Late Summer Dali Hits with an Average Cost of 800+ per Person: Erhai Rice Fields and Cangshan All-Inclusive, Miss It and Wait a Year

Here is a tailored in-depth guide for Dali in August-September, combining summer cooling, high cost-performance, and seasonal exclusive experiences to help you unlock the essence of the "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon"!

1. Dali Ancient Town | Millennium Fireworks · 24℃ Cultural Stroll

🚗 Transportation Guide

Take the high-speed train to Dali Station, then take the scenic direct shuttle bus for 5 RMB/person straight to the South Gate (30-minute ride), or take bus No. 8 to Erhaimen.

🌟 Must-Do Highlights in August-September

Off-peak Night Tour Free Secret Spots:

After 10:00 PM on Renmin Road: wandering singers performing, fortune-telling stalls, grilled milk fan carts (5 RMB/portion), avoid crowds and enjoy the artistic nightlife atmosphere.

Honglongjing Clear Stream Night Lights: wear Hanfu and carry lanterns to take photos by the flowing water stone bridge, full of ancient style ambiance (clothing rental 30 RMB/hour).

Niche Cultural Experiences:

Jiang Gongci Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicrafts: 10 RMB to try Jiama woodblock printing/dyeing scarves (cheaper than Zhou City), less crowded from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Bed Sheet Factory Art District: hunt for vintage unique earrings (starting at 20 RMB), meet independent designers at weekend markets.

🍜 Budget Food

Zai Huishou Cold Chicken Rice Noodles: 10 RMB/bowl with a balanced sweet, sour, and spicy flavor, paired with papaya water for 3 RMB to cool down.

North Gate Morning Market: rush before 7:00 AM for thin bean powder + fried dough sticks (5 RMB), carry a bamboo basket to capture local market life scenes.

🏡 Accommodation Tips

South Gate Homestay Area: "Yunxi Qingsu" off-season 150 RMB/night, 3-minute walk to the city wall, rooftop views of Cangshan.

2. Xizhou Ancient Town | Rice Field Fairy Tale · Bai Ethnic Style at Its Best

🚲 Transportation Guide

From Ancient Town Cangshan Gate, take a minibus for 8 RMB (every 15 minutes), or rent an electric bike for 40 RMB/day to tour the West Erhai line conveniently.

🌟 Seasonal Exclusive Highlights

Golden Rice Fields in September:

Xilinyuan Yellow Walls: free! Wear a white dress and stand on the rice field road to shoot the same style as "Waves of Wheat in the Wind," with stunning light and shadow in the early morning dew.

Haishi Park Couple Trees: 10-minute bike ride to see Erhai reflecting the early autumn clouds (free admission).

In-depth Cultural Activities:

Yan Family Courtyard Three-Cup Tea: 35 RMB to watch singing and dancing + taste tea, experience the life philosophy of "one bitterness, two sweetness, three aftertaste" (less crowded at 2:00 PM).

Craftsman Collective Folk Art Center: free to watch Bai Jiama and Wamao making, DIY tie-dye scarves for 50 RMB (includes a canvas bag).

🍜 Must-Eat List

Fuxing Crispy Baba: old shop with blue cloth sign at Sifang Street, rose jam-filled sweet baba 10 RMB, crispy crust crumbles, best eaten hot.

Ama Ying Pea Noodles: No. 40 Shishang Street mixed noodles 8 RMB, sour and spicy appetizing, no queue if arriving before 10:00 AM.

3. Shuanglang Ancient Town | Erhai Sunset · Cliffside Sea View Art Feast

🚤 Transportation Guide

Carpool from Ancient Town 25 RMB/person (40 minutes), or take the East Line Erhai Bus for 30 RMB direct.

🌟 Photography-Level Experience

Free Photo Spots:

Yujidao Island Sunset: free entry after 5:30 PM! Shoot silhouettes outside Yang Liping’s Sun Palace, sunset glows red on the glass curtain wall like fire.

Luwoshan Ruins: navigate to "Luwoshan Ruins," go through a cave framing Erhai’s shimmering waves, dead trees + water caves for forest-style shots.

Hidden Viewing Spots:

Shanjian Coffee Terrace: order an iced Americano for 28 RMB and enjoy a 270° sea view, wooden boardwalk extends into the water.

Shuanglang Viewing Platform: shoot Bai architecture and Erhai in the same frame from above, telephoto lens compression is stunning.

🏡 High Cost-Performance Accommodation

Qianli Zou Danqi Yunhe Stay: off-season sea view room 600 RMB/night, includes afternoon tea + Bohemian terrace photo shoot.

Gumeimei Seaview Homestay: wabi-sabi style giant screen room 400 RMB+, private beach for stargazing, Dyson hairdryer + Marshall speakers.

4. Cangshan | Sea of Clouds and Snow Peaks · 15℃ Lung-Cleansing Summer Escape

🚠 Transportation Guide

Take bus No. 4 from Ancient Town to Gantong Cableway Station, or taxi for 15 RMB.

🌟 Off-Peak Cooling Route

Ximatan Cableway Panoramic Tour:

Arrive before 8:00 AM: online ticket 260 RMB (includes Tianlong Babu Film City), wear down jackets to rush to 3,920 meters altitude, residual snow and rhododendrons still visible in September.

Qilongnü Pool Waterfall: 1.5 km hiking plank road, misty water like natural air conditioning (get off at cableway mid-station).

Light Hiking Alternative:

Jizhaoan Vegetarian Meal: 20 RMB/portion (served from 11:30 AM), drink free tea in the hydrangea courtyard, 30-minute walk to the back mountain of Gantong Temple.

Shimen Pass Canyon: glass plank road + waterfall creek tracing (ticket 120 RMB), 1.5 hours by special bus from Dali Station.

⚠️ Pitfall Tips

Oxygen bottles on the mountain top cost 60 RMB! Buy in advance at Ancient Town pharmacies for only 25 RMB; cableway weather is changeable, check "Dali Tourism Service" WeChat official account for real-time operation announcements before departure.

📅 4 Days 3 Nights Itinerary & Ultimate Money-Saving Tips

🚩 Itinerary

Day 1: Dali Station → Ancient Town Night Tour (Renmin Road late-night snacks + Honglongjing lights) → stay at South Gate;

Day 2: North Gate Morning Market → Xizhou (rice fields + Haishi Park) → Shuanglang sunset → stay at sea view homestay;

Day 3: Shuanglang (Yujidao Island + Luwoshan) → Cangshan Ximatan (early summit) → stay at Gantong Cableway entrance;

Day 4: Jizhaoan vegetarian meal → return.

💰 Budget Core Tips

Save on tickets:

Only visit Reflection Park at Three Pagodas for full panorama (30 RMB vs combo ticket 75 RMB);

Shuanglang Yujidao Island free after 5:30 PM, Yang Liping Sun Palace exterior free.

Save on transport:

Rent electric bike around Erhai 50 RMB/day (choose 200 km range), saves 300 RMB compared to charter;

Xizhou-Shuanglang take minibus 10 RMB, locals often use.

Save on food:

Buy Xizhou baba from street vendors outside Ancient Town (5 RMB vs 15 RMB in scenic area);

Mushroom hotpot at Xiaguan city "Lotus Courtyard," 60 RMB per person, 40 RMB cheaper than Shuanglang.

🎒 Pre-Trip Must-See

Clothing: light jacket (Cangshan is cold) + ethnic-style shawl (for photos + sun protection), bargain for 20 RMB in Ancient Town;

Gear: sun/rain umbrella (frequent showers in August) + high-altitude sunscreen (SPF50+) + oxygen bottle (buy in advance at Ancient Town pharmacy);

Important: Cangshan cableway tickets must be booked 2 days in advance! Peak season queues over 1 hour on site.

✨ Guide Value Points

Tested for timeliness: based on latest policies in August 2025 (such as Shuanglang Yujidao free time, Cangshan operating hours);

Niche and offbeat: avoid crowds at S Bay, explore Xizhou Craftsman Collective, Bed Sheet Factory market for deep experiences;

Seasonal exclusives: lock in September golden rice fields, Cangshan residual snow, and clear Erhai visual feast!

As the rainy season ends and autumn breeze is not yet cool, grab a high-speed train ticket to enter Dali’s late summer fairy tale, with rice waves on your left and Erhai on your right, full of healing power! 🌟