Yunnan’s winter is a magnificent picture.
I first heard of Dali from one of my friends who had visited and couldn’t stop raving about its beauty and tranquillity. Intrigued, I decided to explore this charming town nestled in the heart of Yunnan by myself, and I instantly fell in love with this place.
The picturesque Erhai Lake and the imposing Cangshan Mountain Range make this town a truly gem. Evident in its well-preserved ancient architecture and vibrant local traditions, Dali itself is steeped in history and culture.
What sets Dali apart from other places is its laid-back atmosphere and sense of community. Despite being a popular tourist destination, it has managed to preserve its authenticity and minor ethnics’ characteristics, along with the slower pace of life, allowing residents to savor every moment and appreciate the simple joy of living.
The other destination that lying closer to Dali is the famous last surviving ancient town, Lijiang. This town is made up of three parts: Dayan Old Town established in the Ming Dynasty as commercial centre, Baisha housing cluster established earlier during the Song Dynasty and Shuhe housing clusters.
The Yulong Snow Mountain to the north-west serves as the source of rivers and springs. It’s the first snow mountain that I have ever seen. The sky was cloudless before sunrise, the jagged mountain rising black on black until the very top, where their cold crowns of snow and ice shone goldenly in the first beam of light.
It’s said that if you can see the first sunlight lightening the snow mountain, you’ll be lucky for a whole year.
Our guide from Naxi ethic group said that he saw it everyday.