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!