Three Days and Four Nights Exploring Dali, Yunnan

Title: Explore Dali for 3 Days and 4 Nights with 6000 RMB! Two People Stay in a Private Erhai Lake Scenic Homestay + Helicopter Tour + Bai Ethnic Family Feast—This Is How High-End Travelers Do It!

You think going to Dali means only budget travel and camping?
Wrong! We recently spent exactly 6000 RMB, stayed in a trendy designer homestay, took a helicopter to overlook Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, and enjoyed a custom Bai ethnic banquet—
Not showing off wealth, just telling you: spending money wisely is what travel is about, not just making do!

Please keep this [Light Luxury Dali Travel Guide]. No rushing, no crowds, all high-energy photo ops, your social circle will be amazed!

Day 1: Vacation starts upon arrival, open the window to see the Erhai Lake sunset!
Fly directly to Dali Airport (book tickets two weeks in advance, round-trip tickets 2800 RMB for two), then a private car takes you to a waterside homestay in Shuanglang Ancient Town.

We stayed in the "Yunzhu Sea View Suite," including breakfast + afternoon tea + private viewing deck, 980 RMB per night, 1960 RMB for two nights.
The floor-to-ceiling window faces Erhai Lake; you can watch the sunset slowly sink into the water while soaking in the bath—romantic to the point of breathlessness!

In the evening, change into a long dress, and have a photographer follow you for an hour (about 299 RMB), a set of "Erhai photos" that can be used as wedding pictures!

Dinner at Yangji Bai Cuisine in Shuanglang, private room banquet with three dishes and one soup:
✅ Sour and Spicy Fish (fresh fish from Erhai Lake)
✅ Braised Pork Ribs with Lotus Root
✅ Cold Mixed Tree Flowers
120 RMB per person, authentic and elegant.

Day 2: Helicopter tour around Cangshan Mountain! See how beautiful Dali is from a god’s-eye view?
Sleep in naturally, check out, store your luggage, and start today’s highlight—
Helicopter flight around Erhai Lake! (598 RMB per person, limited-time special price)

Take off from Hongshan Village, fly around Yudai Road, Xiaoputuo, and Jinshuo Island, 10 minutes total, and you get the aerial video!
The feeling of floating between heaven and earth is more real than watching 100 short videos!

Afterward, visit Xizhou Ancient Town, check in at the yellow wall S-curve, rent a delicate Hanfu outfit (68 RMB/set), and take photos in the rice fields and old Western-style houses, full of artistic vibes.

Lunch at the outdoor area of Blue Bandage Café in Xizhou, order a rose latte + tiramisu, 78 RMB, totally worth the photo ops!

In the afternoon, head to Shaxi Ancient Town (taxi about 150 RMB), a millennium-old town recommended by National Geographic, quiet and peaceful, walk the ancient horse caravan trail, as if traveling back to the Nanzhao Kingdom era.

Stay overnight at a boutique homestay in Shaxi (including dinner), try a firewood chicken hotpot + homemade plum wine, 380 RMB per room, so quiet you can only hear the wind.

Day 3: Wake up slowly in Shaxi, bring your soul home
Sleep until nine, drink a cup of Yunnan small-grain coffee in the courtyard, listen to the owner tell stories about the Tea Horse Road.
Buy some souvenirs: handmade tie-dye cloth, wild honey, rose jam, all for 200 RMB.

Return at noon, choose high-speed rail or carpool back to Dali Station, easily ending this body-and-mind healing trip.

💰 Total expenses for two people:
Round-trip tickets: 2800 RMB
Homestay accommodation (3 nights): 1960 RMB (2 nights in Shuanglang + 1 night in Shaxi)
Helicopter experience: 1196 RMB (2 people)
Meals + afternoon tea: 800 RMB
Clothing rental + photography + transportation and miscellaneous: 500 RMB

👉 Total: 5980 RMB, rounded up to 6000 RMB!

Stop just thinking about "saving money to go to Dali."
A truly good trip isn’t about how many spots you check off, but—
Is there a moment that makes you feel your heart healed?

If you want a trip that’s "no rushing, just heartfelt,"
Like and save this guide. On the day you set off, you’ll thank yourself.

Tell me in the comments: who do you most want to spend a whole day sunbathing and daydreaming by Erhai Lake with?