The cloud sea is a unique natural scene in Awa Mountain which is located in Ximeng County in western Yunnan. When it comes to the seasons of spring and winter, the atmospheric radiation at night in Awa Mountain is strong. When the central heating in the river alley of low altitude and cold air flows from the high altitude meet with each other, the thick sea of loud under the temperature inversion is formed, covering the sleeping valley and the wide open field.
When the sun rises, the cloud sea becomes more colorful and beautiful. The cloud in the wide area is just like the great waves in the sea while that in the narrow pass is just like the floating elegant white silk. According to the description of the students who even been there when they learn Chinese in Yunnan, some peaks of the mountains are above the cloud layers, looking like the bamboo shoots in spring.
When it comes to the noon, the temperature is increasing high, making the cloud layers roll and flush more seriously. The mountains and the cloud seas appear and disappear now and then. In the far place, you can see the magnificent and changeful scenes. The cloud sea in Awa Mountain forms from the midnight and disappears gradually until eleven o’clock of the next day.
There is special scenery if you watch the sea of cloud in Awa Mountain in Mengkan. The milky cloud and mist sometimes looks like a layer of thin silk covering the village while sometimes is just like the sea waves patting the shore side. Sometimes, it changes into the vertical waterfall pouring from the heaven while sometimes it seems the flying white cotton. Many overseas students who study Mandarin in Yunnan all praise the cloud sea in Awa Mountain is so changeable and fantastic. When the cloud disappears gradually, the bamboo, green pine trees, banana trees and bamboo structured buildings seem more clear and beautiful.
When mentioning the cloud sea in Awa Mountain, we suggest you to taste the wine brewed by the local Wa people if you have chance to go there. With the milky color, it smells fragrant and tastes sweet. Since Wa people has the custom of being not polite without wine, they always treat the guests from afar with the wine they brewed. However, before they drink wine, they need to eat food firstly.