Dali Erhai Lake Cruise Guide.

Three must-see attractions in Dali: Cangshan Mountain Cableway, Erhai Lake Cruise, and Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. The Erhai Lake Cruise is the easiest of the three, as you spend most of the time on the boat enjoying the scenery. It's suitable for all ages, and the views are stunning. The Erhai Lake Cruise runs more than ten times a day, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It stops at Shuanglang Pier, Dali Port Pier, and Xizhou Jinguisi Pier. There are long and short routes. The long route takes 3 hours and includes a stop at Nanzhao Island. It departs from Dali Port at 9:00 am and returns from Shuanglang at 2:30 pm. The short route includes round trips from Shuanglang and Dali Port, with more frequent departures. Xizhou Jinguisi Pier is mostly a stopover, with fewer options for departure times. Tickets cost CNY 142. If you have time, we recommend the long route, which covers the entire Erhai Lake and offers more beautiful scenery! The boat has many entertainment facilities, including KTV, a tea room, and a bar. There is also a Three-Course Tea Song and Dance Show, which is included in the ticket price. Other activities require an additional fee. In the afternoon, it can be quite sunny, so we ordered afternoon tea for CNY 188 and shared a private room. We could still enjoy the view, and the air conditioning was comfortable. The route from Xiaguan to Shuanglang passes by the waters near Dali Ancient City, where you can see the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake blending into the sky. It's especially beautiful on a sunny day. It's like sailing on a green wave, feeling like you're in a painting! At Xizhou Jinguisi Pier, you can board or disembark. The Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor is nearby, making it convenient to explore. We highly recommend visiting Nanzhao Island, one of the three islands in Erhai Lake and the former summer palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom. From the island, you can see Shuanglang Ancient Town and Yang Liping's Moon Palace. There are many photo spots along the island's road, and you can use free props to take beautiful photos. The cruise ends at Shuanglang Pier, where you can explore Shuanglang Ancient Town. There are many high-end guesthouses, restaurants, bars, and cafes to choose from. We recommend Mingqiao Rice Noodles, which serves authentic Yunnan-style rice noodles. It's delicious and affordable, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nanzhao Island. After eating, you can take a walk along the Erhai Lake, where you'll find a variety of flowers that will lift your spirits. You can also choose to stay overnight at a waterfront guesthouse in Shuanglang Ancient Town for a great experience, with a budget of CNY 1,000+. If you want to return to Dali Ancient City, you can take a shuttle bus or share a ride for about CNY 30 per person. It's a great way to end your trip. Overall, the cruise tickets are affordable, and the scenery and experience are excellent. It's worth a visit!