2022 Dali Spring Trip | Wind-blown Wheat Waves Beneath Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake

Number of days：7 days
Average cost: 4322 yuan
Updated: 2022-03-24 10:39

Preface

In the spring of 2022, as the epidemic spread across the country, travel plans were suspended, and people who went out for spring outings turned into staying at home. In cities with serious epidemics, people were still fighting the epidemic at home. The days when spring was warm and flowers were blooming became a period of torture. At the beginning of the year, the epidemic broke out in Hangzhou on New Year’s Eve, and the people who bought tickets to go home were forced to cancel their tickets. The repeated changes in the past two years have become a daily routine. On the days when things got slightly better, Hangzhou responded quickly to the epidemic, and I was able to come to Dali, Yunnan in mid-March for my favorite Erhai Island tour.

Spring in Dali | Yellow Rapeseed Flowers & Green Wheat Fields

This isn't my first time in Dali. Spring is the perfect season, with temperatures approaching 20 degrees Celsius and a significant difference between day and night. Aerial photography of the yellow rapeseed flowers and green wheat fields in March creates distinct layers of color, complementing the distant Erhai Lake. This makes Dali a popular spring destination for many tourists.

These days, traveling requires exploring the city and making connections. My previous spontaneous travel has been limited. I don't enjoy nostalgia, so I strive to take photos and videos of my daily travels to capture the joy of the moment. Since working in the tourism industry, I've been dealing with a lot of daily tasks and interactions, so self-discipline and managing my time well have become crucial.

A vast expanse of golden scenery awaits you as you drive to Xizhou Ancient Town. Located in the north of Dali City, Xizhou Town leans against Cangshan Mountain to the west and faces Erhai Lake to the east. Home to the film "Five Golden Flowers," it's a famous historical and cultural town of the Bai ethnic group with a history of over a thousand years. Within the town's jurisdiction are the world-famous Butterfly Spring, the Cangshan Huadian Dam with its blooming azaleas, the seaside scenic Haixin Pavilion, and the natural wonder Haishe.

Seeing such beautiful scenery from the air, my mood can't help but improve. I forgot about the anti-epidemic journey in the past two years. I am concerned about the situation in various parts of the country every day. In the past, I knew a city because of the scenic spots. In recent years, I have indeed known more cities because of the epidemic. I believe that many people want to return to normal life, without wearing masks every day, and go out happily. They can go to any foreign city they want to go to. The busy cherry blossom season should belong to Japan. Even on the streets, you can meet many familiar old friends. My visa has expired, and I am looking forward to the day when the country opens again. Where are you going? The wheat fields are green. When I looked at them up close, I saw a kind of vitality. The plants still keep doing their work throughout the year. The delicious fruits and abundant rice will not be affected. This venue is relatively niche, and the large rice fields can be entered at will. Search for [Six Green Agriculture], the ticket is 10 yuan/person, and you can go in and take big pictures. The hat was borrowed from a colleague. The sun in Dali is very strong even at 4 pm. The most suitable time for shooting is the golden period between 5:30 and 7:30 pm. The light is soft and you can open your eyes, and the light and shadow on your face will not look strange. Next time you're in the city, the spring atmosphere won't be as strong. You'll see cherry blossoms blooming along the streets. Do you know what that internet-famous bridge is called? You can also take a boat tour around Erhai Lake, which is the most relaxing and enjoyable way to experience it. Although I've never been there myself, I'd definitely plan to do so next time.

Dali's pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom, attracting a variety of people to check in. The plump flowers, sunny skies every day, and the flowering period will be very long. If you look carefully, you can discover many Japanese scenery.

Tinghua Island｜Feeding seagulls in a spring dreamland

When I came to Dali, I thought the most suitable place for vacation was Shuanglang. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in the unique style of the ancient city, there are special cars for transportation at 10 yuan per person. Along the way, there are characteristic Yunnan rice noodles on both sides. Dozens of sea view homestays are located by Erhai Lake. You can lie in the room and watch the sea every day. Then I want to recommend the internet-famous Tinghua Island Garden Beauty Homestay.

Every time I come to Dali, I have a different mood. The sea view B&B by the Erhai Lake is always a must-visit. You can enjoy the sunset and Erhai Lake from the balcony. The 270-degree fully transparent sea view room is a romantic holiday. As a parent-child couple's vacation, it should undoubtedly be on the list. The rich who can't go abroad are looking for treasures suitable for consumption. The B&B business has become polarized, and the Internet celebrity series is still booming, attracting more people to check in. Shuanglang is a small city with a small area. You can see the sunset every day. The coastal homestay clusters are its speciality. There is a street full of food, drink and entertainment. During the day, you can lie in your room and watch Erhai Lake. In the afternoon, you can find a music bar or a coffee shop for afternoon tea. In the evening, you can watch the sunset slowly descend from the mountain. At night, you can enjoy a delicious Yunnan dish. The slow pace of life is what the elderly dream of. Here, people work from sunrise to sunset, their industrious and kindhearted ancestors fishing and rowing boats, leading a pure and tranquil life. This is Shuanglang. A must-pass on the Southern Silk Road, its streets, paved with cobblestones and bluestone slabs, are weathered and lustrous, a glint of age that's hard to tell whether washed by the sea or by time. Rows of old houses, with their low eaves and high stone foundations, stand proudly, quietly yet stubbornly, adhering to the sea day in and day out. If you are lucky, you can also see the golden mountain in the distance, and the white ones are snow-capped mountains. Tinghua Island B&B resembles a peninsula, directly connected to Erhai Lake. Its gardens are filled with flowers and lush greenery, blending seamlessly into nature. A large terrace opens out onto the gardens, and winter is also seagull season. In the afternoon, guests can enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace with the birds. To attract more visitors, photo opportunities have become a key feature.

The small courtyard surrounded by the garden, from the internet-famous swing to the bed by the Erhai Lake, each one gives girls the motivation to take photos and share them on WeChat Moments. This swing is absolutely stunning. Countless people come here every day to check it out. Wearing pure white dresses and floating on it, it feels like they are in Bali. The swing is above the pool and you can step into the water, just like taking pictures on Erhai Lake. The best time to take pictures is between 5pm and 6:30pm. It is super beautiful when the sunset comes!

The balcony in the suite is also a great place to relax. It is easy to forget all the worries and enjoy the present moment.

Because I actively shared a circle of friends, I got to know a fellow villager who lived nearby. We took some photos of Tinghua Island under the sunset together. The golden light was very soft, and it formed a long light spot on the water, which was easily healed. There are still some spots left that are suitable for girls and friends to take photos together. Let’s just look at the pictures. The name of Tinghua Island is worth remembering. It is a very classy B&B.

Downtown Treasure Hotel | Take in Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake from the horizon For the second stop in Dali, I think we can arrange it near the ancient city. Didi Chuxing has convenient transportation and there are many traditional resort hotels hidden there. It is just like in a big city. It is very comfortable to stay there. There are rich choices for breakfast. You can also see Erhai Lake by crossing the street.

Opening at the end of 2021, Pullman is just a stone's throw away from Erhai Lake and the internet-famous Xingsheng Bridge. Compared with other five-star hotels in Dali, Pullman, from the French Accor Group, is surprisingly rich in artistic atmosphere, and every detail reveals its emphasis on local art and culture. Most of the 230 guest rooms offer views of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain. Besides the extensive breakfast restaurant, the rooftop starry sky bar is a highlight. The all-day dining restaurant, March, and the Juntingxuan Chinese restaurant, along with the rooftop terrace bar, Luna, are unique in Dali and are sure to become popular online check-in spots.

Compared to eating Yunnan rice noodles, the rich buffet has more choices, which are also some of my favorite dishes, and there are unlimited strawberries.

When you walk into the front desk, the artistic spiral staircase will make you remember this hotel.

Business and leisure team work, every corner is full of business style. There is no need to go out to eat, drink and have fun in the hotel. If you are careful, you can also see the Yunnan-style handicrafts adorning the walls, showing the tone of this hotel. The suite I stayed in was less than 2,000 yuan. Compared with the double-corridor sea view rooms that cost over 2,000 yuan, the room size is not big. The price is not high for the unique view. I think we should choose the one that suits us. The swimming pool on the 23rd floor is my favorite among the hotels I’ve visited recently. Swimming while overlooking Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake has become a real pleasure. The price of around 1,000 Pullman is very cost-effective.

The afternoon tea pairings range from Yunnan-style scented tea with folk-style carvings on the cups, to a plate of desserts with a combination of black and white stones, three-quarter-grid fruit, and a double portion – a perfect arrangement.

Songyun Cliff | China's Santorini, the Internet celebrity INS hotel

Every girl has a blue and white dream. When you come to Dali Ideal Country, this dream is not far away. It is also the most popular check-in spot in Erhai Lake in recent years. I mentioned Shuanglang and the ancient city area earlier. The last place I want to recommend is Ideal Country. Today, I recommend the Dali Songyun Cliff Resort Hotel, a B&B I'd like to recommend. It's like being transported to Santorini, offering a relaxing escape by the Erhai Lake. The rooms, like those in my previous Santorini stays, have a cave-hotel vibe. The rooms are spacious, with their own courtyard and outdoor pool.

The exterior looks like a painting. Most of the hotel rooms are equipped with a constant temperature hot spring pool and an outdoor private infinity pool. You can swim directly to the outdoor pool from the room. It is a paradise for vacation.

The prime geographical location and high-altitude B&B complex make this place a popular check-in spot for wedding dresses. The sparkling lake and the pure white walls decorated in an Instagram-style style make any photo here a blockbuster. There are not many rooms and it is easy to be fully booked. If you like it, you must book it in advance. Your significant other will definitely like such an exclusive place. The beautiful internet celebrity vacation style and the casual INS style photos will easily win the hearts of girls. The hotel offers one-on-one butler service. Breakfast can be delivered to your room or enjoyed in the rooftop restaurant, with the beautiful Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in front of you. For dinner, you can choose between Japanese food on the first floor or the sky bar on the top floor. You can also choose between Chinese and Western hot pot.

The room supplies are also very high-end, with toiletries from HERMES and Ferragamo.
The hair dryer is from Dyson. The hotel focuses on exquisite and high-end service experience, and details can be seen everywhere.

The pure white artistic hotel reminded me of Nayun's Starry Sky B&B, which is also a cave-style resort. If you like, come and stay here. It's a very romantic place, and every day of the vacation is happy. I’m Xiaodou, a freelance travel photographer who has traveled to America, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. I’m also a food enthusiast and a freelance writer. I’m always on the road and based in Hangzhou. I occasionally take travel photos at home and abroad. I hope to use my camera to take you to explore the world, record and share more travel stories with you.

Every day is a new journey, and everyone who has walked with us deserves gratitude. Life is neither too long nor too short, just enough to see the world. Together with Xiaodou, we tell stories through the lens.