Dali is stunning, but I honestly don’t recommend going in December because..........

Dali In-Depth Travel Guide: Unlock the poetic life of "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon" starting at 2,000 RMB per person Dali, a city embraced by the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake, known as the "City of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon," is deeply rooted in Bai culture, blending the vibrant life of an ancient city with magnificent natural scenery. Whether cycling around Erhai Lake, hiking Cangshan Mountain, or exploring ancient towns along the Tea Horse Road, this place fulfills all your slow-life dreams. Below is a practical guide covering classic attractions, unique experiences, and budget tips to help you plan a cost-effective trip to Dali. 1. Preparation: Documents, Gear, and Seasonal Choices Documents and Papers ID card: Required for all attractions; carrying a copy is recommended. Student/Senior ID: Some sites offer half-price tickets (e.g., Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, Cangshan Cableway). Border Pass: Needed if planning to visit border areas (e.g., Nujiang Prefecture), apply in advance. Gear List Clothing: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) require long-sleeve jackets; summer (June-August) calls for light, breathable clothes and sun protection; winter (December-February) needs thick jackets for temperature differences between day and night. Sun Protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses (Erhai’s reflection is strong). Rain Gear: Frequent mountain showers; transparent raincoats or foldable umbrellas are more convenient. Others: Power bank, camera tripod (for star photography), thermos (for Pu’er tea). Season Highlights Spring (March-May): Cherry blossoms, rapeseed flowers in bloom, rhododendron sea on Cangshan (best in May). Summer (June-August): A cool summer retreat, cycling around Erhai Lake is refreshing. Autumn (September-November): Clear blue skies, golden rice fields, prime photography season. Winter (December-February): Warm sunshine, red-billed gulls migrate to Erhai Lake, can be fed and interacted with. 2. Transportation Guide: Balancing Cost and Convenience External Transport Airplane: Dali Fengyi Airport offers direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other cities. After landing, take the airport shuttle bus (25 RMB/person) or taxi (about 50-80 RMB) to the city center. Train: Dali Station has high-speed trains to Kunming (2 hours) and Lijiang (1.5 hours), tickets cost about 150-250 RMB. From the station, take a bus (5 RMB) or taxi (10 RMB) to the Old Town. Internal Transport Car Rental and Self-Drive: Recommended convertible Beetle (400 RMB/day). Note some restrictions on the west road around Erhai Lake. Electric Bike Rental: Around the Old Town, 50 RMB/day, suitable for short trips (e.g., Panxi S-bend, Xizhou Ancient Town), but limited battery, not recommended for full lake circuit. Direct Shuttle Bus: Erhai Lake circuit 80 RMB/person, Shaxi Ancient Town 120 RMB/person, book one day in advance. Chartered Car: 7-seater business van 600-800 RMB/day, suitable for families or groups, driver also acts as guide. 3. Classic Itinerary Recommendations: 5-Day Highlights (1,500-2,000 RMB per person) Day 1: Dali Old Town · A Journey Through a Millennium Morning: Climb Wuhua Tower for a panoramic view of the Old Town, stroll Fuxing Road and Foreigner Street, try roasted milk fan (15 RMB), Xizhou baba (5 RMB). Noon: Lunch at North Gate Market (crispy baba + papaya chicken, about 20 RMB per person). Afternoon: Visit Dali Museum (free) to learn about the Nanzhao Kingdom history; shop for tie-dye scarves on Renmin Road (30-50 RMB). Evening: Explore the Bed Sheet Factory Art District creative market, eat rose jam rice cakes (10 RMB), average spending about 30 RMB. Accommodation: Budget guesthouse inside Old Town (80-120 RMB/night). Day 2: West Shore of Erhai Lake · Slow Life Cycling Morning: Rent an electric bike to ride along the west shore, check in at Panxi S-bend (best side light 9:00-11:00), visit Gusheng Village’s “Floating Café” (glass house blends with Erhai from aerial view). Noon: Lunch at Xizhou Ancient Town (photo at Yan Family Courtyard, eat crispy baba, about 15 RMB per person). Afternoon: Tie-dye experience in Zhoucheng Village (80 RMB/person), buy blue and white scarves as souvenirs; hike the Fengyangyi Tea Horse Road (filming location of "To the Windy Place"), check in at Windy Café. Evening: Return to Old Town, dine at Duan Gongzi Restaurant with Bai ethnic “Eight Bowls” (sour and spicy fish, milk fan Sachima, about 80 RMB per person). Accommodation: Mid-range guesthouse inside Old Town (150-200 RMB/night). Day 3: Cangshan Mountain · Above the Clouds Morning: Take Ximatan Cableway (140 RMB) to 3,966 meters, hike through the “Rhododendron Sea” (best in May), eat self-heating rice at mountaintop restaurant (20 RMB/portion). Noon: Blessing at Zhonghe Temple, overlook panoramic Dali. Afternoon: Visit Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area (ticket 73 RMB), drone the pagodas’ reflection, climb Qianxun Pagoda for Erhai Lake views. Evening: Dinner at Muxi Dali Restaurant with mushroom hotpot (wild boletus + matsutake, about 150 RMB per person). Accommodation: Seaview room in Shuanglang Ancient Town (300-500 RMB/night). Day 4: Shaxi Ancient Town · Tea Horse Road Heritage Morning: Charter a car to Shaxi (1.5 hours, 500 RMB/car, split among 4 people), visit Xingjiao Temple murals, Horse Caravan Square, listen to old artists play the sanxian. Noon: Lunch at Shaxi Old Horse Inn (braised chicken with carved plum wine, about 50 RMB per person). Afternoon: Horse carriage ride through Heipu River Gorge, photograph ancient bridges and Danxia landforms. Evening: Return to Dali, shoot European-style architecture night view at Xiangsheng Bridge in Xiaguan, eat Zhao’s Plum Well carved plum pork (about 60 RMB per person). Accommodation: Mid-range guesthouse inside Old Town (150-200 RMB/night). Day 5: March Street · Carnival Feast (if during Horse Racing Festival) Morning: Watch Bai riders’ speed race (free), photograph horse caravan parade; shop at the market (handmade silver jewelry 50 RMB/piece, dried mushrooms 100 RMB/jin). Noon: Lunch on Food Street (roasted milk fan + cold rice rolls, about 30 RMB per person). Afternoon: Folk performances (Bai duet singing, Overlord Whip Dance), photograph the thousand-person torch formation. Evening: Buy fresh flower cakes at North Gate Market (10 RMB/bag), then depart. 4. Unique Experiences and Budget Control Must-Try Activities Tie-Dye Making: Zhoucheng Village tie-dye workshop 80 RMB/person, includes materials and instruction. Erhai Lake Boat Tour: Large boat 150 RMB/person, includes three-course tea ceremony; small boat 80 RMB/person, great for photos. Cangshan Hiking: Gantong Cableway to Qingbixi route (ticket + cableway 110 RMB), 2-hour hike. Hot Springs Relaxation: Miwan Hot Springs (about 100 RMB/person) or Eryuan Geothermal Park (about 150 RMB/person), relieve fatigue. Food Recommendations Snacks: Roasted milk fan (15 RMB), Xizhou baba (5 RMB), carved plum wine (20 RMB/jin), rice flour with fried dough sticks (3 RMB/bowl). Meals: Bai ethnic “Eight Bowls” (about 80 RMB/person), mushroom hotpot (about 150 RMB/person), Naxi grilled fish (40 RMB). Late Night: Yang’s milk fan (30 RMB/portion), Jiuniang rice flour (7 RMB/bowl). Accommodation Options Budget: Old Town guesthouses 80-120 RMB/night, Shuanglang homestays 150-200 RMB/night. Comfort: Mid-range guesthouses in Old Town 150-200 RMB/night, Shuanglang seaview rooms 300-500 RMB/night. High-End: Dali Junfa Pullman Hotel (5-star, 800-1200 RMB/night), Dali Songyun Cliff Hotel (design-focused, 1000 RMB+/night). 5. Safety and Cultural Tips Eco-Friendly Travel: Single-use plastics are banned along Erhai Lake; bring your own water bottle. Respect Customs: Avoid noise during Bai “Benzhu Festival,” ask permission before photographing elders. Safety Tips: Follow guides when hiking Cangshan; some trails close during rainy season (June-August); watch for crosswinds when cycling Erhai Lake, especially in the afternoon. Shopping Tips: Buy silver jewelry from reputable shops (e.g., Cun Si Silver Shop), avoid overpriced souvenirs in tourist spots; check expiration dates on dried mushrooms. 6. Budget Overview (5-Day Trip) Transportation: External (plane/train) about 800 RMB + internal (rental/charter/shuttle) about 500 RMB = 1,300 RMB. Accommodation: 4 nights in budget guesthouses/homestays about 500 RMB. Tickets: Cangshan cableway 140 RMB + Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas 73 RMB + Erhai boat tour 150 RMB + tie-dye experience 80 RMB = 443 RMB. Meals: 100-150 RMB daily, about 600 RMB for 5 days. Total: Approximately 2,843 RMB per person (excluding shopping and premium experiences). The charm of Dali lies in its inclusiveness and purity. Whether it’s the wind while cycling around Erhai Lake or the clouds at the foot of Cangshan, it makes you forget the city’s hustle and bustle. Take this guide and start a date with the wind, flower, snow, and moon!