4 Days 3 Nights in Dali: My Honest Feelings and Suggestions

One autumn day, I decided to travel to Dali alone. - Autumn in Dali is truly beautiful! A 4-day, 3-night solo trip, free and fulfilling. I've put together this guide for traveling solo in Dali—save it and set off anytime~ - 🗺️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Ningbo✈️Kunming → Green Lake Park → Dianchi Lake → Kunming🚄Dali Day 2: Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple → Staring blankly at Erhai Lake from a guesthouse → Dali Ancient Town Night Market Day 3: Sunrise at Longkan Pier → Cycling along Erhai Ecological Corridor → S Bay → Xizhou Ancient Town → Haidong Guesthouse → Watching fishing lights Day 4: Shuanglang Ancient Town → Wenbi Village → Dali🚄Kunming✈️Ningbo - 🌊 Daily Detailed Guide 📍Day 1 ▪️ Arrive in Kunming at 3 PM, use the train transfer time to check in at Green Lake Park and Dianchi Lake. In November, seagulls fly all over the sky—great for photos! ▪️ Take the evening train at 7 PM to Dali, check into a guesthouse near the ancient town at 10 PM to rest up for the next day~ 📍Day 2 ▪️ Morning: Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple | Although one pagoda is under renovation, the view from afar is still stunning, with a beautiful reflection under Cangshan Mountain! ▪️ Noon: Have mushroom hotpot on Wenxian Road next to the ancient town, the broth is fresh and flavorful—must try! ▪️ Afternoon: Check into a guesthouse by Erhai Lake, zone out facing the lake, then stroll through Dali Ancient Town Night Market at dusk, snacking on grilled milk cheese and flower cakes while walking~ 📍Day 3 ▪️ Sunrise at Longkan Pier: Arrive before 7 AM, the rosy clouds dye the water red—simply beautiful ▪️ Cycling along Erhai Ecological Corridor: Rent a shared bike (⚠️ don’t rent from outside! You can’t enter!), cycle from Longkan to S Bay, the shadows of trees and lake views along the way are very relaxing~ ▪️ In the afternoon, take a taxi to Xizhou Ancient Town, try crispy Pastry Baba, and see Bai ethnic rice fields and traditional houses ▪️ At dusk, hitch a ride to Haidong, use a drone to overlook the fishing lights on Erhai Lake, the twinkling lights are full of romance! 📍Day 4 ▪️ Morning: Shuanglang Ancient Town | Explore the main street and alleys, every alley ends with a colorful surprise of Erhai Lake! ▪️ Noon: Hitch a ride to Wenbi Village, store your luggage, then stroll along Rainbow Road, the white walls and blue sea are perfect for photos~ ▪️ Afternoon: Head straight to Dali Station for the return trip - 💡 Handy Tips 1️⃣ Transportation: Hitchhiking between Dali attractions is cost-effective; for cycling on the west side of Erhai, use “shared bikes” and return them to the original spot! 2️⃣ Luggage hack: Book luggage transport via online car service in advance to easily move between different accommodations! 3️⃣ Accommodation advice: Stay in Longkan/Cai Village on the west side of Erhai for convenient sunrise views; choose Wenbi/Shuanglang on the east side for unbeatable sunset views~ ✨ Trip Highlights ✔️ Off-peak travel: Smart use of time during Kunming transfer ✔️ Segmented Erhai experience: West side cycling + east side self-driving, don’t miss any beautiful scenery ✔️ Different ways to explore ancient towns: Try snacks in Xizhou, explore alleys in Shuanglang, take photos in Wenbi Village