Sunshine, clouds, and Erhai Lake create Dali's unique slow life festival

Dali Travel Guide Day 1: Dali Ancient Town + Chongsheng Temple Dali Ancient Town 📍Location: Dali Ancient Town area, Dali City 🚗Transportation: Take bus No. 4 or 8 directly from Dali Railway Station; taxi costs about 40-50 RMB; airport shuttle bus available 👍️Must-visit spots: Start from the South Gate and visit Wuhua Tower, Presidential Marshal’s Mansion, and Foreigner Street in order. Wuhua Tower is magnificent and full of historical charm; the Presidential Marshal’s Mansion offers insight into past military culture; Foreigner Street is full of exotic vibes and unique shops 🎟️Tickets: Ancient Town is free to enter 💗Other tips: Walk slowly to enjoy the slow life here. For lunch, try Zaihuishou Cold Chicken Rice Noodles, 10 RMB per bowl, with smooth noodles and tender chicken; also try Yang’s Grilled Milk Fan, 5 RMB per skewer with rose sauce, sweet and crispy Chongsheng Temple 📍Location: Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Area, Dali City 🚗Transportation: About 10 minutes by taxi from the North Gate of Ancient Town 👍️Must-visit spots: The Three Pagodas are the core attraction, and the Three Pagodas Reflection Park is a must-see. The pond reflects Cangshan Mountain and the pagodas, perfect for photos and a classic spot 🎟️Tickets: Entrance ticket required, check official channels for prices 💗Other tips: Visit in the early afternoon for better lighting. At night, be sure to explore the People’s Road Night Market in the Ancient Town, where you can find handmade tie-dye, ethnic-style earrings, and other unique items. For nightlife, Da Bing’s Little House or Jim’s Restaurant are great choices to listen to music and enjoy drinks, very relaxing Day 2: Xizhou Ancient Town + Shuanglang Ancient Town + Erhai Lake Cycling Xizhou Ancient Town 📍Location: Xizhou Town, Dali City 🚗Transportation: Take a minibus from Dali Ancient Town, 10 RMB per person 👍️Must-visit spots: 1. Corner Tower: Popular photo spot, go early to avoid crowds and get beautiful shots 2. Xilin Garden Wheat Field: Rapeseed flowers bloom from March to April, yellow and green like a painting 3. Zhoucheng Tie-Dye: Make your own indigo-dyed scarf, about 50 RMB per person, very hands-on experience 🎟️Tickets: Ancient Town is free, some experiences charge separately 💗Other tips: For lunch, try Xizhou Baba, crispy outside with rich filling; also try cold mixed tree head vegetable, very unique Shuanglang Ancient Town + Erhai Lake Cycling 📍Location: Shuanglang Town, Dali City 🚗Transportation: Carpool from Xizhou, 20 RMB per person, about 30 minutes 👍️Must-visit spots: 1. Nanzhao Style Island: Take a boat to the island, ticket 50 RMB per person, check in at the heart of Erhai Lake 2. Sun Palace Afternoon Tea: Yang Liping Art Space, minimum spend 128 RMB 3. Erhai Lake Cycling: Recommended route from Shuanglang to Wase, rent shared electric bikes for 15 RMB/hour, feed seagulls along the way, and if lucky, catch the Tyndall effect 🎟️Tickets: Nanzhao Style Island requires ticket, Sun Palace charges based on consumption, bike rental charged separately 💗Other tips: Check electric bike battery before riding, pay attention to safety. Shuanglang’s scenery is stunning, leave plenty of time for photos Day 3: Cangshan Hiking + Erhai Ecological Corridor Cycling Cangshan Hiking 📍Location: Cangshan World Geopark, Dali City 🚗Transportation: Taxi to the starting point of Gantong Cableway 👍️Must-visit spots: Take Gantong Cableway → Yudai Cloud Tour Road → Qingbi Creek route, about 4 km total. In March-April, see rhododendrons blooming, breathtaking scenery 🎟️Tickets: Cangshan entrance 35 RMB, Gantong Cableway one-way 80 RMB 💗Other tips: Wear windproof jacket and comfortable shoes, stay hydrated during the hike. For lunch, try broomrape flower scrambled eggs and seaweed taro soup, local specialties Erhai Ecological Corridor Cycling 📍Location: Erhai Ecological Corridor, Dali City 🚗Transportation: Start cycling from Caicun Pier 👍️Must-visit spots: Cycle along the corridor from Caicun Pier to Longkan Pier, passing cherry blossoms, reed marshes, and Bai ethnic villages, very healing scenery 🎟️Tickets: Shared bike rental 3 RMB/hour 💗Other tips: Choose a comfortable bike, ride slowly and enjoy the scenery. Great photo spots everywhere, every shot looks like a masterpiece Transportation Guide External Transportation ✈️Direct flights to Dali Fengyi Airport are most convenient; if no direct flights, fly to Kunming then transfer by high-speed train, also enjoy Yunnan’s beautiful mountains and rivers. Some cities have direct high-speed trains to Dali Internal Transportation 🚕Dali Railway Station: Direct shuttle to the core area of Ancient Town; buses No. 4 or 8 also available but require a short walk after getting off; taxi to Ancient Town about 40-50 RMB 🚕Dali Airport: Airport shuttle bus to Ancient Town is easy; also bus No. 26 transfers to Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas line, scenic but longer. Highly recommend the Erhai Loop Bus, unlimited rides for three days covering all attractions with round-trip benefits, very cost-effective Accommodation Recommendations 🏡 Shuanglang Mingyue Songjian: The 270° glass rooms here are amazing, see the moon rise over Erhai Lake at night, and the handmade afternoon tea prepared by the host is more thoughtful than five-star hotels 🏡 Caicun Pier Inn: Around 150 RMB per person to stay in a traditional Bai courtyard, just a 30-second walk to the seaside, excellent location Food Recommendations 🍜 Ersi (Rice Noodles): Smooth texture, rich broth, served with meat sauce, scallions, very satisfying 🥘 Sour and Spicy Fish: Dali specialty, tender fish with appetizing sour and spicy soup, goes well with rice for multiple bowls 🥛 Grilled Milk Fan: Grilled milk fan is sweet and crispy, dipped in rose sauce, sweet but not greasy, full of milky aroma