A Travel Story in Dali: An Unexpected Encounter with Beauty

It was a spring-filled March when I clicked to book my flight, planning for a peaceful vacation in Dali, Yunnan. Solo travel always comes with small regrets, especially when it comes to taking photos. Until a chance conversation completely changed the flavor of this journey. In the car from the airport to the hotel, I shared my solo travel concerns with the pickup driver. He smiled, rubbing his head, and said, "Miss, you're in luck. I know a photographer who specializes in taking photos for solo travelers." That's how I met photographer Xiao Wang in Dali, along with his white Mini Cooper that even had a roof rack for shooting. At 5 AM, at the misty foot of Cangshan Mountain, I met Xiao Wang who came to pick me up. Through the morning fog, he wore a cap with an old Leica camera logo, holding a camera in one hand while politely extending the other. "Today's weather has a story to tell," he said, "I think we can capture some great shots." As the clouds dispersed from Cangshan Mountain, the surface of Erhai Lake sparkled with rippling light. We wandered along the lake, with wind sweeping through wild rapeseed fields, while distant fishing villages appeared and disappeared in the morning light. As Xiao Wang drove, he shared stories about Dali's history and culture, while I immersed myself in the serenity. What surprised me most was when he suggested I pull back my borrowed leather jacket hood and strike a perfect pose against the backlight. The small bump on my forehead from clumsily dropping my phone became the most unique element in the photo. "This adds character to the story," he said with a smile. That day's shoot lasted from 5 AM until 10 AM. We captured Dali's most beautiful scenery in the pine forests of Cangshan, along Erhai Lake, and in the ancient city's alleyways. Each photo was like a fragment of time, belonging only to this unique morning. Spontaneous travels often bring the most precious surprises. This first encounter with Dali taught me that travel isn't just about witnessing scenery, but about meeting people and their stories. Such encounters, like wildflowers blooming in spring, though brief, are exceptionally touching. The ancient city of Dali remained lively at night as I sat alone on the hostel's rooftop, browsing through the day's photos. Each one captured conversations in the morning mist, each frame held impromptu moments of gentleness from the journey. I realized that the meaning of travel isn't about where you go, but who you meet and what you encounter. Along this journey, I finally understood: sometimes, the most beautiful scenery is found when traveling alone.