Dali Four-Day Travel Guide

Target Audience: Travelers who enjoy natural scenery, slow-paced travel, and experiencing ethnic culture and cuisine. Trip Highlights: ✅ Erhai Lake Loop + Ancient Town Stroll: Experience the grandeur of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, and enjoy the leisurely life in Dali Ancient Town. ✅ Xizhou + Shuanglang In-depth Tour: Explore the Bai ethnic ancient towns, check out popular rice fields, cafes, and art spaces. ✅ Shaxi Ancient Town One-Day Tour (Optional): For those who prefer a more original ancient town, you can adjust the itinerary to visit Shaxi. ✅ Food + Accommodation Experience: Taste Dali’s specialty cuisine and stay in boutique guesthouses by Erhai Lake or inside the ancient town. 📅 Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Dali, Ancient Town Stroll + Erhai Lake Sunset 🚗 Transportation: Arrive at Dali Airport/Train Station, take a taxi or rent a car to the hotel (recommended to stay in Dali Ancient Town or by Erhai Lake). 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations: Inside Dali Ancient Town: Jiji·Canghai (500-800 RMB/night) By Erhai Lake: Mingyue Songjian·Erhai (1000-1500 RMB/night) 🌅 Afternoon: Dali Ancient Town: Walk along Renmin Road and Foreigner Street, visit Dali Bed Sheet Factory Art District (art shops + cafes). Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas (optional): Visit if interested in Buddhist culture (ticket 75 RMB). 🌄 Evening: Erhai Ecological Corridor Cycling (bike rental 20-30 RMB/hour), recommended route from Caicun Pier to Longkan Pier to watch the stunning sunset. 🍽 Dinner: Recommended Restaurants: Duan Gongzi in Dali (100-150 RMB per person, Yunnan specialty dishes) Flying to the Moon (80-120 RMB per person, Western food + coffee) Day 2: Xizhou Ancient Town + Haishi Park + Zhoucheng Tie-dye Experience 🚗 Transportation: Charter car/rent electric scooter (about 200 RMB/day) to Xizhou (30 minutes drive). 🌾 Morning: Xizhou Ancient Town: Visit Corner Tower, Xilinyuan Rice Fields, Lanxu Tie-dye Workshop (great photo spots). Haishi Park (free): A hidden gem by Erhai Lake, perfect for walking and relaxing. 🍜 Lunch: Recommended Restaurants: Moshang Garden Restaurant (80-120 RMB per person, Yunnan cuisine) Pessoa Café (50-80 RMB per person, rice field view café) 🎨 Afternoon: Zhoucheng Tie-dye Experience (50-100 RMB per person): Make your own tie-dye cloth and experience Bai ethnic intangible cultural heritage. Return to Dali Ancient Town, enjoy bars or night markets in the evening. 🍢 Late Night Snack Recommendation: Jianshui Spicy Chicken Feet King (BBQ + beer, 50-80 RMB per person) Day 3: Shuanglang Ancient Town + Erhai Lake Cruise + Yang Liping’s Sun Palace 🚗 Transportation: Charter car/shared ride to Shuanglang (about 1 hour drive). 🏞 Morning: Shuanglang Ancient Town: Stroll by the lake, visit Nanzhao Style Island (ticket 50 RMB, includes boat ride). Yang Liping’s Sun Palace (afternoon tea minimum 100 RMB per person, art space visit available). 🍽 Lunch: Recommended Restaurants: Muxi Dali·Dim Sum Garden (150-200 RMB per person, Erhai Lake view Western food) Siqian Food Shop (80-120 RMB per person, Bai ethnic home-style dishes) 🚤 Afternoon: Erhai Lake Cruise (optional, about 150 RMB per person), or rent an electric scooter to circle the lake. Return to Dali Ancient Town, experience a bonfire party in the evening (organized by some guesthouses). Day 4: Shaxi Ancient Town (Optional) or Cangshan Light Hiking 🚗 Option A: Shaxi Ancient Town One-Day Tour (Recommended!) Transportation: Charter/shared car (2 hours one way, about 300 RMB per car). Sightseeing: Walk along Sideng Street, Yujin Bridge, Pioneer Bookstore, feel the ancient Tea Horse Road atmosphere. Lunch: Shaxi Chujian Shaxi (80-120 RMB per person, Yunnan cuisine). ⛰ Option B: Cangshan Light Hiking Transportation: Taxi to Gantong Cableway (ticket + cableway about 150 RMB per person). Hiking Route: Gantong Temple → Jizhao Nunnery (most beautiful nunnery, vegetarian meal 20 RMB) → Qingbi Stream. ✈ Return: Head back according to flight/train schedule, end of trip. 📌 Travel Tips ✔ Best Seasons: March-May (spring blossoms), September-November (clear autumn weather). ✔ Sun Protection Essential: Strong UV in Dali, bring hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen! ✔ Clothing Suggestions: Wear dresses + light jackets during the day, bring a windbreaker for big temperature differences in morning and evening. ✔ Rental Suggestions: Rent electric scooters around Erhai Lake (50-80 RMB/day), for long distances, charter a car.