Dali Cangshan Mountains: Facts, What to See, Things to Do

Written by Veronica | Updated January 27,2026

The southern end of the majestic Himalayan, Cangshan Mountain stands in the central Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan. It has 19 majestic peaks, of which, Malong Peak is the highest one, with a height of 4,122 metres (13,523 feet).

Cangshan Mountain is rich in forest resources, has a wide variety of flowers, and is also a paradise for wildlife, including the rare Yunnan snub-nosed monkey. With 2 billion years of history, Cangshan Mountain is a “natural geological history book”.

Due to its unique geology, landscapes, and abundant flora and fauna, Dali Cangshan Mountain was listed as a UNESCO World Geopark on 23 September 2014 – the second World Geopark in Yunnan, after Kunming Stone Forest.

Cangshan Mountain also features several ancient temples and historic sites. It is a popular tourist destination for any Yunnan tours, by offering travelers a unique blend of natural wonder exploration and cultural experience.

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Dali Cangshan Mountain Facts

In Chinese: 苍山
Location: west of the Erhai Lake, in Dali, Yunnan, China
Height: (13,523 feet)
Travel tips: You can access the mountain range via cable car or hiking trails
The time needed: 5-2 days. A tripto Cangshan Mountains typically takes a full day, but you can stay overnight in one of the mountain lodges to an in-depth exploration the next day.
Highlights: The stunning views of landscape; A panoramic view of Dali Old Town; the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey
Ticket price: from RMB 110 depending on which cable cars you take
Opening hours: 08:30-16:10
Suited to: Nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and hikers

Dali Cangshan Mountains — Cangshan Mountains

Nineteen Peaks & Eighteen Streams of Cangshan Mountain

Most tourists think that the Cangshan Mountain is only composed of the scenic park we tour today. But in fact, there are nineteen peaks and they together form the main body of Cangshan Mountain. These peaks stretch from south to north for about 50 km. As for their altitude, most peaks are over 3,500 meters high and a total of 7 peaks reach over 4,000 meters. The peaks are famous for the snow that does not melt even in summer.

Between every two peaks of the above nineteen peaks flows a stream. So the Cangshan Mountain boasts a total of eighteen streams. All of them flow down from the peaks and run eastward all the way to Erhai Lake. The famous Seven Dragon Lady’s Pool and Qingbi Stream are among them. The static majestic peaks and the dynamic beautiful streams together form the unique and classic scenery in Cangshan Mountain.

Must-visit Sites on Cangshan Mountain Dali

Jade Belt Road (玉带路)

The Jade Belt Road is a scenic hiking trail halfway up Cangshan Mountain, with a total length of 18 kilometres and an altitude of about 2,600 metres. From south to north, there are geological landscapes such as Qingbi Creek Canyon, Cangshan Metamorphic Rocks, and Seven Dragon Lady’s Pool, as well as ecological landscapes such as Huashan Pine, Yunnan Pine, and Shredded Rice Rhododendron.

When walking this tranquil trail, travelers can discover some ancient temples, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Erhai Lake and Dali Ancient Town.

Xima Pond or Wash Horse Pool (洗马潭)

Located in the the junction of Yuju Peak and the Longquan peak, Wash Horse Pool is 3920 metres above sea level, and known as “the lake of the mountain top”. It is an alpine moraine lake during the Dali Little Ice Age in the Quaternary.

According to legend, when Yuan Shizu Kublai Khan invaded Dali, he led his troops over Cangshan Mountain and washed his horse here, which gave the name of the lake.

Butterfly Spring (蝴蝶泉)

Located under Yunlang Peak of the nineteen peaks of Cangshan Mountain, Butterfly Spring is set between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Sea, covering an area of 210,100 square metres.

Next to it is a stone pagoda with traditional Dali Bai architectural features, built with local Dali green stone blocks.

Best Things to Do in Cangshan Mountains

Walking and Hiking

Cangshan Mountains is an ideal destination for hiking, with several hiking trails that cater to different skill levels. Whether you are looking for easy walks or challenging treks, Cangshan Mountains won’t let you down. All the trails offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains, Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake.

Exciting Cable Car Ride

To save your time and energy, you can take cable cars up and down Cangshan Mountain and enjoy the surrounding landscape. There are three cableways, namely Ximatan Cableway (洗马潭索道), Zhonghe Cableway (中和索道), and Gantong Cableway (感通索道). Each of the cableway provides visitors with easy access to different scenic spots.

Ancient Temples Exploration

Famous ancient temples on Cangshan Mountains include the Cangshan Temple,Zhonghe Temple and Gantong Temple which date back to the Tang Dynasty, and Wuwei Temple built in Song Dynasty. Explore these temples, you will learn about the region’s fascinating history and traditions.

Wildlife Watching

Cangshan Mountain is also a treasure of biodiversity with varieties of vegetation and birds. In the high altitude area, alpine azalea and fir forests are the main trees, and fire-tailed sunbird, blood pheasant and various red finches are the main birds. The intermediate altitude area is featured by mixed forests and it is home to various warblers, lady amherst pheasant, tawny owl, etc. It is also possible to encounter lesser pandas. At the mountain foot, there are lakes, wetlands and meadows, where you will see a variety of wild ducks, greylag, gallinule, the Racoma unique Erhai Lake, etc.

How to Plan a Dali Tour with Cangshan Mountain

3 – 5 days will be an ideal time for a Dali tour with both Cangshan Mountain and other main highlights inside the city.

Day 1: Dali Ancient Town
Day 2: Hike on Cangshan Mountain
Day 3: cycle along Erhai Lake – make Flower Cake
Day 4: departure

If you have more time, plan a trip to the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple and Xizhou Ancient Town on the fourth day and leave on the 5^th day. In this itinerary, you have covered all the popular attractions in Dali.

Recommended tour: 4 Days Dali Essence Tour

What are the best hiking trails in Cangshan Mountain? – Advice from Real Local Expert Guides

Hiking is a very popular way to explore Cangshan Mountain. The scenic area is well-developed with clear signs, so it is friendly to solo travelers, including females. About the hiking routes, the Jade Cloud Road section is flat and beginners can conquer it easily, while the route in high altitude area includes a long distance and requires a certain strength.

Route 1: A Complete Tour

Route: Take Zhonghe Cableway uphill – Jade Belt Road – Seven Dragon Lady’s Pool – take Gantong Cableway to the peak – Ximatan – Cableway downhill
Hiking Distance:about 6 – 7 km
Time Needed:about 1 day
Suitable for:tourists with good physical strength
Why Recommended:complex experience with most highlights

Route 2: Essence Tour

Route: Take Ximatan Cableway uphill – Ximatan – return to Seven Dragon Lady’s Pool Station by cableway – Jade Belt Road – Take Gantong Cableway downhill – Gantong Temple – Jizhao Monastery
Hiking Distance:about 6 km
Time Needed:over half a day
Suitable for:tourists with moderate physical strength
Why Recommended:the essence of Cangshan Mountain is included in half a day, moderate hiking

Route 3: Easiest Tour

Route: Take GantongCableway uphill – Jade Belt Road – Qingbi Stream – Cangshan Grand Canyon – return to Gantong Cableway and go downhill – Gantong Temple – Jizhao Monastery
Hiking Distance:about 3 – 5 km
Time Needed:half a day
Suitable for:all tourists
Why Recommended:it is flat road all the way, ensuring a relaxing and safe tour.

Tips for the Hiking Tour:

Gantong Cableway offers a panoramic view of Erhai Lake all the way, so the scenery is the most beautiful among the three cableways.
Zhonghe Cableway is the open carriage, offering a more immersive experience.
It is highly recommended to take the Zhonghe Cableway uphill and the Gantong Cableway downhill.
Go downhill before 16:30, it is also the closing time of cableway.
The weather is changeable in Cangshan Mountain, so bring a coat and rain gear no matter which season you visit.

Three Main Cableways in Cangshan Mountain

Ximatan Cable Car – Reach Peak of Cangshan Mountain

Elevation: 2,242 meters – 2,814 meters – 3,920 meters
Ticket price: CNY 190 – 335
Opening hours: Upward: 08:30-15:00; Downward: 08:30-16:00.
Route: Dragon Oath Cinema City – Seven Dragon Lady’s Pool – Wash Horse Pool
Time needed: about 40 minutes
How to get to: Take the tourism direct bus at the south gate of Dali Ancient Town to the cable car stop directly. The round-ticket price is CNY 5. Or take city bus line C10 and get off at the cinema city. The ticket price is CNY 2 per person.

Ximantan Cable Car is the only cable car to the peak of Cangshan Mountain and its elevation difference of 1,648 meters is the largest among cableways in the world. With a length of 5,555 meters, it is also the longest tourism cableway in China. To prevent the wind and cold, the cable cars use imported closed cabinlift with 8 seats. Along the way, you can see the glacial relics, fir forests, and sea of azaleas.

Gantong Cable Car – Excellent Scenery Viewing Line

Elevation: 2,260meters – 2,552 meters
Ticket price: CNY 65 for single trip and 100 for a round trip
Opening hours: 08:30-16:30
Route: Gantong Temple – Qingbi Stream
Time needed: about 15 minutes
How to get to: Take the tourism direct bus at the south gate of Dali Ancient Town toTicket Center of Gantong cable car. Or get there by taxi directly.

Gantong Cable Car are designed as 6-seat transparent cabinlift so that tourists can enjoy an unobstructed view of the scenery around. During the 2,500-meter-long ride, you can look up at the snow peak of Cangshan Mountain and overlook the Dali ancient town and Erhai Lake.

Zhonghe Cable Car – Open Hanging Chair

Elevation: 1,600meters – 2,595 meters
Ticket price: CNY 65 for single trip and 96for a round trip
Opening hours: 08:00-17:00
Route: Near the race course in Sanyue Street- Zhonghe Temple
Time needed: about 25minutes
How to get to: Take city bus line 4, C2, C7 and C10 to Shuidui Village, then walk east for about 15 minutes to the ticket center. Or take a taxi there directly.

As the oldest cable car in Cangshan Mountain, it is in open hanging chair design with double seats, thus suitable for tourists who seek thrills and love photography and not suitable for kids and tourists with acrophobia. This route travels through primitive forests and you can overlook the Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake and rural scenery of Bai ethnic villages along the way.

Best Time to Visit Cangshan Mountain in Dali

Cangshan Mountain is accessible year-round, but the best time must be spring and autumn. Both seasons offer stable and pleasant weather. The approximate temperature range is from 10 – 20 ℃.

The most important reason is the eye-catching scenery. In spring, the colorful flowers and lush trees will definitely amaze the nature lovers and photographers. In autumn, the stable climate creates the best condition to overlook Erhai Lake and have a clear distant view of the 19 peaks of Cangshan Mountain.

How to Get to Cangshan Mountain

If you are in Dali Ancient City, you can take a taxi to Cangshan Mountain Scenic Spot. You can also to go to the ancient city visitor centre to take the Dali Tourist Scenic Spot through-bus to go there.
If you are in Xiaguan Villageof Dali, you can take the No.4 bus to Cangshan Gate of Dali Old Town, and then take a taxi or shuttle bus to get there.
If you are at Dali Airport or Railway Station, you can take the scenicshuttle bus to get there.

Attractions Nearby Cangshan Mountain

Erhai Lake: Right next toCangshan Mountains, it is a stunning body of water surrounded by lush greenery, traditional fishing villages and majestic mountains.
Dali Old Town: 20 kilometers away from Cangshan Mountains,this charming and historic city is home to a wealth of ancient landmarks, including the ancient city wall and the Foreigners’ Street.
Xizhou Ancient Town: Located about 18 kilometers north of the Cangshan Mountain, Xizhou is a well-preserved Bai minority townand famous for the beautiful ancient Bai architecture.

Cangshan Mountain vs Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comparison

Cangshan Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain are both the iconic mountains in Yunnan. But they are characterized by completely different scenery. Cangshan Mountain is accompanied by Erlai Lake and it boasts a tranquil scenery and strong cultural atmosphere, while Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is known for its magnificent glaciers and snow peaks.

Aspects	Cangshan Mountain	Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Difficulty	Relatively easy, suitable for casual hiking, cultural experiences, and photography.	challenge, ideal for visitors seeking the awe-inspiring experience of snow-capped mountains and glaciers.
Elevation	4122 meters	5596 meters
Cable Cars	Ximantan Cableway is near the mountain top. Gantong and Zhonghe Cableways reach the middle of the mountain.	Glacier Park Cableway is near mountain top. Spruce Meadow Cableway and Yak Meadow Cableway reach the middle of the mountain.
Core Attractions	Alpine lakes, ancient temples, Jade Cloud Road, view of Erhai Lake	Modern glaciers, snow peaks, Blue Moon Valley
Altitude Sickness Risk	Relatively low, but may experience altitude sickness if trekking to Ximatan	Higher risk, carry oxygen tanks and challenge based on your own condition
Best Time to Visit	Spring and autumn	November – April

FAQs about Cangshan Mountain

What are the legends of Cangshan Mountain?

The most famous should be the “Longing for Husband Cloud”. It is said that the princess of Nanzhao Kingdom fell in love with a young hunter, the two eloped to the Yuju Peak of Cangshan Mountain. The king was angry and asked the wizard to drive the hunter into Erhai Lake and turn him into a stone mule. The princess missed her husband very much and finally died in depression and turned into a cloud.

Are there hotels near Cangshan Mountain?

Of course. Both at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and near the Dali Ancient City offer abundant hotel choices.

How much time should I allocate for a visit to Cangshan Mountain?

1 – 2 days will be an ideal time to cover all the major scenic spots.

What is the altitude of Cangshan Mountain, and is altitude sickness a concern?

The altitude of the main scenic area is about 3,900 meters. Most healthy people will not suffer from severe symptoms, but you may feel a little bit difficult to breathe.

What are the opening and closing hours for the mountain and cable cars?

The opening hours vary from each other.

Cangshan Mountain: 08:30 – 16:10
Ximatan Cable Car: Upward: 08:30-15:00; Downward: 08:30-16:00
Gantong Cable Car: 08:30-16:30
Zhonghe Cable Car: 08:00-17:00

When is the best time to see the rhododendron (azalea) flowers in bloom?

March – May is the best time to see the blooming azalea flowers.

Plan Your Yunnan Dali Tour with China Xian Tour

Besides Cangshan Mountain, Dali is also famous for Erhai Lake and its Bai ethnic customs. Traveling with China Xian Tour, we will include not only the natural scenery, but also the ancient towns. Besides, our tailor trip can also include some unique experiences like tie dyeing according to your demands. You will have a more abundant travel experience and feel the complete charm of the city. Just contact us right now.

Cangshan Mountain in Dali – A Scenic World Geopark with Rich Biodiverse