preface

I just finished a project and wanted to find a place to relax. The fast-paced city life made me yearn for a clean place, slow down everything, and enjoy a life full of fireworks, but I also don't give up my friends, convenience, nature. If there was a place that could not only stay away from the hustle and quiet life, but also allow people to get close to nature, where would you think? After visiting so many places, the first thing that comes to mind is Dali.

Being in a daze by the Erhai Lake, sitting leisurely from dawn to sunset, climbing over the mountains and overlooking the city together, or wandering in ancient towns and villages and encountering the aroma of charred cakes in the village, happiness seems to have become more simple. Countless people traveled thousands of miles to chase that poem and distance, but were unconsciously attracted by this city. They lived there for a year, and finally left the rest of their lives.

Many years ago, I had the honor to experience the simplicity and beauty of Dali. I didn't expect to set foot in this city again, live in a small courtyard in Dali, walk into a friend's yard to live, bake and sit idle in the sun, and laugh around the stove under the stars. The definition of the word "yearning" in my mind seems to have found a completely different interpretation and possibility.

This trip to Dali began with this small courtyard in Dali.

One yard, one life

On the coast of Erhai Lake, there is an ancient city with white walls and black tiles replacing Dai and green bricks, and fences and small bamboo chairs. When I dragged my suitcase into the B & B in the small courtyard of Dali, I had the illusion of a world away, as if everything was in a hurry and heavy burden were isolated, leaving only a room full of comfort and relaxation. Take a deep breath. In early autumn in November, the pure air is filled with the fragrance of flowers. If life is a vacation and a luxury, then you can imagine that every day living here makes people yearn for it.

Climbing to the observation deck on the second floor, the early morning light shone on the roof. I was afraid of missing any beautiful scenery in Dali. I didn't have time to pack my bags and just threw my luggage in a corner. The exploration of Dali's small courtyard began. It stands hidden in the world, located in the Qiliqiao Gantong Temple area between the ancient city of Dali and Xiaguan New City. It backs Cangshan Mountain and faces the Erhai Lake. It avoids the hustle and bustle and walks among it, and you feel the natural tranquility and ethereal. Such a scenery makes people's mind open and open-minded, and the tension and panic of rushing around city life instantly dissipate.

Cangshan Public Library is a "good idea" for the literary and artistic youth in the courtyard. Immersive stepped seats, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and ingenious space construction make people want to take pictures crazily and scrunch, but also afraid of breaking the long-lost beauty and tranquility here.

There are many books in the library. Choose one at your heart, bathe in the warm sunshine, slowly flip through it, and be intoxicated by it. If your eyes are tired, just lean back there lazily and stare blankly at the Erhai Lake for a while, without rushing or impatient, and let time rush past your fingertips. Of course, it would be even more pleasant if you had a cup of tea or coffee in your hand at this time.

I heard that every weekend, community activities are organized here. Many artists, writers, and literary and art workers gather here to share their lives, or show an old movie, or hold a small exhibition. The existence of the small courtyard turns strangers into friends and neighbors into family. Living here for a long time will not feel boring.

If you prefer a fun and playful reading environment, then I would recommend you go to the ins-style library in the Central District. Less than a 10-minute drive from the courtyard, a two-meter-high giant pink giraffe surrounded by a book wall is waving to you.

Compared with Cangshan Public Library, it is more relaxed and flexible, with round bookshelves intertwined and a barrel slide connecting the two reading spaces. If it weren't for the fact that there were too many staff members in the coffee bar, I would definitely have had a taste!

The landscape on the grass opposite the library is a surprise for this trip to the library. The white frames and lines are arranged in a stacked manner, and when you walk through them, you can see a large piece of them when you take a pat.

The sentence "come occasionally, or always be" is almost written in people's hearts. Strolling around the surrounding model rooms always makes people want to stay.

Back in the small courtyard where I lived, it was already noon, and my hungry body could no longer wait to wash my hands and make soup. The villagers 'canteen was a good choice. The location is right under the Cangshan Public Library. It also belongs to Dali's small courtyard service package. The high-quality chef team will always cook different dishes according to different seasons. They will not leave the canteen door and enjoy the flavor of Dali. People with lazy cancer will enjoy a delicious taste.

One day in the small courtyard was simple. I was woken up by the crisp sound of birds in the morning and woke up in the first ray of sunshine in Dali. In the afternoon, I held a favorite book and sipped a sip of green tea. I wasted half a day. At night, I went to Dali's small alley commercial street to have a cup of craft brew. I accidentally looked up and saw the stars in the sky bump into my eyes.

Is a day like this your ideal life?

Poetry (food) and wine take advantage of time

Where there are friends, you will always feel a strong sense of belonging. When going on a date with an old friend, you always have to bring some "gifts". Early collection is the best choice.

Dali's morning fairs are bustling and lively. There are small shops on both sides of the market road, with hardware groceries, peach blossom wine making, snack stalls, and grandma holding pepper hawking at the door. The strong smoke of fireworks has been a long time.

The way to buy vegetables here is also quite "simple". Local people carry big baskets to buy, pick up the vegetables, pay for it, and throw them back in a neat and straightforward manner. Buy a bunch of flowers at the market entrance and simply pack them in old newspapers. Wheat will definitely like it.

My friend, her name is Maizi. She once worked as a planner in a foreign company. She came to Dali from Shenzhen in 2015. I made a home in a small courtyard in Dali. It backs Cangshan Mountain, faces Erhai Lake, and has her favorite kitchen.

Wheat baking is "wheat" in the small yard of Dali, and I was greeted by a little cat in the yard ~

At the end of all the twists and turns, my old friend Maizi lives in the small courtyard of Dali. Her favorite kitchen and cute cat were greeting her at the door.

Due to our busy work, we are always used to rushing to the cafe in the morning to pack a cup of coffee and bread and solve things hastily. In Dali, at Maizi's home, everything slows down and a delicious breakfast becomes possible.

The fresh fruits I bought at the market in the morning came in handy. Blueberries and strawberries were washed and diced. Under the guidance of the wheat chef, the batter was scraped flat and placed in the cooking machine, sifted and decorated, and the first experience of waffles was completed!

Seeing what the plate looked like after it was set up, I couldn't imagine that it was made by myself. I felt like I could open a shop, haha! In fact, giving yourself an hour every morning will not only get a healthy and delicious breakfast, but also a sense of happiness throughout the day.

Share the exclusive recipe for wheat waffles
First prepare the materials first
Ingredients: (Size: 2 portions| Xiaohongguo| Time: 6 minutes)
Egg: 1
Low-gluten flour: 150g
Baking powder: 3g
White sugar: 10g
Corn oil: 15g
Milk: 200g
Vanilla extract: 2 drops

Steps to make waffle powder:
1. Beat the eggs into a conditioning bowl, add the white sugar and vanilla extract, and stir well.
2. Pour in the milk and stir well to blend the egg yolk and egg white;
3. Remove the milk and pour 60ml of milk into another plate;
4. Take 150 grams of wheat flour, mix 50 grams of cake flour, add a little salt, pour into an empty plate, and stir well;
5. Add the milk and hot butter prepared before, mix well, stirring while adding, until it becomes a thin paste, preferably thick and uniform.

Baking steps
1. Preheat the waffle machine for 2 minutes;
2. Brush a layer of corn oil (edible oil can also be used);
3. Pour into the entire waffle maker and heat until the light goes out, about 6-10 minutes;
4. Let it cool and it will be crispy. Garnish with fruit.

Follow Maizi to see the pastoral canteen he is preparing.

The aesthetics of life and nature are integrated here, and exquisite household objects enhance the sense of ceremony.

After dinner, I followed the wheat to see the pastoral canteen he was preparing. The garden was filled with herbs with various strange names. I tasted it one by one with the wheat. Blue sky, white clouds, wooden houses, grass houses, and exquisite household objects. The aesthetics of life and nature are integrated here, as if I have strayed into the anime world written by Hayao Miyazaki.

There is a slight dawn on this day, and it is a good time to climb Cangshan through the clouds. With nothing to do, on a whim, I took a cable car to the top of Cangshan Mountain to find the "precious chess game".

The prototype of the Zhenlong chess game is a fabricated plot in Mr. Jin Yong's martial arts masterpiece "Eight Parts of the Dragon". It was founded by Wu Yazi, the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, and wanted to use such a chess game to recruit a talented disciple.

Using drone aerial photography, you can overlook the giant chess array surrounded by green pines and strong trees from high altitude, and the martial arts world created by "Eight Parts of the Dragon" instantly appears in your mind. Swords and swords, happy gratitude and hatred, the world changes, and loss.

Walking off the Cangshan Cable Car and walking through a deep and secluded mountain road that is about 10 minutes, the gate of Jizhao Nunan appears in front of you.

The entire courtyard did not have the solemnity of an ordinary temple, nor was there any incense lingering around it. It was fleshy and extremely luxuriant, with a wide variety of other flowers and plants dotted it, more like a courtyard built by a person who likes to serve flowers and grass.

Our lunch today will be settled here. Don't underestimate the vegetarian zhai here. Although the mountain road is rugged, it has attracted countless people. Before 11 o'clock, there was already a long line in the pickup area. Although the door has not been opened, the aroma of the vegetables has already dissipated and overflowed. Pick up more than a dozen dishes according to your preferences and eat them until you are full. However, you need to pay attention to the fact that you must not leave leftovers. Each grain of rice will be punished by kneeling. When you come, you must "do within your capabilities" ah haha.

TIPS:
Address: Follow Gantong Crossing and go up the mountain to the parking lot of Cangshan Geopark. You can walk to Gantong Temple, Jizhao Temple, Dayuntang, Boluo Temple; Wuwei Temple is located north of Santa Tunnel, so you can drive all the way to the parking lot.
Per capita: 20 yuan/person in Jizhao Nuan, some temples are happy.
Suggestion: A good place to play on weekends. You can not only climb the mountain and look far away, but also sit back and think quietly.

East of Xiaoyuanzi, a winding path leads to a secluded "village". After coming out of Jizhao Nunan, we decided to take a trip to the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Fengyangyi Village, starting from the Yuan Dynasty, was a station on the ancient posthouse road in Dali and part of the Dali section of the Dian-Tibet Tea and Horse Ancient Road. When you reach the entrance of the village, you feel like a lifetime away. The mottled white walls seem to lead people to the past.

There is a yard in the village near the edge of a mountain covered with catalpa trees, hence the name Sorpa Garden. Every brick and tile are made from local materials, simple and unpretentious, but also exquisite. The second-floor terrace of the old courtyard can overlook the Erhai Lake.

Wooden railings and earthen stone walls are intertwined, and ancient handmade small objects are very pleasing.

The owner's family is very Buddhist. The cafe hidden in the grass opens entirely based on his mood. Whether he or she can meet him is a chance. After several visits, he can't help but be "shut out". He is so casual that he is extremely envious.


When you come to Dali, how can you not go to Xizhou?
Compared with the prosperous ancient city of Dali, I love the simplicity and tranquility of Xizhou more. Although it is winter and rice is being harvested, the barren pastoral scenery is equally intoxicating. You can even imagine what a magnificent scene will be like when it is covered with rice fields in summer.

As a place where the Bai people lived as early as the coexistence of Liuzhao and Heman, the architecture of Xizhou Ancient Town is the most worth exploring.

The basic forms of traditional Bai folk houses are three-way houses and quadrangles, and the three-way "square" is the basic combination unit of the building. The three squares are a typical combination form. They consist of three squares and a set of light walls. They are called "Three squares and One Light Wall". There are an ear room and a leaky corner patio between the two squares. The courtyard house consists of four square buildings to form a closed courtyard, with leaky corner courtyards at all four corners. Together with the courtyard, it is called the "four-in-five courtyard". As a result, courtyards from two to four to five layers can be formed, called "heavy courtyards"

Walking around Xizhou Ancient Town, the streets in the ancient city and the old buildings on the corners are very brightly illuminated, especially the walls of Xilin Garden. Coupled with the Bai characteristic buildings and the blue sky here, it is also the favorite place for tourists to check in when they come to Xizhou. place.

The artistic decoration inside the building is also extremely sophisticated. The eaves and walls, wood carving doors and windows, marble paintings, colorful carvings of ancient wells, etc. are exquisite and wonderful. The streets in the ancient city and the old buildings on the corners are very illuminated, especially the walls of this Xilin Garden, which is complemented by the Bai nationality characteristic buildings and the blue sky here are also the most popular places for tourists to check in when they come to Xizhou.

In addition to the characteristic Bai buildings, of course, you can't miss the delicious food here. If you want to find delicious food, you can come to Sifang Street. This is the center of Xizhou Town and the lively place of this quiet town. Various food shops have surrounded this place. A small square.

The most familiar one is Xizhou Baba, also known as Poosu. There are long queues in several time-honored brands, all of which are bought and made in one pot. I remember that many years ago, I have eaten both salty and sweet ones. The sweet ones are rose brown sugar filling, and the salty ones are minced pork and onion filling. Now there are many innovative flavors.

In Dali, there are scenery everywhere, and if you have a lot of time to stop in Dali, I would like to recommend you to go to the Yanxi Ferry on Huanhai West Road than the Shuanglang with the "Internet celebrity aura".

The Erhai Lake there is quiet and gentle, with a winding shoreline plank road. The lonely old tree standing, the light wind rippled, is so beautiful that people can't move their feet.

Countless times at the seaside, when I see local people walking dogs, I always feel envious for no reason. This time, I realized my dream. I took my neighbor's dog and went for a walk along the Erhai Lake. This golden hair named "Yuan Bao" also took an advertisement with Ouyang Nana.

Sitting on the beach, listening to songs, rubbing dogs, basking in the sun and blowing the sea breeze, buying a cup of coffee and sitting under the tree to empty out. The sea is blue and the vegetation is bright green. Time is at this moment, and both body and mind are stretched the most.

But the Erhai Lake is not the only quiet appearance that is familiar and yearning for. In the past stereotypes, Dali was Cangshan Erhai Lake and an idyllic song. However, standing on the side of the Xingsheng Bridge, Dali's modernity and modernity, fashion and diversity are all visible.

The exquisite and classical stone piers and the romantic extremes of the art bridge of the Seine River. This bridge seems to have the magic power to travel through time and countries. Walking under the Xingsheng Bridge is like walking in Europe. Now, places you can't go, you can feast your eyes in Dali.

In the afternoon, it's time to visit my "secret base" in the ancient city of Dali. Deep in the lively and bustling "must-see attractions" to tourists, the hidden bed linen factory has a unique flavor.

This is a very literary art park in Dali. It used to be a bed sheet factory in the 1990s and was transformed into an art park in 2014. There are many special handmade shops, cafes, galleries, etc. It can be said to be the most literary and artistic place in the ancient city of Dali.

Miscellaneous characters are one of my favorite shops. Pushing the door in, the blues music is quiet and comfortable. The decoration in the space is full of retro and antiquated. Every corner is the yearning of people who like to collect.

The cabinet displays cups, small bowls, and decorations from all over the world, each of which has been polished over the years and tells its own story.

Another Oasis Museum in Xiaguan is also a niche cafe worth checking in.

In addition to retaining the original structure and style of the factory, the interior decoration of the store has added a large number of green plants, injecting the elemental atmosphere of tropical rainforest into the original industrial design. The natural softness and industrial coldness, the dense aroma of coffee and stimulating taste buds. Southeast Asian style, visual taste, and double impact.

I believe that everyone who loves photography will not miss a chase that limits the sunset. This time, Dafengba, which is rarely visited by people, is our ultimate destination.

Without local guidance or any clear navigation signs, after 2 hours and countless trials and mistakes, we finally found this broad grassland.

Under the windmill, the mountains are intertwined, and the panoramic view of the city is floating under your feet. At that moment, it feels like owning the whole world. This place witnesses the prosperous changes of Xiaguan City in Dali, and also witnesses the happiest moments of countless couples who advocate romance and freedom. Looking at their silhouettes in the sunset, lalaland seems to ring in my ears, Dali version of "La Land"? It has a taste ~


This short three-day trip is actually just a microcosm of the Dali residence experience. The fireworks in the market and the time of friends in the courtyard are beautiful every minute.
"Coming occasionally" is just the beginning. When you see the scenery of Dali, search the secret realms of small cities like me, and explore ancient streets and alleys, you will also want to spend the rest of your life in Dali.
If you were given a chance now to get to know Southwest China and walk into Dali, would you be moved?