Dali Erhai is perfect for kids! Explore off-the-beaten-path spots + watch seagulls, filling your day with romance

“By Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, you are right by my side.” Every time I come to Dali, I can’t help but hum this song! After many visits to Erhai with kids, I’ve finally figured out the best family-friendly route—no crowds, great photo ops, and plenty of fun for the little ones. In one day, you can capture the gentle charm of Erhai and the lively atmosphere of the ancient town in your memories~

🗺️ Exclusive family route plan
San Sheng Island (window views + coffee) 👉 Longkan Pier (feed seagulls + watch sunrise) 👉 Dali Mingyue Songjian Erhai Hotel (shoot red dawn redwood forest) 👉 Xiaji Yi Village (camping + sit on the “dream chair” to watch the sea) 👉 Fumei Yi (explore the original ecological village) 👉 Xia Popo (hidden S-shaped curve in the woods) 👉 The most beautiful kilometer of Erhai (redwood forest for epic photos) 👉 Covered Bridge (walk the ecological corridor + view Erhai) 👉 Xizhou Ancient Town (check in at the corner tower + watch the rice field train)

All the family highlights are marked for you!
Longkan Pier (must bring bread crumbs): Arrive before 8 AM when the lake is still misty. Siberian seagulls will fly around the kids, and you can feed them by hand. Photos here look like fairy tales (photos 1 and 2 were taken here, the kids’ smiling faces with seagulls are super heartwarming). The redwood forest is currently bright red; walking along the lakeside, kids can pick up fallen redwood leaves and play for hours without getting bored.
Xizhou Ancient Town (stroll slowly with kids): Don’t just rush to the corner tower! First, take the kids down the main commercial street, buy some freshly baked flower cakes, then head to the north-south alley to snap photos at the “Xizhou check-in wall.” The wall is a gentle off-white, and kids making peace signs next to it are super cute (photos 3 and 13 are from here). If you visit during rice field season, you can also see the vintage rice field train; kids will chase after it, laughing loudly.
Xia Popo (hidden gem): Few tourists come here! There’s an S-shaped curve hidden in the woods next to a stream with crystal-clear water. Kids can play with stones in the shallow water. The redwood forest reflects in the water, and photos come out naturally beautiful without crowds (photo 4 was taken here, showing a kid squatting by the stream picking up stones—so warm and lovely).
Covered Bridge (great for walking): The ecological corridor is very flat, perfect for strollers. Walk slowly with the kids, feel the breeze from Erhai, watch the distant mountains and clouds. When tired, sit on the benches by the bridge. Kids will point at the small boats on the lake and say, “Mom, look!”—so soothing.
San Sheng Island (great for photos + rest): It’s worth bringing kids here for the window framing Erhai! Sitting in the café, kids drink juice while I shoot the view outside the window. Nearby is a large redwood forest called “the most beautiful two kilometers.” After coffee, take a walk with the kids in the woods, breathing in the fresh scent of plants (I’ll share a detailed collection of this spot later).
Xiaji Yi Village (super comfy camping): Find the “dream chair,” let the kids sit on it while I relax on the nearby lawn watching Erhai slowly turn blue. Kids roll around on the grass with their toys. This quiet lakeside village has no noise, only the sound of wind rustling leaves—so peaceful (photo 9 was taken here, with sunlight gently shining on the kid).
The most beautiful kilometer of Erhai (epic photos): The redwood forest grows in large patches by Erhai, glowing red like fire. Standing with kids among the trees, every shot looks like a masterpiece. When kids run, the redwood leaves move with them, making the scene lively (photo 6 is from here, no filters needed—it’s stunning).
Popular S Bay (opposite Junmanyan): There’s a “lonely tree” in the water. Kids standing on the shore with the tree and Erhai as the background make atmospheric photos. The curve of S Bay is beautiful. Walking along the bay with kids, you might see people cycling by, adding a slice of life (photo 12 is from here, with a kid pointing at the tree asking, “Mom, why is it alone here?”—so cute).

🏨 Accommodation tips (comfort is key when traveling with kids)
Highly recommend staying near Longkan Pier at **Dali Mingyue Songjian Erhai Hotel** (top-tier wild luxury)! It’s only a 5-minute walk from the hotel to Longkan Pier, so no need to rush early in the morning. You can wake up slowly with the kids and still catch the sunrise. The hotel has a private courtyard full of succulents and bougainvillea, where kids can chase butterflies. The rooms are minimalist with huge floor-to-ceiling windows—lying in bed, you can see Erhai. The terrace even has a hot spring bath. After putting the kids to sleep, my husband and I enjoy tea on the terrace under the stars—so relaxing. The hotel also offers family services, including kids’ slippers, toothbrushes, and even baby meals, making it super worry-free. On the first day, it’s just a 10-minute drive from the hotel to Dali Ancient Town. At night, stroll the ancient town with the kids, enjoy a steaming bowl of rice noodles, and soak in the local vibe—so cozy.

📝 Tips for traveling with kids
Rent a family electric scooter for the Erhai ecological corridor so you can explore slowly without tiring the kids; bring a light jacket because it’s a bit chilly watching the sunrise; tear bread into small pieces in advance for feeding seagulls, making it easier for kids; if your kids like drawing, bring a small notebook so they can sketch Erhai and the redwood forest, creating a special keepsake~