The fairy tale secret realm of Dali, the ideal garden that plays romance to the fullest

Stumbling upon the "Ideal Garden" on Huanhai East Road in Dali, I finally understood what it means to pack the romance of Erhai Lake into a fairy tale.

That flower sea wooden cabin (Photo 2) is wrapped full with clusters of colorful flowers, with the blue sky as the backdrop, every casual shot looks like a fairy tale masterpiece. Walking up along the trail, the view from the Erhai Lake viewing platform (Photos 3 and 5) is absolutely stunning! The distant Cangshan Mountains are shrouded in mist, the nearby Erhai Lake sparkles, and the giant red and green apple installation adds a touch of whimsy. Sitting on the nearby bench, it feels like embracing all the blue and green of Dali.

There’s also the dreamy flower arch (Photo 4) and the white cactus area (Photo 6), both delightful surprises. The purple large flower arch is romantically over the top, and the white cactus area feels like a fairy tale secret realm in the desert. These lesser-known photo spots aren’t crowded, so you can take your time and enjoy shooting.

The park is perfect for family and kids, as well as for girlfriends and couples to check in. The environment and fun factor are both on point, and there’s a rest area when you get tired. Spending just over eighty yuan per person to enjoy so many flower-themed activities by Erhai Lake is quite cost-effective. If you want to find a photogenic and playful place in Dali, this is definitely worth a visit.

Ideal Garden

Post by TwilightNovaWhisper | Oct 22, 2025