Special hiking tour, where the guide will carefully introduce each fern and lichen. As you learn to identify different plants, you'll also marvel at the excellent ecological environment of Cangshan. Walking and stopping along the way, you'll feel the energy brought by the mountains and forests.
When tired, spread out a picnic mat to sit on the ground. The guide will also prepare fruits and hot tea for everyone. A wonderful experience.
A very happy day!
Team leader Wanwan guided me throughout, explaining the characteristics of each plant while we picked them. Some areas were a bit difficult to walk through, but Wanwan held my hand and helped me climb up. Along the way, we saw many interesting creatures. Standing on the mountain and overlooking the scenery was truly wonderful.
After arriving at Baishi Creek, Wanwan took out various fruits and snacks. I have to say, the fruits in Dali are really delicious. This is the first time I’ve tasted such sweet and fragrant blueberries. Thanks also to Wanwan for her thoughtful preparation! After finishing afternoon tea, we started dyeing with batik. Wanwan helped me design the pattern arrangements. When I got tired from stamping, she even helped me out—haha. The final product turned out to be very beautiful. Lately, I’ve been carrying it around every day.
Looking at Cangshan surrounded by lush greenery, listening to the babbling streams, I felt completely healed. I look forward to participating in the mushroom picking activity in a future visit.
Today's activity was absolutely fantastic. Both kids loved it, especially the two little dogs—one named Zha Mao and the other Xiao Xi. They kept accompanying us and playing with us. We foraged wild vegetables, did batik stamping, and finally made tempura using celery, mushrooms, and cilantro—all of which tasted great. Sister Xiaomi was also wonderful, guiding us through a very unique rice paddy experience, and we tasted sweet贡菜 (Gong Cai). We also visited a cornfield. We took many wonderful photos.
Participated in Phoebe's nature observation activity. Walking slowly in nature, observing the surrounding plants and animals along the way. This level of activity is very suitable for me just after giving birth. The baby was probably the youngest participant, and within a month, we went up the mountain together.
Very novel, I had never noticed how interesting these life forms are before. Phoebe was very well prepared, starting with professional knowledge reserves and then providing various props suitable for children.
A surprising spring, a flat and scenic lawn rest area, and a well-prepared tea break. Making this journey relaxed and comfortable, it's been a long time since I enjoyed such a leisurely outdoor experience, very happy.
An unprecedented feeling of excitement and lingering memories that couldn't be calm after hiking, like ripples constantly recalling the moment.
During the hike with the five kids, team leader He Chen carefully introduced each type of fern and lichen, also taking care to gently remove specimens for the group’s keepsake at Cangshan; explaining the differences and growth characteristics of U fern, hairy fern, spiny fern, and Bai fern in detail. That afternoon, I truly felt that Bai fern is a very clever yet dominant type of fern; its seedlings are like fists, initially hiding their small selves in a clenched fist posture, gradually gathering strength to grow into a relaxed form. They grow on slopes and under pine trees, cleverly leveraging water sources to expand continuously. They have lived in the mountains (in this world) for over hundreds of millions of years.
Along the way, I especially liked how He Chen called the guide 'Zhenhao Jie' — Li Zhenhao. I always mishear it as 'You’re so kind'!
Zhenhao Jie would take us to see mushrooms we occasionally found on the trail. She always gently taps the mushroom before pulling it out, helping spores disperse quickly. It’s like a ritual, but it also seems to comfort the tiny mushrooms that just peeked out, telling them not to worry — next year, they will also grow abundantly in this land!
During the hike, there was intermittent light rain on Cangshan, the rustling sound of pine trees blown by the wind, and unexpectedly discovering a rainbow when looking up while descending. During the hike, He Chen said that Cangshan in Yunnan is just an ordinary mountain, but due to its location and previous political reasons, it became famous.
On the way from Dali to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, there are indeed taller, larger, and more famous mountains! But when I recall each fern and that afternoon, Cangshan holds a special significance for me.
This hiking experience was perfect! The natural scenery along the way was stunning, with lush green trees, deep roots, and dense foliage, like stepping into an ancient forest fairyland. Guide Huan Huan and Xiao Jin were especially warm and thoughtful, preparing a very rich tea break with snacks, tea, and coffee. They also helped take photos throughout, with every shot turning out great. They provided a lot of emotional value during the journey.
There were also two lively and adorable dogs accompanying us, well-behaved yet playful. It was a truly worthwhile hiking trip — healing and fun. Overall experience was fantastic. Highly recommended!
Hézhēn Hǎo Jiě gets along very safely, able to receive her energy without feeling overwhelmed. Even casual, simple words are attentively received, with no worries of disappointment ^_^
Cāng Tú has been my longest companion in Dali, my 'home'. I am always grateful for this encounter. In the year of the Nine Purple Fire Luck, burn away unnecessary illusions and manipulations, leaving behind sincerity and goodness in content creation and marketing! UP! UP!
Two days in Nujiang, I feel it's hard to fully express the experience. You really need to go there. In that place, your feelings will develop naturally. At most, I can only consider this a travel journal.
During these two days, it was a mix of leisure, casualness, and comfort.
Two days, as if I’ve lived half a lifetime elsewhere, and also witnessed it firsthand! Grateful to Hè Chén for designing this route. In just a short overnight trip, the carefully arranged itinerary makes you feel immersed in the local atmosphere. From food and drinks, from Nujiang beach to hot springs after sunset, from Zhu Mountain’s private temple to Zheng Chǔ’s coffee drying yard—jumping around and satisfying~
After exiting the highway and crossing Nujiang into the town, opening the car window, the first thing the skin perceives is the gentle climate here. Along the way, Hè Chén succinctly and clearly provides cultural and geographical insights, as well as ethnic customs. Anything you want to know about this place, he can recall and tell you, making it seem like I know this place very well myself! Upon arriving in town, he greets familiar vendors and shops, wandering among snack stalls, as if returning to his childhood territory, fully familiar with everything here.
Spicy mango salad, Kra Bpo (Jingpo ethnic snack), banana pancake, Burmese coffee—these are highly representative of local flavors. One of the many benefits of a two-day trip is randomly matching travel companions, sharing food, drinks, and fun with strangers. You’ll find that although you didn’t know each other before, within just half a day, you’re perfectly in sync! After filling up, take a stroll through the market to see what Hè Chén calls NPC Grandpa’s stall. The old man is a talkative, adorable character.
If you find something you want to try, you can continue. Hè Chén’s main approach is all-inclusive pricing. When asked if something is delicious, he says: 'Eat? Buy some!' With his leadership, whether he makes a profit or not, it’s all good!
Next, we headed to the beach—the Nujiang beach. It’s best to wear flip-flops, so you can easily feel the fine sand and relax your feet. Sitting on the shiny, piled-up rocks by the river, enjoying the cool breeze brought by the water, wild agave growing on the cliffs, and the late afternoon sunshine in Yunnan—everything is just perfect! We continued driving to find a shallow area where we could pick up stones. Hè Chén asked Xiao Zhū and inquired along the way, successfully finding a very satisfying spot. Opposite the pebble beach is the Gaoligong Mountain Range, where you can pick from a large amount of natural Nujiang stones 🤣. Pick as many as you like. I chose a few to bring home as paperweights. Hè Chén said some people specifically collect Nujiang stones to sell. Thinking about making money instantly made me feel like I hit the jackpot!
Sitting cross-legged on a rocky beach, slowly waiting for the sunset, quietly sipping fruit peel tea. Xiao Huangping is peacefully sleeping beside me (at this moment, Huangping has unexpectedly gone to the starry sky, but I am still looking forward to traveling with it in the second half of the year). It’s dark now, so we set out for the farm’s natural hot spring. Regret not bringing a swimsuit (Hé Chén reminded me, I was lazy and didn’t buy one). I only soaked from the thighs down! The outdoor natural hot spring is the local villagers’ communal bathhouse—so clean, with clear water and a comfortable temperature. No disgusting skin metabolites like in city hot springs... No wonder Hé Chén said to go hot spring bathing at night; now the temperature and water are just right!
After a night of struggle at the inn, we finally arrived the next morning. I had mentally prepared for the accommodation beforehand, and upon entering the room, I found it better than I had imagined. But when I actually lay on the bed, I had to admit I was being a bit pretentious! This is already the best inn Hé Chén could find in town. People, don’t be so greedy. If you want to have fun, don’t ask for too much. I silently scold myself!
Many feelings stem from Zhu Shan Shi and Zheng Chu. On the way up the mountain to Sandie Water, these two must be listened to as Hé Chén tells their stories. Aside from the scenery before my eyes, their personal charisma alone is enough to attract me to Sandie Water! On the way back to Dali, I eagerly posted a moment on social media, saying: 'From Zhu Shan Shi’s cultivation and self-built temple to Zheng Chu, a 25-year-old girl with a coffee farm, crossing different eras of people’s cultivation. A middle-aged man returning to build a temple with the rest of his life, and a goal-oriented 25-year-old girl working hard for her dreams! Seemingly unrelated, these two are cultivating their own fruits on the same high mountain.'
Friends who want to hike lightly and take it slow, try this route boldly—different from the current popular fixed-pattern hiking routes.
My trip to Dali in April was my second time specifically for Cangshan Hiking House. In January 2025, Yanzi and I went to Cangshan to pick pinecones. Since then, any place I visit in Yunnan that isn’t near Dali, I will make a special effort to go! Later, I participated in activities and gradually met tailors, Xiaochun, Wang Wang, Hé Chén, Xiaoqi, Xiaomi, Hanhán. I couldn’t help but marvel at how kind, spontaneous, and interesting these people all gathered together. Every time I finish an activity, I recommend it to close friends, whether they’re interested or not. I even talk to myself about it. This two-day Nujiang trip was no exception. Sometimes I hope Cangshan Hiking House isn’t too popular (afraid I won’t be able to book 🤣), but more often I hope they become wildly popular! So more friends can see the shining team leaders and experience the projects they carefully select and thoroughly enjoy!
I rambled on a lot, reminiscing while editing. At home, I want to set out for Dali again, but I can no longer see the dedicated Xiao Huangping—an excellent team leader who, at a young age, successfully kept his job but couldn’t control his mouth! May it eat enough in the starry sky~
