to the mountain and help attract tourists.

Marble

Mt. Cangshan is a famous manufacture center of a smooth marble, named Cangshan Stone. The Caihua Stone distinguish itself by its unique patterns. Natural scenes of mountains, flowers, birds or people appear once it is polished. What's more, the exquisite craftworks made of marble are sold here and abroad.

Try riding

If you don't want to climb the mountain, take the ropeway or rent a horse in the nearby town. Make sure to prepare enough food and water and to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, for it's a rather challenging journey with no restaurants on the mountain.

When to visit

  • Opening Hours: 8:30a.m. - 6:00p.m.
  • Recommended time for a visit: Two hours**

Getting there

By air

Flights departs from Kunming for Dali at 8:30a.m. every day except Thursday, at 12:40a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and at 9:20a.m. on Tuesday and Friday. The journey lasts about 35 minute.

By coach

There is also a sleeper coach which takes eight hours.

Attractions around » Dali, Yun Nan

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Nightlife

Nightlife

Shopping & Leisure

Shopping & Leisure

Mountain

Mountain

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

  Weather

  1. When to go

  Transportation

  1. A note on taxi

  Shopping

  1. Always negotiate the price and make everything clear first.

  Travel

  1. Can I rent a bike?
  2. What are some interestng local festivals?

  Other Hints

  1. Stay safe
  2. Emergency Numbers
  3. Useful Numbers

  • When to go

    Dalii Bai Autonomous Prefecture is situated on the altiplano with low latitude, there are no severely hot summers or very cold winters. The best time to travel Dali is from March to June when the Spring is in full swing featuring enough sunshine, fresh air.


  • What are some interesting local festivals?

    March Street Festival of Bai Nationality
    Held between the fifth day and the twenty-first day of the third lunar month, the festival is one of the most magnificent folk celebrations of the Bai ethnic minority. The ceremony takes place just outside the western gate of Dali Ancient City. People come from every corner of the city at this time, dancing and singing; some trading are conducted on the spot too.

    Butterfly Fest
    It is a fest for the Bai ethnic boys and girls, held usually on the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month near the Butterfly Spring. Stones are thrown into the spring and songs are sung with the hope of finding Mr or Miss Right.

    Raosanling of Bai Nationality
    It is a grand public function of the Bai people, held on the twenty-third day of the fourth lunar month. Everyone tries to be at the function promptly. The ceremony is aimed at praying for rain before the farming season begins.


  • Stay safe

    There are a few scams and petty crime targeting tourists in Dali. Watch your belongings carefully to protect from pickpockets and theft, though perhaps the major risk you take if staying in cheap accommodation is theft by other foreign travellers. Overall Dali is a very safe place with little crime directed at tourists.

    If you are planning to hike up the Cang mountains, travel in a group both to protect yourself from robbery and as back up in case of accident.

    Drugs disguised as strange artifacts are usually sold by women in traditional Bai costume, who will then lead you to their homes. Marijuana is widespread in Dali's foreign bars but, if caught, the penalties for possession and use are severe.


  • A note on taxi

    Generally, taxis in Dali are without fare meters, but for downtown travel, it is about 6 to 7 RMB Yuan per trip, if you want to go outside the city, you should talk and fix the fare with the taxi driver, generally about 25 Yuan per trip.


  • Always negotiate the price and make everything clear first.

    Before you pay for any other kind of entertainment, like riding a boat on Erhai, do make sure you have made everything clear, like what costs how much, the total price, to avoid arguments or unpleasantness.


  • Can I rent a bike?

    There are bikes for rent in Dali, but you will have to show your ID and pay a certain amount of deposite. The rent fee is about 10 - 15 RMB per day.


  • Emergency Numbers

    • Fire: 119
    • Police: 110
    • Traffic: 122
    • Ambulance: 120


  • Useful Numbers

    • Consumer Complaint: 12315
    • Tourist Complaint: 2670384
    • Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
    • Weather Forecast: 121


The mysterious view of clouds on Mt. Cangshan is a wonder. With a comfortable climate, Mt. Cangshan is a fairyland for nature. Marble originating from Mt. Cangshan is the most beautiful and magnificent. Hence such rock is called Dali Shi (marble) in Chinese, Dali City being renowned for it.

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