Dali Lixiangbang Nanny-Level Guide! All the Pitfall Avoidance Tips Are Here!

Who hasn’t been flooded with posts about Dali Lixiangbang’s “Little Santorini”? But out of 10 guides, 9 lead to pitfalls? Don’t panic! I just got back from there and have figured out everything about eating, staying, and getting around. Follow this and you won’t get lost or waste money! 🚗 How to get there? Remember these transportation tips to avoid pitfalls First, transportation! Lixiangbang is on Huanhai East Road, very far from Dali Ancient Town. Don’t believe the nonsense that “it’s only 20 minutes by taxi from the Ancient Town”! - Best by car: It takes about 1 hour to drive from the Ancient Town. Just navigate to “Lixiangbang Visitor Center.” Parking is 5 RMB/hour, capped at 30 RMB per day, which saves you half the taxi fare for a round trip. Plus, you can stop by Shuanglang on the way. - Public transport: Take the tourist shuttle bus at the Ancient Town gate, 25 RMB per person, runs once an hour, last bus at 6:00 PM. Don’t stay out too late or you’ll miss the last bus! Never take illegal taxis on the street—they start at 50 RMB and will definitely rip you off. 🏨 Where to stay? Sea view rooms vs. cost-effective options—choose right to avoid pitfalls Want to wake up facing Erhai Lake inside Lixiangbang? You need to book in advance! - For sea view lovers: Choose cliff hotels like “Guyue Jibai” or “Dali Mingyue Songjian.” Their balconies offer panoramic views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, but prices are a bit high—800+ RMB in the off-season, soaring to 1500+ RMB in peak season. If your budget allows, just go for it. - Cost-effective choice: Stay at “Dali Ideal Life Inn” right at Lixiangbang’s entrance. It’s a 5-minute walk into the scenic area, costs 200-300 RMB per night, clean with a small courtyard, quiet at night, perfect for students. - Pitfall warning: Don’t book “XX sea view homestays” on floors above the second! Lixiangbang’s buildings are stacked, and lower floors can’t see the sea at all. Always ask the owner for a real-time sea view photo before booking! 🍽 What to eat? Stop blindly following popular restaurants! Restaurants in Lixiangbang are expensive, but not all are a rip-off. These are personally tested and delicious: - Must-try: Afternoon tea at Guyue Yunduo Western Restaurant (detailed in the previous guide!), and the wild mushroom hotpot at “Dali’s Cloud” restaurant. The mushrooms are fresh, the broth is so tasty you’ll lick the bowl, about 120 RMB per person and filling. - Avoid: Don’t touch the “XX seafood stalls” at the scenic area entrance! They claim to serve Erhai shrimp but it’s actually frozen. One order of fried shrimp costs 88 RMB and tastes fishy. Also, the “Erhai fish” sold there is mostly transported from elsewhere. Better to eat in Shuanglang. - Money-saving tip: Bring some snacks and water! A bottle of mineral water inside the scenic area costs 5 RMB, cola 8 RMB, very overpriced. Carry a small backpack with enough drinks and save money for a good meal! 📸 How to take photos? 3 free spots with a 100% great shot rate No need to pay to enter trendy hotels! These free spots take better photos than paid ones: 1. White stairs at Lixiangbang entrance: The big steps right at the entrance, with blue and white houses and Erhai Lake in the background. Stand in the middle of the stairs and have a friend shoot from below to look taller and capture the full panorama. 2. Cliff trail railing: Walk along the trail, find a railing with no people, lean sideways on it, gently rest your hand on the railing, zoom in 1.5x, avoid passersby, and use Cangshan and Erhai as your backdrop. 3. Under the blue arch: There are several blue arches in the scenic area. At 3-4 PM when the sunlight slants, stand inside the arch. The light and shadow on your face are super soft. Wearing a white dress here is perfect. - Outfit advice: Light colors are always the best! White dresses, light blue camisoles, beige wide-leg pants. Avoid dark colors—they blend into the background and look dull. ⏰ How long to play? Don’t get the best time wrong Don’t spend the whole day here! 2-3 hours is enough to explore and take great photos: - Best time: 2-5 PM! The sunlight isn’t harsh, the sky looks light blue in photos, and after 4:30 PM you can catch the sunset. Erhai Lake turns golden, super healing. - Avoid crowds: Weekends and holidays are very crowded! For empty shots, go on weekdays or arrive before 10 AM. It’s less crowded and cooler. Avoid going out from 12-2 PM; the sun is too strong and photos will have harsh overhead light. One last honest word! Lixiangbang is small, but if you stroll and shoot slowly, you can really feel Dali’s romance. Don’t expect it to be exactly like Santorini—it has its own Erhai charm. That’s what makes it worth it! Quickly invite your bestie or partner and go to Dali for a blue and white date~