Dali Cliff Hotel Review｜Lying on a 270° Sea View Bed to Witness the Dawn and Dusk of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake

When the first rays of sunlight crossed the snowy peaks of Cangshan Mountain, I was soaking in the bathtub at Dali Yunji No.1 Cliff Hotel, watching the shimmering waves of Erhai Lake transition from indigo to golden—this is perhaps the most luxurious way to experience Dali. As a travel blogger who visits Dali five times a year, I recently tested three cliff hotels in Xiaguan's mountainside to help you find the room that truly "grows by the shores of Erhai Lake."

🌊 Stay at the Right Hotel and Save Time on Three Popular Attractions

Yunji No.1’s location is textbook-perfect: a 15-minute walk along the hotel’s private pathway takes you to Xingsheng Bridge, yet tucked away in the mountains of Haidong Town, nights are filled only with the sound of waves and stars. The butler, Lily, sent me a weather forecast three days in advance, reminding me of frequent afternoon showers in July and suggesting scheduling Xingsheng Bridge photos for early morning.

The best photo spot was exactly as she described: departing the hotel at 6:30 AM, walking along the lakeshore to the northern pathway of the bridge, using a 2x telephoto lens to frame the bridge’s arches with jacaranda trees (though not in bloom in July, the green leaves complement the European-style bridge beautifully). Backlighting creates a misty effect on the water. Meanwhile, the hotel’s infinity pool becomes a natural reflector after 4 PM, with Cangshan’s reflection and swimmers forming a perfect symmetrical composition.

The room design channels Beverly Hills vibes: minimalist white walls + solid wood furniture, with all outlets hidden behind wooden panels on the viewing deck—no photo spoilers. The most stunning feature is the 270° corner balcony, where the lounge chair angle perfectly frames the villages on Erhai’s western shore and the silhouette of Cangshan’s nineteen peaks.

🌅 A 24-Hour Immersive Itinerary

- 5:30 AM ｜ Woken by dawn light filtering through sheer curtains, when Cangshan’s snowy peaks are clearest
- 7:00 AM ｜ Breakfast delivered to the balcony (try rice noodles with local rubing cheese)
- 10:00 AM ｜ Rent the hotel’s e-bike for a 20-minute ride along East Ring Road to Wase Pier
- 3:00 PM ｜ Post-rain, capture sunbeams piercing the clouds in your room
- 7:30 PM ｜ Xingsheng Bridge lights up—shoot the panorama from the hotel rooftop with a wide-angle lens
- 10:00 PM ｜ Soak in the tub while the Milky Way spans Erhai (clearly visible in July’s southern sky)

Tips: If staying at Liuyue·Haidongfang, book their cliffside restaurant in advance—try the sour papaya fish stew with Bai-style plum wine.

📸 Hidden Gems to Avoid Crowds

Few know that while July lacks seagulls (best from November to March), Erhai offers something even more magical: the hotel prepares glow sticks for nighttime walks along the receding tide, where waves glow turquoise—a phenomenon called "blue tears."

For iconic Xingsheng Bridge shots, follow local photographers’ advice: at 5 PM, take a 10-minute taxi to Erhe Forest Park, shoot from a low angle on the corridor to frame the bridge and its reflection as a perfect circle. Wear a light-colored maxi dress and stand under the arch, blurring the background with portrait mode for instant ambiance.

❓ FAQs

▫️ Is transportation convenient?
Yunji No.1 offers free shuttle service. A 30-minute taxi from Dali Station costs ~¥80. Self-parking is available (steep mountain roads—staff assist with luggage).

▫️ Room types and pricing?
Peak season (June-August) starts at ~¥1,200/night for basic sea-view rooms. Upgrade to a room with a private tub for stargazing baths.

▫️ Dining options nearby?
Hotel dinners can be delivered (~¥80/person), or walk 10 minutes to Xiahe Village for "Haiwei Xian’s" spicy fish—a local driver’s pick.

✨ Blogger’s Personal Picks

Splurge on Wuxiangjian·Oriental Sea View Villa’s fireplace evenings—staff prep pinewood at sunset, and as flames crackle, Xingsheng Bridge’s lights flicker on outside. Liuyue’s cliffside café at 3 PM casts geometric sunspots through floor-to-ceiling windows, ideal for moody reels.

This trip taught me Dali’s romance isn’t about Instagram spots. One morning, watching fishermen paddle wooden boats through mist from Yunji No.1’s balcony, I finally understood: "With the right hotel, you’ve already seen half of Dali."

(All recommendations based on firsthand experiences; no sponsorships.)