Dali International Paragliding Camp

Overview

Dali International Paragliding Camp (大理国际滑翔伞营地) is located in Eryuan County (洱源县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州). The camp offers a thrilling paragliding experience with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and landscapes, making it a popular destination for adventure seekers.

Features of the Camp

The flying site is situated at an altitude of 2,600 meters, with an actual drop of 500 meters, making it one of the highest paragliding sites in Yunnan Province (云南省). The entire flight lasts approximately 50 minutes, with a free-flying time of 5-20 minutes, depending on the weather conditions. Paragliders get to experience soaring over majestic mountain ranges, offering a bird’s-eye view of the vast and beautiful landscapes.

Opening Hours

The camp is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Dali Paragliding First Experience: Dreams and Courage in the Air

Dali, a place full of poetic beauty, not only offers stunning landscapes but also a thrilling paragliding experience. Here’s a personal account of my first paragliding experience in Dali, which I hope will provide helpful information for those interested in paragliding.

How to Contact the Paragliding Base? 📞

I first discovered the paragliding camp through their official social media account. After following them for almost a year, I finally added their customer service on WeChat. While the process took some time, the anticipation grew with every photo and video they posted.

Where is the Base? 📍

The base is located in Weishan (巍山), Dali. You can directly search for “Dali Nanzhao International Flight Camp” (大理南诏国际飞行营地) on your navigation. The round-trip drive from Dali Ancient Town to the base takes about 4 hours. Including the paragliding experience time, the entire trip lasts about 6 hours.

How to Get There? 🚗

The camp is very accessible, and even solo travelers can arrange transportation with a dedicated driver. However, this pick-up service requires purchasing a photography package. The 150 RMB package includes 360-degree tracking camera service, which I found to be well worth the cost, especially for a first-time paragliding experience—who wouldn’t want to capture such a memorable moment? Even if you don’t plan to opt for the photography package, considering the 4-hour round-trip drive and winding mountain roads, taking a taxi may be quite expensive. Therefore, the photography package offers good value for money.

How Much Does It Cost? 💰

The cost for paragliding is 780 RMB, and the photography package costs an additional 150 RMB, bringing the total to 930 RMB. There are no hidden fees during the entire process.

How to Contact Them? 📧

I contacted the base via WeChat, through both the customer service and the instructor. The driver’s phone number was provided separately. Feel free to message me or leave a comment if you need more details; I will reply as soon as possible.

How Long is the Flight? ⏳

The flight time mainly depends on the airflow conditions. When the wind is stable, the flight can last between 10-30 minutes, though most people typically fly for about 10 minutes. I personally flew for about 10 minutes, and although it wasn’t long, it was enough for me to experience the joy of flying.

Is It Scary or Dangerous? 😱

The winding mountain road leading to the camp was a bit bumpy, which did raise some concerns. However, the driver, a skilled and brave woman, made the journey much more comfortable. The instructors were very professional, some of whom even work with celebrities for paragliding services. The instructor reassured me by saying, “We are here to take you for fun, not to take risks with your life.” This made me feel much more at ease. Every activity carries some risk, but as long as you follow the rules and listen to the instructions, it’s safe. They also provide insurance for tourists, and the mountain insurance is issued promptly.

Tips 💡

It’s generally better to fly in the morning, as the wind tends to be stronger in the afternoon, making it unsuitable for paragliding. We decided to contact them the day before and left around 8:00 AM, returning around 2:00 PM. There is no food available on-site, so it’s recommended to bring your own water and snacks. We didn’t bring any food, and by the time we returned in the afternoon, we were quite hungry.