Ailao Mountain Off-the-Beaten-Path Hiking Guide

⛰️ Ailao Mountain is located in Xinping County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, with rich natural vegetation and is a famous natural scenic area in Yunnan Province. 🌈 Highlights: Shimenxia Scenic Area, Cloud Sea Sunrise, Nan'en Waterfall, Swallow Cliff Waterfall. 🎫 Ticket Information: Shimenxia Scenic Area 30 yuan/person, other natural attractions are free. 🚗 Transportation Strategy: Drive to "Cloud Sea Sunrise Viewing Platform", where parking is available. Descend from "Zhongzhai" village to Swallow Cliff Waterfall. ✅ Hiking Route: Cloud Sea Sunrise Viewing Platform — Zhongzhai Village — Swallow Cliff Waterfall The one-way trip is 3km, with an additional exploration around the waterfall and the return trip, the total distance is about 6.5km, with an altitude climb of about 600m. 🍜 Must-Try Food: At the foot of Ailao Mountain is Gasatown, which has now developed into a tourist town with its own characteristics. Gasatown Soup Pot is a local specialty, similar in taste to Xi'an's beef and mutton paomo. ✏️ Fun Tips: 1. Check the weather before you go, the scenery is better on sunny days, and take sun protection measures. 2. Friends who want to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds can stay in Gasatown the day before, or in a homestay on the mountain. 3. The hike to Swallow Cliff Waterfall is mainly on small paths and slopes, which are steep, dusty, and have many mosquitoes. Take precautions, the stones around the waterfall with water are very slippery, pay attention to safety during the visit. 4. There are no supply points along the hiking route, bring your own food and drink, preferably more water, followed by fruits and snacks, take care of the environment, and bring your own garbage bags. 5. Equipment is optional: quick-drying clothes and pants, sun hat, sunglasses, gloves, knee pads, anti-slip hiking shoes, floral water, band-aids, etc.