Dali Leisure Deep Travel Guide (4 Days 3 Nights) Core Idea: One day around Erhai Lake, one day climbing Cangshan Mountain and visiting the ancient town, fully experiencing the slow life of Dali.

Dali Leisure Deep Travel Guide (4 Days 3 Nights)

Core Idea: One day around Erhai Lake, one day climbing Cangshan Mountain and visiting the ancient town, fully experiencing the slow life of Dali.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dali, first encounter with the ancient town charm

· Afternoon: Arrive in Dali, it is recommended to stay in a characteristic guesthouse within Dali Ancient Town. After settling in, take a leisurely stroll in the ancient town.
· Evening: Walk along Renmin Road and Fuxing Road, the two busiest streets in the ancient town, lined with shops selling various handicrafts, ethnic costumes, and local snacks.
· Night: Find a cozy restaurant or bar in the ancient town to taste the local specialty mushroom hotpot and experience the nightlife of the ancient town.

Day 2: Erhai Lake tour, encounter lake and mountain scenery

· All day: This is the highlight of the trip. Strongly recommend renting a jeep or a smart car (a driver can be hired) to tour around Erhai Lake (about 130 kilometers).
· Suggested route (clockwise):
· Dali Ancient Town → Xizhou Ancient Town: Visit exquisite Bai ethnic residences and taste freshly baked Xizhou baba (available in sweet and savory flavors).
· Xizhou Ancient Town → Haishi Ecological Park: This is a small peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, with pristine scenery, perfect for photography.
· Haishi Park → Shuanglang Ancient Town: Shuanglang is one of the best spots to view Erhai Lake. You can have lunch here, recommended is the sour and spicy fish.
· Shuanglang → Wase Town S Bay: This section is the essence of Erhai Lake, the famous "Haixi S Bend" is here. You can stop to take a series of stunning road photos.
· Return to Ancient Town: Return to Dali Ancient Town accompanied by the sunset glow.

Day 3: Explore Cangshan Mountain, overlook the panoramic view of Dali

· Morning: Take the Cangshan Ximatan Cableway, the longest cableway that goes directly to the mountain top at nearly 4000 meters altitude, overlooking the magnificent views of Erhai Lake and Dali Basin. Remember to bring a jacket as the temperature is lower on the mountain.
· Afternoon: After descending, visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, a landmark of Dali and the prototype of "Tianlong Temple" in Jin Yong’s novel "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," to feel the weight of history.
· Evening: You can watch the live performance "Impression Dali" (seasonal) or continue exploring the ancient town’s cuisine, such as grilled milk fan and rice noodles.

Day 4: Leisurely return

· Morning: Take a last stroll in the ancient town and buy some souvenirs like flower cakes and tie-dye fabrics.
· Afternoon: Pack up and end your pleasant Dali trip, heading to the airport or train station.

Food Recommendations

· Main dishes: Sour and spicy fish, wild mushroom hotpot, Dali clay pot fish, Yongping yellow braised chicken
· Snacks: Grilled milk fan, Xizhou baba, Weishan barbecued meat rice noodles, cold chicken rice noodles
· Drinks: Dali yogurt, fresh fruit juice

Practical Tips

1. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! The UV rays in Dali are very strong, be sure to prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
2. Moisturize: The climate is relatively dry, pay attention to skin hydration and drink plenty of water.
3. Transportation: Walking is sufficient within the ancient town. For touring around Erhai Lake, renting a car or chartering a vehicle is recommended. Electric scooters can also be rented but may not have enough battery for the full trip.
4. Accommodation: Besides Dali Ancient Town, seaside guesthouses in Shuanglang and Caicun are also good choices.

Hope this guide helps you plan a perfect trip to Dali. Wish you a pleasant journey!