Bring back memories and leave beautiful memories in Dali

Number of days：7 days
Time: September
Average cost: 5500 yuan
With whom: and parents
Updated: 2023.11.03

We finally arrived in Dali, a place I'd longed to visit. Arriving in Xizhou Ancient Town and seeing vast wheat fields, it felt like the TV drama scene of Xiaoyanzi and the Fifth Prince working in the fields. Reaching Erhai Lake, it felt as if the hero and heroine from the idol drama had actually met there. Arriving in Dali Ancient Town, it felt as if some historical events had actually taken place... This is why I love traveling; I find joy in the little details.

For this trip to Dali, we rented a car through a certain platform. Since we were traveling with my parents, the travel was tiring, so we forgo taxis, buses, and the high-speed rail (for our trip to Lijiang) and opted for a rental car. When we initially booked the car, we were concerned about its condition, fearing it might be too old. However, upon renting, we discovered that most of their cars were within the past two years. We were very satisfied.

Day 1 The Beauty of Erhai Lake

The pick-up point is right in the airport parking lot. You can pick up the car directly after landing, which is very convenient.

Originally, I planned to take my parents to Dali Ancient Town this afternoon, but Mom and Dad really wanted to go to Erhai Lake first. So, let's go. It's beautiful, too. Erhai Lake is actually quite large, so Dali has designated the area around it as a number of scenic spots. Of course, this has also boosted the economies of the various ancient towns.

Erhai Lake is truly breathtaking. You can't truly appreciate its awe until you're there. Thick clouds of all shapes and sizes drift everywhere. The water is incredibly clear, with egrets often landing on the surface. And quail even swim on the surface. It's truly stunning.

Walk around Dali Ancient Town in the evening. It's so lively here, with people everywhere. There are plenty of delicious restaurants here, and you'll find street vendors selling ponchos for grabbing. Because the UV rays are so intense, we each brought one.

Day 2-3: Erhai Lake Tour

Around Erhai Lake: Longkan Wharf, Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, Xizhou Ancient Town, Butterfly Spring, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and overnight at the Fengsui Huakai Inn in Shuanglang. The most beautiful part of this day around Erhai Lake is the early morning view from Longkan Wharf. Since it was my parents' first time in Dali, we also visited the Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas and Butterfly Spring.

We revisited Xizhou and Shuanglang Ancient Town, savored Yunnan mushroom soup pot and Xizhou baba, and stayed in a Shuanglang ocean view room overnight. We continued playing fen dan (a type of egg-laying game) that evening. Aside from the strenuous activity, it was otherwise perfect.

We checked in and walked all the way. When we arrived at Xizhou Ancient Town, we saw the most beautiful corner. Why did the most beautiful corner look like this? Of course, it's because there were so many people in the ancient town. It was practically a squeeze. Some people even rented electric carts to get through. It felt slower than walking, much better.

We didn't spend much time in Xizhou Ancient Town. With so many people, we couldn't really see the original appearance of the ancient town. So, no matter where we went, we always wanted to end up by Erhai Lake. Xizhou Ancient Town also has a Butterfly Spring, which is quite clear. However, it is a bit small. On Day 3, we continued our journey around Erhai Lake, visiting Luwo Mountain, Wase, Xiaoputuo, and Shaxi Ancient Town, staying at the Landmark Garden Hotel. Each scene was equally breathtaking: the early morning clouds of Shuanglang etched crimson by the sunrise, the tranquil and captivating courtyards of Shaxi, the rolling clouds, the ebb and flow of the tide, the melodious sound of the guqin, and the gentle rain. I wished time would slow down even more.

Shaxi has become a hot spot again since the broadcast of Liu Yifei's new drama, but it is still more quaint than Lijiang Shuhe. Shaxi Lanlinge Hotel has a good location. There are small wooden buildings, pavilions, bridges and flowing water in the small courtyard. There is also a guqin museum next to it, which is worth recommending.

The road was dotted with small attractions, which I loved. Driving with the windows open and the breeze blowing was incredibly satisfying.

Day 4: Let's go to Lijiang

On day four, we set off for Lijiang. I'm incredibly familiar with Lijiang. I've been there before, but my parents haven't. I told them I've become a skilled tour guide. This time, we stayed in Yuhu Village, at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. We strolled along Longnu Lake and visited the former residence of Locke. The alpine meadows and lakes were ever-changing, and the sunset and moonrise offered endless views. This day's itinerary is Shaxi Ancient Town - Lijiang Old Town - Lijiang Yuhu Village, and we'll stay at Lijiang Xuesongyuan. This time, I stayed at the Shujia Lijiang Xuesongyuan, a hotel I bought on impulse. I didn't believe that in two years, I wouldn't be able to visit the ancient village at the foot of the snow-capped mountains. Two years are almost up, and I'm so glad I made that impulse. The stay was wonderful, with butler-like service. The hotel even arranged activities like light hikes, though I didn't participate. During my trip to Yunnan, I also discovered that many B&Bs are excellent, offering a variety of fun activities. For example, some B&Bs reportedly offer mushroom hunting trips in the mountains. If you're traveling with children, they'll definitely love this kind of activity. Look at this scenery, isn’t it beautiful? When I traveled before, my favorite thing was staying in various hotels. Today, things are different. I still prefer B&Bs; they feel more romantic. Plus, many B&Bs are located near scenic areas, making them perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Day 5: See the long-awaited Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Today was a leisurely trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. We only planned to visit Blue Moon Valley and the Impression Lijiang performance, which were more suitable for our parents. The rest of the time was spent strolling around the village. I love Longnu Lake, so I go there every day to sit by it. The lake is quiet, the clouds are still, and the people are relaxed. That evening, we had dinner at Yuhu Renjia, a farmhouse in the village. The dishes were refreshing and delicious, and the value was good. I was extremely satisfied with the scenery that day. The biggest feature of Yunnan is the extremely high color saturation. For example, the Blue Moon Valley is a true blue, untouched. I've seen so many people edit their photos after visiting, which I feel is a disservice to the beauty of Lijiang and Dali. A casual shot, the most pristine, is also the most beautiful. We also saw the Impression Lijiang performance here. I highly recommend it. It's very vivid, and the cast and crew are incredibly dedicated. Through this performance, you can learn about Lijiang's history and various legends.

Day 7: From Yuhu Village to Shuhe Ancient Town

This morning, we visited the last scenic spot in Yuhu Village, the Yuzhu Qingtian Scenic Area, before sending our parents off for their flight. The scenic area is right next to the hotel and is quiet and deserted. It contains the Upper and Lower Yu Lakes, which are also the origin of Yuhu Village. The water is crystal clear and filled with fish. We had plenty of time to get to the airport, so we strolled around Shuhe Ancient Town and had lunch. Yuhu Village is absolutely stunning. We were thrilled to see the little fish swimming around in the lake. This is nature. If humans were less destructive to the natural environment, nature would probably be even more beautiful today.

It was my first time taking my parents on a long road trip. The itinerary was quite leisurely, and the food and accommodations were as good and unique as possible. I acted as driver and tour guide, and spent the evenings chatting with them. Time flew by, and we had a lot of fun.