No-fail family trip to Erhai Lake! Off-the-beaten-path routes + wild luxury accommodations, a day full of happiness

Every time I hear "By Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, you are right by my side," I want to bring my kids to Dali! After multiple visits, I’ve summarized a super family-friendly Erhai Lake route—avoiding crowds, great for photos and shopping, and letting kids get close to nature. After a day, the kids are happy, and I can take beautiful photos. This is what a family trip should be like～ 🗺️ Family-friendly route plan San Sheng Island (coffee + window views) 👉 Longkan Pier (feeding seagulls + watching sunrise) 👉 Dali Yifang Qingchen Hotel (photographing red cedar forest) 👉 Xiaji Yi Village (lawn camping + sea views) 👉 Fumei Yi (village stroll + countryside views) 👉 Xiaopoxing (forest S-curve + playing in the stream) 👉 Erhai Lake’s most beautiful kilometer (red cedar forest photo shoot) 👉 Langqiao Bridge (walk the ecological corridor + sea views) 👉 Xizhou Ancient Town (check in at the corner tower + watch the rice field train) Each spot hides little surprises for kids! Longkan Pier (kids’ happiness source): Be sure to come early in the morning! When the lake mist is still thin, Siberian seagulls fly in flocks. Bring bread crumbs for the kids, and the seagulls will gently land near their hands. The kids get so excited they scream (photos 1 and 2 were taken here, the kid holding bread crumbs looks super cute). The red cedar forest is stunning now, red like an oil painting. Walk along the lakeside with the kids, pick up some cedar leaves, teach them about plants—fun and meaningful. Xizhou Ancient Town (experience local life with kids): First, take the kids to stroll the main commercial street and buy freshly made milk fan and sachima snacks; the kids will have sweet smiles all over. Then take photos at the “Xizhou check-in wall,” with its off-white wall and blue lettering. Kids posing next to it look great in every shot (photos 3 and 13 are from here). If you catch the rice field train running, kids will watch the vintage train for a long time and tug your hand saying, “Mom, I want to ride,” so adorable. Xiaopoxing (off-the-beaten-path and photogenic): This place is a real treasure! The forest S-curve is uncrowded, and the nearby stream is crystal clear. Kids can play in the shallow water and with stones. The red cedar forest reflects in the stream like a painting (photo 4 was taken here, the kid squatting by the stream playing with water, sunlight warming them, very cozy). Bring a picnic mat, have some snacks, kids chase birds nearby—so relaxing. Langqiao Bridge (great for family walks): The ecological corridor is very flat, perfect for strollers. Walk slowly with the kids, feel the Erhai breeze, watch fishing boats in the distance. When tired, sit on the bridge benches. Kids will point at water birds asking questions, and I answer while taking photos of the scenery. This is probably what peaceful times feel like. San Sheng Island (great for photos + rest): That window framing Erhai Lake is amazing! Sitting in the café, kids drink milk while I shoot the lake and clouds outside. The nearby red cedar forest is called “the most beautiful two kilometers.” After coffee, take a walk in the forest with the kids. They pick up cedar cones to take home as souvenirs (I will organize a detailed photo guide here and share more angles later). Xiaji Yi Village (camping and sea views, super comfortable): Find the “dream chair,” sit with the kids watching Erhai change from light blue to deep blue. Kids dig in the grass with a small shovel while I watch the scenery quietly. The peaceful village has no noise, only the sound of wind through leaves (photo 9 was taken here, the kid leaning on the chair back watching the sea, very healing). Erhai Lake’s most beautiful kilometer (super photogenic): The red cedar forest grows along the lake, the bright red color is striking. Kids standing in the forest make every shot a masterpiece. When they run, cedar leaves flutter, very lively (photo 6 is from here, no filters needed, it looks amazing). Popular S Bay (opposite Jun Manyan): The “lonely tree” in the water is perfect for photos! Kids stand on the shore with the tree and Erhai Lake as the background, creating a great atmosphere. The curve of S Bay is soft and beautiful. Walking along the bay with kids, you might see cyclists passing by, very lively (photo 12 is from here, the kid points at the tree saying, “Mom, it’s so lonely, let’s keep it company for a while,” so heartwarming). 🏨 Accommodation tips (wild luxury hotels with kids are super worry-free) Highly recommend **Dali Shuanglang Liuyue Wusuo Seaview Resort Hotel** (top wild luxury)! A 15-minute drive from Longkan Pier, 20 minutes from Xizhou Ancient Town, very convenient location. The hotel faces Erhai Lake directly, each room has a huge sea view balcony. In the morning, watch the sunrise with kids on the balcony without squeezing into crowded piers. The hotel has a private beach area where kids can play in the sand and collect shells, plus a children’s play area with picture books and building blocks. When kids get tired, they can read inside. Rooms have child bed rails, baby bathtubs, and gentle baby care products—very thoughtful. Dinner at the hotel restaurant features Erhai fish, kids eat heartily. After dinner, stroll in the hotel courtyard with kids and watch stars, very comfortable. 📝 Family tips Rent electric scooters with child seats for safety and convenience; bring sun hats and sunscreen for kids as Erhai’s UV rays are strong; pack some snacks to recharge kids when tired; if kids like water play, bring spare clothes. Xiaopoxing and the hotel beach are great for water play to avoid catching cold from wet clothes～