Tourists feed birds at Erhai Lake in Dali. (Photo by Yang Feiyue/China Daily)

Nanzhao Fengqing Island is covered with lush green trees and flowers, rustled by the wind wafting from Erhai.

A 17-meter-tall Buddha statue stands in the center of the island's Fuxing Square. There, the smell of incense permeates the air and one can hear the prayers of pilgrims.

For those looking for more adventure, Cangshan Mountain is the place to go.

The mountain practically surrounds the prefecture.

Approximately 95 percent of the mountain is covered by forest and its complex landscape makes the mountain a labyrinth. Even those who have traveled through the Himalayas can get lost, says a local guide.

Up to 200 people lose their way each year and have to be rescued, the guide says.

So it is a good idea to seek professional guidance if you want to go hiking.

We take the 45-minute cable car ride to the mountaintop, which is 4,000 meters above sea level.

The ride is a thrilling experience. First, the green mountain landscape gradually gives way to a white world with snowflakes all around. Then, it gets quite shaky, and as we near the top the cable car carrying us is blown first to the left and then to the right by a violent gust of wind.

Everyone gets a little dizzy, but lets out cheerful screams as the snow hits our faces the moment we step out of the cable car.

Besides its natural beauty, the hot springs at Eryuan (the source of Erhai), the Buddhist heritage at Jizushan Mountain and the Chongsheng Temple all add charm to Dali.

There are around 200 to 300 hot springs open to the public in Eryuan, attracting many winter visitors.