Just got back from Ailao Mountain! This article is enough

Not Yunnan Worm Valley, but better than Yunnan Worm Valley! This is the real Ailao Mountain 🌲 Ailao Mountain is very large, not the entire Ailao Mountain is off-limits, but absolutely do not trespass into the "restricted areas." The tourist-friendly and well-developed scenic spots are mainly concentrated around Jiasa Town, Xinping County. 📸 Must-visit spots ✅ Sea of Clouds Sunrise Viewing Platform ⏰ Best viewing period: November to March of the following year. 📍 Location: Navigate to "Ailao Mountain Sea of Clouds Sunrise Viewing Platform" or "Yaonan Village Winter Melon Forest Cliff," located between Longxi Aristocratic Manor and Shimen Gorge. The "face" of Ailao Mountain. From 6:30 to 7:30 in the morning, the sun rises from the rolling sea of clouds, casting golden light over the valley, very stunning. If lucky, you can see the "waterfall cloud," where the mist cascades down like flowing water. ✅ Shimen Gorge Known as the "Emerald Necklace" of Ailao Mountain. The gorge is about 2.6 kilometers long, with crystal-clear water and vertical cliffs covered with dense vegetation on both sides. It feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli animation world. There are few shuttle buses in the scenic area, so it is recommended to assess your physical condition before visiting. ✅ Ancient Tea Horse Road Experience the thousand-year-old caravan culture and see the deep horse hoof prints. ✅ Jinshan Primeval Forest Compared to Shimen Gorge, this place is quieter and more pristine, the best spot to see "tree beards" (lichens). The trunks are covered with long lichens (old man's beard), sunlight filters through the leaves creating dappled light, giving a "magical forest" feeling. The loop hike takes about 1 hour, is not difficult, and is suitable for all ages. ✅ Nan'en Waterfall This is the most spectacular waterfall in Ailao Mountain, with a drop of up to 100 meters and about 30 meters wide. It is right next to Enshui Road, no hiking needed, you can enjoy it right from the parking lot. 🍲 Food The local cuisine mainly features Huayao Dai flavors and wild mountain ingredients. Recommended dishes include Jiasa hot pot, Huayao Dai Peacock Banquet, black goat hot pot, various seasonal wild vegetables, and insect delicacies. You can try fried bamboo worms and bee pupae. ⚠️ Safety and Pitfall Avoidance Tips Strictly forbidden to enter undeveloped areas: Do not cross the "no-man's land" or core protected areas for thrills. Ailao Mountain has "four seasons in one mountain," the temperature on the mountain is usually 5-10°C lower than at the foot, with large temperature differences between morning and evening. Be sure to bring a windproof jacket or a light down jacket. The walkways in the scenic area are moist all year round, covered with moss, and very slippery. Please wear non-slip sports shoes. ⏰ Departure dates: December 20 & January 10 Itinerary: Gather in Kunming Kunming - Nan'en Waterfall - Shimen Gorge - Ailao Mountain Ailao Mountain sunrise sea of clouds - Jinshan Primeval Forest - Nakeli - Pu'er Pu'er - Laodabao - Menglian Xuanfusi Office - Nayun Ancient Town - Menglian Menglian - Longmoye Sacred Site - Cangyuan Wengding Primeval Tribe - Zhenyuan County Zhenyuan - Disband in Kunming