First Encounter with Erhai Lake in Dali: Meeting the Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon ~

📍 Dali · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 127 likes

Dali is renowned for its 'Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon' — the fierce wind of Xiaguan, the blooming flowers of Shangguan, the snow-capped Cangshan Mountain, and the moonlit Erhai Lake. True to its poetic reputation, the scenery is breathtaking, and Cangshan and Erhai are must-visit spots.

Erhai Lake, though called a 'sea,' is actually a freshwater lake. Legend has it that the Bai people, who lived deep inland and had never seen the real ocean, named it Erhai ('Ear Sea') to express their yearning for the sea. It lies to the east of Dali Ancient Town, at the foot of verdant Cangshan Mountain, with azure waters, renowned for its scenic beauty and charming villages. To experience Erhai's allure, whether you stay by its shores or take a self-drive loop around it, both are wonderful choices.

Cangshan Mountain faces Erhai Lake, embracing the city of Dali. If time permits, a climb up Cangshan offers a different kind of pleasure.

Day 1: Shanghai – Kunming, Kunming – Dali (5-6 hours)

Day 2: Full-day Erhai Lake loop

Day 3: Day trip to Cangshan Mountain

Day 4: Dali – Kunming (5-6 hours), stop at a fruit wholesale market to buy blueberries, then Kunming – Shanghai

In early June, round-trip flights from Shanghai to Kunming were a steal — less than 600 RMB including tax. For convenience, our group of five rented an SUV at Kunming airport and drove west all the way to Dali. If you have enough time, I recommend taking the high-speed train from Kunming to Dali.

The full loop around Erhai is about 140 kilometers. With ample time, you could spend two days exploring it in depth; if you only have one day, you can cover the classic sights.

Route: Dali Ancient Town – Caicun Pier Wetland Park – Xizhou Ancient Town – Haishe Ecological Park – Flower Language Ranch – Butterfly Spring – Shuanglang Town – Wase Town – Little Putuo Island – Luoquan Peninsula (Tianjing Pavilion) – Haidong Town (Jinsuo Island, Yinsuo Island) – back to Dali Ancient Town.

We only had one day to circle the lake, so we didn't stop at every spot. I think the beauty of Erhai is found along the way; you can drive along the shore, stop whenever you like, and take in the serene lake views.

Up close, Erhai offers blue skies, clear waters, and graceful reflections of green trees — every snapshot is a postcard. At our first stop, we cheerfully lingered for quite a while.

Stop and shoot at will; with such fine weather, no filters needed. Butterflies and bees were so docile. Facing Erhai, it feels like spring warmth and blooming flowers. After directing our poses, Guide Liu stepped back contentedly, haha. Then he demonstrated the standard pose himself — a coquettish pose that even girls find hard to pull off, but for Liu, it was a piece of cake.

Little Putuo Island is located in Haiyin Village, Wase Town, on the eastern side of Erhai. It's a small islet about 20 meters offshore, with a Guanyin Pavilion that is quite famous locally. Visitors can take a boat to visit the island or photograph it from the shore.

Drive on a bit further, and scenery is everywhere. Can you spot the 'LOVE' sign?

Shuanglang, on the eastern shore of Erhai, has become synonymous with a laid-back, bohemian vibe. Many people say that a visit to Dali isn't complete without stopping at Shuanglang. As a result, this once-tranquil town is now brimming with guesthouses, and tourists stream in ceaselessly. Yet even so, Shuanglang remains a must-visit spot in Dali. The waterfront is lined with bars and tea houses.

Lakeside inns come with a hefty price tag, but the setting is beyond reproach. Mark's romantic encounter time.

We drove past a paid attraction, 40 yuan per person, and unexpectedly it brought us so much joy. It's a large flower field beside the Erhai ring road. Inside, there are Jeep cars, Instagrammable chairs, colorful tires, and all sorts of photo props.

Guide Liu struck another alluring pose.

Stop 7: Xizhou Ancient Town

Here, scores of traditional Bai-style residences are preserved, exuding a strong Bai cultural flavor. However, we arrived around 7:30 pm, and most shops had already closed, so we didn't explore deeply. We hope to return on our next Dali trip to appreciate Xizhou's rustic charm.

Dali Manjing Seaview Art Hotel is nestled by Erhai Lake, within the Dali Mansion on Huanglong Mountain along the scenic East Ring Road. The location is ideal for self-drivers, but the hotel also offers complimentary airport or train station transfers. The courtyard features lush greenery, vibrant flowers, a large lawn, a trendy ornamental pond, and a pool terrace with a canopy. It's perfect for both vacationing and photography — on sunny days, the photos turn out spectacular. The overall design is Nordic style, clean and elegant, with quality fixtures and thoughtful details. Rooms are spacious, around 50-60 square meters.

The ground floor hosts the lobby, restaurant, book bar, coffee bar, barbecue area, and a fireplace. Breakfast is served in the morning, and I got to try the famous rice noodles. I had read reviews saying the breakfast rice noodles here were much better than those in the ancient town, and they certainly lived up to the reputation.

On the third floor, there's a viewing platform with superb views, where you can gaze upon Cangshan and Erhai, and watch the clouds drift by.

Overall, from the hotel's location to its name 'Manjing' (Slow Realm) and the room design, everything reflects the owner's refined taste. It's an inn well worth staying at.

Dali Yunduo Qingshu Inn (Cloud Love Letter Inn) is on Yu'er Road in Dali Ancient Town, with restaurants and shops all within walking distance. It's a boutique guesthouse mixing Nordic simplicity with Chinese design, featuring tasteful interiors, friendly butlers, and attentive service, all exuding comfort and refinement. Upon entering, you'll see a courtyard planted with various succulents, its floor covered in white pebbles with gray flagstones set in between.

Here, far from the urban hustle, you can find a peaceful retreat. It's right next to the bustling Renmin Road pedestrian street but not directly facing it, so you might easily miss it. The inn offers various themed rooms, several tea-drinking common areas, and an open-air courtyard. We checked in late at night and stayed in a standard room called the 'Lotus Pond Deep Courtyard,' located at the very back of the yard. The stay was okay, just for one night. The overall ambiance and decoration were acceptable.

[Pang Ding in Dali · Mushroom Kitchen]

A small eatery specializing in wild mushrooms, located at 170 Huguo Road in Dali Ancient Town, just a 2-3 minute walk from the Renmin Road shop — convenient yet very quiet. The two-story restaurant has a modern minimalist style, clean and bright, appealing to young foodies. The broth is a delicious chicken soup with matsutake and free-range chicken; the chicken is tender, and there's a great variety of wild mushrooms, many of which I couldn't name but all delicious. A must-try spot in Dali!

[Achang Special Stone BBQ (Celebrity Shop)]

I still miss the sizzling sound and the aroma of meat from that stone grill. It's a street-food-style setting where you grill your own food. Each table has a white stone slab that heats evenly, keeping the meat's original flavor. We ordered a few dishes based on reviews and personal taste. The meats here are mostly pre-marinated, so they're easy to grill and taste great. The walls are plastered with photos of the owner alongside various celebrities.

Travel Tips During the Special Period:

1. At Shanghai airport security, items containing 75% alcohol, such as disinfectant wipes and alcohol-based hand sanitizers, are not allowed through.

2. Wear a mask throughout the flight. Flight attendants will take passengers' temperatures. Most flights still serve regular meals.

3. Upon arrival, you'll need to fill out the Yunnan Health Code again and have it verified one-on-one before leaving the airport.

Special Tips for Visiting Dali During This Period:

1. Sunscreen is a must! Sunscreen is a must! Sunscreen is a must! I cannot stress this enough. Bring sunglasses, a hat, a sun umbrella, and sun-protective clothing — the UV here is very strong.

2. Carry an umbrella or raincoat, as the weather can change unexpectedly.

3. Self-driving around Erhai is the best option. The roads are generally in good condition; just follow the navigation, but watch for speed limits and drive safely.

4. Bars in Dali Ancient Town have resumed evening operations.

5. In early June, sunset is around 8:30 pm, so you can plan your day accordingly.

6. Ladies, consider bringing ethnic-style outfits or simple solid-color long dresses for travel photos.

Travelogue Contents

1. First Glimpse of Cangshan and Erhai

2. A Dali Journey of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon

3. Self-Drive Erhai Loop Route

4. Stop 1: On the Erhai Ring Road

5. Stop 2: Near Tianjing Pavilion

6. Stop 3: On the Erhai Ring Road

7. Stop 4: Little Putuo Island

8. Stop 5: Shuanglang Town