Golden Autumn in Dali, a Four Days Three Nights Travel Guide!

In October, the sky over Dali is a glazed blue, the rice fields ripple with golden waves,
Erhai Lake gently ripples, the ancient town is tranquil—it's the perfect season to be "stunned without rushing."

🗓 Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dali → Stay at a guesthouse by Erhai Lake
Fly to Kunming/Lijiang and transfer to high-speed train to [Dali Station], then take a taxi to the Erhai Ecological Corridor area (about 50 RMB).
Check into a sea-view guesthouse (💰600-800 RMB/night), and in the evening, bike to Caicun Pier to watch the sunset melt into gold.

Day 2: Light trip around Erhai Lake (chartered car/self-drive)
Morning clockwise tour around Erhai Lake:
📍 Longkan Pier (watch sunrise + water cypress reflections)
📍 Panxi S Curve (check in at the popular tree for cycling)
📍 Xizhou Ancient Town (wear Bai ethnic costumes for rice field photos, try Xizhou baba pancakes)
Afternoon visit Shuanglang Art Town, gaze at Nanzhao Style Island from afar, and enjoy a Bai-style sour and spicy fish dinner.

Day 3: Cangshan Mountain hike + Ancient Town stroll
Take the Gantong Cableway up Cangshan Mountain (one way 80 RMB), walk the gentle Yudai Road section, overlooking the full view of Erhai Lake.
After descending, stroll through [Dali Ancient Town], shop for handmade crafts on Renmin Road, and have a cup of Fenghuaxueyue coffee on Foreigner Street.
Stay overnight at a literary guesthouse in the ancient town and fall asleep to folk songs.

Day 4: Shaxi Ancient Town day trip and return
Early morning drive 2 hours to [Shaxi Ancient Town], a hidden gem on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, with a quiet and healing ancient theater stage and Sideng Street.
Return in the afternoon, carrying the full glow of autumn home.

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💰 Budget Details (per person):
- Major transportation (round-trip flight/high-speed train): 1800 RMB
- Accommodation: 750×3 = 2250 RMB
- Food + snacks: 100×4 = 400 RMB
- Tickets + cableway + chartered car: 300 RMB
✅ Total: about 3750 RMB, well within a 4000 RMB budget!

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This autumn,
don’t just think about distant snowy mountains.
Come to Dali, feel the breeze by Erhai Lake,
watch the sunset in the rice fields,
and live your days like poetry.