Dali——We all have a dream, to go to a place with wind

Number of days：3 days
Time: February
Average cost: 1,000 yuan
With whom: and parents
Updated: 2023.02.28

Dali Ancient Town

Erhai Lake

Cangshan Mountain

Shuanglang Ancient Town

Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area

Xizhou Ancient Town

Nanzhao Custom Island

Shaxi Ancient Town

The wind at Xiaguan, the flowers at Shangguan, the snow on Cangshan Mountain, the moon over Erhai Lake—come to this breezy place with friends and family! Enjoy the blue sky and green water, climb mountains and surround the sea, stroll through the ancient town, explore the courtyards, and spend relaxing time with your family! Come to Dali and see the beauty of Cangshan Mountain and the tranquility of Erhai Lake, feeling the comfort of being between heaven and earth. Then stroll through the ancient town and enjoy Xizhou Baba and roasted milk fan—how pleasant!

1Dali Ancient City

It is also known as Yeyu City and Purple City. It is a national historical and cultural city. Historically, it was the capital of Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom. It is known as the "ancient capital at the crossroads of Asian culture". In the city, there are ancient buildings such as Wenxian Building, Wuhua Building, Dali Three Pagodas, Fuxing Road, Foreigner Street, Wu Temple, Du Wenxiu Mansion, Xiyun Academy, Examination Yuan, City God Temple, Mosque, Catholic Church, Christ Church and so on.

Dali Ancient Town has a strong atmosphere of life in the ancient city. It is highly recommended to go in for a walk. There is Dali's unique tie-dye, which is worth going in to see. I personally think the roasted milk fan inside is delicious. There is also a shop that has been open for many years selling ice jelly drinks (I think it is called this name, and my local friends have been drinking it since they were young). You can also go in all the way and there are many people setting up stalls. You can sit down and order a drink while listening to music, or you can take a walk and look at some small things.

2 Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake, known in ancient literature as "Ye Yu Ze," "Kun Mi Chuan," "Xi Er River," and "Xi Er River," is located in the northern part of Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It's named "Erhai" because of its ear-like shape. Although it's called a sea, it's actually a lake. It's said that the Bai people, having never seen the ocean, named it Erhai to express their longing for it.

A visit to Dali is a must-see for those who enjoy a relaxing circumnavigation of the lake, or take photos with family and friends. You can also rent an electric scooter and drive around Erhai Lake while enjoying the breeze. If you get tired, you can find a Bai ethnic minority restaurant next to Erhai Lake that serves spicy and sour fish. It’s super delicious!

3 Cangshan Mountain

Cangshan Mountain, also known as Dian Cangshan Mountain and referred to in ancient texts as Dian Cangshan Mountain, Xiong Cangshan Mountain, and Dali Mountain, belongs to the Yunling Mountains of the Hengduan Mountains, a southern extension of the Himalayan orogenic belt. Stretching over 50 kilometers, Cangshan Mountain consists of 19 peaks, towering majestically, reaching the sky. Their elevation generally reaches around 4,000 meters, and their summits are capped with snow year-round.

It's recommended to climb Cangshan Mountain by cable car. There are three available cable cars: Ximatan Cableway, Gantong Cableway, and Zhonghe Cableway. The Ximatan Cableway offers panoramic views of Cangshan Mountain and the ancient city of Dali, and then reaches the summit of Cangshan Mountain. Around March, you'll pass by a vibrant display of azalea blossoms. The Xima Cableway is open depending on the weather, so be sure to check! Cangshan Mountain boasts beautiful scenery with blooming flowers in spring, cool and refreshing air in summer, and stunningly beautiful snow-capped winters. As a National Forest Park, Cangshan is highly recommended!

4. Shuanglang Ancient Town

It's said, "Dali's scenery lies in Cang'er, and Cang'er's scenery lies in Shuanglang." Shuanglang Ancient Town, the premier Cang'er scenic town, is located on the northeastern shore of Erhai Lake at the northeastern end of Dali City. It's a typical Bai fishing village. Shuanglang offers the best views of Erhai Lake. Due to its unique location, Shuanglang Ancient Town has many B&Bs and sea view rooms, making a stay here a truly wonderful experience after enjoying the scenery. Opposite Shuanglang lies Erhai's Little Putuo, known as the "Penglai Fairy Island." Because the island's shape resembles the golden seal of Guanyin, locals built a Guanyin Pavilion on it, giving it the name "Little Putuo." Little Putuo Island, nestled on the surface of Erhai Lake and lush with trees, is tranquil and beautiful, and well worth a visit.

5. Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area

The Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area is located north of Dali Ancient City in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction that combines Cang Er scenery, cultural relics, Buddhist culture, and leisure and vacation opportunities. The Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas in the scenic area are among the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units announced by the State Council and are the symbol and emblem of Dali.

The Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area has a rich history and culture. The experience area includes the Nanzhao Jianji Great Bell (Bell Tower), the Yutong Guanyin Hall, two rare scrolls - "The Illustrated History of the Nanzhao Kingdom" and "The Buddhist Image Scroll by Zhang Shengwen, a Painter of the Dali Kingdom", the Tomb of Duan Gong, and the Bodhi Garden.

6. Xizhou Ancient Town

Xizhou Ancient Town, also known as the Xizhou Bai Ethnic Group's Ancient Residential Buildings and the Xizhou Historical and Cultural District, is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, a Town with Chinese Characteristics, and a Famous Historical and Cultural Town. Nestled against Cangshan Mountain to the west and bordering Erhai Lake to the east, Xizhou Ancient Town is the hometown of the film "Five Golden Flowers." With a thousand-year history, this Bai ethnic group historical and cultural town is rich in ethnic customs and historical and cultural atmosphere.

In Xizhou Ancient Town, you can enjoy a sea of rapeseed flowers in spring and rice paddies in autumn. A stroll through Xizhou Ancient Town is also highly recommended. The Xizhou Baba and popsicles are delicious, and a must-try in the summer! The rice paddies are also incredibly beautiful for photo-taking in autumn, perfect for creating blockbuster films!

7. Nanzhao Style Island

Dali Nanzhao Fengqing Island is one of the three islands of Erhai Lake. It is located in Shuanglang Township, southeast of Eryuan County, a prime location in the Cang'er National Scenic Area. The island is surrounded by water on all sides, with the famous Buddhist holy site Jizu Mountain to the east, Shibao Mountain to the north, Dali to the south, and Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake to the west. Due to its unique tourism resources, it is known as "Dali's scenery is in Cangshan and Erhai, and Cang'er's scenery is in Shuanglang."

You can take a boat to Nanzhao Fengqing Island, which only takes a few minutes to reach the island. The scenery is very beautiful and the island is very quiet. The breeze blows through, and there is only comfort! If you have time and a desire, you can also climb and worship Jizu Mountain next to Nanzhao Fengqing Island. Many local people and even many people from Kunming go there. When you go there, you must be sure that you are going there before you say you are going. If you say you are going but don't go, it is disrespectful (this is what my good friend from the local area told me).

8. Shaxi Ancient Town

Shaxi is located in the southeast of Jianchuan, Dali, Yunnan, between the Dali Scenic Area and Lijiang Old Town. It's home to the renowned Shibao Mountain. Shaxi is a small dam surrounded by verdant mountains.

Shaxi Ancient Town embodies the slow pace of life along the ancient Tea Horse Road, embodying a sense of tranquility. Visit Shaxi, find a breezy spot, order a cup of coffee, and sit at the entrance to slowly savor Shaxi's slow pace. It feels like a paradise, allowing you to experience the original appearance of the ancient town.