Dali has come multiple times already. This time, I’m experiencing life at a leisurely pace as a traveler, immersing myself in the local atmosphere and discovering the customs hidden in the streets, alleys, and fields. Without a good guide, it's really difficult. When I came across a van traveling post, it immediately resonated with me. Avoiding crowds and check-ins, this grounded feeling immersed in dirt and plants is the kind of travel experience I seek.
Yangmi led us into Dali's fairyland, forging a connection between our journey and nature through her innate vitality, like a magical power woven from grass and natural elements.
If possible, I would give six stars — this is the most enjoyable activity I’ve experienced in Dali!
Sailing through Dali’s Xihu Lake, even rain at the start didn’t dampen our spirits. We felt the strength of our paddles in the rain. The guide led us through reeds, where we saw wild ducks and egrets, and even enjoyed watermelons on the water.
The team leader's humor is humorous and witty, the teaching is relaxed and efficient, and throughout the process, attention is paid to everyone’s feelings. Safety measures are in place. I'll come back next time!!
The first time I tasted fresh butter directly scooped from a bucket, its texture was very much like cheese—creamy and fragrant when chewed.
The ancient towering trees with intertwined roots have stood along the Tea Horse Road for hundreds of years. Watching the passing travelers, from horse-drawn carriages to modern motor vehicles, as the wind blows, the seed pods of Denga hummingbird tree produce a melodious clattering sound like flowing water, as if telling us about the wonderful years they have experienced.
Today's biggest happiness was for Gua Gua—city dogs can run freely in the wilderness without worries, chasing butterflies, squirrels, small birds, and frogs. In the process, Gua Gua even managed to plunge into the vegetable patch! Gua Gua, you’re now a dog who has also traveled the Tea Horse Road.
We leisurely walk while picking beautiful flowers and plants, dyeing them onto our bags, and also harvesting wild vegetables that grow freely, which we then turn into delicious wild vegetable tempura. This was my first time learning that wisteria flowers are edible.
My friend Xiao Jing and I sat by the river listening to music, frying tempura, eating fruits, drinking tea, and chatting—all at the same time (ha ha ha, so many things happening simultaneously). Looking up, I noticed the sky was painted in so many colors—such a spontaneous gift from nature.
A special hiking experience begins the moment you get into the small van. Leader Wang Wang carries a bamboo basket and takes us along a path through the fields into the mountains—an authentic outdoor experience. Climbing upwards, we encounter many plants; spores and single-celled plants, once pictures in biology classes, are now real and present around us and at our feet.
The ancient fern, White Fern, which has existed since the dinosaur era, grows wildly and vigorously. At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, it loves sunlight, covering large slopes layer by layer, with the longest reaching over 3 meters.
Maungqi Fern, Silver Fern, Back Fern, Wolf's Tail Fern—each fern species looks similar but is entirely different. First time seeing the immature Yunnan Walnut Tree, smelling the pure pine aroma from the natural pine on the pine tree, very refreshing. Tasted Wang Wang Test's rare edible rose, with a slightly sour taste. Under the microscope, fern spores look like eggs, and the leaf shape resembles ancient war halberds—small flowers. Also, wild strawberries, wild tea, and numerous complex plant species whose scientific names are hard to remember—Wang Wang knows them all thoroughly.
During walking and stopping, I felt the energy brought by the mountains, forests, and trees, and also enjoyed the simple, honest communication with Leader Wang Wang and fellow companions. On the way down the mountain, I asked Wang Wang if walking the same route so many times would become less interesting, and Wang Wang shared that plants in different seasons have completely different appearances and discoveries.
Yes, in the world of plants, there are always new stories happening—long, quiet interactions with the world in their own way.
By far my favourite activity around Dali. My guide You took me on an amazing tour through the forest. She has loads of knowledge on local plants, trees and the history of the temple. I got to learn a lot of things and could ask her anything, but could also spend some time in silence exploring the forest. The forest is so valuable and I feel honoured to experience with such an outstanding experience
The scenery Arura found was so beautiful. Even with kids, it wasn’t difficult to enjoy the experience that the pasture and snow-capped mountains brought — we loved it!
As a diligent user of Little Red Book for 11 years, with an annual reading volume of 23.154 million words, I found the OTC town through the 'Adult Study Tour Project' notes and experienced the platform concept of 'exploring local connections' during this event. A day before the activity, the staff set up a WeChat group chat including the platform, host, and consumers. The host prepared event insurance, agreed on the meeting time, location, and main content of the activity in advance.
Our leader, Yang Mi, was already waiting at the location in a storytelling van and actively engaged us in conversation along the way. The activities took place in the wetland park, at a Rushan cheese-making shop, and on the banks of the Miyu River. Looking back, except for a sick puppy that didn’t attend, everything matched the pictures displayed on the mini-program. During the processes of collecting plants, making eco-printing, and vegetable tempura, our experience and the completeness of the products were fully considered, and patient teaching and friendly chatting accompanied us throughout. The leader took photos throughout the event and shared them in the WeChat group on the same day after the activity, showing great sense and efficiency.
With kindness and a feeling of closeness, I would guess our leader’s MBTI type is INTJ. If you see this review, feel free to take the test ^. Our leader is a woman with low material desires, full of love for fields and mountains, experienced yet still childlike, exuding a natural wildness. She patiently and sincerely answered all questions. On the return trip to Dali that day, it started raining, and after we requested to be dropped off near our homestay, considering the specific circumstances, she readily agreed and dropped us right at the doorstep. With gratitude, I write this review, hoping things will continue to improve.
Absolutely stunning trail! Although the journey takes about an hour and a half, it’s totally worth it.
The difficulty is also okay; there’s only an elevation gain of about 300 meters at the beginning, and then it becomes very flat. The scenery is breathtaking, with each section having its own unique charm. The trail conditions are diverse—stone paths, forests, meadows, and pine needle paths—making it far from monotonous.
Huanhuan brought a lot of snacks, and even hot tea! Eating in the mountains felt so satisfying!! Along the way, Huanhuan introduced us to various plants in great detail. Look at the last picture—Huanhuan was so dedicated, lying on the ground to take pictures of us, hahaha! I will definitely recommend this route and the guide to my friends!
