Jinsuo Island

Jinsuo Island in Dali is a hidden gem on Erhai Lake. Arriving by boat, you'll be greeted by emerald waters and a Bai ethnic fishing village nestled against the hillside. The island preserves the pristine life of fishermen, with bluestone paths connecting whitewashed, gray-tiled houses and silverfish nets drying in the corners. The most breathtaking sight is the Dragon Palace Cave, where stalactites illuminated by colorful lights resemble an underwater palace. The island's top observation deck offers panoramic views of Cangshan and Erhai Lake. In the evening, when the fishing boats return to port, enjoy delicious spicy and sour bowfish and crispy milk fan. The smiles of the Bai women are warmer than the sun. Free from over-commercialization, this place is home to the gentle lapping of waves, perfect for those seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle.

To reach the island, you need to take a ferry, which costs 20 yuan. The ecology is pristine, the people are simple, and there are only islanders, no tourists. For a small fishing village with no attractions or businesses, it's true that every household has water and flowers.

Looking down from the sky, a small island shaped like a weaving shuttle lies across Erhai Lake, hence the name Jinsuo Island. According to a legend in Dali, a fairy from heaven, skilled in weaving brocade, left her golden shuttle in Erhai Lake, which then transformed into an island, a beautiful sight on earth.

Going to Jinsuo Island requires taking a boat, which is rather troublesome and the attractions are average.

In 2017, Erhai Lake began to be renovated, and the small inns on the east side of the lake closed down, as did those on Jinsuo Island. It was said that you could stay on the island for a while, but now it is no longer possible. Once you go there, you can see how the locals survive, which is quite boring.

In fact, this is indeed a very good place. There are also attractions such as stalactite caves on the island, which require an additional fee. After reading the introduction, I felt that it was developed by the villagers themselves, so I simply did not go. It is better to walk around the stone steps on the edge of the island.

However, this place hasn't been well developed and offers little to offer. Visiting the island is merely a symbolic tourist activity, making the boat ticket seem relatively affordable. Furthermore, the Bai fishing village has been preserved intact, and you can buy the day's catch and other seafood at the Jinsuo Island dock.

Admission: Free

Time: 2-3 hours

Transportation: It is recommended to take a taxi, ride an electric bike, rent a car, charter a car, or take a private minibus

Recommended attractions: Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient bridge, ancient stage, ancient gate tower, small river, nostalgic ancient life, the Erhai Lake behind the village has beautiful scenery

It's still under renovation and looks like a construction site, with no scenery or views.

There are many precious stalactites in the cave, some of which are said to take hundreds of years to grow only one centimeter. The Bai ethnic group's songs and dances are authentic, and pearl mining is eye-opening.

We took a boat to the island's settlement. The people here make their living by fishing and don't own any land (that's what our tour guide told us on the way). There are many small stalls selling seafood and farm products, so if you're unfamiliar with the locals, you can learn more about them. There are also houses that have been converted into ocean-view villas, and the owners are very hospitable and welcome visitors.

You need to take a boat to get to Jinsuo Island. There is a cave on the island called Dragon Palace, which is said to be the palace where the Dragon King lives. The Dragon Palace is a natural cave with a stage at the innermost end where performances are held every day.

It couldn't be better than those places along the coast that are overcrowded and charge for props.

Unexpectedly, there was a performance on Jinsuo Island. The actors were very hard-working and dedicated, and it was amazing.

Jinsuo Island is very small, with business on one side and quiet on the other. It's a very boring island.

Boring. 168 tickets are a waste. Go out and ask the driver to pay.

The ticket price was 168 and then 50% off, which was a mess. The scenery was not as good as expected. The tour guide used all kinds of tricks to buy pearls and so on. The scenery was very average. I don't recommend coming here.

I took my elders on a tour with a group, and they were dragged there by the tour group. It was a rip-off. They were basically just filling up the tour stops. The toilet at the entrance was filthy, and there were no restrooms on the island during the two-hour tour. It used to be a fishing village, and there's a dragon cave on the island. You donate 10 yuan at the entrance to receive a prayer plaque. Then you go inside to see a show, and then you're taken to a stalactite cave that looks a bit like a lotus flower, which they say is where the islanders pray. Everyone was given a cinnabar plaque upon entering, and underneath was a new, supposedly cinnabar Pi Qiu. Jinhua led dozens of people to make a wish facing the cave, and afterward, they said you could take the plaques home for 39 yuan. The scenery on the island wasn't great either. If it weren't for the tour group, independent travelers wouldn't even come! What a waste of time!!!

Looking down from the sky, a small island shaped like a weaving shuttle lies across Erhai Lake, hence the name Jinsuo Island. According to a legend in Dali, a fairy from heaven, skilled in weaving brocade, left her golden shuttle in Erhai Lake, which then transformed into an island, a beautiful sight on earth.

After the fishing ban, the status of girls on the tourist island is quite high. The cultural organization of fishermen is quite formal. The performances of local residents are also powerful. It is also a quick tour. I hope to get closer to the houses and catch a local wedding on the day of playing. However, I didn't let them see the customs and habits. It's a pity

The small island on Erhai Lake is a good place for photography. You can take a boat to visit the island.

It's a rip-off! Don't go there... I don't know what the show in the Dragon Palace is. Don't buy the snacks on the island. They're not fresh...

I just passed by Jinsuo Island but didn't go there. It's under renovation now and you need to take a boat to get to the island.

The environment on the island is not particularly good, the garbage cannot be cleaned up in time, and the natural scenery is not very good in short.

Jinsuo Island is composed of two small islands.

There is also Yinsuo Island, which is an independent island

I thought at the time: Gold is definitely more valuable than silver, so Jinsuo Island is two...

I came here from Caicun Pier for 180. I would never come here again if I were given 80! There is absolutely no scenery, cultural buildings or anything like that. Apart from taking a boat, there is nothing substantial. The so-called luxury cruise ship, I haha

Jinsuo Island is really a very small island. There are shops selling tourist souvenirs, barbecue and dried fish products on the island. There is a small temple with quite Nanzhao characteristics. You don’t need to pay for burning incense, and there is a Taoist priest to ring the bell. It can be seen that the local customs are quite simple. I probably stayed in this temple for a while and then hurried back. 40 minutes was too short.

We took a boat to Jinsuo Island. Time was limited, so we visited the temple. There were many pairs of seagulls on the beach, and the grilled fish at the entrance of the village was very fresh and delicious.

This island is a real rip-off. The entrance fee was supposed to be 5 yuan, and the round trip 10 yuan. Instead, a local driver took us to buy tickets for 20 yuan each. He wrote us a seemingly legitimate receipt, but he took it when we boarded the boat, leaving us no time to check the amount. The local driver praised the Jade Dragon Palace highly. After landing, we headed straight to the Dragon Palace. The online listing said the entrance fee alone was 20 yuan, but the ticket seller said there were no 20 yuan tickets. He said entering the palace would include a song and dance performance, so we had to buy a package ticket for 168 yuan per person. Initially, they said there were no half-price tickets for seniors, only a 20% discount. Then, seeing our hesitation, they offered half-price tickets. The pricing was completely opaque. We watched groups of tour groups enter, all claiming they weren't going to see the performances, but only the stalactites at the Dragon Palace. We visited the nearby residential area, then returned. The group that had entered earlier left within half an hour. Before entering, they forced everyone to buy a 10 yuan wishing plaque, which was a must. In other words, it took less than 30 minutes to write the wish card and visit the Dragon Palace, but it cost 168. In short, I feel like a rip-off!

A must-see attraction where you can learn about the Bai ethnic group's customs and taste three-course tea.

Ancient legend has it that a fairy's golden shuttle fell to earth and transformed into an island. Because the island resembles a shuttle, it's called Jinsuo Island. On Jinsuo Island lies the "Sheli Water City," a summer palace built by the king of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Inside, you'll find an imperial garden planted with Yunnan-style flowers and plants, as well as ancient buildings like the Wanghai Tower. Boat tours are also available, making the island a leisurely place to spend a whole day. The area surrounding Jinsuo Island is also perfect for photographing the Erhai Lake scenery.

If you want to stay, choose a sea view room on the west side of Jinsuo Island. The money is definitely worth it and my wife is very happy.

I booked a sea view room on the island for two days. One day was spent enjoying Erhai Lake. The other day was spent at Rushi. I can only say it was so good that I didn't want to go anywhere else. I just wanted to live this cozy life by the sea. The hotel is suitable for young people, with a cafe and library on the first floor. There are also movies in the evening. The villagers on the island are also very welcoming, and the Baijia cuisine is delicious. If I come to Dali again, I will choose not to go anywhere else and stay on the island for many days.

This is the largest island in Erhai Lake, and Erhai Lake cruise ships stop here. You can stroll around the island and take the opportunity to have a meal.

Well, I was able to find such a paradise like Jinsuo Island thanks to the recommendation of He Caitou. Thank you, Brother Caitou, who can write, cook, play and is so enthusiastic!

Jinsuo Island is a great place to stay for one night. The boat ride from the pier is 5 yuan per person, and our hotel reimbursed the boat fare! There are two directions to choose from: east, on the same side as the pier, you can watch the sunrise, but it's closer to the other side, Haidong Town, and the water is a bit muddy. West, on the other side, you can watch the sunset, with Dali Ancient Town and Cangshan Mountain on the other side. It's farther away, the water is clearer, and you can even see Nanzhao Island from some places!

I have a deep impression of whitebait. And remember, when people on the island talk about singing, it definitely doesn’t mean singing.

There is a Sanxing Temple up there. Inside there are so-called fortune tellers who try to cheat you out of your money. Don't go there!!!

Not good. I probably won't go there again next time I have the chance.

It's a small island with no special features. It's not worth going alone.

I booked a sea view room at Rushi Inn on Jinsuo Island. It's highly recommended. The balcony offers an unbeatable sea view. It's very quiet and beautiful! You can lie down and watch the clouds, the sun, and the sea breeze!

The quiet island, falling in love with the inn on the island, facing the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, staring blankly at the sparkling waves, perhaps, I am the happiest at this moment.

This is a terrible island. There's nothing special about it, except for shopping and visiting temples. Once you're inside the temple, after you've completed all the worship, they'll bring you a prayer belt and ask the master to say a few words. They say it's free, but then they ask you to donate. I initially gave a small amount, but then they'll ask you to donate more, telling you that you need to be sincere when entering the temple, and that donating will bring peace to your family and smooth sailing. It really sank my heart. It felt like I was being cursed if I didn't donate. My wife and I were forced to donate a few hundred yuan.

It's nice to see the sea on Jinsuo Island, as long as you don't get scammed by the islanders or the tour guide.

Looking down from the sky, a small island shaped like a weaving shuttle lies across Erhai Lake, hence the name Jinsuo Island. According to a legend in Dali, a fairy from heaven, skilled in weaving brocade, left her golden shuttle in Erhai Lake, which then transformed into an island, a beautiful sight on earth.

Jinsuo Island is the largest island in Erhai Lake, located in Haidong Town.

When I was wandering around the island, I could see the islanders.



Almost all of them are fishermen. Sitting in the living room and drinking tea, you can also see the occasional fishing boat passing by on the sea. It can be seen that they still live a very



In their original ecological lifestyle, it is inconvenient to go out to sea to fish on windy days. Even when the wind stops, they work from sunrise to sunset.

How to get to Dali Jinsuo Island:

1. If you fly to Dali, take a taxi from Dali Airport to Jinsuo Island Pier, which is about ten kilometers away, and then take the local fishermen's ferry to the island.

At the dock, you need to pay a fee of RMB 2 to enter the island, which includes the boat ride. It takes a few minutes to reach the shore. After landing, facing Erhai Lake, turn right and follow the



Keep walking along Erhai Lake until you reach the end, and you will find Shuimo Inn. (You can’t drag a suitcase along this gravel road.)



2. If you take the train to Dali (you can take the train from Kunming to Dali, which takes one night), take the bus from the bus station near the train station to Wase or Hai



If you take a long-distance bus from Dong, tell them you are going to Jinsuo Island. They will drop you off at the pier and the ticket is only RMB 5. Then take a boat to the island.



The way to get to the island is the same.



3. I took a bus from Kunming West Bus Station to Dali Ancient Town, and then from the ancient town to Jinsuo Island. I first took a bus to the train station, and then went to the train station.



I got on the bus to Wase at the bus stop next to the station, and the rest was the same.



4. You can also contact the owner of Shuimo Inn. They have a familiar driver who can charter a car directly from the train station or airport to the boat terminal. The fee is

It seems to be around 60. It's about 100 from the ancient city to the boat dock.





If the local fishermen are not busy, if there are many people, you can also let the boat go directly to the Shuimo Inn, but usually you ask the inn owner to help.



The same applies to those who bring boxes. Please ask the boss to contact the boat by phone. During the days I was there, there was a wedding on the island for three families, so there was no boat available.



It is a dedicated port, and no matter how big the box is, you can only take it to the public pier and then walk in from the public pier.

There are some unique B&Bs on the island, but it feels overdeveloped. The location is very good. It is a small island in the lake, facing Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. It is a good place to relax.

Jinsuo Island is a wonderful embellishment on Erhai Lake, embedded in the blue sky and blue sea, and looks very beautiful from a distance. The residents of the island used to be fishermen, but now they mostly make a living from tourism.

The weather was perfect for the two days I was on the island, with bright sunshine. The scenery was truly breathtaking! Every angle I took photos from the hotel was stunning. However, the island is still under construction, so the roads aren't very smooth, and there aren't many places to eat. I hope it's finished by the next time I visit.

When we were circling Erhai Lake, we saw Jinsuo Island from a distance. The island looked quite big, and we needed to take a boat to get there.

The so-called "high monk" on the island actually asked hundreds of people for so-called "merits". He is really not afraid of being punished by God. It's disgusting.

I stayed on the island for two days. There were many inns with different styles and the supporting facilities were quite incomplete. The only place to eat was the Jinsuo Island Fresh Flower Fish Hotpot next to the primary school. It was a delicacy. The cooking method of this hotpot was quite unique. Many ingredients were unique to Dali, so it tasted very refreshing.

Jinsuo Island is a solitary island located in Erhai Lake. There are more than 500 Bai indigenous families living on the island. The environment is quiet and the people are simple and honest.

Jinsuo Island is an island on Erhai Lake. It is recommended that you spend a lot of money to book a sea view room. During the peak season, you must book it in advance to get the best value for money.

There aren't many people on this island, but I love wandering around these deserted alleys... Here, I saw a beautiful sunset with Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake as the background...

It is the largest island in Erhai Lake. Its shape resembles a weaving rib lying across the water, earning it the name Jinsuo Island. The island boasts several caves, the longest of which stretches over 500 meters, stretching from east to west. Stalactites are visible within the caves, and the caves are currently under development.

This is an island where people rely on fishing for their livelihood, and the environment is pleasant. Those who prefer a quieter environment can stay here for two nights and enjoy the rare tranquility. As the island is still in its early stages of development, its infrastructure is relatively underdeveloped, with no streetlights and uneven roads. It's also a great place to watch the sunset, but due to the bad weather, we didn't see it today.

Due to limited time, I did not go to the island. If you want to visit the island, it is recommended to leave enough time to go there from Shuanglang.

Fishing villages, islands, various stalls, rocky mountains where trees don't grow big, so it's not very cool

To be fair, Jinsuo Island doesn't offer much scenery, aside from the distant views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Aside from the brightly colored private fishing boats floating by the dock, it's clear the locals are committed to developing tourism.

It takes two hours to get to Dali from Lijiang, and then another 40 to 50 minutes by car to get here, and then a 5 yuan boat ticket. The hotel is good, but it's a bit expensive at 400 to 500 yuan.

Jinsuo Island is very quiet and has not been developed yet. You must take a boat to Jinsuo Island! The boat ticket fee is 5 yuan!

Looking out at Jinsuo Island ahead, the villages there looked interesting and seemed symmetrical, but unfortunately they only flashed by.

It was already dusk when we arrived at the pier. The winter sky was a deep blue. A bright moon hung high atop Cangshan Mountain, casting its light on the shimmering waves. The wind was a bit chilly.

The lake water is clear and transparent, reflecting the sunlight, soft like flowing crystal

The boat ride to Jinsuo Island takes about 40 minutes, and you can only stay for an hour. The boatman gives everyone a tag to wear, which identifies your boat number. Honestly, there's not much to see on the island. Photography enthusiasts might want to take some photos of the people, as the inhabitants of Jinsuo Island are all Bai people, so you can learn about their customs. However, I wouldn't recommend it to young people simply traveling.

The entrance fee to Yulong Palace on the island is 20 yuan. There are several caves on the island with stalactites. You can stay in a Bai ethnic minority hotel on the island.

The cruise ship will stop there, giving you some time to explore

It is indeed beautiful, but the time given is too short. I basically just jogged around and didn't take a good look. I will go for a good look when I have the chance.

The largest island in Erhai Lake, Jinsuo Island is low in the middle and high in the north and south, forming a long cone shape. It is another place where homestays are concentrated in the Erhai Lake circle.

Jinsuo Island gets its name from its shape, which resembles a weaving shuttle. Staying in an inn on the island, watching the sunrise and sunset over Erhai Lake, with the clouds rolling in and out, is truly relaxing.

It's located next to Erhai Lake. You can take the Haidong bus from the bus station for 4 yuan.

The island's approximately 300 households are all from the Dali Bai ethnic group, and most residents make their living by fishing. While there aren't many picturesque sights, the island boasts a simple and unpretentious local customs. During my visit, I even met a local woman, "Miss Shi," who took me to her home, the tallest and largest house on the island.

There are barbecue and souvenir shops everywhere. Leave some fish in Erhai Lake!

It is the most primitive place where the Bai people live. There are still many Bai people living here, but it seems that fishing is no longer the main source of income. Tourism has made the people here rich.

At present, it is not recommended to visit Jinsuo Island with children because the road is not paved and walking is not convenient. It is also tiring to carry a child on your back. However, it is worth it for couples to enjoy the sea view and experience the life of fishermen.

Under the reflection of the setting sun, Jinsuo Island of Erhai Lake looks like a shuttle placed in Erhai Lake, so it is named Jinsuo Island.

The ticket price used to be 3 yuan. The current price is unknown. (This island is inhabited by the Bai ethnic group, and all of the people there are native Bai people. You can go there to explore and have lunch, but be sure to ask the price before eating. Also, the Bai woman on the island will invite you to have three courses of tea, which is fine to try, but she'll ask for 15 yuan per person, and you can bargain for 3 yuan per person.)

Jinsuo Island is located in Haidong and is the largest island in Erhai Lake. It is still inhabited. I went there many years ago and it was just a fishing village. There was nothing special about it.

Board the boat from Caicun's pier. Tickets are 150, including Jinsuo Island. After arriving, there will be a tour guide who will take you to visit the ancestral halls on the island. There is one where you kowtow and draw lots to pray for merits.