Lao Li | Going to the market in Fengyu Ancient Town | Strolling in the village in the valley

In Dali, there are markets every day from Monday to Sunday in different counties and towns, where you can buy and sell some very local food, clothing, and specialties, and all you can meet are locals.

When I was a child, my favorite thing was to go to the market once a week. My parents would give me money and I could go to the town or the county to buy things that were not available in the village (I could also use the money to buy cigarettes). There were crowds of people from all the villages and towns there.

There are markets every day in Dali. My home is in Yousuo Town in Eryuan, but I like the market in Fengyu Town, which is across a mountain pass, the most. This is probably because Fengyu was once an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, located in the valley below Huadian Dam. As the Ancient Tea Horse Road faded, the main road bypassed it, making transportation inconvenient, but the rich traditions and nature were preserved.

For example, when you arrive at the market, you will find that many locals are wearing traditional Bai costumes, which are somewhat different from the Bai costumes and headdresses in Dali City. The colors here are darker.

Due to the development of transportation and the evolution of modern life, such traditional markets are becoming less and less, and may gradually disappear over time, so I really want to go and see more. Just like the nature of Cangshan Mountain, the products on the market change with the seasons, and every time I go there, I have fun and gain something.

Travel route: Fengyu Market

Guide: Lao Li