Cangshan Full-Day Nature Observation | Birds, Plants and Insects

The creation of categories for natural observation is a new understanding that has emerged in recent years.

Initially, we enjoyed hiking in the mountains and appreciating the overall beauty that nature offered without looking deeper. However, as we began to explore the mountains in different seasons, we discovered various plant species in their growth, flowering, and fruiting stages. This prompted us to get to know them more deeply. Our emotional connection to the wilderness continued to deepen through observing flowers, trees, and fungi, allowing us to further engage with these experiences. We often thought, "We used to miss certain flowers or wild fungi when hiking in the past. Now, we would be happy to discover them. If we look closely, we will observe lichens, ferns, mosses, and other types."

Just as a bustling crowd reveals its vibrant colors when observing each person's unique life, mood and character, our experience is to establish deep connections through immersive travel. It is not only about the scenery and folklore, but also about the people.

Improving the richness and professionalism of our nature observation team is a gradual process:

Dali's old friend Chaoxi is cheerful and optimistic. Although he is not young, he is agile and alert on the court.

He has been doing nature observation, but I didn't know much about it. In Dali, we just played football and didn't discuss work or origins. It wasn't until I found an ornithology teacher and consulted an old friend in Shanghai, Su Da, a nature observer and illustrator, that she mentioned Chao Xi as a professional teacher in Dali. Finally, Chao Xi also recommended a more professional bird watching teacher, Wang Bin.

Chaoxi and Wang Bin are good friends, and when the three of us first met in Zayaa’s kitchen, they said: “Chaoxi is good at plants, Wang Bin is good at birds and animals, and they learn from each other.” Their understanding of nature goes beyond individual disciplines and tends to be comprehensive nature observation (or natural history). Their specialization has benefited those in the industry, but they provide equally outstanding professional insights in their respective fields for us ordinary people.

Whether you're participating in a bird-watching, animal, plant or insect-themed activity, you'll receive commentary on what you see along the way.

Zhao Xi's personal information:

Certified nature educator by the Ministry of Environmental Protection Captain of the Nature Observation Team of Cangshan Nature Center More than ten years of experience in leading outdoor teams
Moved from Beijing to Dali in 2016, dedicated to local nature observation and environmental protection work. Familiar with various hiking routes in Cangshan Mountain, as well as natural observation routes in northwest Yunnan, southeast Tibet, and western Sichuan.

The beauty of nature is amazing.

Mountaineering is the epitome of the pursuit of beauty. Between the forests and mountains, you can become a modern version of Xu Xiake, traveling through endless scenery with humility and an open mind.

Heroes bravely walked through the rugged mountain road, just for the loneliness of an orchid in the empty valley. All hardships have their rewards. The forest elves are waiting for us to explore. Whether it is the short-lived and rare tiger tongue orchid and crystal orchid, or the enchanting and delicate azalea and dewdrop azalea, or the independent green velvet and Adunzi gentian, or the small and cute thin-leaved spring beauty, or the lotus with stems like iron wire and flowers like lotus... Whether you come or not, they are there, blooming alone, exuding the fragrance of loneliness. These flowers that don't like noise bloom wildly in the mountains, making the mountains unconsciously lively. The mountains are no longer lonely, and the forests are no longer lonely. This is a silent carnival! Oh, listen! Birds sing here and fly here! Look! Insects also join in this concert... The silent forest suddenly played a beautiful piece of music!

Climbing along the mountain road, going up the stairs step by step, the road is constantly waving to you; on the cliffs, the beautiful leaves of ferns are swaying in the wind, and you can hear the rustling sound, saying hello to you; by the stream and the waterfall, the moisture-loving mosses are lushly waving to you, like stars, phoenix tails, eyebrows, cloven hooves, and little eyes, changing into all kinds of strange and lovely shapes, attracting passers-by to stop and watch.

During the mushroom season, the forest becomes extremely lively. The red umbrella opens its extremely bright umbrella cap; the purple shimeji pretends to be poisonous with its magical blue-purple color, hiding its non-toxic and delicious nature; there are also various kinds of boletus, dried mushrooms, coral mushrooms, morels, chicken dung mushrooms, matsutake mushrooms... These mountain and sea delicacies are hidden under big trees, pine needles, branches, or next to termite nests...

Only when we walk into the wilderness, embrace the forest and slowly experience these gifts from the mountains can we express our deep gratitude and respect for nature. Come on, let's date with nature together.

[Each person brings a bottle of water. Walk about 8 kilometers]

Time: 9:30～16:30

Location: Cangshan Zhonghe Cableway, Yudai Road

Features: A moderately difficult natural flower and bird watching route, with some steep uphill sections, suitable for those with some hiking experience. The first half of the route is a steady climb, so you can slow down and discover and observe the plants, animals and fungi along the way. After reaching Yudai Road, the road flattens along the edge of the forest, with excellent plant diversity.

• 09:30 Zhonghe Cableway** emphasizes safety instructions
• 11:30 Hike to Yudai Road, rest at Zhonghe Temple and have lunch.
• 12:30 Enjoy the flowers and birds along Yudai Road.
• 14:30 Zhonghe Temple, natural observation notes, recording the wild animals and plants on Yudai Road.
• 15:00 Start descending from Yudai Road.
• 16:30 Arrived at the foot of the mountain and the activity ended.

Alternative plan: It depends on personal physical strength and speed. Students with poor physical strength can take the Zhonghe cable car to the mountain. They need to buy a one-way cable car ticket for 30 yuan per person.

Recent observations of plants and birds along this route

White-bellied Pheasant

Yunnan Rhododendron

Black-browed Long-tailed Tit

Polygonum capitatum

Yunnan Camellia

Red-bellied Squirrel