7-Day Dali Summer Travel Guide: A Romantic Journey Through Dali, Immersed in Scenery and Ancient Towns, Touching Heaven on Earth

Yunnan's summer brings a coolness that's hard to find anywhere else, which is why netizens often tease: "Half the country has flocked to Yunnan to beat the heat!"

During the summer holidays, Dali welcomes its peak tourist season—bustling scenes that haven't been witnessed in a long time!

Riding on Yunnan's travel trends, I've put together a 7-day Dali summer itinerary just for you. This is Dali's own brand of summer romance—you absolutely must take a look!

People's love for Dali is filled with romantic imagination, because they see Dali as a heaven you can actually touch.

For many, this yearning for paradise begins with Erhai Lake. Highland people have a limited understanding of the sea, but that hasn't stopped their longing for it—so "Erhai" (Ear-shaped Sea) was born.

Erhai was where I fell in love with Dali at first sight, and it's one of the reasons I'm so captivated by the city.

Because of that love at first sight, I explored Erhai more thoroughly. I didn't miss a single option: the long-distance large cruise, a night trip on the Xier River, and a self-drive around the lake.

Although it's the same body of water, each way of experiencing Erhai reveals different scenery and moods.

The long-distance large cruise departs around 10 a.m. from the Dali Port dock in Xiaguan Town and ends at Shuanglang Ancient Town, with a stop at Nanzhao Customs Island. The entire trip takes about 2.5 hours.

In the half-light of dawn, the sky over Erhai is still tinged with darkness, but Erhai's romance has already begun.

At that moment, the distant dots of light gradually fade, and the sky reveals a soft blue, blending with an extremely faint blush of red on the horizon. I knew it was a sign that Erhai was about to transform.

When the rising sun meets Erhai, illuminating its somber waters, the hazy outlines of the mountains suddenly appear, and the silhouette of the cruise boat becomes distinct in the pale pink light.

Bathed in the morning glow, I slowly boarded the boat to start the long-haul cruise.

The boat sails right across Erhai the whole way, showing you Dali's most famed landscapes, and onboard, you'll be treated to traditional Bai ethnic performances at different times.

Departing from Dali Port, the journey is a succession of scenery and local charm, taking you from modern Dali all the way back to the Tang dynasty-era Dali, and then to fishing village vistas.

The cruise lets your body drift on Erhai while the performances and views lead your soul through Dali's past and present, giving you a taste of the city's deeper allure.

Route: Dali Port – Erhai – Nanzhao Customs Island – Shuanglang

When the cruise ends, you can start exploring Erhai all over again by car!

You can't fully grasp Erhai's romance without experiencing it again and again, and a self-drive circuit is a second way to do it.

Along the edge of Erhai lies a road called "Huanhai Road" (Lake Circuit Road), hugging the shoreline so closely that you can get up close to Erhai and see the fishing village scenery around it—perfect for a drive.

The road stays right beside Erhai, letting you feel its calm, its quiet charm, the joy of the fishing life, and the breeze off the lake.

Along the way you'll spot stylish yet Bai-styled dwellings, the exquisite Little Putuo Islet, chance upon lotus ponds glowing in the moonlight, watch the sea and sky merge, and wander through Ming- and Qing-style Bai ancient towns.

Now, besides driving yourself, you can also take a bus to tour around Erhai—there are plenty of options.

Route: Xiaguan – Huanhai Road – Luoquan Peninsula – Little Putuo – Shuanglang Ancient Town – Xizhou Ancient Town – Dali Ancient Town

Having seen Erhai by day, you can't miss it at dusk—it's a completely different kind of romance.

As the sunset fades, Erhai's ripples boldly sculpt the mountain silhouettes. Lights along the shore suddenly glow, spilling onto the lake and stirring up a romantic mood; the summer night romance of Erhai slowly unfolds.

This is the perfect time to board a boat for a night cruise on the Xier River and soak up the dreamy, romantic Erhai night.

Gliding slowly along the edge of the lake, the tranquil Erhai stays silent amid the distant sounds of the city, gradually blending with the hazy lights and the night.

A gentle breeze rises. The buildings onshore are draped in colorful lights that soften their edges, and you can faintly hear laughter and chatter from the shore. Everything becomes romantic and tender—you wish time would stand still in this very moment.

Dali is a place that captivates. After exploring the vast Erhai, then head to Qingbi Stream on Cangshan Mountain to experience another kind of summer romance here.

Dali's summer romance is bestowed by flowers, by water, and also by the mountains. Qingbi Stream is exactly that: the mountain's elegance and the water's liveliness together paint a spectacular scene—Qingbi Stream.

Qingbi Stream lies deep in the Cangshan mountains, ringed by peaks. The Gantong Cable Car is the fastest way to reach it.

Qingbi Stream is very mysterious. Even as you approach on the cable car, you can't see it; all you notice is a pure white stream flowing through a low-lying valley, strikingly bright amid the lush greenery.

When you get off at the cable car station, Qingbi Stream still isn't visible. But the ancient trees worn by time, the serene atmosphere, and the refreshing mountain air quietly tell you that this place is extraordinary.

Following the steps to search for the stream, winding around the mountain, you finally find Qingbi Stream.

This mountain spectacle is as unique as they say: in the narrow, undulating terrain, three pools have formed.

The first pool is the largest and has the widest view. The water is so crystal clear you can see the stones on the bottom, and deep in the pool there's a statue of Guanyin.

The second pool has the deepest water but the smallest surface area, and its color is the richest—a turquoise green. Above the pool is a cliff with a waterfall; it's not very long, but it's striking for its abruptness and delicacy.

The third pool is extremely hidden; you can only see it from above, and you have to go to the Cangshan Grand Canyon Viewing Platform—the only spot to glimpse it.

This third pool is tightly screened by pine trees, so you can't see the water, only a dark, pitch-black hole, which adds an air of mystery.

Sights: Cangshan Qingbi Stream, Yudai Cloud-Walking Path

How could Dali's summer romance be complete without Butterfly Spring? Butterfly Spring is one of Dali's coolest spots in summer. Among its deep shade, playing hide-and-seek with butterflies in the greenery—that's a romantic thing.

Stepping into Butterfly Spring, you're enveloped by lush greenery. Bamboo groves, woods, flower clusters—every corner exudes vibrant life. A few butterflies dance among the blossoms and trees, making the scene feel leisurely and romantic in an inexplicable way.

Walking deeper into Butterfly Spring, it's so quiet, like a hidden paradise cut off from the world. Most of the scenery retains its pristine, original look.

The combination of lake, mountain, flagstone path, spring water, woods, flower clumps, and buildings shines brilliantly. The most striking feeling here in this season is coolness—a sensation of coolness everywhere.

The winding flagstone path by Lover's Lake is both cool and delightful. Beside the path, the lake water is so clear you can see the bottom, with koi swimming and geese and ducks paddling. A stroll here comes with cool breezes; everything feels just right.

Sight: Butterfly Spring

Where else in Dali can you still find a trace of the splendor of the Song-era Dali Kingdom or the Tang-era Nanzhao Kingdom? Tianlong Babu Film City is definitely one. It's a miniature of Dali and Nanzhao, imbued with wuxia-novel romance and the ancient charm of Dali.

This attraction was born from a martial arts novel, and its creation took shape just as fantastically as the novel itself.

From the imitation ancient-style gate, you can tell that Tianlong Babu Film City is different. Sure enough, inside the inner city, everything feels both strange and familiar. Strange, because it's unlike our everyday scenes; familiar, because it all resembles something out of a costumed martial arts drama.

The streets aren't very long or wide, but the buildings on either side are very distinctive. Single-story houses, two-story wooden buildings—at first glance, there's a classical vibe that immediately reminds you of scenes often seen in TV dramas.

The whole complex has three main streets, each with a different character. Right across from the gate is Dali Street; to its right is Daliao Street; to its left is a "martial arts culture" street.

Each street has its own features. The "internet-famous buildings" of Tianlong Babu Film City—like the Dali Kingdom Palace, the Duan Family Embroidery Tower, and the Tianlong Tavern—are scattered prominently along each street, easy to spot as you approach.

Tianlong Babu Film City is like a condensed version of the Song-era Dali Kingdom, a place where you can feel the ancient charm of Dali.

Sight: Tianlong Babu Film City

The clouds and mist of Dali's rainy season are unreasonably beautiful, and Ximatan is one of those places. The swirling clouds and mist around Ximatan are romantic and dreamy. "Unpredictable, without pattern" is the most accurate description of Ximatan's cloud-and-mist spectacle.

Ximatan, a lake on the mountain peak, is mysterious and remote. To reach it, you must first encounter the clouds and mist of Cangshan.

Starting from the mountainside, clouds and mist come and go like a gust of wind, extremely fast. They act like a natural screen guarding Ximatan; to get there, you must pass through a thick layer of cloud.

In summer, the clouds and mist are Ximatan's most uncertain yet most imaginative scenery, because you can't predict when or where they'll appear—you can only wait passively.

Perhaps a breeze blows, and the clouds quickly gather, blotting out the previously clear sky. Everyone waits for a shower under the shroud of mist...

Clouds come, mist comes, rain comes. The once expansive view shrinks to just a few meters. Ximatan falls silent in an instant; the clouds and mist rush in like an army of thousands, overwhelming and powerful.

Under the dense fog sweeping in grandly, the peaks, houses, lake, and boardwalks all vanish into the mist. In seconds, Ximatan becomes a true "fairyland on earth."

Though the thick fog hides the views and takes away a bit of the heart's delight, the mist's moisture gently sprinkles your face—cool and refreshing, bringing physical comfort.

The cloud, mist, and rain come fast and go fast. A few minutes later, Ximatan returns to calm, just as it was at first sight.

Sights: Seven Dragon Maiden Pool, Ximatan

To me, Eryuan West Lake embodies the highland people's longing for the "water towns of Jiangnan"!

This is a Bai village defined by water. The village isn't large, but houses are sparsely scattered. Moreover, Eryuan West Lake's water surface is vast, making the dwellings seem very few and the lake especially expansive.

Eryuan West Lake isn't a true "lake" in the traditional sense; I'd rather call it a wetland. Nestled in a basin on flat land near the foot of high mountains, it features water, meadows, dwellings, scenery, and a lively human touch.

In the rainy season, Eryuan West Lake is lush with water plants. Stretches of lotus ponds give off a gentle fragrance, dotted with red, pink, and white blossoms that bring romantic color to the season.

A traditional wooden boat glides along a crystal-clear channel leading into the depths of the meadows, carrying people slowly across the water. Swaying gently, you pass the lotus ponds, heading toward the more mysterious inner reaches, leisurely savoring the comfortable surroundings.

The lake grass is green, the distant hills are green, the lotus ponds are green—everything you see is green. That dazzling green, paired with the transparent blue, reveals the full spirit and beauty of Eryuan West Lake.

Sight: Eryuan West Lake

To me, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are like Dali's "cultural and museum complex." Here you can hear and see the myths, royal secrets, historical documents, and handicrafts from the Tang and Song dynasties of Dali.

When I first came to Dali, like many others, my knowledge of the Three Pagodas stopped at just the name—I knew it was a scenic spot with three iconic pagodas, little more.

But when you stand before them, you are awed by the sheer scale of the architectural complex. The Three Pagodas are no longer an abstract name; they become something concrete.

After a deeper exploration, you realize that everywhere here holds ancient memories unique to Dali and even Yunnan.

At the Three Pagodas, standing before the pagodas, you can see with your own eyes the thousand-year-old structures and witness the exquisite craftsmanship of Dali's artisans from a millennium ago.

In front of the Golden-winged Bird statue in the cultural relics hall, you'll learn the legend of the "Golden-winged Bird" guarding Dali and understand why Dali people regard it as a protective deity.

As you hike upward and reach the square in front of Chongsheng Temple's mountain gate, you'll be overwhelmed by the grandeur of this "royal state temple" spoken of in legends.

When you learn it was damaged by war, you'll feel a pang of regret, and when you hear the story of the temple's deity—Mahākāla—who swallowed a plague to save the people of Dali, you'll be moved by his selfless spirit.

In front of the solemn and symmetrical halls, the brightly colored glazed tiles and stout pillars create a sense of awe, and also convey a majestic righteousness that pervades Chongsheng Temple.

From the main gate onward, every building, every flower and plant sends the message: the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are extraordinary!

Sight: Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area

Dali is filled with captivating places—vast flower fields, azure skies, pure white clouds, people living peacefully at the foot of Cangshan and by the shores of Erhai. Dali seems like a brightly colored ancient painting that still shines brilliantly after a thousand years.

Dali is a city where "new" and "old" blend. Its newness shows in its harmony with the times; its oldness shows in how, despite the impact of modern civilization, the centuries-old architecture and culture have been preserved so perfectly.

Dali Ancient Town and Xizhou Ancient Town are among the city's most delightful surprises.

The free-spirited life in the ancient town, the leisure that emanates from every corner, set against Dali's mountains and waters—everyone yearns to take things as they come in Dali Ancient Town.

People coming and going in the ancient towns slow their pace, afraid of missing a single second, a single sight.

Wandering aimlessly, you might encounter a cat deep in an alley, or a fish in a stream—and you can't help but envy them.

Life here is slow-paced yet interesting, simple yet full of the vibrant hum of daily life. It seems as if there are no worries or troubles at all—for people, for animals, for the landscape. Maybe that's why so many come to Dali and never leave.

Sights: Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou Ancient Town

Dali's romance can never be fully told, its beauty never fully seen. The vibrant life of Dali goes on. Wave after wave of people come and go, but a corner of their hearts always remains tied to Dali—just like mine.

Text & Layout: Yuel Yunnan Yi Jing

Photos: taken by Yuel Yunnan, some sourced from scenic area public accounts. Please contact for removal if infringement occurs.

Note: Please credit the source when reprinting this article.