# Cangshan–Erhai National Nature Reserve (苍山洱海国家级自然保护区)

Dali, Yunnan Province · Southwest, China · Guidebook rating: 5/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/cangshan-erhai-national-nature-reserve
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** There are two cable cars up Cangshan Mountain, and cruises on Erhai Lake: 1. Xima Pool Cable Car round trip ¥335 (includes admission to the Film and Television City and the Geological Park) 2. Gantong Cable Car one way ¥115 (Cangshan admission + cable car). It is recommended to ride up and hike down, as the descent offers views of the Tianlong Babu Film and Television City, Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake 3. Erhai Lake cruise ¥142
- **Time needed:** 1 day
- **Getting there:** Cangshan: Near the south gate of Dali Ancient Town (bus stop), and Gantong Temple (bus stop) Erhai Lake: Walk from the old town to the lake; or take a horse-drawn carriage; or take a bus to Longshan Market (bus stop) and get off there
- **Good for:** Photography, Mountains & Adventure, Nature

## About Cangshan–Erhai National Nature Reserve

“Xiaguan wind, Shangguan flowers, Cangshan snow and Erhai moon” are together known as the Four Scenic Wonders of Dali.
Cangshan stretches along the western shore of Erhai Lake, like a pair of lovers standing side by side. Touring Cangshan from Shangguan, you can see the water-eroded cave where Tianlong Babu was filmed, where Duan Yu met his fairy sister and learned his peerless martial arts. From the mountain you can take in the full view of Erhai Lake, and if the weather is clear, you can see the “Cangshan snow” on the summit. On the way down, you can enjoy the “Shangguan flowers” blooming across the hillsides.

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. It is best to take a cruise operated by a shipping company, where prices and routes are guaranteed. Travel agency day tours of Cangshan and Erhai usually cover Erhai Park, the Prefectural Museum, Guanyintang Xiaoputuo, Butterfly Spring, the Three Pagodas and Dali Ancient Town, and the boat hosts a “Three-Course Tea” ceremony.
- 2. Large tour boats operated by Dali Tourism Group dock at Longkan Pier near the old town, at Taoyuan Pier in Xizhou Town, and at Dali Port east of Xiaguan. The boats run two routes. Long route: (1) Dali Port (outside the gate of Erhai Park) → Longkan Pier → Xiaoputuo → Nanzhao Village Island → Taoyuan Pier; (2) Taoyuan Pier → Nanzhao Village Island → Longkan Pier in Dali Ancient Town.
- Short route: Longkan Pier in Dali Ancient Town → Jinsuo Island Scenic Area and Luoquan Peninsula Scenic Area → Longkan Pier in Dali Ancient Town.
- 3. Glass balls: The Instagram-worthy “glass ball” photo spot on Erhai Lake has become a trendy hotspot. Many glass-ball props line East Erhai Road, and some vendors also provide white tables, swings and other props.
- 4. Horse riding around Cangshan and Erhai is another way to enjoy the scenery. Horse handlers wait at the foot of the mountain; typically one handler rides a horse and leads another up the mountain.
- 5. For cycling around Erhai Lake, you can rent a bicycle or an e-bike. Rides usually depart around 8:00 am and can go in two directions: East Erhai Road or West Erhai Road.
- East Erhai Road runs entirely along the lakeshore; it is smooth to ride and has the most beautiful scenery. From the Xiaguan direction at the east gate of Dali Ancient Town, the northward route leads toward Shuanglang. Cyclists usually choose to follow West Erhai Road north all the way to Shuanglang, passing many flower fields where you can stop to take photos at any time.
- The West Erhai Road direction passes many villages, so ride with care. When you reach Haishe Park, be sure to stop and charge your bike. Along West Erhai Road, the rice fields on both banks give off a fragrance in autumn, and in winter you can gaze across to the snow on Cangshan.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 214. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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