Waking up at 7 a.m., the sky was still dim, and the outdoor temperature was close to freezing. I finished my morning routine and looked out the window toward the east. The mountains gradually revealed themselves in the dawn light, while the ancient town was shrouded in morning mist, vague and tranquil. All around was silent, so quiet that it felt as if I could hear time flowing. As I waited for the light to brighten, suddenly, the sun leaped over the mountain peak, casting a golden glow. The bed, which had been covered in silver moonlight the night before, now sparkled as if sprinkled with bits of gold. Climbing up to the loft dining room, I opened the creaking wooden window. The golden rays of the morning sun intertwined with the steam from the hot porridge, and savoring this carefree flavor made me feel that life should be like this.

Leaving the hotel, a chill pierced through my bones as I walked along the cobbled streets. The morning sun shone down, bringing a bit of warmth.

I took a special bus from Zhongyi Market, and as the vehicle left the ancient city, the majestic Yulong Snow Mountain suddenly came into view. Along the way, travelers eagerly snapped photos of the snow-capped peak, seemingly unable to capture enough images. About an hour later, we arrived at the visitor center, where I bought a ticket to Yak Meadow. In this off-peak season, there was no line, and the bus had only four or five passengers. I thought I had escaped the crowds of peak season, but we had to wait until enough people gathered before the bus could depart. Even in the off-season, there were its own troubles.

The journey to Yak Meadow took about 40 minutes, winding along a mountain road where the snow mountain appeared and disappeared. Alongside the road were several villages, and since it was the weekend, I saw many students hitching rides back to school.

After arriving at the Yak Meadow parking lot, I transferred to a cable car to continue ascending. The cable car rose slowly for about 20 minutes, offering distant views of the snow-covered peaks shrouded in clouds and mist, making me marvel at how closely ancient imaginations of a snow mountain paradise aligned with reality. As the cable car climbed higher, we reached a viewpoint at 3,800 meters, where the Yak Meadow opened up before me, and the snow mountain seemed incredibly close, unfolding like a magnificent scroll. The main peak was slightly off-center, but it was still breathtaking.

At noon, I bought two skewers of yak meat and they surprisingly tasted great. I then took a leisurely stroll around the alpine meadow. Although the temperature was only a few degrees, the strong sunlight made it feel warm. Immersed in this grand snow-capped plateau, I looked up at the white clouds drifting in the blue sky, with light and shadow dancing between the mountains. The snow line and ridges were clearly visible, creating a scene that required no filter—a natural masterpiece. I hardly encountered any other tourists; the vastness of the earth allowed me to wander alone at the foot of the snow mountain. Along the way, I came across a few unafraid black goats, which seemed to be guiding me, bleating as they accompanied my brief journey. The prayer flags fluttered in the wind as I gradually approached and then distanced myself from the snow mountain. Before I knew it, three hours had passed when I returned to the vicinity of the cable car at the Snow Flower Temple.

On my return, I headed to the Blue Moon Valley. The lake was as its name suggested, a crystalline blue, as if it had shattered the entire sky. The lake reflected the snow-capped mountains, creating a stunning natural painting as the lake’s light and mountain colors harmonized. Due to the need to rush back to Dali, I didn’t have time to visit the Spruce Meadow or attempt to summit the snow mountain, leaving only distant thoughts of its scenery.

After returning to the ancient town, I briefly visited the big waterwheel at the North Gate before hurrying to the train station. As night fell, I still felt a lingering desire for more. This land, I vowed to return to and savor it fully in the future.