Dali Travel Guide: Discover the Land of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon

Yunnan has always been a popular tourist destination in China, and I’ve long wanted to see a place where flowers bloom in warm spring and the climate feels like eternal spring. How exactly should you explore Dali? You must keep this checklist guide!

Flying directly from Hangzhou to Kunming and then taking the high-speed train to Dali is very convenient.

This time I flew on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It looked really cool. Instead of window shades, it uses dimmable glass, which feels very high-end.

As soon as the plane landed, I started my Dali itinerary! First, I headed to Dali Xizhou Ancient Town. Most tourists visiting Dali choose to go to Dali Ancient Town, but Xizhou has fewer visitors, allowing you to immerse yourself more deeply in the folk customs of the Bai ethnic group.

The blue waves ripple. In the northern part of Xizhou, there is a park called Haishe Park (Tongue Park). Here you can take a small boat and enjoy the beauty of Erhai Lake.

The water rippled gently, and I fell in love with this place at first sight. For me, it feels like a utopia far from worldly troubles, where you can always find the most desired life. Simple and easy, just living each day well.

The water and sky merge into one color, as if this place is as beautiful as a fairyland. Taking a small boat and slowly drifting on Erhai Lake is incredibly relaxing.

Green reeds sway in the breeze, contrasting with the blue sky. Breathing in the fresh air, it feels like a paradise away from the world.

In Xizhou Ancient Town, there are many old buildings. The Yan Family Grand Courtyard Museum is an outstanding example.

The Yan Family Grand Courtyard is a typical Bai-style residence where you can see many traces of history and learn about the life stories of the former owner.

In Xizhou, you can encounter distinctive Bai villages, and every casual shot captures a beautiful scene.

Blue skies, white clouds, and ancient architecture – every spot is so beautiful that you can’t bear to leave.

The Xilin Courtyard in Xizhou Ancient Town, set against golden rice fields, is incredibly picturesque. It feels like stepping into the fairy-tale world of Hayao Miyazaki.

After a short rest, I headed to Wuwei Temple, a famous royal temple with a history of nearly a thousand years.

There is also a several-hundred-year-old cedar tree from the Tang Dynasty that is very famous. Every brick and tile tells the charm of history.

Here, every brick and tile reveals the passage of time. As a royal temple, it also has an air of luxury.

In the Dali Shuanglang Scenic Area, you can see the picturesque Erhai Lake everywhere. Dali boasts unique local customs, a long-standing cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes you’ve never seen before.

In Shuanglang, you can see Yang Liping’s Sun Palace and Moon Palace. Built by the water, they are very beautiful.

Flowers are everywhere, adorning the entire Shuanglang Ancient Town.

Shuanglang Scenic Area is located on the east side of Erhai Lake, offering perfect sunset views and the spring-like climate of Dali all year round. With blooming flowers, facing the sea, it has become one of China’s most famous destinations.

Lush green trees line the paths, and every step presents a perfect view. Here you can experience the warmth of the Bai people and enjoy their incredibly delicious cuisine.

So I started my self-driving tour around Erhai Lake. Driving my little white car, feeling the comfortable sea breeze – it couldn’t be more pleasant.

Next, I went to a super niche attraction in Yunnan – Eryuan West Lake, the source of Erhai Lake!

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to Yunnan. Now my travels focus on discovering beautiful, less-crowded hidden gems. Eryuan West Lake, the source of Erhai Lake, is also called Dali West Lake.

Eryuan gets its name because the plateau pearl Erhai originates here. It is located in the northern part of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, an important node on the golden tourist route. Twenty-six ethnic groups live here, predominantly the Bai. Due to its special geographical location, the area is rich in resources, earning titles such as “Plateau Water Town,” “Hot Spring Town,” “Plum Fruit Town,” and “Dairy Cow Town.”

West Lake covers an area of 3.3 square kilometers. It is a plateau fault lake, with an average depth of 1.8 meters and a maximum depth of 3.3 meters. It is one of the significant water sources for Erhai Lake.

However, many travelers to Yunnan may not have heard of this place. Unlike other popular Instagram-worthy spots, Eryuan is more like a shy, untouched maiden hidden in seclusion. There is little sign of development, and the ancient buildings along the shore are very beautiful!

Wooden boats sway on the water, with mountains in the distance and lush greenery up close. A random snapshot can become a stunning photo that blows up your social feed! You can also invite a few friends to go fishing here and enjoy leisurely good times. Or you can find local fishermen to row you out on the lake for an hour or so, costing around 100+ yuan – super fun!

Here, I met the best version of myself.

But this place has always been called poetry and the distant horizon by me! Every second here feels incredibly enjoyable.

To fully experience such beautiful scenery, choosing a great guesthouse is also very important. This time in Dali, I discovered a gem of a guesthouse. It is located between Xizhou Ancient Town and Taoyuan Pier.

Its name is Huabanhai (Petal Sea). Even before entering the room, I found a vast sea of flowers. This place is very artistic. Not only can you see Erhai Lake, but you can also enjoy authentic local cuisine on the first floor.

Whether on the balcony or at the front desk on the ground floor, everything is surrounded by flowers. Tens of thousands of daisies cover the entire courtyard, overflowing with girlish charm.

I drove my little white car to the guesthouse and parked right at the door – very convenient. As soon as I arrived, I felt at home. The staff working here are very warm and welcoming, and the place is cozy.

The hydrangeas are in full bloom, adding even more beauty to the surroundings. I think this is a world of flowers – the Petal Sea! Just hearing the name is intoxicating enough.

A guesthouse covered in an ocean of flowers. I truly love it. The design of the entire guesthouse is not overly grandiose, but this simple purity is what I believe is the most primitive beauty.

Entering the room, it’s simple and cozy. From the balcony, you can see Erhai Lake. In this environment, it’s very easy to relax, daydream, and watch the sea – this is the life I want.

A full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, clean and tidy room. Inside the room, you can smell wafts of floral fragrance.

As the sun sets, the moon rises into the sky. I was stunned by the scene before me – beautiful as a painting.

On the rooftop of the guesthouse, you can also capture the “Sky Mirror” effect, perfect for photo check-ins.

Gazing at the blue Erhai Lake, I felt unusually calm. The ring road along the lake is perfect for a leisurely walk after a meal, watching the sunset on the horizon, counting the beautiful days.

Here, I met my most authentic self.

At Erhai Lake, I discovered such a beautiful place in the world. Dali · Erhai · Huabanhai – goodbye, but see you again soon.