Hike to Luoshi Temple for Vegetarian Meal and Mocan Stream — avis de voyageurs

A wonderful trip! Jason is very talkative and knowledgeable, able to chat about anything under the sun. We communicated very pleasantly. We started hiking at 7:30 in the morning at the meeting point, accompanied by two dogs, Wukong and Zhamao. Both dogs were very cute and lively, with muscular bodies. During the climb, I often felt that humans are no match for dogs. We spent little time on the crowded main paths; most of the time we walked through dense forests on thick pine needles. The winter sun in Dali was just right. I was shivering from cold in the morning, but once we started climbing, I began to sweat. My boyfriend picked pine cones all the way and even unexpectedly got a pocketful of pine nuts. The destination was Bolo Temple halfway up the mountain. The monks there were very interesting! The vegetarian meal was also delicious (maybe because I was hungry). I usually have little appetite, but I ate two bowls. Before the meal, I saw the ingredient for a stir-fry: a huge pumpkin. I've never seen one that big in my life. The whole trip took about eight hours, with moderate intensity. Since the slope was gentle, I didn't feel very tired. During breaks, Jason prepared tea and fruits. Carrying a big basket of stuff must have been hard work!

A fantastic hike! Even before arriving in Dali, I was already excited about hiking in the Cangshan forest. Guide Tailor took us up the mountain on forest trails, pointing out different plants and sharing mountain anecdotes along the way. We walked and stopped, and the accompanying dog Guobao was also very cute. It felt like hiking with two familiar friends on a weekend. We reached Bolo Temple at noon, and after lunch we walked towards the stream. Some sections of the mountain path were rugged, requiring some physical strength and patience. Tailor talked about his previous climbing experiences. He said climbing is challenging and you can't expect it to be completely comfortable. Indeed, whether sunny or rainy, dry or wet season, it's all nature. On the way down, we met a local aunt dragging branches. When asked if she was taking them home for firewood, she said, 'Carrying wood (wealth) home!' Another aunt carefully picked a bunch of flowers. How lovely!

The best experience on Cangshan, bar none! Guide Honghong was so warm and friendly, with a gentle voice. She thoughtfully brought us gloves and fruit. Along the way, we chatted, ate melon, and joked around—it was super relaxed. There was also an adorable little dog named Wukong accompanying us, which was wonderful. As for the route, it was truly amazing—full of fresh air and negative ions, very quiet, with only the sound of footsteps and birdsong. So healing! I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it.

Can you believe it? The photography service included with the hike is just insanely good!!! Absolutely incredible, I'm telling you. Big shout-out to our guide Xiao Jing! This is my second time going on a hike with their team. The amazing Jason is such a great guy too. Will definitely come again, looking forward to more routes.

Thank you to Teacher Wangwang for leading us today, allowing us to see the breathtaking scenery of Cangshan—Mocan Stream, the valley, and the tranquil forest. All left a deep impression.

We took the forest hiking route, which took about 6.5 hours in total, with the app recording 15 kilometers. We were very lucky to hike on one of Dali's rare overcast days—windless, peaceful, and serene. When the wind blew, the pines rustled like waves. Thanks to @Tailor Guide and @Menglu Guide, who took great care of everyone's physical condition along the way. During the hike, they briefly shared their experiences and we exchanged views on various topics like ChatGPT, Dali's weather, coffee and tea, local food, hiking and camping, and raising cats and dogs. We also watched a short video about family education between the guide and Menglu, which was very enjoyable. The vegetarian meal at Bolo Temple was a bit spicy, the cat was a bit fierce, the magnolias were in full bloom, the azaleas were blooming beautifully, the bamboo was green, and the pines were evergreen. Everything was the best arrangement.

It rained all the way into the mountains. Thank you, Tailor, for leading us, and also thanks to the golden-edged Border Collie Monroe for running back and forth—super gentle and wanting cuddles, so adorable. We also found lots of mushrooms. Next time I come to Dali, I'll definitely join you guys again.

I joined the medium-distance hike to Bolo Temple. The temperature in the morning of January was still a bit low, so I needed to wear a windbreaker or light down jacket. It required some physical strength, with some steep slopes and continuous uphill sections. Guide Wangwang was very cute and chatted with us about what we saw along the way. The two Shiba Inu dogs from the group were full of energy, fighting from the bottom of the mountain to the top and back down, adding a lot of fun. Dali has always been an ideal place, the first destination I think of for rest every year. Maybe it's because there are so many different ways to play and different highlights. I hope to have the chance to join the boating activity next time. Thanks for the hospitality.

Guide 'Tailor' and his Border Collie 'National Treasure' took us on a day's hike on Cangshan. We passed by a tea plantation, overlooked Erhai Lake from the misty mountainside, learned about various plants, flowers, and mushrooms along the way, picked up a porcupine quill, passed by a forest of tombstones, and picked wild red berries by the roadside—sweet and sour. Along the way, it was just the four of us and one dog, extremely quiet, with the sound of drizzling rain, wind through the pines, gurgling streams, and birdsong... At noon, we arrived at Bolo Temple, a very quiet small temple with only one abbot and one volunteer cook. We ate vegetarian meals and drank tea made with mountain spring water. Maybe we were hungry or the food was too delicious—each of us finished two big bowls. The temple courtyard was still just us, eating and drinking tea under the dense big trees, with light rain falling, listening to the wind chimes tinkling under the eaves... After eating and drinking, we went to the Mocan Creek in the canyon, with its streams and waterfalls. A refreshing coolness hit us as we watched the kids and 'National Treasure' frolic in the water... Special thanks to 'National Treasure', a smart and lovely dog. Besides leading the way and looking after the kids, every time I lagged behind to take photos, it would run back to find me, accompany me, and guide me forward—a warm travel companion. Thanks to the professional and patient guide 'Tailor' for teaching us so much. Grateful to Cangshan and for all these encounters.

If I had to describe it in four words, it would only be "exceeded expectations." Although I've been to Dali many times and climbed Cangshan quite a few times, this route really opened my eyes. First, a brisk ascent to Bolo Temple, enjoying a 360-degree mountain-view restaurant, with organic vegetarian meals blessed by Buddhist compassion. It happened to be the tail end of the temple's century-old magnolia tree's blooming season. The guide thoughtfully brought snacks and hand-brewed coffee. Eating vegetarian food and drinking coffee under the flower tree while chatting leisurely felt like a completely different world from the hustle and bustle outside. After the vegetarian meal, we began exploring the exclusive hidden spots that the guide had learned from the abbot—four waterfalls. Although the hike was a bit challenging, anyone with basic fitness can handle it. We walked through ancient pine forests, where alpine rhododendrons were already blooming, and the light and shadows kept changing. The guide took good care of us and gave detailed and authentic explanations of Cangshan's scenery and culture. They are long-term residents of Dali, and chatting with them unveils another layer of Dali—where new restaurants have opened, where the best sunset views are, which flowers bloom on Cangshan in each season. You see the possibility of another lifestyle: relaxing and enjoying the present while passionately building your life—these are not contradictory. Thanks to guides @Tianqiao Frank, Honghong, and Fox. Highly recommend everyone to join!

Next time I come to Dali, I'll join them again. Tailor brought three Border Collies today, and they all love people. Today's hike was 15 kilometers, all through pine forests, passing by Boluo Temple and reaching Mocan Stream. It was beautiful!

I originally signed up for the most difficult hike, but due to Dali's fire prevention work, that route was not allowed. The highlight was supposed to be snow, but after the fire prevention period ends, there will be no snow. I just saw that this route has been canceled. Poor me, the guinea pig, had to change routes and climb Cangshan instead. I took nearly 40,000 steps in one day. After finishing, I felt that even my fitness level would struggle with the high-difficulty route. They still run the trip even with just one person, which is friendly for solo travelers. The guide was responsible. In the future, I want to join other interesting activities in Dali. The beekeeping experience has piqued my interest.