Cangshan Gate

苍山门

The west gate of Dali Ancient City is opposite March Street. It faces Cangshan Mountain, so it is also called Cangshan Gate.

Attractions Location: No. 172 Huguo Road, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Dali Ancient City (west side)

Opening hours:
All day (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)

Official phone number: Ticketing Inquiry
0872-2504361

Transportation:
Take bus No. 8 to Fenghuaxueyue Hotel and walk there.

Time reference: Less than 1 hour


Recommended itinerary for Cangshan Gate tours

1-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Explore the stunning natural beauty of Dali Cangshan Gate and nearby Erhai Lake for a refreshing outdoor experience.

  • Morning: From Dali Ancient Town, take Bus No. 3 or taxi (~20 minutes) to the Cangshan Gate cable car station. Take the cable car up and explore the scenic trails near the summit.
  • Lunch: Return to Dali Ancient Town by cable car and taxi/bus. Enjoy Bai cuisine such as “Crossing-the-bridge noodles” or grilled fish near Foreigner Street.
  • Afternoon: Visit Erhai Lake nearby for a lakeside walk or bike ride along the shore.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town guesthouses or boutique hotels. Dinner options include local mushroom hotpot and Bai-style snacks.

Souvenirs: Bai silver jewelry, embroidered textiles, local teas, and hand-painted fans.


2-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Combine the Cangshan nature experience with visits to the Three Pagodas and Dali Ancient Town.

  • Day 1: Follow the 1-day itinerary focusing on Cangshan Gate and Erhai Lake.
  • Day 2 Morning: Taxi or Bus No. 4 (~30 minutes) to Three Pagodas Scenic Area. Explore the pagodas and temple grounds.
  • Day 2 Afternoon: Visit Chongsheng Temple Museum or Butterfly Spring (~15 minutes taxi from Three Pagodas). Return to Dali Ancient Town.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town or near the Three Pagodas. Sample Bai roasted pork and wild mushroom dishes.

Souvenirs: Pagoda replicas, temple incense, flower teas, and Buddhist crafts.


3-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Add Erhai Lake cycling tour and visits to traditional Bai villages for cultural immersion.

  • Days 1–2: As above.
  • Day 3 Morning: Rent a bike or take a taxi (~15 minutes) to Erhai Lake. Cycle along the lakeshore to villages like Xizhou and Zhoucheng.
  • Day 3 Afternoon: Explore Bai architecture, local markets, and sample homemade dairy products.
  • Evening: Return to Dali Ancient Town and enjoy dinner near Foreigner Street.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town or lakeside guesthouses. Try Bai yogurt, handmade noodles, and grilled lake fish.

Souvenirs: Bai dairy products, embroidered clothing, local spices, and handwoven textiles.


4-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Include a day trip to Shaxi Ancient Town to explore Tea Horse Road history and traditional crafts.

  • Days 1–3: As above.
  • Day 4 Morning: Taxi or bus (~1.5 hours) to Shaxi Ancient Town. Visit temples, old streets, and artisan workshops.
  • Day 4 Afternoon: Explore Sideng Market and local craft shops. Return to Dali in the evening.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town. Enjoy Shaxi specialties like roasted pork and steamed buns.

Souvenirs: Tea sets, wooden carvings, batik fabrics, and ancient map prints.


5-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Add Butterfly Spring and Chongsheng Temple visits for natural beauty and spiritual reflection.

  • Days 1–4: As above.
  • Day 5 Morning: Taxi or bus (~30 minutes) to Butterfly Spring Scenic Area. Walk around the flower-filled springs and clear pools.
  • Day 5 Afternoon: Visit Chongsheng Temple and its peaceful gardens, then return to Dali Ancient Town.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town. Sample flower teas, Bai hotpot, and fresh lake fish dishes.

Souvenirs: Flower teas, temple crafts, prayer beads, and herbal remedies.


6-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Explore ethnic minority villages around Dali for authentic cultural experiences and handicrafts.

  • Days 1–5: As above.
  • Day 6 Morning: Hire a taxi or join a local tour (~1 hour) to visit Bai and Naxi villages. Participate in craft making and traditional performances.
  • Day 6 Afternoon: Enjoy local home-cooked meals and return to Dali.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town or villages. Try fresh ethnic dishes like potato cakes and smoked ham.

Souvenirs: Handwoven baskets, embroidered clothing, ethnic musical instruments, and spices.


7-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: A full week combining nature, culture, wellness, and ethnic experiences around Cangshan Gate and Dali surroundings.

  • Days 1–6: As above.
  • Day 7 Morning: Leisurely revisit favorite spots such as Cangshan trails, Erhai Lake, or Dali Ancient Town.
  • Day 7 Afternoon: Enjoy a farewell dinner with Bai-Tibetan fusion cuisine and live local music.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town or lakeside guesthouses. Dine on grilled yak, flower cakes, butter tea, and fresh lake fish.

Souvenirs: Ethnic jewelry, pottery, local teas, hand-painted fans, and musical instruments.


User Reviews

By pufferfish |

Cangshan Gate, the western gate of Dali Ancient City, boasts a majestic, ancient tower that evokes the millennia-old Nanzhao style. The grayish-gray brick walls are stained with age, and passing beneath the gate feels like stepping back into the days of the Tea-Horse Road. From the tower, the Nineteen Peaks of Cangshan Mountain loom in the mist, and the gentle tinkle of bronze bells on the eaves creates a striking contrast to the bustling streets of the Foreign Market below. Visit early in the morning to savor the tranquility of the gate and Cangshan Mountain, or in the evening to capture the glow of sunset as the bricks of the city walls glow crimson. This free entrance offers a perfect opportunity to experience the essence of Dali.

By Long-Faced Young Master Zhang |

The name of [Cangshan Gate] must have come from the existence of Cangshan Mountain. Not too far away, there is a lush and rolling mountain facing Cangshan Gate, so this ancient city gate is called Cangshan Gate.

By Cancer and Horse |

Dali Cangshan Gate is the west gate of the ancient city. Opposite March Street, the west gate of the ancient city faces Cangshan Mountain, so it is also called Cangshan Gate.

By hyacinth! |

One of the gates of Dali Ancient City, closer to the core scenic area.

By Mars User |

The iconic building in the ancient city ~ nothing special.

By Daisy Wang |

One evening, I walked to the city gate and listened to the songs. Everyone stood around him comfortably, enjoying the collision of ancient history and humanistic feelings. The breeze on my face was very pleasant.

By Sister Xia |

The west city tower of Dali Ancient City is called Yongzhen Tower, and the west city gate is also known as "Cangshan Gate". It is an ancient city tower with a full wooden structure restored to its original appearance. The tower is solemn and simple, with a harmonious combination of rigidity and flexibility, and covers a total area of 10,520 square meters.

By Liu Zhijun |

From here you enter Cangshan Mountain and you can climb to the top to overlook Erhai Lake.

By Zhongzuo Institute |

Close to the Cangshan Mountain, Dali has strong sunshine and warm weather during the day.

By Saint Landis Snow |

The gate closest to Cangshan Mountain is a commercial street.

By Hall |

Dali is a place suitable for a leisurely vacation. Don't rush. If you have enough time, it's best to walk around.

By Fang Fang Baby |

Ximen Village, Dali Town, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

By Andy.Bohu.Tang |

Cangshan Gate is the gate to the scenic area.

The surrounding scenery is pretty good

By Li travels all over the world |

The West Gate of Dali Ancient City, across from March Street, faces Cangshan Mountain, earning it the nickname Cangshan Gate. Facing the towering Cangshan, one feels a surge of excitement, a sense of lofty ambition rivaling the heavens. Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, a romantic city. The city tower square is primarily planted with large trees, though not centuries old, but there are over 200 of them in the ancient city.

By bulging purse |

At the entrance of Dali Scenic Area, you need to take a tour bus to reach the ancient city. You can climb the city wall to overlook the ancient city.

By King Vegetable Root |

Several major city gates, walking back and forth in Dali, are all a beautiful sight

By bell |

How should I put it? The impression Dali Ancient Town left on me was particularly bad. Electric vehicles, motorcycles, and cars could all enter. It was a very chaotic feeling. Trash cans were also hard to find. The most important thing was the merchants selling things. Some of the vendors setting up stalls were simply the worst of the best. I don't understand what quality and understanding are.

By Cary Wu |

One of the four major city gates of Dali, facing Cangshan Mountain, is very distinctive.

By MIKA |

Check in. Nothing special and not busy.

By Traveling around the world loves to drink soda |

Passing by on the way to Cangshan, there are local apples and pears for sale, highly recommended.

By Infante CAO |

That's it, too ordinary. I don't want to spend too much time walking around. I just look at it and leave. It's a large antique street commodity market.

By abelabel |

The gates of the ancient city are quite exquisite. Although this one is not the most famous

By The delicate flowers on the other side stand upright |

Buy a ticket to go in and take the cable car up the mountain. It feels pretty ordinary!

By Yi |

Ancient city tower, Chaozhou also has Guangji city tower gate~~~

By Cold Eyes |

A city gate close to Cangshan Mountain, very historical.

By 2nd Goods Xu Deliang |

Dali Ancient City is located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. The west side is Cangshan Gate, outside of which are hotels, restaurants and entertainment. The east side is Erhai Gate, outside of which are stalls near the pier.

By Woody grass |

We usually enter the ancient city through Cangshan Gate, also known as the West City Gate, named after its proximity to Cangshan Mountain. This gate was damaged in an earthquake and rebuilt to its original appearance in the early 20th century.

By Amon |

The ancient city gate of Dali is worth a visit. Tourists can take a good look around the ancient city of Dali.

By YinZie |

A beef hotpot restaurant near Cangshan Gate in Dali Ancient Town is highly recommended, called XX Fat Beef King. Many locals enjoy the hotpot with beer.

By Popular |

From the west gate of Dali Ancient City, you can walk to the west of March Street Racecourse and take the cable car directly to Zhonghe Temple on Zhonghe Peak. Then, along the Jade Belt Road that winds along the hillside of Cangshan Mountain, you can reach Taoxi, Zhongxi, Fengyan Cave, Seven Dragon Girl Pool, Qingbi Creek, Gantong Temple and other attractions.

By Zhang Yi |

The west gate of Dali Ancient City faces Cangshan Mountain, and it is recommended to climb the tower for sightseeing.

By MaiD1122 |

One of the four gates of Dali Ancient City, opposite is March Street

By Fame spread far and wide |

Cangshan Gate, right in front of the city gate is Cangshan Mountain

By Cm@mmy |

A night tour of Dali Ancient Town on a rainy day has a unique charm

By 🌻sunflower |

Actually, I was in a bad mood when I went there. I felt that the worst thing in my life was about to happen, so I didn't have much fun. I just looked at the city gate and didn't go in to stroll around. It was crowded and I was stuck at the gate of Dali Ancient City for a long time. I must go there again and slowly appreciate the scenery of Dali.

By Sesame |

The city wall doesn't have any special features, but there is a shuttle bus to Dali Shuanglang Ancient Town.

By Rui Rui Rui sharp |

The west gate of Dali Ancient City is opposite March Street. It faces Cangshan Mountain, so it is also called Cangshan Gate.

By Kéνǐη |

The Cangshan Gate has a better feel at night, but the journey is more interesting if you travel with friends.

By Han Xiaoyan |

Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, wind, flowers, snow and moon, everyone should come to Dali once in their life, once you come to Dali, you will love it forever

By Mr. Guo Xipu |

Cangshan Gate is a small passenger transport center, with departure points for many scenic spots, including Chongsheng Temple and Cangshan Mountain. Dali Ancient Town is actually not very large. Walk about 500 meters south from Cangshan Gate to reach Yu'er Road. I remember that if you went to Dali University to see the winter cherry blossoms, you also exited from this gate, but it was a little further away.

By skykate |

The scenery is nice. I mainly walked on the city wall and saw a lot of pig signatures. Haha, I was also wondering which era these marks belonged to.

By _____ Ugly |

The scenery is OK, the air is very good, and the sky is very blue

By I am the sun |

The closest gate to Cangshan Mountain in Dali Ancient City, with convenient transportation

By Merck needs to keep a low profile |

Close to the side of Cangshan Mountain, there is a mosque nearby and there is a bus outside.

By Black plum |

The group we signed up for waited for two girls in front of this gate for a long time. I can only say that the scenery is all in other people’s photos.

By South African Independence Day |

I think it's just a city gate, no different. But because it's well preserved, you can go and check it out.

By Mars User |

Corresponding to the Erhai Gate, the Cangshan Gate in the south feels ordinary and nothing special.

By Zhao Huoding |

Cangshan Gate is also the west gate of Dali Ancient City. Outside Cangshan Gate is the provincial road, from which you can go to Tianlongbabu Film and Television City and Cangshan.

By Xu Linmei |

It's a decent attraction, but I still prefer Erhai Lake.

By Green Lantern |

The quaint old town is a dream place...

By Vick7e |

Cangshan Gate is also the west gate of Dali Ancient City. Outside Cangshan Gate is the provincial road, from which you can go to Tianlongbabu Film and Television City and Cangshan.

By ZJD |

Very beautiful and fun. The weather is very comfortable. Worth going

By Simple |

The second time I came to Dali, the feeling was different. It was more commercialized.

By Lovely you |

It's a building with national characteristics, just a visit.

By Amour |

When we went there, there was not much snow on Cangshan Mountain, but we could see snow on the top of Cangshan Mountain from a distance at Cangshan Gate.

By Mo and Qingyou |

It's just a stone gate, a bit of ancient history, boring

By Living in Edinburgh |

Whether you can see this view depends entirely on luck. Only in good weather can you take the cable car to the summit and climb to Ximatan. It rained on our first day in Dali, so the cable car service was immediately closed. Unexpectedly, the weather cleared up the next day, and we hiked the Jade Belt Road to the summit in the afternoon. After climbing Cangshan Mountain, we experienced the scenery of the four seasons and saw Erhai Lake and the ancient city below. The scenery is truly magnificent.

By No such person found salt |

It is the way to Cangshan Mountain. We did not go to Cangshan Mountain because we did not have enough time, so we cannot comment on it.

By Cats that don't eat fish |

The one worth visiting is actually the March Street opposite. On market days, you can see a lot of local food and the Bai people going to the market.

By Tibetan Paradise |

The ancient city of Dali is a scene not to be missed, with its green ancient city walls, fresh air and local ethnic characteristics.

By 1920 Art Museum |

Standing below and looking at the majestic Cangshan Mountain is even better.

By Komaki |

Cangshan Gate is the west gate of Dali Ancient City. It is close to Cangshan Mountain and Three Pagodas Park. When entering from the outside, there is a plaque on the building written by Emperor Kangxi (?)

By Kayan_CCCCCC |

After all, this is my first time seeing the gate of the ancient city wall, and it feels very unique.

By jean-may |

There are a lot of people from travel agencies soliciting customers outside, which is a bit annoying.

By cocoa beans |

I walked around Dali Ancient Town and found it. There was a map, so it was easy to find. There were many people taking photos in front of the door.

By Peng & Mai |

The Cangshan Gate in Dali looks very majestic from a distance and is well maintained. With Cangshan Mountain behind it and Erhai Lake in front, it is an essential photo spot when visiting the ancient city of Dali. Because it is just across the street from the inn where we stayed, we passed through here in the morning and evening when entering and leaving the ancient city.

By Toshihiko |

The west gate of Dali Ancient City is opposite March Street. It faces Cangshan Mountain, so it is also called Cangshan Gate.

By Wen Jing |

I pass by this place every day because I live nearby and walk through this door every day.

By wn196111 |

It is majestic, beautiful and magnificent. It is a representative architectural work of the Bai people.

By Passersby also return home |

I only stayed there for three days, so I didn’t get close to Cangshan Mountain. I just communicated with it from afar. It was pretty good. I will go to see it next time!

By Arc |

Go up along Foreigner Street and you will reach Cangshan Gate.

By Pisces without fighting |

A great place to take pictures. Almost everyone who comes to Dali will take a picture here. After the Chinese New Year, the cherry blossoms in Dali are in full bloom. The whole ancient city is full of pink, which adds to the ancient charm.

By Mr. Pi Dou |

It looked good from a distance but I didn't go in to see it.

By mina |

Very good, worth a visit, I'll come again if I have the chance!

By Brother Xiqi |

Dali Cangshan Gate is the main gate of Dali Ancient City and also the symbol of Dali Ancient City.


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