Dali Erhai Lake, a nanny-level guide

Erhai is not a sea, yet it is more beautiful than any sea. If you also yearn for that deep blue, then take this guide👇 Best time to visit - March to May: Spring blossoms, pleasant temperatures, perfect for photography and cycling🚲 - September to November: Crisp autumn air, exceptionally blue skies, perfect for capturing stunning reflections of Erhai Lake. - Try to avoid the rainy season in July and August, as there may be frequent overcast and rain. Also, avoid peak holiday periods to escape crowds and enjoy a better experience. Transportation Guide - Airplane✈️: Direct flights to Dali Fengyi Airport, about 30 km from Erhai Lake. You can take the airport shuttle bus (15 RMB/person) to Dali Ancient Town or take a taxi for about 80-100 RMB. - High-speed train🚄: Arrive at Dali Station, then take a taxi to the Erhai area; it takes about 20 minutes to Dali Ancient Town, costing 20-30 RMB. Alternatively, take bus route 8 to Dali Ancient Town. - Self-drive/Car rental🚗: Rental prices range from 150 to 300 RMB/day (small cars). The East Ring Road around Erhai has good road conditions, suitable for driving but watch speed limits and speed cameras; the West Ring Road is busier and requires cautious driving. Essential Items Checklist - Sunscreen trio🌞: High SPF sunscreen (SPF50+), wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses. The UV rays at Erhai are very strong, so be sure to protect yourself or you’ll get sunburned quickly. - Outfit suggestions👗: Light-colored long dresses and ethnic-style shawls are great for photos; bring a thick jacket for the big temperature difference between morning and evening; choose comfortable sneakers or flat shoes for long walks. - Other items📱: Power bank, camera (with wide-angle lens for panoramic shots of Erhai), mosquito repellent (essential in summer), motion sickness medicine (for the ring road which might cause car sickness). Recommended Ring Road Itinerary (2-day version) Day 1: West Line - Deep Cultural Exploration - Dali Ancient Town: The capital of the ancient Dali Kingdom and Nanzhao Kingdom. Start your morning wandering the town, soaking in the local atmosphere and having breakfast. - Longkan Pier: The perfect spot to watch the sunrise! Redwood trees, seagulls, and morning mist create a fairyland scene. Be there before 7:30 to catch this dreamy view. - Xiabopeng: Check out the dead trees and water platforms extending into Erhai Lake, great for atmospheric photos. - Panxi S Bay: A classic bend of Erhai Lake, whether cycling or driving, you can capture stunning shots that will flood your social media. Before 8 AM, it’s less crowded and more beautiful. Parking costs 20 RMB each time; be careful parking on the roadside to avoid fines. - Langqiao Bridge: A solitary tree paired with water houses, like stepping into a fairy tale. Wearing light-colored clothes helps you easily capture forest-style photos. - Xizhou Ancient Town: The corner tower is unique, and you can experience tie-dyeing here. Don’t miss the crispy popo cake. The rice field scenery is super healing and full of pastoral charm. This area is relatively commercialized, so visit before 9 AM to avoid crowds. - Shuanglang Ancient Town (overnight stay): "Dali’s scenery lies in Cang and Er, and Cang and Er’s scenery lies in Shuanglang." Stay by Erhai Lake with sea views from your window. You can also visit Nanzhao Style Island to watch the sunset, with the afterglow shimmering on the water—extremely romantic. Day 2: East Line - Cliff Secret Exploration Tour - Shuanglang: Early morning, enjoy the clear morning view of Erhai Lake before heading to the next stop. - Luwoshan: Stand on the cliff viewing platform to overlook the Erhai sunset. The unique framing of abandoned windows makes every shot a masterpiece. - Wenbi Village: The Rainbow Road and white church complement each other beautifully. It’s best to take a taxi here to avoid getting lost and missing the scenery. - Xiaoputuo Island: The seagull season is very specific; November to March is the best time to see flocks of seagulls. You can take a boat to the island, but it’s windy, so remember to wear a hat. - Lixiangbang: A photo hotspot full of Santorini vibes. Access to the viewing platform may require a purchase, but there are free viewing platforms nearby that also offer great photo opportunities. This area is quite commercialized, so look for free spots when taking photos. - Xingsheng Bridge: The pink arch bridge paired with European-style buildings creates a full atmosphere at dusk, like being in a European town. - Dali Station: End your pleasant journey here. If you have an evening train, you can explore nearby and have dinner. Food Recommendations - Dali Claypot Fish🐟: Erhai fish stewed with ham and mushrooms, fresh soup and tender meat, the "top dish" for Bai hospitality, so delicious it’ll make your eyebrows drop. Recommended restaurants: Meizijing Restaurant, Erhai Fishing Village. - **Rushan (Dali cheese)**🥛: Can be grilled (spread with rose jam or sugar for sweet, stretchy cheese) or fried (golden crispy with intense milky flavor). Recommended stalls: Yangji Rushan (Fuxing Road), mobile stalls inside the ancient town. - **Shengpi (Bai raw pork)**🐷: For the brave! Semi-raw pork skin dipped in plum vinegar and spicy sauce, crispy and addictive. Recommended restaurant: Zhoucheng Bai Family Cuisine. - **Sour and Spicy Fish (Erhai crucian carp)**🌶️: Papaya/plum fruit-flavored broth, spicy and satisfying! Potatoes soak up the soup, making it irresistible. Recommended restaurants: Wase Caixiangyuan, Shuanglang Fisherman’s Courtyard. - Xizhou Baba🌾: Available in sweet (rose and brown sugar filling) and savory (scallion and minced meat) flavors, crispy to the point of crumbling. Recommended shop: Fuxing Crispy Baba (Xizhou Sifang Street). Accommodation Suggestions - Dali Ancient Town: Many guesthouses, convenient for travel and dining, and you can experience the local lively atmosphere. - Shuanglang: Excellent sea view rooms with windows opening to Erhai Lake, perfect for watching sunsets. Recommended sea view hotels: Mingyue Songjian and Liangsu, both offer great experiences. Photo Tips - Sunrise: Longkan Pier / Panxi S Bay (6:30 - 7:30), capture the first rays of morning light. - Morning: Xizhou Ancient Town / Luwoshan (soft light, great for cultural and natural beauty shots). - Dusk: Xingsheng Bridge / Lixiangbang (17:30 - 18:30), enjoy romantic twilight moments. - Night: Shuanglang Bar Street (after 9 PM, fewer people, great for unique night scenes). The beauty of Erhai Lake needs to be experienced in person. Take this guide and set off now💕