Erhai Lake Cycling Stunning Route

2025 July Summer Escape Dali 7-Day Travel Guide, combining cool climate and summer romantic experiences, costing 3000-4000 RMB per person
🌊 Highlights
Average temperature in July: 22-24℃, natural cooling from Erhai Lake breeze and Cangshan Mountain streams
Activities: Early outings, afternoon rest, evening tours to avoid peak sun
Immersive slow travel: multi-dimensional experiences including cycling, hiking, and boating

📅 Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dali · Initial Exploration of Ancient Town
Afternoon: Check in at a guesthouse in Dali Ancient Town (recommended near Foreigner Street)
Evening: Visit Renmin Road Night Market, try grilled milk fan
Night tour: Climb Wuhua Tower to view ancient town lights
Stay in the ancient town, convenient transportation

Day 2: Erhai Lake Boat Tour · Bai Ethnic Style
Morning: Long boat tour (Dali Port → Nanzhao Style Island → Shuanglang)
⏰ Departure at 10:00 | Watch Bai ethnic song and dance / feed seagulls

Tips: Choose the second-floor bow seat for sun protection and great photos
Afternoon: Explore Shuanglang Art Town shops (Taiyang Palace / Muxi Dali)
Evening: Night tour of West Er River, enjoy the dreamlike Erhai Lake reflected in lights

Day 3: Self-driving Around Erhai Lake · Secret Spots Check-in
Rent a car to circle the lake (recommended electric bike, 80 RMB/day)
Route: Ancient Town → Internet-famous S Curve cycling → Wenbi Village (Bai ethnic rainbow road) → Luwoshan (cliff caves/ruined walls)

Lunch: Farmhouse restaurant on Erhai Road (must order claypot fish)
Evening: Watch wheat waves and experience tie-dye in Xizhou Ancient Town

Day 4: Cangshan Mountain Summer Escape · Stream Healing
Morning: Take Ximatan Cableway to Cangshan Mountain
🌲 Hike Yudai Cloud Tour Trail, collect pine cones and listen to streams
Afternoon: Cool off in Qingbi Stream (bring creek shoes!)
Dinner: Grandma’s Braised Spare Ribs in Ancient Town (popular must-eat)

Day 5: Cultural Depth · Bai Ethnic Craftsmanship
Morning: Zhoucheng Tie-dye Museum DIY scarf
Afternoon: Explore Xizhou Ancient Town secrets (Yan Family Courtyard / Corner Tower)
Experience: Make Xizhou Baba by hand (savory and sweet combo)

Day 6: Off-the-Beaten-Path Secret Spots · Wild Fun Time
All day: Fengyangyi Tea Horse Road (filming location of "To the Windy Place")
Horse riding to explore ancient villages | Daydream at Qiuyuan Café
Evening: Watch panoramic Erhai Lake view from Zemoshan (alternative to popular Luwoshan)

Day 7: Leisure and Return
Morning: Shop for mushrooms and flower cakes at North Gate Market
Recommended souvenirs: Weishan preserved fruits / Dengchuan milk fan

🍜 Specialty Food
Yangji Crispy Baba (rose brown sugar filling)
Xizhou Sifang Street
Yunqiao Guest Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles
Dai-style pounded chicken feet + Paoluda

⚠️ Key Summer Escape Tips
Sun protection combo: UV index is strong! Use SPF 50+ sunscreen + cooling sleeves + wide-brim hat
Flexible clothing: Thin jacket essential (mountain temperature difference up to 10℃)
Off-peak travel: Best to visit attractions before 9 AM or after 4 PM
Accommodation advice: Choose Ancient Town or Caicun (many guesthouses by Erhai Lake are under reconstruction)
🌟 In-depth experience:
Choose ecological corridor cycling on West Erhai Road (no motor vehicles allowed), the S Curve to Longkan Wharf section is the most beautiful; for Cangshan, the Gantong Cableway is recommended