Dali Autumn Limited Travel Guide | Slow Time Amidst Cangshan’s Rice Waves and Erhai’s Sunset Glow·Hidden Treasures

4 Days 3 Nights In-Depth Itinerary: Classic Landmarks + Off-the-Beaten-Path Secrets Fully Covered

Day 1: Ancient Town Life + Erhai Secret Sunset

1. Morning: Taste the Ancient Town Morning Market
Arrive before 9:00 AM at the north gate vegetable market of Dali Ancient Town. Start your taste journey with freshly baked salty and sweet crispy baba paired with rose sauce and milk fan. On the way, check in at “Big Bowl Island Coffee” with its 270° Cangshan mountain view window. Autumn sunlight on the table makes for perfect photos.

2. Afternoon: Explore Erhai Corridor’s Serenity
Avoid the crowds at Panxi S Bay and drive to the corridor section near Shenjiang Village. Here, white reeds and swaying silvergrass, along with yellowing leaves, create a scene like an oil painting. Rent a vintage bicycle; when tired, sit by the shore and watch fishing boats glide across the water, their wakes sparkling like silver fragments.

3. Evening: Chase the Sunset at Longkan North Pier
Arrive before 6:30 PM at the abandoned small boat photo spot 200 meters north of Longkan Pier. Capture stunning shots of the sunset glow dyeing the lake red alongside small boats. Few people, peaceful, no need to compete for spots.

4. Dinner Recommendation:
Try the chopped chili Erhai fish and mint fried ribs at Wase Caixiang Garden—fresh and spicy flavors. For a lighter option, visit Jizhao Nunnery for vegetarian meals, where vegetables wrapped in mushroom aroma hide the purity of Cangshan and the softness of autumn.

Day 2: Xizhou Harvest + Fengyu Art Secrets

1. Morning: Seek Autumn in Xizhou Ancient Town
Take a carpool for 15 RMB per person directly to Xizhou. First, explore the morning market and try Ama Ying’s pea noodles, then head to the rice fields on the outskirts of the town for great shots—bring a piece of Bai ethnic tie-dye cloth as a prop; backlighting enhances the layers of the rice waves. Don’t miss the Pu’er tea-flavored ice cream at the corner building, an autumn limited edition not to be missed.

2. Afternoon: Explore Art in Fengyu Town
Drive to Fengyu Town in Eryuan, known as the “Land of Culture and Ink.” Artists have created works like “White Horse Passing” and “Sky Rice Field Theater” that blend perfectly with the countryside. Experience intangible cultural heritage crafts for free at Fengxiang Academy, then enjoy sour and spicy fish and tree bark scrambled eggs at a farmhouse next to the Baimicang guesthouse.

3. Evening: Quiet Appreciation at Cibi Lake
Head to the shore of Cibi Lake to see trees donning colorful autumn attire, wild birds resting in the wetlands, and feel the evening breeze over the lake, fully enjoying the tranquility of the “Plateau Water Town.”

Day 3: Light Hiking on Cangshan + Shaxi Tea Horse Secret

1. Morning: Walk Through Cangshan’s Colorful Forest
Take the Gantong Cableway up the mountain and hike 4 kilometers along Yudai Road. In November, the forest is ablaze with colors, and wild chestnut trees can be spotted by the stream. The small shop near the cableway station sells hot roasted potatoes wrapped in chili powder, warming you against the mountain breeze. Recommended gear: light down jacket + non-slip shoes to handle the temperature difference at the summit.

2. Afternoon: Nostalgia in Shaxi Ancient Town
Drive 1.5 hours to Shaxi Ancient Town. Climb the stone steps of the Tea Horse Road; the old horse inn’s wooden door creaks, and chrysanthemums bloom beautifully by the wall roots. Step into “Pioneer Bookstore,” where the old courtyard’s osmanthus tree is covered with petals, and the scent of ink mixed with osmanthus fills the air as you flip through books, making time seem to stand still.

3. Evening: Sunset at Yujin Bridge
Sit at the head of Yujin Bridge and watch the Heihui River flow over the stone beach. The sunset dyes the ancient bridge warm red, as if you can hear echoes of the old Tea Horse Road. For dinner, try handmade maltose candy and “Tu Ba Wan” (eight local dishes), combining sweetness and savory flavors.

Day 4: Eryuan Hot Springs + Slow Time Before Departure

1. Morning: Hot Spring Wellness
Head to the lower mountain exit of You Suo Town in Eryuan to soak in natural hot springs and relieve fatigue. This area has many hot spring hotels and was once a resting place for horse drivers on the Tea Horse Road. Avoid hot springs after drinking alcohol; elders and children should follow safety guidelines.

2. Afternoon: Intangible Cultural Heritage Souvenirs
Visit the intangible cultural heritage market at Dali West Lake Scenic Area, experience Jiama and tie-dye crafts, and buy milk fan and carved plums as souvenirs. If time allows, try kayaking to end your trip amid water town scenery reminiscent of Jiangnan.

3. Must-Do Before Departure:
Visit Xiaguan Tuo Tea Factory to experience autumn tea pressing and take home tea you made yourself as a keepsake.

Recommended Autumn Accommodations

• Best Value: Boutique guesthouses near the south gate of Dali Ancient Town, 150-300 RMB per person, within walking distance to the morning market and Renmin Road.

• Secret Vacation Picks: Baimicang Guesthouse in Fengyu Town, immersed in rural art atmosphere; hot spring hotels at the lower mountain exit in Eryuan, perfect for soaking and stargazing.

• Family-Friendly: Dali Luchun Garden Hotel, where you can feed rabbits and enjoy a children’s playground, ideal for families with kids.

Must-Try Autumn Foods

• Specialty Snacks: Pang Ding’s freshly baked rose flower cakes in Dali, Zaihuishou’s cold chicken rice noodles, handmade maltose candy in Shaxi Ancient Town.

• Scenic Restaurants: Liuyue·Fushi Sea View Coffee Western Restaurant, facing Cangshan and Erhai for Western cuisine; farmhouse dishes in Fengyu Town, with unique flavors of tree bark scrambled eggs and sour-spicy fish.

• Seasonal Specials: Fresh matsutake stewed chicken in October farmhouse meals, incredibly fresh; vegetarian meals at Jizhao Nunnery, light with hidden mushroom aroma and fresh vegetables.

Avoid Pitfalls & Practical Tips

1. Transportation: Rent electric vehicles with over 100 km range in Dali city; carpooling between ancient towns is cheaper than taxis; self-driving is recommended for Fengyu and Shaxi for better road conditions and flexibility.

2. Clothing: Base your outfit on long-sleeve shirts + light jackets, paired with coffee-colored clothing to match autumn rice fields and ancient towns for better photos.

3. Notes: October is the end of the rainy season, bring an umbrella for sun and rain; the Cangshan cableway may close due to strong winds, check the weather before departure.

4. Off-the-Beaten-Path Bonus: The clear autumn lake scenery at Jianchuan Jian Lake and the rural art of Yangbi Animo hold nostalgic charm, with few people and peacefulness perfect for deep travel.