Dali Erhai

🌊【Dali Erhai｜This road has taken all the likes on my Moments for a whole year!】🌊
📍 Must-visit Landmarks
1. Wenbi Village Rainbow Road
A dreamy road woven with red, yellow, and blue, extending from the "Wenjing Biwei" archway to Erhai Lake. The roadside is decorated with desert plants and bamboo baskets, full of tropical vibes. Photography tip: Before 10 AM or after 6:30 PM, the light is soft. When shooting from above, include the horizon where the sea meets the sky. It’s recommended to wear a light-colored long dress to contrast with the rainbow road. Navigate to "Hall of the Sea" to reach the core section directly. The stone pier fences along the way also serve as natural props.

2. Panxi S-Bend
The most classic "water road" of Erhai Lake. Arrive before 7 AM to enjoy an empty shot. Ride a colorful bicycle through it, with the blue waves of Erhai and the misty Cangshan Mountains forming a cinematic backdrop. Hidden experience: Order a coffee on the terrace of "Erduo" café and watch seagulls skim the water surface (winter only), or use a drone to capture the full view of the S-bend (local regulations apply).

3. Xizhou Rice Field Art Exhibition
Next to the Yan Family Courtyard, the rice fields display moving Bai ethnic girl patterns using AR technology. From September to October, the green rice waves contrast beautifully with red walls and blue tiles. It’s recommended to wear solid-colored clothes and run along the ridges for candid shots.

📸 Photography Inspiration
- Composition tips: Use the road’s extension lines to create depth. At the S-bend’s peak, use diagonal composition to highlight Erhai’s vastness; for the rainbow road, use symmetrical composition to let the three colored lines run through the frame.

- Outfit suggestions: Choose cotton-linen long dresses (white or pale yellow recommended), paired with straw hats and rattan bags to create a forest vibe in rice fields or flower seas; for cycling, wear denim shorts and bright sun-protective clothing to show vitality.

🎡 Nearby Highlights
- Torch Festival Celebration: On July 19, Zhoucheng Village will hold a thousand-person torch formation and Bai ethnic ancient chant. In the evening, drive 20 minutes from the rainbow road to join the bonfire dance and experience the stunning "fire trees and silver flowers light up the night."

- Off-the-beaten-path Experience: Hike 2 hours along the Fengyangyi Tea Horse Ancient Road, ending with tasting roasted milk fan cheese. Along the way, you might spot the same horse caravan signposts featured in "To the Windy Place."

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
- High-end Choice: The "Anxi" guesthouse in Shuanglang has cliffside bathtubs facing Erhai Lake, perfect for stargazing while soaking at night; the "Light and Shadow Game" guesthouse rooftop rock sun deck offers limited daily ginger tea, book before 5:30 AM to enjoy the sunrise exclusively.

- Budget-friendly Choice: Hostel beds near the ancient town cost 60 RMB/night, off-season special for Erhai West Coast guesthouses is 180 RMB/night, some guesthouses offer "early bird prices" with 200 RMB off for bookings 28 days in advance.

⚠️ Practical Tips
- July in Dali is rainy; carry a sun-and-rain umbrella. After rain, the "Cangshan Jade Belt Cloud" phenomenon often appears, a perfect moment for photos.

- Convenience stores are scarce along the road; it’s recommended to stock up on drinking water and snacks in the ancient town. Sunscreen (SPF50+) and sunglasses are essential.

- Feeding seagulls and picking seaweed flowers are prohibited in the core ecological protection zone of Erhai. Travel responsibly to protect this clear water and blue sky.