Dali and Lijiang: So Much Beauty and Food, Your Heart Can't Keep Up
Dali and Lijiang: So Much Beauty and Food, Your Heart Can't Keep Up
If you miss a friend far away, you can just give them a call; for beautiful scenery, you can flip through photos and travel notes. But the taste of local food—even a simple home-style stir-fry—is incredibly hard to recreate elsewhere. So the places that truly give you a wonderful travel experience aren’t just a feast for the eyes; more importantly, they warm your stomach. In fact, the scenery becomes the most special side dish to go with the meal.
In the morning, the guesthouse is bathed in gentle sunlight, and the ancient town’s alleys begin to bustle with people. Local villagers get ready to welcome a day’s visitors, and every now and then you see a local walking their dog along the paths. The dogs lit by the rising sun look especially lively.
After breakfast, we followed Snow Mountain Road, took in views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and drove all the way to Shuhe.
Shuhe Ancient Town is known as the 'Town of Clear Springs.' This area is the earliest settlement of the Naxi ancestors and the birthplace of the Mu chieftains. Located at the heart of all Lijiang’s scenic spots, Shuhe is a living example of the Naxi people’s transition from farming to commerce, a well-preserved important market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and a hub for visiting Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lugu Lake, the First Bend of the Yangtze River, and the Three Parallel Rivers scenic area.
The four words 'bright sun and spring breeze' perfectly capture the ideal season and weather for travel. During our half-day in Shuhe, everything seemed to illustrate that phrase: winding lanes and time-worn walls, paired with vivid flowers and fruits that are plump, brightly colored, and fragrant.
We had a meal at a popular internet-famous restaurant in Shuhe Ancient Town. It was so comfortable and relaxing—no exaggeration, this is the best food restaurant in Lijiang. In every aspect, I’d rank it among the top five in Lijiang: dishes, ambiance, service, value for money—all top-notch. Highly recommended! I’m so happy to have eaten such great food, and I must recommend everyone to try it if they get the chance.
Barely done eating, we were already looking forward to the next meal. The first thing we did on the road was play the song 'Go to Dali' in the car. We rolled down the windows to let the most pleasant spring breeze in, and it already seemed to carry the scent of Erhai Lake. Passing through Shuanglang, by Yuji Island, we saw the Sun Palace, a masterpiece built by dancer Yang Liping, and also Little Putuo Island.
Shuanglang used to be one of my favorite places. Facing Erhai Lake and backed by Cangshan Mountain, its little boats by the water are a signature sight, and the green trees growing in the lake are especially captivating. But due to ongoing pollution control efforts, we couldn’t go into the town area and could only gaze from afar. The peach trees along the road are still small, but I’m sure that when they grow taller in five years and the blossoms return, it will be breathtaking.
Dali’s hot and sour crucian carp is a local specialty once featured on the show 'A Bite of China.' Erhai fish, cooked with local water from the lake, plus sour papaya, plum sauce, and other regional ingredients, give this common fish a truly unique flavor.
We followed the chef into the kitchen—spotlessly clean, with many unusual ingredients and unconventional cooking methods.
Snacks rival the main courses and open up a whole new world. Beyond Yunnan people’s shared love for eating mushrooms, eating insects is probably an even harder habit to embrace. At a friend’s urging, I ate half a skewer, and I think that’s my absolute limit.
Climbing up Wuhua Tower to view Cangshan Mountain, it felt even more towering than a few years before. But the most beautiful evening light still reaches every household in Dali.
The old town is full of small shops selling unique handicrafts, and of course, plenty of street food. You can eat your way along the main street until you’re stuffed—snacks from all over China seem to be here.
As dusk fell, we returned to Lijiang Old Town once more.
As the lanterns lit up and the night turned cool as water, history emerged in the dim glow. The centuries-old customs and stories of the Naxi people will be passed on; meanwhile, the crowds of travelers from afar start unfolding their own tales in the enchanting night.
Lijiang’s snack area isn’t large, but it’s bursting with color. There are countless tofu products I can’t even name, all incredibly tempting. I took photos of dozens of different snacks—here are just a few.
This isn’t just Lijiang—it’s the whole world!
In Dayan Old Town at night, the bars are the liveliest spots, but I prefer to wander with the crowd through the town, leaving the final sounds of this short trip on the ancient bluestone paths. Passing by other travelers, I gaze at this ancient town lit up in colorful lights and full of energy.
The culinary journey isn’t over; a new adventure is about to begin.
Travelogue Contents: 1. Lijiang Old Town 2. Shuhe Ancient Town 3. Dali 4. Lijiang Old Town Travel Information; Hotel Index; Travel Guide Index; Flight Index; Site Navigation; Travel Index; Cruise Index; Corporate Travel Index; Affiliate Cooperation; Distribution Alliance; Friendly Links; Corporate Gift Card Purchase; Insurance Agency; Agency Cooperation; Hotel Partnership; Destination & Scenic Spot Cooperation; More Affiliate Cooperation; About Ctrip; Ctrip Hot Topics; Contact Us; Careers; User Agreement; Privacy Policy; Business License; Security Center; Ctrip Content Center; Intellectual Property; Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure
