A Super Relaxing Trip to Dali—Travel Guide

Dali, a place of picturesque scenery, with Cang Mountain ⛰️ and Erhai Lake 🌊, is truly romantic. If you plan to visit Dali, be sure to save this post!! 🌆 Dali Ancient City 📍 Located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, backed by Cang Mountain and facing Erhai Lake, it has a long history and is incredibly well-preserved, making it a favorite among many tourists. Many natives live in the ancient city, and the Bai ethnic residents add a rich cultural atmosphere. Visiting at night offers a full-on ambiance—romantic and lively, it's definitely a great place for nightlife. 🌾 Xizhou Ancient Town The Bai architecture here is incredibly rich, and the scenery is beautiful year-round. In autumn, the rice paddies complement the ancient buildings perfectly, while in spring, the wheat fields look like something out of a fairy tale. The corner towers and wheat fields are super popular photo spots. Immersing yourself in the Bai culture and experiencing the idyllic scenery here is truly wonderful. 🏞 Shuanglang Ancient Town Shuanglang Ancient Town is stunning in autumn. The blue waves of Erhai Lake, the autumn flowers on the shore, and the majestic Cang Mountain—the beauty of the lake and mountains is all before your eyes. It's leisurely and peaceful, perfectly capturing the autumn atmosphere. 🌊 Erhai Lake Divided into the eastern and western parts, Erhai Lake has a rich history. Surrounded by mountains, the lake and mountain scenery blend seamlessly, and the natural beauty is super relaxing. Erhai Lake is the symbol of Dali; coming to Dali and not visiting the lake is like not coming at all. Taking a stroll along the lake, cycling, or driving around it is fantastic. Feeding seagulls in winter is also super fun. However, Erhai Lake is quite large. It takes half an hour to drive from the ancient city to the popular S-bend. Cycling the entire way can be exhausting, so please be aware❗️ 📸 Covered Bridges A paradise for photography lovers. The bridge arches, the crooked trees, and the solitary trees—the unique scenery is super photogenic and offers a high success rate for great photos. Don't miss it if you love taking pictures. 🌈 Wenbi Village Located in the east of Dali, the Rainbow Road and the Sea Chapel are super famous. They are great spots for photos, and the scenic route around the lake is a blast. There are no entrance fees, making for a 💯 experience. 🚌 Transportation Guide: Dali Airport/Railway Station - Dali Ancient City 1️⃣ Dali Airport: 🚌 Airport shuttle bus, departs when full, ticket price 25 yuan/person, approximately 40 minutes to Dali Ancient City East Gate. 2️⃣ Dali Railway Station: 🚌 Public bus: No. 8 to the north and east gates of the ancient city, No. 4 to the south and west gates of the ancient city, ticket price 3 yuan/person, approximately 1-hour journey. The bus makes stops along the way. Scan the code to pay upon boarding. 🚐 Minibus: Ticket price 5 yuan/person, non-stop service, departs when full. 🍽️ Food Recommendations: Mushroom hot pot, grilled milk fan, grilled rice cakes, Cross-the-Bridge Rice Noodles, roasted tofu, teppanyaki, Xizhou Baba. Accommodation: Stay near Erhai Lake in Shuanglang Ancient Town for convenient views of Cang Mountain and Erhai Lake. Alternatively, stay near Dali Ancient City for easy access to food, entertainment, and other conveniences.