Dali Chanshan Mountain and Erhai Lake Scenic Spot
National Commission of the People's Republic of China. ( natcomcn@public3.bta.net.cn )
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Description
The Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake are located in the western Yunan province within the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai lake scenic spot of 960 square kilometers. In the scenic spot there are an ancient town and pretty and lofty Cangshan Mountain and Erhai lake which is as bright and beautiful as a mirror. There are also more than 100 scenic spot in the area. This scenic spot has wonderful natural scenery, long-standing history and culture, numerous historical relics and sites and strong national custom. The Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake lie at the southern end of the Henduanshan mountain range. The geological and climatic condition in the Cangshan mountain that looks like a painted screen are complicated where there is a distinct vertical distribution of vegetation with more than 6000 kinds of plants distributed over all 19 peaks and 18 streams. The primeval forest of alpine azalea rolling for a few kilometers adds to a little charm of grand Cangshan Mountain where the unique fourth century glacier made highland rivers. Rocks, spring, clouds and butterflies add to a little mystery of the mountain. The moon is mirrored on the wide Erhai Lake sometimes dotted white sails, which there is grace on the lake as well as strength in the Cangshan Mountain. All of those have formed strange scenery of wind, flowers, snow and the moon in the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai lake scenic spot. Dali in the scenic spot has a long history. Erhai in the Neolithic Age there were sings of human habitation in Dali. In history the Kingdom of Nanzhao, the Kingdom of Dali, the Kingdom of Dachanghe, the Kingdom of Datianxing and the Kingdom of Dayining all once made Dali their capital, so Dali is also called onetime capital of the five Kingdoms. In the scenic spot there are two national historical and cultural cities which are the Dali ancient town and Weishan ancient town. Besides there are more than 100 historical relics and sites such as Chongshengsi Three Pagodas in Dali, Dehua Tablet of the Nanzhao Kingdom, Shibaoshan Grottoes of the Nanzhao Kingdom and Bai Nationality has been living in compact communities has unique and strong national custom and rich connotation of national culture. In the respects of natural environment, history, culture and national custom the cangshan mountain and Erhai lake show characteristic connotation and value.