AB Double Butterfly | Encountering a Folding World

I first came to Dali 15 years ago. I vaguely remember the ancient town back then, with a small, square gate and many elderly locals sitting on the roadside, quietly watching the few passersby or talking in incomprehensible languages about what they were doing. I loved it.

For the past two years, I've been constantly visiting Tengchong for a relaxing escape. I've considered stopping by Dali a few times, but I was afraid the bustling scene would ruin the once-faint memories. This time, I decided to make a detour through Tengchong, but again, I didn't have a plan and just went for a casual trip.

The old town has grown so much. As expected, it's filled with all sorts of colorful little people and shops. While it's nice to be here, it's nice to ride around in an open-top tourist bus, but that's not sustainable.

I decided to go for a hike in Cangshan Mountain, so I randomly signed up for a hike on a regular website. I wanted to practice my legs for the Yubeng hike later, as they were pretty weak after all. But just as the cable car was about to arrive, I was surprised to see someone sitting on the mountain, and my magical journey began.

Our team leader, Wangwang, was the one sitting on the mountain. The path we took, the words we exchanged, the calming feeling of upheaval, remained consistent throughout. From then on, I finally found the feeling I was looking for in Dali. I'm silently grateful to him; the trip was worthwhile.

The first time I climbed over the railing, I couldn't get over it and had to crawl over it. The customer was very embarrassed. The whole journey was filled with surprises . While sitting down to rest, Wangwang pulled out a book and said he was going to read it. Then we talked about a friend who also loves reading quirky books and runs a small bookstore down the mountain that also does plant-based handicrafts. It was a journey filled with surprises.

I took a taxi to a winding village and entered the shop of a plant owner. Yunnan is full of similar products, but this is the most exclusive shop I've ever seen... the most exclusive... How should I put it : when you've seen a lot of things, you can recognize a good one at a glance. Aesthetics, technique, and a unique sense of the object are essential to creating a high-quality piece. When you're lucky enough to come across one, you're filled with joy and gratitude. Unfortunately, the piece I most want isn't for sale. I've been craving that item these days, but she understands what I want instantly. I look forward to her creations.

Next door was another owner's bookstore, which was even more interesting. After much persuasion, he finally agreed to sell me a book. A bit embarrassed, he even gave me a free copy, then recommended a random, random book I really liked. We chatted for about 10 minutes while waiting for the bus. In those 10 minutes or so, he instantly transformed into a dense and relentless knowledge-spouting machine. Every word he spoke was a precise, emotionless expression of culture. It's been so long since I've seen someone like him.

The final, even more magical moment came when the owner of the whiskey bar, who had missed out on a drink for two days, quietly pulled out a Hiking Home sign from the bar and told me I was also the tour leader. I was stunned...it was a perfect ending...haha. It was really a bit overwhelming...no more words. I had five drinks last night.

This isn't a serious review, but the main takeaway is that everything is fine, very good, and very good. Seeing the world is something you experience and feel for yourself, and life is about constantly experiencing and feeling it.

Finally, I'd like to thank everyone who worked on this project. Their original intentions are so interesting, and their dedication to the process is so profound. I'm sure you'll instantly feel it. It's a shame there's still so much I'd like to experience, but I'm grateful for the encounters. I'm a bit socially anxious and lazy, but it truly takes true love to write so much.

Anyway, everyone, come and make more money. Then they can continue to play, buy books, make crafts, and drink. Then they can project and nourish more other people. Isn't the world getting better and better?

AB double disc May 15, 2025