Stay by Erhai Lake in Dali, Savor the Scenery of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon, and Enjoy a Slow-Paced Vacation
If there's any place I'd never tire of returning to, it has to be Dali. If Lijiang is Yunnan's city of romantic encounters, then Dali is the city of healing. I still remember seven years ago, as a naive young girl, my first trip to Yunnan brought me to Dali Ancient Town. The distinctive Bai-style houses and the aroma of grilled rushan cheese wafting through the old streets left a deep impression on me. Later, after another brief visit, I knew I'd be back.
Half a year later, in early spring, I returned to Dali. In the past, I had always stayed in the ancient town; this time, I decided to stay right by Erhai Lake, where I could open a window and gaze out at the water. So I chose the Dali Yueyun Argyle Resort Hotel, conveniently close to both the lake and the airport. This newly opened lakeside hotel, with its superb location, became my first stop after a long journey.
Unlike the guesthouses in the old town, the Yueyun Argyle Resort Hotel is a business-leisure hotel, part of Australia's leading Argyle Hotel Group. The grand entrance and a rare high-rise in Dali immediately sparked my curiosity about this resort.
Stepping inside, the modern décor and sleek, streamlined front desk showcase a different kind of design aesthetic. Actually, the hotel's design draws on the majestic landscapes of Dali – Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake, blue skies, and white clouds – weaving the romance of wind, flowers, snow, and moon into every corner through light and shadow.
In the lobby, I noticed decorative elements resembling peacocks, while floor-to-ceiling windows let natural light flood in, creating a dreamlike atmosphere of mirrors, flowers, and water. Among all the hotels I've seen in Dali, the Yueyun Argyle has the most distinctive and internationally stylish design.
After some deliberation, I booked a 270-degree sea-view suite – I simply longed to sit in my room and behold Erhai Lake. The suite was spacious, with the living room and bedroom separated by a sliding door, ensuring privacy. I could work in the living room, and whenever I wanted, I'd just relax by the window, sipping tea and gazing at the lake – utterly pleasant.
Coming to Dali is all about embracing a slow pace of life, and the hotel perfectly captures that leisurely vacation vibe. The room's décor and color palette are warm and soothing, mostly in soft, cozy tones. The warm yellow lighting adds a touch of hominess. Holidays in such a room couldn't be more relaxing.
The welcome fruit was refreshed daily, with roses and aromatherapy infusing the room with a romantic fragrance.
The bedroom is kept relatively simple – perhaps intentionally stripping away extraneous elements so it serves solely for rest and sleep. That works well, clearly separating work, socializing, and sleeping areas, giving you more leisure space. The bedding was heavenly; the plush mattress was so comfortable that I almost wanted to buy one for myself.
If you enjoy a bath, there's a bathtub in the bedroom with a direct view of Erhai Lake – truly indulgent.
The shower and toilet are dry-wet separated, and the standard robe, umbrella, and ironing board are all provided.
Overall, the room blends family warmth with a business-travel style. My absolute favorite feature was the floor-to-ceiling window facing the stunning Erhai Lake. Whenever work tired me out, I'd draw back the curtain and reveal a vast expanse of brilliant blue water. The eye-catching scenery instantly lifted my spirits.
After a rest in the room, the hotel offers plenty of recreational facilities to fill your vacation. The first-floor lobby bar serves afternoon tea and is also a nice spot for evening drinks – perfect for chatting with friends.
Or head up to the fifth-floor outdoor terrace, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the charming landscapes of Erhai Lake. This multi-purpose terrace is a place to lounge during the day, and by evening it transforms into a barbecue spot and terrace bar, with music adding to the lively lakeside atmosphere.
On the basement level is the Yueyun Healthy Life Club, a wellness hub. The gym, though not huge, is more than enough to get you moving. Stepping out of your room for a workout is a great way to add variety to your vacation.
Next to the gym is the spa center. After a day out exploring, unwind in the evening with a relaxing treatment. Foot therapy and spa services are available in double or triple rooms, and some even include mahjong facilities – very thoughtful.
Beyond grown-up activities, the hotel also has a children's playground. If you're on a family vacation, you can confidently leave the kids here while parents enjoy some time to themselves, without feeling constrained.
One of the biggest perks of a resort hotel is the endless array of delicious food. If you're a foodie, you'll love the dining at Yueyun Argyle. I was delighted to find not only local Dali cuisine but also other international dishes. In addition to the regular buffet, there are Chinese, Western, and Thai options – a wide selection to satisfy every palate.
For my first meal, I naturally had to try authentic Chinese cuisine, which here means local Dali dishes. Dining in private rooms adds a sense of seclusion. Each dish is a refined version of traditional Dali favorites. Cold appetizers included red-oil layered pig's ear, Dali papaya fish jelly, and numbing-spicy spring bamboo shoots. The soup was delicate tofu-thread soup, while hot dishes were jasmine-infused Erhai shrimp, lotus-root cakes, ancient-style braised Weishan yellow beef, and pea shoots in superior broth. The staple was Nuodeng ham pastry.
Though Yunnan cuisine is generally spicy, it wasn't overwhelming. For instance, the red-oil layered ear can be eaten on its own if you prefer without the chili oil.
The Dali papaya fish jelly was sour, spicy, and appetizing.
The pastry filled with Nuodeng ham was fragrant from the first bite, stuffed generously with finely textured, firm cured ham.
The numbing-spicy spring bamboo shoots were a surprise – I didn't realize it was bamboo at first. Made with fresh seasonal ingredients and unique cooking methods.
For dinner, I opted for a Western set: mushroom cream soup, Caesar salad, steak, and tiramisu. The service followed a proper Western dining rhythm, feeling quite formal.
Because Western meals take time, complimentary bread was served first. I must say, the bread was delicious – especially the garlic-flavored one, crisp and aromatic.
The steak and ribs were pre-sliced, and each dish was presented like a work of art. But remember to eat them while hot to savor the tender, juicy meat.
Besides the classic four-course set, there were also pasta, burgers, and pizza – the Western menu is quite extensive.
The Thai dinner was the most delightful surprise of my culinary journey. Thailand neighbors Yunnan, so the chef designed a special Thai set menu, typically for two people, with seven courses – definitely enough to fill both.
The set included classic Thai dishes: green papaya salad, seafood tom yum soup, Thai-style deep-fried fish fillets, minced beef with holy basil in lettuce wraps, Thai chicken curry, pineapple fried rice with curry, and pandan-leaf sago coconut pudding for dessert.
The tom yum soup and chicken curry brought back a long-missed taste of Thailand. The Thai cuisine at Yueyun Argyle is adapted slightly to suit local palates, but it remains authentic.
My favorite was the pandan sago coconut pudding – sweet but not cloying. Dessert lovers should not miss it.
Breakfast offered an equally abundant spread. A bowl of authentic 'ersi' (rice noodles) or 'mixian' lets you taste genuine Yunnan breakfast. I suggest going early for the widest variety.
On the second night, I tried the dinner buffet, which was even more lavish than breakfast, featuring down-to-earth hot pot skewers, seafood feasts, and international flavors that lasted well into the evening – I ate to my heart's content.
If you get hungry in the afternoon, there's an afternoon tea set. The traditional English-style afternoon tea was a delightful companion to a lovely afternoon.
A mix of sweet and savory treats paired with a cup of coffee, sitting by Erhai Lake with a friend, enjoying this Instagram-worthy spread against a perfect backdrop – who wouldn't love that?
Recommended Instagram Spots in Dali
This time in Dali, I didn't rush to tick off tourist spots like before. I lazed around the hotel, rode a small electric scooter along Erhai Lake, basked in the Dali sunshine, and took in the wind, flowers, snow, and moon of Cangshan and Erhai. Perhaps that's the true essence of a relaxing getaway. Still, I'd like to suggest a few things to do in Dali:
1. Take a stroll along Xingsheng Bridge for a touch of British charm. This bridge is in downtown Dali's Xiaguan area – just navigate there directly.
2. Visit the yellow walls of Xizhou Ancient Town and admire the weathered, mottled Bai-style folk houses.
3. At Longkan Wharf, watch the sunset on Erhai Lake's most beautiful curved road.
4. Ride a scooter along East Erhai Lake Road and soak in the romantic lakeside atmosphere.
5. Finally, of course, pick a comfortable hotel like the Dali Yueyun Argyle Resort Hotel and savor Dali's slow pace of life.
