Overview of Cangshan Mountains
Cangshan Mountains (Cangshan meaning “Dark Green Mountains”) is a spectacular mountain range that runs parallel to Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan. With 19 different peaks all over 3,500 meters high, and snow on the highest peaks year-round in winter, Cangshan creates a dramatic mountain backdrop that defines the scenery of Dali.
The mountains are covered in dense forests, dotted with alpine meadows, waterfalls, and clear mountain streams, and offer some of the best hiking and stunning panoramic views over Erhai Lake below. For active travelers who love nature and hiking, it’s one of the must-visit destinations in Dali.
Highlights of Cangshan Mountains
Dramatic Mountain Landscape Overlooking Erhai Lake
From almost any point on the upper slopes of Cangshan, you get breathtaking panoramic views across Erhai Lake out to the distant mountains – it’s one of the best mountain views you can get in all of Yunnan.
Clear Mountain Streams and Beautiful Waterfalls
Cangshan is famous for its many clear mountain streams that come down from the glaciers and snowmelt on the high peaks, creating beautiful waterfalls like the famous Qingbi Stream that’s easily accessible from the cable car station.
Great Hiking Trails Between the Peaks
There’s a famous hiking trail that goes between the cable car stations on different peaks, taking you through mountain forests and across alpine meadows with incredible views the whole way. It’s one of the most scenic day hikes you can do in Yunnan.
Rich Biodiversity and Alpine Plants
Cangshan has incredible biodiversity with hundreds of species of plants, including many rare alpine flowers that bloom in spring and summer. It’s a paradise for plant lovers and nature enthusiasts.
A Suggested Day Itinerary
Full-Day Hiking on Cangshan
Start early in the morning, take a taxi or private car from your hotel in Dali to the Ximaotan cable car station on the lower slopes of Cangshan. Take the cable car up to the mid-mountain station at about 2,600 meters.
From the cable car station, start hiking along the famous “Pine Tree Ridge” trail that runs between the peaks towards the Gantong cable car station. The trail is well-maintained and generally level, with only gentle elevation changes, so it’s not extremely difficult even for reasonably fit travelers.
Stop along the way at the viewpoints overlooking Erhai Lake – the views get better and better as you go. Stop for lunch at one of the simple mountain restaurants halfway along the trail, or bring your own picnic with you to eat at a viewpoint.
Continue hiking to the Gantong cable car station, then take the cable car back down to the bottom of the mountain. From here, your driver can take you back to your accommodation in Dali or to the next stop on your itinerary.
Is Cangshan Mountains Right for You?
Recommended For
- Active Travelers and Hikers – The scenic hiking trail between the cable cars is one of the most scenic day hikes in Yunnan, perfect for fit travelers who love nature.
- Photography Enthusiasts – The panoramic views over Erhai Lake from the mountain slopes are absolutely incredible, especially on clear days.
- Nature Lovers – From mountain forests to alpine meadows to clear waterfalls, Cangshan has it all for nature lovers.
- Visitors Looking for Stunning Views – Even if you don’t want to hike the full trail, you can just take the cable car up to the mid-mountain station and walk to a nearby viewpoint for amazing views.
Who May Not Enjoy Cangshan Mountains As Much：
Travelers Who Can’t Do Much Walking
Even the easiest route requires quite a bit of walking – if you can’t walk for 4-6 hours, you might not enjoy Cangshan as much. You can still take the cable car up for a short walk to a viewpoint, but you won’t get to experience the best of the mountain.
Visitors On a Very Tight Schedule
You really need a full day to do the hike properly and enjoy the experience. If you only have one day in Dali, you might need to prioritize between Cangshan and Erhai.
When to Visit Cangshan Mountains (Best Times & When to Avoid)
- Best Season: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) when the weather is mild, the sky is usually clear, and you get great views. Wildflowers bloom in spring and the leaves turn beautiful colors in autumn.
- Winter (December-February): It’s colder and you might get snow on the lower trails, but on clear days you get absolutely amazing views because the air is extremely clear.
- Summer (June-August): It’s rainy season, so you might have cloudy or rainy days that block the views of the lake from the mountain. However, the mountains are very green and beautiful this time of year.
Times to Avoid: Heavy rainy days when the mountain is covered in clouds – you won’t get any view, so it’s better to wait for a clear day to visit.
FAQ – Visiting Cangshan Mountains
Q: How difficult is the hike between the cable cars?
A: The trail is generally well-maintained and mostly level or gently rolling, so it’s considered moderate difficulty. Most reasonably fit travelers can complete it in 4-6 hours.
Q: Do I need a guide to hike Cangshan?
A: The trail is very well marked and easy to follow, so you don’t need a guide if you’re an experienced hiker. But if you’re not experienced hiking in mountains, it’s recommended to hire a local guide.
Q: Is it cold on the top of Cangshan?
A: Yes, it can be 10-15°C colder than down in Dali at the bottom, even in summer. Always bring a warm jacket or fleece regardless of what season you visit.
Q: Can I go up to the very top of the highest peak?
A: No, the cable car only goes to the mid-mountain station at around 2,600 meters – the highest peaks are for experienced mountain climbers only.
Q: What should I bring when hiking Cangshan?
A: Bring plenty of water, snacks/lunch, warm jacket, sunscreen, comfortable hiking shoes, and mosquito repellent.
Q: Is the cable car operating in bad weather?
A: Cable car doesn’t operate in heavy rain or high wind for safety reasons, so if the weather is bad it will be closed.
Cangshan Mountains Ticket Prices & Opening Hours
Opening Hours:
- Cable cars: 08:30 – 17:00 (last cable car up is 16:00)
Ticket Prices:
- Round trip cable car Ximaotan to Gantong: ¥280 per person
- One-way: ¥150 per person
- Discounts: Children under 1.2 meters are free, students get discount with valid ID
How to Get There:
- By taxi/private car: Most convenient – directly to the cable car station you want to start from
- By public bus: Local public buses go from Dali Old Town to the base of Cangshan
- With organized tour: Many organized day tours from Dali include transportation, guide, and cable car tickets
Nearby Attractions – Suggested Combination
Erhai Lake
Cangshan is right next to Erhai Lake – most travelers do Cangshan one day and drive/cycle around Erhai the next day, it’s the classic Dali combination.
Dali Ancient Town
Dali Ancient Town is just a short drive from the base of Cangshan – you can do your hike on Cangshan and then stay in the ancient town overnight.
Qingbi Stream
This beautiful waterfall is right near the cable car station at the base of Cangshan – you can easily stop to see it before or after your hike.
Summary Of Cangshan Mountains
Cangshan Mountains is the spectacular mountain range that forms the backdrop to Dali and Erhai Lake, offering one of the most scenic day hikes in all of Yunnan. With its breathtaking panoramic views over Erhai Lake, clear mountain waterfalls, diverse forests, and well-maintained hiking trail, it’s a must-visit for active nature-loving travelers visiting Dali.
Even if you don’t want to hike the whole trail, just taking the cable car up to the mid-mountain station gives you amazing views that you shouldn’t miss when you’re in Dali.
If you need help booking your cable car ticket in advance, arranging a private driver, or getting a local hiking guide, feel free to contact us to help organize your Cangshan hiking experience.
