I spent 3 days in Dali, and my spending habits completely collapsed

Babes! Who would have thought that this place called "Peaceful Times" would make my wallet shrink three sizes😱? A cup of coffee at the popular S curve costs 58 yuan, renting a car around Erhai Lake for a day is more expensive than taking a taxi, and even the flower cakes at roadside stalls are twice as expensive as online shopping... But the crazy part is, when I left, I was already planning when to come back next! What kind of magic does this romantic little town use to empty my wallet yet fill my heart? Today, I have to reveal the truth to you all👇!

Transportation Guide

• Airplane✈️: Direct flight to "Dali Fengyi Airport," 30 minutes by taxi to the Old Town, airport shuttle bus 15 yuan/person

• High-speed train🚄: Kunming → Dali about 2 hours, take bus No. 8 from the station directly to Dali Old Town

• Car rental🚗: The first choice for touring Erhai Lake! Electric bikes 80-150 yuan/day, cars 300-500 yuan/day (remember to book in advance during peak season!)

• Carpool🚗: Super convenient for attractions around the Old Town, 20-50 yuan per person, stop whenever you want

3-Day Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Artistic Slow Life in the Old Town📖

• Morning: Dali Old Town
Stroll along the bluestone paths, check in at the Catholic Church⛪️, hunt for vintage items on "Yeyu Road"

• Afternoon: Jizhao Nunnery🌼
Known as "China's Most Beautiful Nunnery"! Eat a 20-yuan vegetarian buffet, sit among the succulent plants and meditate while copying scriptures

• Evening: Explore and eat at Renmin Road Night Market, have a plum wine🍶, listen to street performers play and sing

Day 2: Romantic Cycling Day around Erhai Lake🚴

• Morning: Panxi Village S Curve
Watch the popular sunrise🌅! Buy a roadside coffee, sit on a bench and daydream—super relaxing

• Afternoon: Cycle along West Ring Road🚲
Pass by the covered bridge, Xizhou Ancient Town (check in at Yan Family Courtyard, buy freshly baked broken crisp pastries🥧), Shuanglang Ancient Town (take photos at Yang Liping’s Sun Palace📸)

• Evening: Watch the sunset at Wase Pier, eat sour and spicy fish🐟 near Little Putuo

Day 3: Exploring the Secret Realm of Cangshan Mountain⛰️

• Morning: Ximatan Cableway
Directly reach the peak of Cangshan! The snow line scenery at 3,966 meters altitude is breathtaking❄️ (beware of altitude sickness!)

• Afternoon: Tianlong Babu Film City
Dress in ancient costumes for photos📷, relive your martial arts dreams! On the way, check out March Street and eat freshly baked milk fan cheese

• Evening: Visit the creative market at "Four Seasons Market" in the Old Town, bring back some flower cakes as souvenirs💐

Best Seasons

March to May for cherry blossoms and azaleas in full bloom🌸; September to November for crisp autumn air and sky as blue as if washed! Avoid the rainy season in July and August (rain may affect your Erhai Lake experience). From December to February, you can see black-headed gulls🕊️, but the temperature difference between morning and night is big, so wear thick jackets~

Dali Old Town Accommodation Guide

• Luxury pick: "Dali Yunhe Zhuhai Seaview Resort"🌊 (prime Erhai Lake view, rooms with private soaking tubs)

• Popular trendy choice: "Wuxiangjian · Linwu Niaoming"🌲 (forest cabins + floating afternoon tea, 200% photo-worthy!)

• Best value: "Dali Old Town Yirantang Inn" (5-minute walk to Old Town, 80 yuan per person to stay in a Bai ethnic courtyard)

Special Local Food

• Must-try main dishes: Bai-style sour and spicy fish🐟, claypot fish, raw skin

• Divine snacks: Roasted milk fan cheese🥛, rose flower cakes, Xizhou broken crisp pastries

• Hidden delicacies: Weishan braised meat rice noodles🍜, papaya water, cold chicken rice noodles

The day I left Dali, I stared at Erhai Lake for a long time... Even though I spent almost half a month's salary in three days, I felt every penny was exchanged for healing memories🌊. Sisters, if it were you, would you be willing to go on a "bankrupt-style romance" trip on a whim? Tell me in the comments👇!