The Cangshan range runs north to south immediately behind Dali old town, separating the Erhai Lake basin from the mountains to the west. There are nineteen principal peaks, the highest reaching over four thousand metres, and between them a series of steep valleys with streams running down towards the lake. The range is a national park and a major hiking area.
The Jade Belt Road
The best-known route is the Jade Belt Cloud Road, a path cut across the mountainside at roughly 2,600 metres, running for around eleven kilometres between the Zhonghe and Gantong areas. It is almost level, mostly shaded, and gives long views east over Erhai Lake and the plain, with the peaks rising on your other side. Snow still lies in the gullies in spring, and the cloud that forms along the ridge gives the path its name.
Cable cars and access
There are three cable cars on the mountain, of different lengths and prices, and they are the practical way to reach the trails without a long climb. The longest climbs high towards the central peaks; others serve the Zhonghe temple area and the southern section. Weather matters - services stop in strong wind, and the mountain is often in cloud even when Dali is sunny, so it is worth checking conditions in the morning and going early.
The temples
Several small temples and shrines sit on the mountainside, including Zhonghe Temple on the Jade Belt Road and others further up. They are modest buildings used by local people, and the mountain itself is a pilgrimage destination. Butter lamps, incense and the occasional bell are part of the trail, not a separate attraction.
Practical information
Cangshan can be entered from the base at the western edge of Dali old town, a village or two along the road, or by cable car from further south. Admission is charged for the park, with separate tickets for each cable car. Take water, a jacket and shoes with grip - the weather changes quickly, and the temperature at 2,600 metres is well below the town. Altitude is not extreme, but the trails are steep in places and a full traverse of the Jade Belt Road takes four to six hours on foot.
