Two Epic Hiking Trails You Cannot Miss in Dali | Cangshan Yudai Road & Shibao Mountain

Hello everyone, I'm Joy, living in Dali, Yunnan. I'm an English-speaking tour guide, and I will show you the most beautiful scenery and the richest ethnic culture of Yunnan. Discover two completely different incredible hiking experiences in Dali, Yunnan — one offers breathtaking alpine lake and city panorama views, while the other reveals ancient millennium Buddhist grottoes and mysterious Danxia valley scenery. Perfect for travelers who love nature, history, and relaxed outdoor walks! 1. Cangshan Jade Belt Road (Cable Car Hiking Route) Skip the tiring steep mountain climb and take the cable car straight up to Cangshan’s iconic Jade Belt Road, a gentle flat trail built along the mountainside at an altitude of 2600 meters. Stretching through lush primeval forests, this 18-kilometer stone-paved trail is famous for its soft drifting cloud belts that wrap around the mountain waist all year round. Walking here, you get a stunning dual view: the rolling green Cangshan peaks on one side, and the vast sparkling Erhai Lake plus ancient Dali Old Town on the other. Pass crystal-clear mountain streams, green valleys, and classic spots like Green Bixi Stream and Seven Dragon Maiden Pools. It’s a beginner-friendly, low-difficulty hike with endless postcard scenery, ideal for casual hikers and photography lovers. 2. Shibaoshan Ancient Grottoes Hiking Route (Baoxiang Temple · Shizhong Temple · Shadengqing) A hidden cultural & natural gem far away from crowded tourist spots, Shibaoshan features unique red Danxia landforms and precious millennium grotto art relics from the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms. Start your journey from Baoxiang Temple, known as the “Yunnan Hanging Temple”. Built embedded on the steep red cliff, this ancient wooden temple complex blends perfectly with the mountain forest, delivering stunning ancient architectural aesthetics. Continue hiking to Shizhong Temple Grottoes, honored as the “Dunhuang of Southwest China”. The well-preserved ancient Buddha statues and royal court carvings record the glorious history of ancient Yunnan, carrying profound cultural and artistic value. The trail ends at Shadengqing Valley, a quiet, secluded forest path with fewer crowds. Lush greenery covers the entire valley, dotted with scattered ancient cliff inscriptions and old grotto relics. The whole route combines wild natural scenery, primitive forest vibes, and profound ancient Buddhist culture, a must-visit for history enthusiasts and off-the-beaten-path travelers. VIDEO CHAPTERS: 00:00 Opening 00:25 Cangshan Gantong Cable Car 00:55 Yudai Road Hiking 01:43 Qilongnv Pools 02:32 Cangshan Zhonghe Cable Car 03:22 Shibao Mountain 03:27 Mongkeys 03:42 Baoxiang Temple 04:24 Shizhong Temple Grottoes 04:52 ShadengQing Which Dali hiking trail is on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments! #dali #yunnan #yunnanhiking #cangshanmoutain #shibaoshan