Dali Through the Seasons

🌿 Spring · Letters from Erhai As the snowline of Cangshan retreats to a silver edge on distant peaks, The wind from Nanzhao awakens rapeseed fields in March, Pink cherry blossoms tumble into shimmering waves, willow branches dip into water to write poetry, Beneath the ancient city walls, hoofbeats herald a flowing feast. ——Chase the sunrise at Longkan Dock, fly kites amid the golden wheat waves of Xizhou, Spring in Dali is a palette overturned by the gods. ☔️ Summer · Love Letters from the Clouds Twenty-degree breezes filter through wind chimes under the eaves, The rainy season carries the scent of wild mushrooms along the Tea Horse Road, The blue of Erhai is shattered by clouds into a thousand forms: Now a wisp of gauze around Cangshan’s waist, Now steeping in the earthen teapots of Bai courtyards. ——Take shelter in Zhoucheng’s dyeing workshops, listen to raindrops on banana leaves, Summer’s fervor here crystallizes into a glass of mint-plum ice. 🌾 Autumn · Ode to the Rice Fields Xizhou’s golden waves surge toward the horizon, Indigo-dyed fabrics flutter like butterflies on drying racks, Horse hooves in Shaxi shatter moonlight on ancient opera stages, The silhouettes of trees at Haixi Park cut autumn hues into film. ——Cycle through tunnels of gilded foliage, When autumn’s breeze passes, even time grows languid. ☀️ Winter · A Warm Refuge While snow drifts over northern lands, here gathers sunlight from all corners of the cosmos, When Cangshan dons its white crown, Erhai still cradles emerald dreams, The sweet aroma of grilled rushan wafts through Renmin Road, The cherry blossoms of Wuliang Mountain betray spring’s early footsteps. ——Brew tea as you await the sunset over Windy City, Winter in Dali is a homeland even migratory birds yearn to linger in.