Zaza | Resignation Gap [Part 3] Experience Dali through hiking, stargazing and mushroom picking
I had hiked with the locals in Jiangxi before and felt their daily life instead of just checking in. It was a great experience.
Dali has gathered a group of unique people, and the community culture is richer. So this time I also signed up for several activities of Cangshan Hiking Home, wanting to experience Dali in depth like in Jiangxi. In fact, these activities are also very memorable.
#Hiking This time I walked two routes:
1. Lanfeng Route: A solo route. Be careful not to go up from the hotel as written in other guides. Go up from the village to avoid being stopped. This route is not very fun. It is quite cruel to climb all the time. I didn't meet anyone when I walked. It was a bit creepy... There are viewing points (overlooking Erhai Lake) and fern forests in the middle. Friends who are interested in these two can go there
2. Huoshan: This is an activity that I signed up for. It may be a little unpopular, so it became a two-person group of me and the tour guide. I checked in at the Chicken Nest Cafe to learn about the story of teaching farmers to paint. On the way up the mountain, the tour guide taught me to identify many local plants. Huoshan is indeed the best place to watch the sunset, and the scenery is very spectacular. I also talked a lot with the tour guide on the way back and forth, such as why we were in Dali, why we led the team, etc., the team leader's philosophy, etc. It feels like the tour guide is like a strange pen pal of yours, introducing you to some of his own treasures. The experience is excellent
#看星 The West Lake in Dali is really beautiful. I went boating on the lake to watch the sunset and the stars. I was very excited to see Mars and the moon rising from the lake was so big and red. Maybe the universe is the ultimate romance.
#MusicFestival This time I also participated in the Slow Man Festival, but maybe I don’t resonate with it as I get older. I might as well find a quiet place to read a book. I stayed for a while and then left. The market basically sells all kinds of handmade products, which don’t have much appeal to me.
#拾菇 I have to say I was really lucky. The last day in Dali was the first day of this year's mushroom picking activity (the mushroom season is from June to November). I picked a lot of mushrooms by hand, and the fun of picking was greatly obtained. When I returned to the farm, I could also eat freshly picked mushroom dishes (there were also many green mushrooms). I have to say that this meal was the most delicious mushroom feast I have ever eaten. The mushrooms were simply dancing on my tongue. We picked a total of 12 kinds of mushrooms. The lady said that more than 20 kinds could be picked in July/August. I hope to come again next time. The leaders really love mushrooms and are very interesting.
Finally, the people you meet during your trip really impact your experience. It's like it's impossible to spend your days with someone else. Thank you to the people in these communities, just like the weather in Dali, which is like a spring breeze.
2025.06.15
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"I saw this note on Xiaohongshu. It has a unique writing style and also describes our partners and community very well. There is also a message from a reader named "Pride and Prejudice Continued": "I guess it is an event of "Cangshan Hiking Home". I really like their team." "Yes, yes, yes."
With the author's permission, it is published here.
Jason 2025.07.24
Stargazing
