{"id":752,"date":"2026-08-30T06:18:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T06:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=752"},"modified":"2026-08-30T06:18:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T06:18:50","slug":"cangshan-mountain","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=752","title":{"rendered":"Cangshan Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"
Cangshan Mountain<\/strong> (\u82cd\u5c71) is the backbone of Dali \u2014 a 50-km range with 19 peaks running parallel to Erhai Lake. Its highest summit, Malong Peak, rises to 4,122 meters<\/strong>. Together with the lake, it forms the classic “wind, flowers, snow, moon” panorama that defines Dali.<\/div>\n
In 2026, exploring Cangshan means choosing between three cableways<\/strong>, each offering a completely different experience.<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\udea1 The Three Cableways<\/h3>\n
Cangshan has three cableways running from south to north. They are connected mid-mountain by the Jade Belt Cloud Path<\/strong>, a flat walking trail.<\/div>\n
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<\/th>\nCimatan (\u5927\u7d22\u9053 \/ “Grand”)<\/strong><\/th>\nGantong (\u611f\u901a)<\/strong><\/th>\nZhonghe (\u4e2d\u548c)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Elevation reached<\/strong><\/td>\n3,900 m (only summit access)<\/td>\n2,600 m<\/td>\n2,600 m<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Return ticket<\/strong><\/td>\nCNY 335 (peak) \/ CNY 275 (low)<\/td>\n~CNY 95\u2013130 (incl. park entry)<\/td>\n~CNY 60\u201395 (incl. park entry)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n08:30\u201315:00<\/td>\n08:30\u201317:00<\/td>\n08:30\u201316:30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Highlights<\/strong><\/td>\nAlpine lake, fir forests, rhododendrons, summit views<\/td>\nQingbi Stream, Grand Canyon, Jizhao Temple, Jade Belt Path<\/td>\nOpen-air chairlift, Zhonghe Temple, old-town views<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best for<\/strong><\/td>\nFit hikers, photographers, no altitude issues<\/td>\nMost visitors, families, culture lovers<\/td>\nBudget travelers, hikers, non-acrophobes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Caveat<\/strong><\/td>\nUpper section often closed due to wind\/ice<\/td>\nNo summit snow views<\/td>\nLess dramatic scenery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u26a0\ufe0f Cimatan weather risk:<\/strong> The upper section (Qilongnvchi \u2192 Cimatan) closes frequently due to high winds or ice. Check the daily operations notice before you go.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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\ud83c\udfab 2026 Ticket Prices<\/h3>\n
Mountain entry fee:<\/strong> CNY 35 (usually included in cableway packages)<\/div>\n
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Cableway<\/th>\nTicket<\/th>\nPrice<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Cimatan \u2014 full return<\/td>\nPeak \/ Low season<\/td>\nCNY 335 \/ CNY 275<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cimatan \u2014 half return<\/td>\nTo Qilongnvchi only<\/td>\nCNY 195 \/ CNY 163<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gantong \u2014 return<\/td>\nIncl. entry<\/td>\n~CNY 95\u2013130<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gantong \u2014 one-way<\/td>\nIncl. entry<\/td>\n~CNY 85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhonghe \u2014 return<\/td>\nIncl. entry<\/td>\n~CNY 60\u201395<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qilongnvchi incline elevator<\/td>\nOne-way<\/td>\nCNY 30 (optional, replaces ~1,100 steps)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Discounts:<\/strong> Children under 1.2 m free; 1.2\u20131.4 m half price; seniors 60\u201369 and students half price on entry; seniors 70+ and active military free entry.<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f What to See at Each Cableway<\/h3>\n
Cimatan (Summit Route)<\/strong><\/div>\n
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    Cimatan Lake<\/strong> \u2014 A glacial lake at 3,920 m. Legend says Kublai Khan watered his horses here. Rocky, stark, and surrounded by dwarf rhododendrons in May\u2013June.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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    Qilongnvchi (Seven Dragon Maidens Pools)<\/strong> \u2014 A string of seven jade-green pools near the mid-station. Best after rain.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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    Tianlongbabu Film City<\/strong> \u2014 At the base station; a kitschy but fun martial-arts theme park.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    Gantong (Culture & Nature Route)<\/strong><\/div>\n
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      Qingbi Stream<\/strong> \u2014 One of Cangshan’s 18 crystal-clear streams; three-tiered pools.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Jizhao Temple<\/strong> \u2014 Called “China’s most beautiful nunnery.” Famous for its lush succulent gardens and CNY 20 vegetarian lunch<\/strong> served at 11:30 (runs out fast \u2014 arrive by 11:00). A must-do for foodies and Instagrammers.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Gantong Temple<\/strong> \u2014 A Tang-dynasty monastery where you can taste “Cangshan snow tea.”<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Grand Canyon viewing platform<\/strong> \u2014 Overlooks the dramatic ravine.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      Zhonghe (Budget & Hiking Route)<\/strong><\/div>\n
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        Zhonghe Temple<\/strong> \u2014 Quiet, ancient, with a CNY 20 vegetarian lunch from 11:30.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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        Viewing platform<\/strong> \u2014 Panoramic views over Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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        Taoxi (Peach Stream)<\/strong> \u2014 A 2-km walk north from the temple; one of the most scenic stretches of the Jade Belt Path.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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        \ud83e\udd7e Jade Belt Cloud Path (\u7389\u5e26\u4e91\u6e38\u8def)<\/h3>\n
        This is Cangshan’s hidden gem \u2014 an 11\u201312 km flat stone walkway<\/strong> at ~2,600 m elevation linking all three cableways.<\/div>\n
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          Terrain:<\/strong> Almost completely level. Suitable for kids and seniors.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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          Scenery:<\/strong> Pine forests, streams, seasonal wildflowers. Note: much of the trail is forested \u2014 you won’t<\/strong> have constant lake views.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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          Classic segment:<\/strong> Gantong upper station \u2194 Cimatan mid-station (Qilongnvchi), roughly 3\u20135 km.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Recommended Itineraries<\/h3>\n
          Option 1: Gantong Half-Day (Easiest & Most Cultural)<\/strong><\/div>\n
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          Best for: Most travelers, families, short on time<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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            08:30 Taxi from Old Town to Gantong base (~CNY 25, 15 min)<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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            09:00 Cable car up \u2192 Qingbi Stream \u2192 Grand Canyon viewpoint<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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            11:00 Walk to Jizhao Temple (~600 m) \u2192 queue for 11:30 vegetarian lunch<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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            13:00 Cable car down<\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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            Cost:<\/strong> ~CNY 115\u2013130 + CNY 20 lunch<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            Option 2: Cimatan Summit (Most Dramatic)<\/strong><\/div>\n
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            Best for: Fit hikers, clear-weather days, no altitude sensitivity<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n