"Catch it and you’ve earned it! The latest popular photo spots in Dali revealed! Every shot looks like a masterpiece!"

Dali: A free-spirited practice of wind, flowers, snow, and moon Dali is poetic. This poetry is a dream that has lasted a thousand years between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. When you arrive, you step into a painting; when you leave, a piece of your heart remains on the ancient city’s cobblestone streets and in the shimmering waves of Erhai Lake, never to be retrieved. The wind is the carefree breeze blowing from Xiaguan. First encounters with Dali often begin at Dali Ancient Town. Don’t cling to the bustling Fuxing Road; instead, turn into those unnamed alleys. Moss climbs the corners of walls, bougainvillea boldly peeks out from Bai family courtyards, spreading a burst of brilliant color. In the early morning, before tourists flood in, the ancient town reveals its truest self. Or head north to Xizhou Ancient Town, where time seems to slow even more. Admire the intricately carved flying eaves and dougong brackets, the Bai artisans’ hearts hidden within. Sit in a century-old house and taste a freshly baked Xizhou baba, sweet or savory, crisp and flaky—this is the most authentic earthly delight. If the ancient town feels too lively, take a drive around Erhai Lake. This journey is a feast for the eyes. Erhai is not a sea, yet it has a gentler light and shadow than the ocean. Along the 130-kilometer lakeside road, on your left are pastoral villages, on your right vast blue waves. Passing S Bay, watch seagulls and bicycles trace arcs together; through the bridge holes of the covered bridge, frame a painting of water and sky blending as one; arriving at Shuanglang, see how Cangshan and Erhai have made the saying “Dali’s scenery lies in Cang and Er, Cang and Er’s beauty lies in Shuanglang” famous. At dusk, find a waterside inn’s terrace and quietly await a grand ceremony of sunset and evening glow. The flowers are the romantic sway of Shangguan. Cangshan Mountain is Dali’s eternal support. Nineteen peaks embrace eighteen streams, each clear creek formed by snowmelt tells a moving story. Take the Gantong Cableway up the mountain, feel the clarity after fresh rain by Qingbi Stream, or hike the Yudai Cloud Trail, wandering amid swirling clouds, becoming a carefree mountain guest. To understand Dali’s soul, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are an indispensable chapter. These thousand-year-old pagodas have withstood countless earthquakes and storms, still standing tall. They are no longer cold buildings but witnesses to dynastic rise and fall, eternal guardians of this land. The snow is the coolness atop Cangshan. Dali’s charm goes far beyond its mountains and waters. Venture into Zhou Cheng to see Bai women dyeing indigo with isatis root, creating endlessly changing blue and white patterns. Each piece of tie-dye fabric is a crystallization of sunlight and wisdom. Or visit a local market, whether the March Street or the Yinqiao Market, listen to vendors shouting in Mandarin with a Bai accent, and savor a bowl of thin mung bean jelly with fried dough sticks—this is the true warmth of life. When night falls, the other side of the ancient town awakens. From the small bars on Renmin Road drift the soft singing of folk musicians. No need to search deliberately; just walk into one, order a Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon beer, listen to strangers’ stories, make temporary friends. Dali’s nights are perfect for all gentle encounters. The moon is the clarity in the center of Erhai. Practical tips to help you travel freely · Suggested itinerary: Reserve at least 3-4 days. Two days to circle Erhai Lake, one day to climb Cangshan or explore ancient towns, and one day to do nothing and truly feel the “Dali slow life.” · Accommodation choices: Stay in the ancient town if you like lively scenes; for the ultimate lake view, choose Shuanglang or Wase; for a balance of tranquility and convenience, consider villages by Erhai like Caicun or Longkan. · Food to try: Rushan cheese, erkuai rice cakes, sour and spicy fish, wild mushroom hotpot, and the Bai three-course tea are all must-try local flavors. · Special reminder: Dali is at high altitude with strong UV rays, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun. It’s suitable to visit year-round, but spring and autumn offer the most comfortable climate. Come to Dali. Give your soul to the wind here, to the blooming flowers, to the snow on the mountain peaks, to the moon reflected in the water. This is not a rushed check-in but a journey to find yourself. Here, you will finally understand that the so-called romance of “wind, flowers, snow, and moon” is just another name for living life earnestly.