Dali Travel Guide

A comprehensive guide to Dali travel, covering transportation, accommodation, attractions, and food: Transportation Guide - External transportation: You can choose to fly to Dali Fengyi Airport and then take the airport shuttle bus to the ancient town; or take the high-speed train to Dali Station, where you can transfer to Bus No. 8 or take a taxi to the ancient town. - Internal transportation: Renting an electric bike (about 80 yuan/day) or a convertible (300-500 yuan/day) is convenient for circling Erhai Lake. Alternatively, you can take the Erhai Lake Tourist Bus (98 yuan for unlimited rides over 3 days). Accommodation Suggestions - Near Dali Ancient Town: Convenient for dining and exploring, with a lively atmosphere, such as the Luchun Garden Hotel in Dali Ancient Town. - West Erhai Lake: Ideal for sunrise views, with great vistas near Longkan Pier and Panxi S Bend. Seaview rooms in villages like Xiaboping offer better value. - East Erhai Lake: Shuanglang Town is perfect for sunset views, such as the Dali Songyun Cliff Hotel, which offers stunning views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Attraction Recommendations - Erhai Lake: The soul of Dali, you can drive or cycle around the lake to enjoy the rice fields of Xizhou Ancient Town, waterfront cafes in Shuanglang, and the sunrise redwood forest at Longkan Pier. - Dali Ancient Town: Built in the Ming Dynasty, it retains its chessboard-style layout with cobblestone streets and Bai-style houses. Explore Foreigner Street, climb Wuhua Tower, and try tie-dyeing. - Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas: One of Dali's landmarks, the main Qianxun Pagoda stands 69 meters tall and was built during the Nanzhao period. The reflection of the pagodas in the water at the Three Pagodas Reflection Park is a must-see. - Cangshan Mountain: The 19 peaks are majestic. Take the Ximatan Cableway to the top for a panoramic view of Erhai Lake. Food Recommendations - Local snacks: Soft and sticky er si, crispy Xizhou baba, sweet and delicious rushan, and flavorful claypot fish. - Local restaurants: Huotang Impression Wild Mushroom Hotpot, Dali Ark Fat Man (I’ll Wait for You in Dali), and Duan Gongzi (The Condor Heroes) offer authentic Yunnan cuisine. Itinerary Suggestions - 3-Day Trip - Day 1: Arrive in Dali - Dali Ancient Town. Explore the town, enjoy local food, and experience nightlife. - Day 2: Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor - Xizhou Ancient Town - Shuanglang Ancient Town. Rent a bike to ride along the corridor, enjoy lake views, admire Bai architecture in Xizhou, and watch the sunset in Shuanglang. - Day 3: Cangshan Mountain - Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas. Take the cableway up Cangshan Mountain and visit the Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area in the afternoon. - 5-Day Trip - Day 1: Arrive in Dali - Dali Ancient Town. Stroll through the town and experience local culture. - Day 2: Dali Ancient Town - March Street - Xizhou Ancient Town. Visit March Street if it’s market day, then head to Xizhou. - Day 3: Erhai Lake Tour. Drive or rent a car to visit Panxi S Bend, Longkan Pier, and other spots. - Day 4: Cangshan Mountain - Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils Film City. Hike Cangshan Mountain and explore the film city’s martial arts culture. - Day 5: Shuanglang Ancient Town - Little Putuo Island - Wase Town. Relax in Shuanglang, then stop by Little Putuo Island and Wase Town for lake views.