Erhai Lake 3 Days 2 Nights Leisure Travel Guide: Enjoy the Redwoods, Seagulls, and Cliff Sunset All at Once!

Pre-trip Quick Overview 🌤️
🎯 Best Season: September to November (The autumn water blends with the sky for stunning views! Redwoods with seagulls + golden rice waves make for perfect photos)
🚗 Transportation Suggestions:
✔️ High-speed train to Dali Station / Flight to Dali Airport
✔️ Ways to circle the lake: Rent a car from 200 RMB / Electric bike 40-80 RMB / Private car 400-500 RMB
❗ Note: Haixi Ecological Corridor is limited to cycling or walking (electric scooters must be parked outside the entrance)

🏡 Three Accommodation Options:
① Haixi Caicun / S Bay (most convenient for cycling to watch the sunrise)
📍 Recommended: Erhai Wake Up · Seaview Cycling Inn (Caicun Pier, Xiaguan Town, Dali City)
② Haidong Shuanglang (180° unbeatable sea view rooms with cliff sunsets)
📍 Recommended: Liuyue · Baiju (Huanhaidong Road, Shuanglang Town)
③ Ancient Town (nightlife + food all covered)
📍 Recommended: Jixiashan · Shishan (South Gate of Dali Ancient Town)

2. Super Detailed 130km Lake Circuit Route 🚴‍♂️
Day 1 Haixi Slow Ride | Day 2 Haidong Self-drive | Day 3 Shaxi Secret Spot
Super scientific counterclockwise plan with no backtracking!

3. Full Itinerary Record 📸
🌅 Day 1 Haixi Slow Ride Route
05:50 Sunrise at Longkan Pier (Must arrive before 7:30!)
📍 Address: Longkan Village, Xiaguan Town, Dali City
07:30 Unlock the divine breakfast!
✔️ Longkan Village Entrance Local Chicken Rice Noodles (15 RMB per person)
✔️ Freshly baked flower cakes (5 RMB each, hot and fragrant)

08:30 Rent a bike (20 RMB/day) and start riding!
🚴 Popular photo spots:
- S Bay (shoot before 8 AM for a deserted look!)
- Xiaoboping Lonely Tree (Japanese-style photo spot)
- Langqiao Bridge Arch (forest-style masterpiece)

12:30 Must-visit Xizhou Ancient Town:
✔️ Corner Tower check-in ✔️ Rice field photos ✔️ Tie-dye experience
🍴 Lunch recommendations:
Crispy Pastry (sweet and savory both delicious! 10 RMB)
Cold Chicken Rice Noodles (8 RMB, very appetizing)

🌊 Day 2 Haidong Self-drive Adventure
09:00 Shuanglang Brunch:
Erhai fresh fish + terrace view is amazing!
📍 Recommended: Four Seasons Hotel (Shuanglang Town Pier)
10:00 Yang Liping Sun Palace (free but requires reservation)
The cliff bookstore view is absolutely stunning!

📸 Photo hotspots:
- Deer Lying Mountain abandoned window frame (magazine cover style)
- Wenbi Village Rainbow Road (Japanese fresh style)
- Little Putuo feeding seagulls (winter exclusive!)
- Ideal State blue and white stairs (Santorini vibe)

🌇 Day 3 Shaxi Time
09:00 Head to the living fossil of the Tea Horse Road
📍 Address: Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County
Must check-in:
✔️ Ancient stage ✔️ Ouyang Mansion ✔️ Heihui River hiking

4. Food List 🍜
Breakfast trio: rice noodles + pastry + flower cake
Must-eat main dishes: sour and spicy fish + mushroom hotpot
Snack recommendation: grilled milk fan is amazing!

5. Pitfall Avoidance Guide ⚠️
❗ Haixi Corridor prohibits motor vehicles
❗ Some Ideal State check-in spots charge fees
❗ Large temperature difference between morning and night in winter (thin down jacket essential)

6. Bonus 🏆
Best spots for Orange Sea sunset:
1️⃣ Xingsheng Bridge (European style)
2️⃣ Deer Lying Mountain (cliff view)
3️⃣ Shuanglang Viewing Platform (panoramic view)

Come and grab this nanny-level guide now!