Hike Through Fern Forest — avis de voyageurs

Le mont Cang, où la pluie s'arrête et reprend pendant la saison des pluies, évoque ces anciens temples que l'on ne trouve que dans le jeu Black Myth: Wukong. Des anciens de l'ethnie Bai chantent, des mâts sont érigés pour la fête des torches, des champignons de toutes les couleurs, et une mer de fougères s'écoulant comme une cascade. En grimpant au sommet, on aperçoit clairement le lac Erhai et les villages malgré la brume. Le guide, M. Wangwang, est un véritable botaniste ; tout au long du chemin, il nous a fait découvrir d'innombrables plantes. Je n'ai pas tout retenu, mais voir ces fougères en cascade était impressionnant. Bien que ce soit une randonnée en montagne proche, le sentier est un peu sauvage pour nous qui vivons en ville. Nous étions épuisés après la montée et la descente, mais heureusement le guide ouvrait la route. Je recommande vivement cette façon de s'immerger profondément dans la nature de Dali.

The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. The highlight moment was when we reached the mountaintop and he brought out snacks and a pot of hot tea!

Love all kinds of ferns, love Captain Yang (Yang Liu), love the teammates. A day healed by the green all around!

Doing cardio while breathing in plenty of oxygen on Cangshan. Passing through field paths and tea gardens, climbing all the way up, when the huge clusters of ferns spread out before me, I also experienced layers of ferns, endless green covering the sky~ Our guide Brother Wang (Wangwang) is a walking encyclopedia, knowing almost all the plants in the mountains. With a pair of slippers, a bamboo stick, and a backpack full of our tea snacks, he can walk swiftly up and down the steep trails of Cangshan! Looking into the distance halfway, the beauty of Erhai Lake can be seen in full view. The whole trip starts from Dali Old Town, about 30 minutes by car.

Guide Yang Liu is very responsible and warm-hearted! My first time hiking in the rain turned out to be unexpectedly fun, becoming a precious life experience. After several days of heavy rain, we went up the mountain in light rain. The mountain path was not muddy. The air was especially fresh and cool, with a healing scent in the mountains. As long as you waterproof properly, everything is under control. Guide Yang Liu made me feel very at ease~

We spent all six days going around Cangshan Mountain, and the other itineraries seemed more designed for children. But the fern forest was the real main course; it's not extremely difficult but it's a challenging hike. The photography skills of our guide Wangwang were also a highlight of the trip.

Thank you very much, Teacher Yangliu, for your company, careful and patient care of the children, and for explaining many ferns along the way. We learned about various plants while having fun. It was very rewarding. Great!

It is one of the best experiences I had in Yunnan. Before signing up, I was worried that I might not have enough stamina, since it had been a long time since I last went hiking. But after joining the group, I felt an endless supply of energy. Guide Yang Liu was especially good and sincere. He knows all kinds of plants in the mountains and fields and introduced them to us. He also brought some fruits and snacks so that we could replenish our energy when we got tired from climbing. The feeling in the mountains was particularly wonderful—it was a huge energy field. The plants were very beautiful and magical. During the hike, I learned about many plants. I had never known them so carefully while climbing mountains before. The experience of going deep into the forest was really great. I will come again next time.

Sister Yang Liu was very responsible and serious. She taught us a lot about plants, and we gained a lot. Although I am a beginner, this experience felt okay. I wasn't very tired after the walk, and I really liked this route. But I would definitely not dare to go on my own because the forks in the road are too hard to remember. So thank you to the guide. (Also, thanks for the Dragon Boat Festival zongzi and small gifts, haha)

I am very grateful for Teacher Yangliu's company along the way, introducing us to many different ferns. The teacher was also very patient with the children. Perfect!!

Before setting out, I was still anxious about the unknown mountain trails, repeatedly worrying whether I could complete the whole journey smoothly. But when I actually stepped onto the pine needles and soil of Cangshan, I realized those worries were just unnecessary baggage from the city—the hike turned out to be much easier and more comfortable than I had imagined. This hike called "Fern Forest" was a visual shock of greenery. After climbing for about an hour, you fall into an endless, ancient green expanse. It's a sea of Dicranopteris, layer upon layer, stretching their elegant and huge leaves like a quiet tapestry spread across the valley. Sunlight pierced through the canopy, casting delicate feathery shadows on the ground. Besides the magnificent Dicranopteris, the trail was full of delightful little lives: Wild mushrooms poking their pink heads out of the pine needle piles. Small mushrooms nestling at the roots of ancient trees and rocks, like little umbrellas. Mysterious ferns quietly clinging to the moss on tree bark, with tiny sporangia on the undersides of their leaves. And a purple mountain flower blooming alone among the withered grass—Wangwang said it was a second-class protected plant, but unfortunately I've forgotten its name. These tiny, thriving lives in the silent mountains were so beautiful they almost moved me to tears. Lucky for us, we had the amazing guide Wangwang! He took great care of us along the way, and even pulled out snacks like a treasure chest to refuel us mid-hike. Looking back, my biggest regret is not eating more of those plums. Of course, Wangwang's travel tips were also very practical—highly recommended!

Thank you to the walking plant encyclopedia Wangwang for leading us, allowing us to see such extraordinary scenery. And besides ferns, we also learned about other precious Chinese medicinal herbs and plants. The gentle breeze during the tea break was really relaxing! Arsenal Luke says thank you too!

Li Zhenhao~~ so good! As soon as we entered the mountains, we started learning new things: lemongrass, wild strawberries, Litsea cubeba, various ferns! Along the way, we saw all kinds of mushrooms too—the guide could explain each one! And there were dog guides too! Zha Mao and Miao Miao—so well-behaved, so well-behaved~ Although Zha Mao is on a diet and can only have a tiny bit of cheese stick, he has amazing stamina! Who can resist hiking with dogs!

Five stars! For the Cangshan Fern Hike, you must choose guide Yangliu! She is really great, providing full emotional support throughout the journey and being especially attentive to everyone's feelings. Our group had varying paces, but she patiently accommodated everyone's steps without ever rushing anyone. Venturing into the fern-filled primitive forest was so healing. Along the way, she explained all kinds of ferns and unique small plants clearly, demonstrating her professionalism. She frequently checked on those with less stamina, proactively shared supplies, and reminded us of difficult sections. After the hike, I felt completely relaxed in both body and mind. The experience was fantastic!

Like a botany and mycology class Before I even had a chance to prepare myself for entering the forest, Yangliu brought mugwort or lemongrass (I might have misremembered) right up to my nose. Hechen pointed to a tree with two different leaf shapes against the blue sky and said it was a blue gum eucalyptus. The trunk twisted upward as if spun by the wind, showing a particularly powerful texture. This journey of opening the five senses encoded knowledge into my body, but it's hard to string together so many treasures through memory alone. Then came too much fern knowledge that slipped over my mind—epiphytic microsorium that fell to the ground a couple of days ago and immediately grew lush again, Y-shaped phlebodium, forked dicranopteris, large patches of diplopterygium that looked like they were raising their hands... the sporangia behind them varied in shape. Every time we passed by, the guide would take a tiny bit of leaf and say it could be pressed, and soon my notebook was filled with natural notes from various fern leaves. The mushroom season is approaching, and we also discovered many umbrellas, caps, and cups of different sizes and colors. Immersive observation with the guides was truly wonderful! I could feel that Yangliu and Hechen's love for plants and nature seems to be woven into their very being. Along the way, I also learned many anecdotes. I miss Xiaobaimiao's soft paws. Thank you all. Hope to meet again someday.

The fern forest was an unexpected surprise. This trip to Dali coincided with a week of continuous rain. I came specifically for hiking, and to make the most of it, I decided to go even in the rain. The guide was truly wonderful. Stepping into this fern forest, I suddenly realized: it's not that I go to plants, but that the mountain and forest reflect me. I especially want to praise the guide, Zhenhao Xiaojie. She was professional, meticulous, and patient, familiar with every mountain path and terrain, knowledgeable about plants, and had unique insights into cultural stories and plant crafts. She took care of everything throughout the trip. With a guide who understands the mountain, plants, and people, it wasn't a superficial tour but a truly immersive deep dialogue with nature. I brought two small notebooks from a coffee shop and collected many leaf specimens. Not only did I exercise, but my cognitive horizons expanded, and my spirit was uplifted. I photographed the names and differences of the leaves, and my family and friends saved each share. Though they haven't moved, they gained new insights through this remote connection. My little niece might come for a real experience this summer. This is resonance—happiness is truly contagious. This trip was very rewarding! Before, I only admired vitality from afar. But this journey, stepping in and touching it, the sense of merging with the mountain's silence was incrediblyawe-inspiring! For friends who want to deeply experience the beauty of the mountain forest, choose this professional and reliable team. The experience is maximized, absolutely worth it! I want to "travel across mountains and rivers" with such a professional team.

Thank you, Teacher He Chen, for your professional and sincere guidance. It was a really cool and hardcore hiking experience! Originally expected to finish in four hours, but based on our situation, it ended up taking a full five hours. The entire journey was an intimate encounter with the primitive forest and nature, maximizing the experience. Teacher has insights into plants, animals, history, geography, and religion, so both body and mind were fully satisfied. Hope to have the chance to experience Dali again. Looking forward to seeing you!

The uniqueness of life is the most charming and attractive! This hiking trip was truly worthwhile. Our guide He Chen and the little dog Baimiao led the four of us other little lives deep into Cangshan Mountain, passing through various tree trunks, mushrooms, pine resin, moss, berries, and the straight-stretching Gleicheniaceae ferns under the sunlight. Observing them, almost every plant doesn't just show you one form; the different stages of their lives intertwine and present themselves to you in the same time and space, from tender youth to old age. Why can people easily empathize with natural plants? Probably because we are all lives moving forward along a single thread, and when we step into the jungle, surrounded by a macrocosm of life, it breaks the narrowness and inertia of my individual perspective. Those trivial matters and more or less entanglements in life, when walking along this path, seeing life repeat between beginning and decay, you will be nourished by the primitive vitality of nature, from the earth, from the mountains. And these experiences, the guide will lead you with rich knowledge and a unique perspective, starting from learning about plants in a gradual way, not limited to plants, but diverging to various regions, especially northwest Yunnan, with knowledge and viewpoints on geography and culture, endlessly teaching you. This is the irreplaceable part of this route, very interesting and inspiring. The travel companions were also very harmonious and kind. Whether you like mountains or Dali or not, you will see the unique sparkle of thought in such enthusiasm. Recommended to all who have ever gazed at Cangshan Mountain and marveled.

This was a very interesting experience. The curled young shoots looked like question marks, and the tall trees spread out like giant umbrellas, as if stepping into a world far older than humanity. Our guide, He Chen, was a cool person with a very rich understanding of the world. Along the way, we talked about the reproduction of ferns, the snowy memories of Cangshan, the fireworks of Nanzhao Kingdom, and the emptiness in Buddhist scriptures. He seemed to know everything, and had his own worldview built with his feet, heart, and mind. Baimiao was the little white dog that followed us on the trail. The name was so funny, and he walked very strategically, quietly accompanying us, adding a lot of relaxation and joy to the journey. We also met a few fellow travelers on the road, all very lovely. This kind of casual and comfortable encounter is also a kind of fate. Before gathering at the foot of the mountain, I first met "Zhenhao," who lived up to her name. She used fern leaves from her collection to make prints and pressed flowers into specimens. Behind each piece was a story between her and the plants. Very interesting. It seems some people are naturally made of plants—warm, agile, yet with their own roots. After descending the mountain, I worked overtime until night. While flipping through photos, I thought about those ferns. They are not in a hurry; they have grown like this for a hundred million years. They do not force sunlight, nor do they avoid dampness. They just live steadily, folding time into every compound leaf. Plants never seem to plan where they will grow next year, but every new leaf knows it should go toward the light. (A cheesy ending, but very wise. 😁)

I wanted to experience a different side of Dali, one without Erhai Lake or sunrises, but deep in the forest. I'm so glad I joined the Fern Forest hiking activity on my first day in Dali. It was even more interesting than I imagined. We walked along a path trodden by villagers, listened to birds chatting in the woods, touched fern leaves with all sorts of strange names, picked pinecones and smelled the pine resin, sipped white tea from a 90-yuan stainless steel cup while following the trail of a giant butterfly. No wonder Dali has always been a utopia for all kinds of people. Our guide He Chen drove a super cool off-road vehicle with a raw forest-themed interior. The Naxi prince Xiao Qi quietly walked at the back of the group, handing us super sour wild raspberries. The three-month-old group mascot Bai Miao, a dog with a strong sense of order, made the somewhat strenuous hike even more fun. We listened to the guides talk about plant growth, Buddhist history, stories of the snowy mountains, and tips on raising dogs. People from all over the world came together for this experience. Although it was only half a day, it left me with endless memories. I'm already looking forward to the next primitive and wonderful journey.

Guide Huanhuan is very professional, with great photography skills and extensive knowledge. She answered all my questions along the way and was quite talkative. It was a joyful day! The tea break was excellent, the route was full of wild charm, highly recommended! The ferns were so adorable.

A very interesting experience. Along the way, the guide introduced various wild ferns and oddly shaped plants. Surrounded by ferns, it felt like continuing to grow like a plant~

The guide was great, explaining in detail the strange and wonderful plants we encountered along the way. Listening to her, I marveled at the magic of plants and admired how knowledgeable our guide is. She was also very patient and attentive, responding to every word we said. Scruffy little dog Zhamao was great too. Although he's always a calm and laid-back dog, he stays alert to protect us when we rest. He rarely interacts with us (usually only comes over when he hears us tearing open food packages, haha), but when I was tired on the trail, seeing his chicken-drumstick-like butt wiggling as he trudged forward was super cute and motivating. 3Q Zhamao! My fellow travelers were great too. We reminded each other to be careful when going up and down the mountain. When the guide explained the plants, we passed them around, helped take photos, and shared our water and food. Also, the weather was great, Cangshan was great, and the plants were great. The four-plus-hour hike was a bit tiring, but I still felt that every part of this trek was wonderful. I saw a different side of the world. (Especially the plant that looks like a lollipop—I'm talking about you, the fully curled fern...)

The forest by the stream is very comfortable, and even my first light hike was completely stress-free.

A light hiking route perfect for city dwellers who are tired of the daily grind!! The whole trip takes about 4 hours and isn't too tiring! The Cangshan Botanical Garden has a diverse range of plants, and the guides patiently explain everything. The tea break is also delicious and fun. In short, anyone who loves plants and hiking should go for it!

A day in the fern forest, and along the way I couldn't stop exclaiming, "How fern-tastic!" On the ride back, I suddenly remembered a line by Shi Tiesheng: I pass through time, through mountains and rivers, through cities and villages. Some things along the way brush past me and go their separate ways, while others settle permanently in my heart, blending into me and becoming me. It's not the season for picking mushrooms, but I was so lucky today—I found two huge porcini mushrooms and a porcupine quill. Zhenhao is truly a warm big sister, and Zhama is such a well-behaved knight of a dog! I recently came across a saying: As long as we are still feeling nature, we are infinitely close to peace and freedom. Thank goodness the world has Yunnan! Everyone, come to Yunnan!

I saw an entire hillside of Gleichenia ferns. They hung down from above, not just a few, but a whole green waterfall. From the top of the slope, they cascaded right in front of me, layer upon layer, a translucent green, a brazen green. The leaves hung neatly along the rachis, not flowing, not noisy, just hanging there quietly. Beneath my feet were thick pine needles, soft to step on, like walking on clouds. It was very quiet all around, with an occasional bird call. Sunlight leaked through the gaps in the leaves, breaking into patches of light that swayed gently. At work, my mind is always spinning, always anxious. But here, the forest doesn't need me to explain why I'm breathing so hard, doesn't need me to know the scientific name of Gleichenia, doesn't need me to look decent or composed. I'm just a fool, a fool of a human crouching in the forest, panting heavily. So comfortable!

It was raining in Dali today, so we chose to hike Cangshan, searching for the fern forest, learning about the scents and characteristics of various plants on Cangshan. We saw pine cones cleaned by little squirrels, porcini mushrooms, rhododendrons, large patches of ferns growing wildly, and stick insects. When tired, we sat right down on the ground. Compared to yesterday's bike ride around Erhai, coming to Cangshan was a more serene exploration and enjoyment.

First hike with my 10-month-old baby—a great success! Five hours on the mountain trail, no crying or fussing, just touching plants and taking naps. The overall route was neither long nor difficult, and it was safe carrying the baby. Our guide Huanhuan was warm and professional, introducing us to the plants along the way. I've already forgotten everything since coming down the mountain... but I'll come again next time.

A particularly healing day, like going on an outdoor adventure with friends. A fluffy little dog led the way up front, our encyclopedia-like sister "Zhenhao" answered our questions in the middle, chatting with us like friends and taking photos, while the little white cat and the dog Shushu guarded us from behind! A truly perfect day!!

The guide was very professional and knowledgeable. Along the way, he showed us various ferns and other plants, and he seemed to know almost every plant by the roadside. It allowed us to appreciate a different kind of beauty of Cangshan Mountain, and before we knew it, we had completed the entire hike. I should have joined this activity on my first day in Dali, so I could have also gotten a very detailed food and travel guide.

I really like Xiaomi and Xiaoxi. Xiaoxi is lively and cute, and Xiaomi gave very detailed explanations. All kinds of ferns and wild fruits, I was truly happy. This was the most special and profound experience of my entire trip to Dali.

Actually, Cangshan is just an ordinary mountain, and the plants there don't only grow on this mountain. I could just take a photo of different ferns with Doubao and it would tell me basic information from plant textbooks. But when we step onto this land, we enter a living museum of the century-long connection between Cangshan's myriad things and the local residents. AI and textbooks won't tell me that this dirt path up and down the mountain was worn by locals going to sweep graves, pick wild vegetables, and gather medicinal herbs. They won't tell me that people wear padded jackets early in the morning to pick sacks of azaleas and ferns to sell at the market. They won't tell me what measures residents take to prevent squirrels from stealing walnuts when they ripen. Textbooks never show the withered yellow plants beneath large ferns, deprived of sunlight. This brutal competition for biological resources and the human stories extending from Cangshan's countless dirt paths are the most essential and irreplaceable parts of this journey.

The moment I stepped into this fern forest on Cangshan, all my worries seemed to be blown away by the mountain breeze. I was very fortunate to meet the careful and reliable leader Zhenhao on this trip. He guided and looked after us all the way, steady and warm. Also, the knight puppy Zamao accompanied us, shuttling through the lush forest, lively and agile, adding much warmth and fun to the journey. Along the way, the vegetation was deep, ferns layered, and we encountered cute mushrooms of various shapes everywhere in the forest. Even though they are poisonous, to me, Cangshan is still the most healing spiritual remedy among all my emotions. The mountains have their own gentleness, and mountains and waters will meet again. With hope in my heart, I quietly await our next reunion.

Went hiking with Zhenhao and Zhamao!!! Super satisfied, I give it 10000/100 points. The fern forest is really cool, totally primeval forest vibes. Zhamao is the best-behaved little dog in the world! Super responsible little cutie! Zhenhao knows so many types of ferns and mushrooms, and introduced them to us very conscientiously, along with many interesting and fun little stories!

An unprecedented feeling—long after the hike, my heart still couldn't calm down, and memories kept rippling. During the five-hour hike, guide He Chen carefully introduced every type of fern and lichen, and also helped those with notebooks carefully take samples as souvenirs from Cangshan. He explained the differences and growth characteristics of various ferns like wujue, maojue, cijue, and libai. That afternoon, I realized that libai is a very clever and aggressive fern; its seedlings look like fists, hiding their small size, then gradually gathering strength to unfold fully. They grow on slopes and under pine trees, cleverly using water sources to expand continuously, living in the mountains (and on this earth) for hundreds of millions of years. Along the way, I also really liked how He Chen called the guide Zhenhao Jie—Li Zhenhao. I always misheard it as "Ni Zhenhao" (You're so good)! Zhenhao Jie would show us mushrooms we stumbled upon. Before picking them, she always gently patted the mushroom to help the spores disperse quickly. Although it was a ritual, it felt like she was comforting the little mushrooms that had popped up early, saying, "Don't worry, next year you'll grow plenty here!" Throughout the hike, there was also the intermittent drizzle on Cangshan, the rustling of pine trees blown by the wind, and the unexpected rainbow we spotted while descending. During the hike, He Chen said that Cangshan is just an ordinary mountain in Yunnan, only famous due to its geographical location and historical political reasons. On the way from Dali to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, I did see mountains higher, bigger, and more famous than Cangshan! But when I recall every fern and that afternoon, Cangshan holds extraordinary significance for me.

Being with Zhenhao Jie gives a strong sense of security. You can feel her energy without it being too much. Even casual words are sincerely acknowledged, with no worry of being ignored ^_^ Cangtu has been the "home" that has accompanied me the longest in Dali, and I'm always grateful for our encounter. In the year of the Nine Purple Li Fire, burn away unnecessary illusions and operations, leaving behind the "truth" and "goodness" that focus on content and the market. UP! UP!

After returning to Beijing, I gave the fern specimen to my daughter, and she absolutely loved it. I want to thank guide Yang Mi, who knew I had brought a book and helped me collect novel leaves along the way. Not only did she explain things in detail, but she also treated us to a feast of scents. Although I'm nearly 50, I persevered to the end and had a great time. Finally, she helped me make the fern specimen, making this trip a unique memory for me.

After this trip, my aesthetic sense has been exponentially elevated! I especially like guide Yang Mi—reliable, knowledgeable, and with a pure love for nature. Of course, I also want to thank the two dogs with very different but equally adorable personalities, Zha Mao and Xiao Xi (hope I got the names right). Along the way, I was healed not only by plants and insects but also by my travel companions. It was such a happy experience! I'm already looking forward to coming again during the rainy season! Finally, I must praise guide Yang Mi again—the photos she took were absolutely beautiful.

The language of the world is the forest. Ferns, ferns. What I still remember include the white-stemmed forked fern, the wild pheasant-tail gold-dust fern, the oak-leaf fern, the dicranopteris, the top-bud wood fern, the scaly-axle small-membrane fern, and the horsetail (it belongs to the fern phylum, a distant relative)...... Besides exploring ferns, Yang Mi also embarked a journey of scents. Various mugworts, blue eucalyptus, pine leaves and pine oil, litsea cubeba, fragrant wintergreen, lemongrass, hemp, and so on. As well as simple taste experiences: yellow raspberries, the sour-and-returning-sweet refreshing azalea blossoms, and the wild tea leaves that I found too bitter to detect any sweetness, but the hot tea drunk in the cool shade of the forest was delicious!

The guide was really great, especially good. He introduced the plants and route along the way in detail, and the planning was very reasonable. It was a very enjoyable experience.

Absolutely stunning scenery, something you can't see in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, or Shanghai. Thank you to the guide for the patient and professional explanations and company.

In Dali, stepping into a fern kingdom so beautiful it makes you dizzy with happiness In the fern forest kingdom, I met like-minded companions, and we kept exclaiming at the beauty of life, one after another. @Dali Cangshan Hiking Home Huanhuan took us to taste azaleas picked fresh from the branches, big white rhododendrons, green Sichuan peppercorns, dock leaves, and delicious homemade tea snacks. I got to know many fern friends. My favorite was the biggest and most beautiful one, the white fern. I carried it all the way, scattering spores all over myself, sowing seeds everywhere. Photographer Xiao Zou kept exclaiming "What a fern!" all the way, and even more frequently than me, he marveled at the happiness. He captured dreamlike memories and then took me to the Yinqiao market, where I finally got to eat the stir-fried fern shoots I had been craving all day (if not for Xiao Zou reminding me, I would have forgotten to order them when ordering food). I absolutely loved today. I am incredibly, incredibly happy.

Following Wangwang and Zhamao, I felt that 5 hours passed so quickly. The hike wasn't as tiring as I imagined. In short, there was more joy. Next time during mushroom season, I'll come again!

A very satisfying hiking experience! The guide Li Zhenhao was very professional and enthusiastic, introducing various plants and teaching us some hiking techniques. There was also the amazing dog "Zhamao" accompanying us the whole way, and the child was full of excitement throughout. Although it wasn't mushroom season, we were very lucky to find a porcini mushroom! Five-star recommendation!

Come visit those introverted friends. The order of nature, the fern forest of Cangshan. The activity was well organized. Wanwan introduced plants along the way. You can feel her love and familiarity with nature. That feeling is especially beautiful. I'll come back to pick mushrooms next time.

If your guide is Huanhuan, you will learn how to eat various plants along the way. A great experience, not tiring to hike. Recently, patches of azaleas are blooming brilliantly, especially beautiful!

A special hiking trip. The anticipation started when we got into the small van. Guide Wangwang, carrying a bamboo basket, led our group along a path through the fields into the mountains, giving us the most authentic countryside experience. As we climbed, we encountered many plants. Spore-bearing single-celled plants were once just pictures in biology class, but now they were real, right beside us and under our feet. Dicranopteris ferns, dating back to the dinosaur era, grew lush and unrestrained. At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, they loved the sunlight and covered large hillsides, some growing up to 3 meters long. Mangqi, brake fern, silver-backed fern, rabbit's foot fern—each fern was similar yet completely different. I saw an immature Yunnan walnut tree for the first time, smelled the natural pine resin on the pine trees, tasted a rare edible rose that Wangwang had tested—it was a bit sour. Under the microscope, we saw fern spores like eggs, and small flowers with leaves shaped like ancient halberds. There were also wild strawberries, wild tea, and many complex plant names that Wangwang knew by heart. Strolling and stopping, I felt the energy of the mountains, forests, and trees, and enjoyed the simple, sincere interactions with guide Wangwang and fellow travelers. On the way down, I asked Wangwang if walking the same route so many times ever got boring. He shared that plants look completely different in different seasons, and there's always something new to discover. Yes, in the plant world, new stories are always unfolding, slowly and quietly, in their own way of interacting with the world.

Encountering a 'magical' fern forest on Cangshan Mountain I've brought friends and family to Cangshan three or four times before, always taking the cable car and walking the Jade Belt Cloud Path—honestly, the scenery was a bit monotonous. ★ This time, I took the fern forest route. It was the most fun and enriching experience I've had, completely changing my perception of Cangshan. I never knew such a fascinating plant world was hidden here. The route is beginner-friendly: about 6-7 kilometers, taking around 4 hours. Even the kids in the group finished it easily. No ticket required (it's not a scenic area route). Note: There are many forks in the forest, so stick close to the guide. At the start of the hike, everyone was given a small notebook to collect specimens. The guide, Wangwang, was very professional. He carefully introduced each plant we picked up. He also used a microscope to show us the different shapes of fern spores. I was really impressed by the guide's knowledge. There were a few ferns I liked the most: Hicriopteris glauca (p1-2) It was the star of the whole trip. It grows densely with wide, large leaves. The leaves can grow over a meter long, and the clusters of Hicriopteris glauca cascade down like green waterfalls—very spectacular. Silver-back fern (p3) This was my favorite. The underside of the leaves has silver powder-like spores. If you gently tap it on dark clothing, it leaves a leaf imprint—very fun. Wax fern (p4) This was the guide's favorite. Although it grows attached to big trees, it completely relies on absorbing sunlight and rain, not taking nutrients from the tree. It's a delicate but resilient plant. The guide even embroidered it on his hat. (I heard that Cangshan Hiking Home will release some plant-themed hats. Nature lovers can keep an eye out.)

A wonderful outdoor experience! Beyond the joy of hiking, Wangwang kept introducing us to different types of ferns, magnifying various spores, and collecting interesting plant specimens along the way. We had a tea break deep in the forest, walked on pine needles along less-traveled paths, surrounded by diverse plants—it felt like truly immersing ourselves in nature!

Really great itinerary. Guide Wang Wang patiently explained everything in detail. My first experience went smoothly. I'll come again next time.

This summer, the fern was different. Cangshan hiking through Jurassic Park. Guide Wang Wang was awesome.

Today I joined the fern forest hike. The ancient city was crowded, but there was no one on the mountain. Thanks to guide Wang Wang for taking us on a beautiful trail and introducing various ferns. There was also a stunning tea break midway. When I got tired from hiking, drinking coconut water and eating green grapes was really enjoyable. The final surprise was that Wang Wang is a great photographer, haha.

The guide was all-around Wangwang! Knowledgeable about plants and good at taking photos. Found a new way to explore Dali—recharge your body and mind. Loved it!

Fern forest hike. The guide was very competent, the route was easy and healing, and they were great at taking photos.

Super amazing! Saw the unique Cangshan white-back fern, surrounded by giant ferns over one person tall, indescribably stunning. Guide Wangwang was super fun, learned a lot, and they prepared tea and fruit. Hiking in the sunny forest was truly a pleasure.

Finally saw the large terrestrial fern that dates back to the Cretaceous—the giant fern! Wangwang led us hiking through a 'green waterfall', walking on soft pine needles, with various mushrooms hidden underneath. We recorded the ferns we encountered along the way. We came across fresh litsea, huge pinecones, and aromatic wintergreen that smells like balm when crushed... and also... blood-sucking leeches... What plant is this? What's its use? Which bird made that sound during our picnic? Wangwang could answer most of the countless questions in our heads. A small physical challenge but a spiritually fulfilling experience. A rare sunny day in Dali's rainy season—a great experience! Enjoyed wandering through light green, medium green, and dark green. Loved everything about the forest!

Today's most important itinerary was joining the fern forest hike with Cangshan Hiking Home. I was really looking forward to it. At 10 o'clock, I took a taxi to the hiking meeting point. The guide Li Zhenhao was waiting for us in a small green van. She wore a red jacket, dark pants, bright yellow rain boots, and gave a sincere smile. Because I love Dali and plants, I had been following her Xiaohongshu for a while and secretly hoped to meet her. And as luck would have it, it was her. I liked the easygoing Zhenhao almost immediately. We chatted about the village we lived in and the Dali lifestyle. Walking along the small ridges, Zhenhao naturally introduced the plants around us. There was a wonderful connection between her and the plants, making me feel so comfortable. It reminded me of a T-shirt I bought for my little lucky star that said 'Grow up to be a botanist.' I also had a dream of entering the forest with a plant expert to hike and forage—this was a dream come true. We started climbing slowly. Fortunately, it wasn't too steep and was completely manageable. It had rained in Dali last night, so some spots were a bit damp. Zhenhao took good care of us, as we didn't have much hiking experience. She taught us how to avoid slipping, where not to step, and lent a hand at critical moments. Along the way, we began to see large patches of ferns, especially the Diplopterygium glaucum spreading its wings wildly. The vast stretches of these ferns were quite imposing, making us feel like we were in Jurassic times—it wouldn't have been strange if a dinosaur suddenly ran out. Zhenhao found a string of white flowers and put them on my hand as a ring. There was also a plant that, when crushed, smelled exactly like Thai green balm—refreshing and invigorating. This saved Congcong, who was struggling to climb; smelling it gave him more energy. I was in good shape and chatted with Zhenhao while walking, so I didn't feel tired. We decided to take a break and sit down. I took out ham sausages, cookies, sandwiches, and chocolate. Li Zhenhao was amazing—she pulled out beautiful small containers and a tablecloth, cookies, milk strips, snowflake crisps, jasmine-scented grapes, wax apples, and longans from her big bag like magic. The best part was a large thermos with two small cups. Drinking some hot tea in the damp weather was so comfortable. Paired with the plants we had just collected, no girl could resist!! Congcong lay on the picnic mat, looking at the sky, and said he never imagined he would have a picnic on Cangshan Mountain in such pleasant weather—everything was just perfect. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to introduce Zhenhao's companion 'Zhamao.'

Hiking in the fern forest on an overcast day with Zhenhao and Zhamao. The guide Li Zhenhao is a plant expert. She put flowers on my hand as a ring, offered her arm on slippery sections, crushed herbs in her hand to refresh us, and magically pulled hot rock tea, Dengchuan milk strips, and a pressed flower notebook from her big backpack. We lay on the picnic mat looking at the sky, walked on soft pine needles, and squeezed through the Diplopterygium glaucum that felt like a Jurassic world. I think I will remember this day forever.

A friend recommended this activity, and I was looking forward to it even before it started. Wangwang was great and provided excellent service. He even prepared notebooks for us to collect plants—so thoughtful! Although we encountered an unusually early rainy season, we got to see mushrooms just sprouting, which was a great experience. One reminder: don't wear white pants for hiking—I learned the hard way and ruined a pair of white pants...

The azaleas are so beautiful this season! Guide Yanzi was very attentive and meticulous, and the props were well prepared. It was a wonderful fern forest hiking experience!

First hiking experience Went hiking on Cangshan through the fern forest to visit ancient plant communities. P2 shows new tea buds. P4 looks like butterfly wings. P7 shows I was clearly running out of energy on the way down. P9 is the most common fern we encountered: Gleichenella. P18 is a young specimen of Gleichenella I brought back as a souvenir—I thought it was its flower, but it turned out to be its juvenile form. P8 left a deep impression: the giant poison flower—just one small leaf can kill a cow. Amazing. P13 is the protected plant Primula glomerata, very beautiful. P17 is an adorable village dog that was super friendly. Thanks to Yanzi for teaching us about ferns and sharing so much plant knowledge. Exhausting but totally worth it. The clean energy and healing power of nature are beyond imagination. It was great to encounter spring on Cangshan that day.

Quite a unique experience. We hiked up the wild mountain, and along the way, the guide explained various plants to us, mainly ferns. We even had the chance to pick pine cones, which was really enjoyable. Afterward, we found a flat spot and had a picnic, which was very rich, with tea, fruit, and snacks. The guide was like a treasure chest. The exercise was max, and the experience was max.

A very, very, very happy day! We had an adventure in the fern forest under drizzling rain!! I recommended it to many friends who love nature.

I came across a post about a fern forest hiking activity and was very interested, so I signed up with a friend. The weather in Dali hasn't been great lately, and I was quite worried before going. But once we got up the mountain, I found that the fern forest in the mist had its own unique charm! It felt like stepping into a mysterious magical world! We spent the whole timemoving throughing through the forest, getting up close with nature—it was blissful 🥹 The guide sister was incredibly, incredibly nice. She introduced us to many new plants and even prepared delicious tea and snacks! After descending the mountain, we visited her studio, which had a spectacular mushroom house~ She also taught us how to make a miniature landscape using pinecones and lichen collected from the mountain. All in all, it was a very happy day! I recommend friends who love nature to join the fern forest activity! There are many more interesting activities on the mini-program, like paddleboarding, stream trekking, kayaking… all things I'll continue to explore in the future~ Feel free to join me too, hehe.

On the second day in Dali, I followed Yang Mi, a plant enthusiast from Cangshan Hiking Home, into the forests of Cangshan to forage. Joining us was Yang Mi’s dog, Xiaoxi, a little female dog she picked up by the stream. Xiaoxi is just over a year old and is very familiar with the hiking route, walking it almost every day. The entire exploration journey was over three kilometers. Xiaoxi darted back and forth around us, probably covering two or three times our distance. Especially when going downhill, her advantage as a “four-wheel drive” was obvious—she charged down steadily, then ran back to make sure we were keeping up. Halfway through, Teacher Yang Mi pulled out a picnic mat and a bunch of lunch boxes from her backpack, and even hot black tea. With a light drizzle, we refueled and enjoyed the moment. During the forest hike, the teacher introduced us to various plants, many of which were edible. We also picked up a lot of pine nuts, eating them as we explored the forest. Foraging in Cangshan—a super fun Dali travel experience.

I joined their three-day activities all at once, and every day was super fulfilling. I am very grateful. Sometimes in the city, we forget that there are unknowns and things to explore all around us. A patch of grass that looks like nothing is full of vitality. Looking forward to meeting again, and I will carry this heart back to the city.

Every photo looks great. Special thanks to Teacher Wangwang. Dudu and I were super happy today. We learned a lot about plants and saw many plants we had never seen before. Hiking improved our fitness and broadened our horizons. Today was the most meaningful and happiest day since we came to Dali.

Hiking through the fern forest Saw the flowers, fruits, and roots of Liriope muscari; Found the tree flowers we ate for lunch Encountered a butterfly that had just emerged Picked mugwort leaves during the Dragon Boat Festival; Tasted the summer tea buds Heard birthday wishes of love in the echoes: Happy Birthday

This trail is really amazing. The whole way was smooth and the scenery was pleasant. Xiaomin is a plant expert~ Today we were lucky enough to pick some mushrooms~

Chen Li Wangwang took us hiking in the fern forest, 6-7 kilometers, even a 4-5 year old child could complete it. Wangwang introduced the plants he knew to the kids. He brought a microscope for the kids to observe plants up close, etc. Hiking, Wangwang is a professional. We want to hike together again!

In the afternoon, as soon as I arrived, the boss changed my room to a mountain view room. The guide Xiaomin carried a basket of food on her back and called me at the door to go into Cangshan to see the fern forest. In the evening, we came down the mountain and chatted with friends, eating Dali delicious food, so happy.

A very fun experience. It was enjoyable, a good workout, and I learned about many interesting plants. The guide was excellent.

Xiaomi is both nice and knowledgeable. The route design was superb, and the forest tea break was dreamy~

First-time experience exploring the fern forest. The professional and fun guide made the trip full of surprises and joy. This route has beautiful scenery and is relatively easy without being tiring. There are very few tourists, so it's great for photos. Traveling in the rainy season, we also picked plenty of fungi along the way—double the happiness.

Every time I come to Dali, I join activities from Cangshan Hiking Home, and they often release new routes. This time, both Eryuan West Lake and the Fern Forest were led by Honghong. She is incredibly infectious! She kept everyone laughing and chatting along the way, while taking great care of everyone. Her little dog Lucky was also with us, super cute! It was a perfect experience.

I participated in two activities: Exploring the Fern Forest and Zhonghe Temple & Taoxi Grand Canyon. Two consecutive days of hiking with gradually increasing intensity. I recommend the Zhonghe Temple hike. We climbed from 10:00 to 16:00, covering over ten kilometers of mountain trails. I pushed my limits and set personal records—it was my first time hiking so deep into the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. Indeed, the grandeur of mountain views is proportional to their steepness. There were cliffs right beside us, making my legs a bit weak, but it was absolutely worth it! The guides Wangwang and Tianqiao Frank were very friendly and professional. Along the way, they shared a lot of knowledge about plants and animals, and they took care of the group's pace and safety. Excellent. Cangshan Hiking Home offers many activities. I will continue to experience them on future visits to Dali.