2025 February Dali 5-Day 4-Night In-Depth Tour Plan

📅 Itinerary Overview Date Itinerary Accommodation Highlights Day 1 Arrive in Dali → Night Tour of Dali Ancient City Dali Ancient City Night view of the ancient city, stone barbecue Day 2 West Line of Erhai Lake (Ecological Corridor Cycling + Bai Tie-Dye Experience) Xizhou Ancient Town Panxi S-bend, Xizhou wheat field Day 3 East Line of Erhai Lake (Shuanglang + Ideal State) Shuanglang Lake View B&B Sunset glow, Yang Liping's Sun Palace Day 4 Cangshan Mountain Hiking + Jizhao Nunnery Vegetarian Meal → Zhoucheng Tie-Dye Village Dali Ancient City Snow view of Cangshan Mountain, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts Day 5 Shaxi Ancient Town Day Tour → Return Trip—Tea Horse Road 🗺 ️ Detailed Itinerary Day 1: First Encounter with Dali Ancient City - Afternoon: Arrive in Dali and check in to an ancient city B&B (recommended: Yeyu Road/Renmin Road, convenient transportation). - Evening: Stroll along Renmin Road in Dali Ancient City, check in at the creative shops on Foreigner Street, and try "Zaihuishou" cold chicken rice noodles. - Night: Climb Wuhua Tower to overlook the panoramic view of the ancient city, visit the Bedsheet Factory Art District at night, and try Bai stone barbecue for dinner (recommended: Laozhaizi Stone Barbecue). ✅ Tips: The average temperature in Dali in winter is 5-18°C. The sun is strong during the day, so sunscreen is needed, and down jackets are needed at night. It is recommended to walk or rent an electric bike (CNY 30/day) in the ancient city. Day 2: Slow Life on the West Line of Erhai Lake - Morning: Depart from the ancient city and cycle along the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor (recommended: Longkan Pier to Panxi Village section) to take photos of the popular S-bend and redwood forest. - Noon: Have lunch in Xizhou Ancient Town, check in at "Yuanlai Shidian" for sour and spicy fish, and experience rice field coffee (wheat fields in winter, golden scenery). - Afternoon: Participate in "Xizhou Craftsman Collection" for woodblock printing or tie-dye making (2-hour handicraft experience, cost CNY 80-150). - Evening: Check in to a Xizhou countryside B&B and enjoy the sunset over Cangshan Mountain. ✅ Must-eat: Xizhou Baba (sweet and salty), rose milk fan popsicle. Day 3: Romantic Tour on the East Line of Erhai Lake - Morning: Charter a car to tour the east line of Erhai Lake (Xizhou → Shuanglang), stop at the Luwo Mountain Site to take photos of the cliff cave. - Noon: Have lunch at a Shuanglang lake view restaurant (recommended: "Muxi Dali" by the sea, reservation required). - Afternoon: Visit Yang Liping's Sun Palace (daily limit, reservation required on the official account), and take a boat to Nanzhao Style Island. - Evening: Drive to Ideal State Santorini to take photos of the blue and white buildings and the sunset over Erhai Lake, and stay overnight at a Shuanglang lake view B&B. ✅ Transportation: Chartering a car costs about CNY 400/day (5-seater car), and carpooling costs about CNY 80 per person. Day 4: Cangshan Mountain Cultural and Natural Experience - Morning: Take the Ximatan Cableway to Cangshan Mountain (snow on the top of the mountain in winter), hike along the Yudai Cloud Road, and visit the Seven Dragon Girl Pool. - Noon: Taste vegetarian food at Jizhao Nunnery (CNY 20/serving, served at 11:30), and check in at the succulent Zen courtyard. - Afternoon: Go to Zhoucheng Puzhen Tie-Dye Museum to make a tie-dye handkerchief (experience price: CNY 98, you can take your work home). - Night: Return to Dali Ancient City and experience the "March Street" long street banquet (there is a market every Friday night in winter). ✅ Note: The Cangshan Mountain cableway is greatly affected by the weather. It is recommended to check the announcement on the "Dali Tourism Service" official account before departure. Day 5: Shaxi Ancient Town Tea Horse Road - All day: Carpool to Shaxi Ancient Town (2-hour drive), visit Sideng Street, the ancient stage, and Yujin Bridge, and drink coffee and read books at "Xianfeng Bookstore". Return to Dali in the evening or fly directly home. ✅ Alternative: If you are short on time, you can replace it with a Weishan Ancient City day tour (30 minutes by high-speed rail). 💡 Useful Information 1. Transportation Guide: Plane: Fly directly to Dali Fengyi Airport, or fly to Kunming and transfer to high-speed rail (Kunming → Dali: 2 hours). In the city: Rent an electric bike for CNY 50/day, and charter a car to tour Erhai Lake for CNY 400-600/car. 2. Accommodation Recommendations: Dali Ancient City: "Dali Ancient City No. 1 Courtyard" (courtyard design), "Jixiashan" (cultural aesthetics). Shuanglang: "Mingyue Songjian" (private sea view), "Cunshu" (waterfront terrace). 3. Budget Reference (per person): Transportation: CNY 800 (including air ticket/high-speed rail + city transportation) Accommodation: CNY 1,200 (mid-range B&B) Dining + Tickets: CNY 900 Total: about CNY 2,900 🌈 Winter Exclusive Experience - Gull Watching Season: From December to March, red-billed gulls gather along the Erhai Lake (Xiaoputuo, Longkan Pier), and you can bring your own bread to feed them. - Hot Spring Relaxation: Recommended: Xiashankou Putuo Spring (40-minute drive from the ancient city), soak in the natural sulfur hot spring to keep warm. ✅ Itinerary Advantages: - In-depth combination of natural scenery (Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake) and cultural experience (tie-dye/woodblock printing), avoiding commercial attractions. - Off-peak travel in winter, fewer tourists, and B&B prices are 30%-50% lower than in peak season. - Flexible adjustment: Day 5 Shaxi itinerary can be replaced with Jizu Mountain pilgrimage or Nuodeng Ancient Village exploration.