Dali Luxury Travel: Heavenly Stay at Meili Xiangyue · Dream Butterfly Manor
To me, Dali is the ideal haven. This is my first trip to Dali—a romantic city. The wish I had a year ago has come true today; I've finally arrived in the city I've dreamed of day and night—Dali. When my annual leave came around, I chose Dali without hesitation: booked tickets, packed my bags, all in one go.
Day 1: Flight - Hotel
Day 2: Xizhou Ancient Town - Three Pagodas Reflection Park
Day 3: Erhai Lake - Cangshan Mountain
Day 4: Dali Shanshuijian - Winter Cherry Blossoms - Return
The beautiful Dali I had browsed on my phone screen now finally emerges before my eyes. Staring at the blue sky and the passersby, I truly, deeply knew I had arrived in this picturesque city. In my eyes, Dali is beautiful in every season: flowers in spring, clouds in summer, colors in autumn, and snow in winter—it's synonymous with all that is wonderful.
Before coming, I had booked my hotel online—Meili Xiangyue · Dream Butterfly Manor Hotel. I admit, I was drawn by its name. In ancient times, Zhuangzi dreamed of a butterfly and entered a realm of carefree bliss; now, I rendezvous with Dream Butterfly Manor to enjoy leisurely moments. And it turned out my choice was spot-on. As soon as I landed and stepped out of the airport, I saw the hotel butler waiting with a car to pick me up. The drive from the airport to the hotel took about an hour.
The hotel sits at the north gate of Dali Ancient Town, overlooking the entire Cangshan Mountain and gazing down on the shores of Erhai Lake. Its location is superb—just a 3-minute walk to Dali Ancient Town, practically right outside the doorstep. Nearby attractions are also close; it's about a 5-minute walk to Chongsheng Temple's Three Pagodas.
Upon arrival, the hotel's exterior and its surroundings came into view. The hotel is nestled within an organic farm—Sufangzhou Farm. Looking out into the distance, vast expanses of green meet the eye, with mist-shrouded Cangshan Mountain and the quietly standing Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple in the far background. Truly a peaceful retreat amidst the bustle!
The entrance features a ceremonial pathway, and at the gateway hangs a wooden plaque inscribed with 'Dream Butterfly Manor'—rumored to be personally written by Master Nan Huai-Chin. Stepping inside, you enter the lobby with marble floors, understated yet tasteful. The receptionist quickly checked me in, and my personal butler helped with my luggage and then discussed a meticulous three-day itinerary with me. This is the hallmark service of Meili Xiangyue · Dream Butterfly Manor Hotel: one room, one car, one butler. Every room comes with a personal butler and a private car, which can be used free of charge within a 30-kilometer radius from the hotel. They also offer personalized, tailor-made services, planning travel routes and arrangements according to my needs—extremely considerate.
The hotel's ambiance is wonderful, with vintage grey bricks and white walls everywhere. Strolling along the paths, gazing at the surrounding greenery and architecture, one feels a touch of Republican-era elegance. Wandering by the pond, the water sometimes ripples and sometimes lies perfectly still; holding an oil-paper umbrella, and wearing a specially chosen cheongsam, I felt an air of infinite charm.
I stayed in the Cangshan Garden · Private Pavilion King Room. It's very spacious, with a courtyard that includes a small wooden pavilion. The interior boasts rustic, antique-style wooden decor that feels warm and inviting. The large floor-to-ceiling windows let in ample light, and while soaking in the bathtub, I could gaze out at the stunning Cangshan scenery—lush trees and vibrant life all within view. What's especially noteworthy is the courtyard's strong privacy. Having such a large space all to myself, free from disturbances, was a godsend for a light sleeper like me!
I must highlight the hotel's service. My personal butler not only brought plenty of fruit and snacks, but throughout my days of exploring, he also prepared travel guides, doubled as a driver and guide, took me around, and snapped many wonderful tourist photos for me!
My first day in Dali passed leisurely within the hotel grounds. On the second day, I transformed into a true traveler, roaming the streets and alleys of Dali, soaking up the local customs and atmosphere.
Early the next morning, my butler drove me to Xizhou Ancient Town, about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. After walking a bit inside the town, we reached a T-shaped intersection. The lanes began to narrow and age, lined with shops that seemed weathered by time. The hues and the very air of the town turned ancient and mysterious.
My butler and I continued on, reaching a street he called Sifang Street, the living heart of the town, centered around the Benzhu Temple and an opera stage. The old town is dotted with courtyards of once-wealthy families, all exceedingly ancient structures. The butler explained: the town is home to over a hundred distinctive Bai-style residential buildings from the Ming, Qing, Republican, and modern periods. Looking at them from afar, I saw their unique architectural styles, radiating a beauty that is both classically elegant and free-spirited. The town feels genuinely rustic and unspoiled, probably because most residents are locals and it hasn't been overly commercialized.
Along the way, I bought a local specialty snack—Xizhou baba—and ate it while strolling; it was quite tasty. Xizhou also has many tie-dye workshops, which are right up my alley. They're inexpensive and have beautiful patterns. I picked out several silk scarves to bring back for family and friends.
After touring Xizhou Town, I returned to the hotel. Since it was still early, my butler suggested I visit the nearby Three Pagodas Reflection Park. The park is not far from the hotel; after about a 13-minute walk, I saw it. This park was built in the 1980s, with a large pond at its center, surrounded by trellises, marble tables and benches, marble balustrades, and a small stream encircling the pond. That day, the weather was quite clear, and I saw many tourists coming to photograph the reflection of the Three Pagodas. In the emerald reflection, the blue sky, white clouds, and the Three Pagodas complemented each other perfectly—an absolutely stunning view!
On the third day, we headed to Erhai Lake bright and early, eager for the sunrise! My personal butler had arranged the departure time the night before, and after breakfast we set off. It was still dark when we left, and everything was hushed. Erhai Lake is ringed by mountains, so sunrise comes later; when we arrived, the sun hadn't yet risen. On the quiet lake surface, a few seagulls occasionally flew by, ripples spread, and the sound of waves lapping could be heard.
The distant mountains gradually turned crimson. When the sun leaped over the peaks, the entire lake surface brightened; the surging waves became breathtakingly beautiful in the sunlight. Everything felt surreal, as if time stood still. All I could hear was my own heart pounding with excitement!
After watching the sunrise over Erhai Lake, my butler drove me around the lake. The car cruised smoothly along the road, and the butler narrated the history of Erhai Lake and pointed out the best spots to appreciate it. Erhai Lake is simply too beautiful!
As everyone knows, Cangshan and Erhai are synonymous with Dali. Having seen Erhai, how could I miss the majesty of Cangshan?
After lunch, we arrived at Cangshan. Hiking is exhausting, but luckily Cangshan has cable cars. There are three routes, each different. We chose the one from the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils Film City to Ximatan Pool. This is the longest route, ending at Ximatan, the highest point. On the way back, you can stop at Seven Dragon Maidens Pool. Ximatan is blanketed with rhododendrons, an absolutely spectacular sight. On the cable car return, there's the Seven Dragon Maidens Pool, legend has it that this is where the dragon maidens of Erhai Lake bathed. The water is crystal clear, and the scenery is exquisitely beautiful.
Soon it was the last day of my trip. My butler told me that the winter cherry blossoms were in bloom, so I decided to see the beautiful sakura and take a set of gorgeous cherry blossom photos.
Speaking of which, I must mention the Shanshuijian villa area. Backed by Cangshan and facing Erhai, its name alone carries a classical charm. This is a 'hidden paradise' neighborhood known only to locals. The winter cherry trees are located at Dali University, just across from the compound. Dali University is open to the public free of charge, and it's only a ten-minute drive from the hotel. The area has slopes, streams, and bridges, with cherry trees planted along both sides of the roads. Standing under a cherry tree, my butler kept clicking away with the camera. His photography skills are excellent; he told me he had even studied photography before—so awesome! Cherry blossoms drifted down around me, landing on my shoulders and in my hair... The photos came out stunningly beautiful!
After the visit, it was still early, so we went to check out what locals call the 'Most Beautiful Road,' a popular photo spot for tourists. The road is long, and being there, the sense of spatial extension was profoundly striking. When we went, traffic wasn't too heavy, but if you plan to take photos on the road, please, please be extremely careful!
It was time to head back. After a meal, my butler drove me to the airport, and we said our goodbyes, promising to meet again. I came in a hurry, but I leave with reluctance. I am super satisfied with the personalized butler service at Meili Xiangyue · Dream Butterfly Manor Hotel, which made my trip to Dali so relaxed and joyful. This, I believe, is Dali's way of showing kindness and blessings to outsiders. The stunning scenery of Dali has shown me that poetry and faraway places can indeed coexist. To encounter is happiness—encounter a romantic Dali, encounter Cangshan's snow, Erhai's love, encounter beauty. A gentle breeze reminds me that it's been over ten days since I returned from Dali, yet my heart still yearns to be there.
