Dali Shuanglang Ancient Town: A Step into Poetry and Distant Dreams

In Dali, there's a place known as the "No.1 Scenic Town of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake"—Shuanglang Ancient Town. Nestled between mountains and facing the sea, it stands in serene isolation where time seems to slow down. This latest comprehensive guide will help you deeply unlock the beauty of Shuanglang! 1. Basic Information 📍Address: East Bank of Erhai Lake, Shuanglang Town, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one, its prime location gifts it unparalleled natural scenery. 🎫Ticket: Shuanglang Ancient Town is free to enter year-round. However, some attractions within the town, like Nanzhao Folk Island (¥50), require tickets. Yang Liping's Sun Palace, now an art space, offers free visits but requires advance booking one day prior. ⏰Opening Hours: Open all day. Recommended visit duration: 1–2 days. The town exudes unique charm during early mornings and evenings. 2. Transportation Guide External Transport ✈️Plane: Arrive at Dali Fengyi Airport, then take an airport shuttle to Dali Ancient Town before transferring to Shuanglang. Alternatively, take a taxi (50–60 mins, ¥150–200). 🚄High-Speed Rail: From Dali Railway Station, take Bus 8 to the North Bus Station, then transfer to the Xiaguan–Shuanglang rural bus (¥15). Taxis cost ¥100–150. 🚌Bus: The North Bus Station in Dali operates direct Xiaguan–Shuanglang rural buses (¥15). 🚌Tourist Shuttle: Direct scenic-area buses from Dali Ancient Town and Chongsheng Temple cost ¥40. 🚢Tourist Cruise: Ferries from Dali Port (Xiaguan Town) to Shuanglang Pier (24 km, ¥100) or Taoyuan Pier (Xizhou Town) to Shuanglang Pier (4 km, ¥30). 🚌Erhai Loop Tourist Bus: Departs from the ancient town, taking ~1.5 hrs (Xizhou direction) or ~2.5 hrs (Xiaguan direction). 24-hour day-pass: ¥128/person. Internal Transport 🚍Sightseeing Tram: Route: Nanzhao Folk Island Pier → Yuji Island → Kuixing Pavilion → Ancient Stage → North Entrance of Cultural Street. Runs 9:30 AM–8:00 PM, every 5 mins (¥10/ride). 🛵E-Bike: Rentals (¥50–80/day) are ideal for short trips, but plan routes due to limited battery. 3. Must-Visit Attractions 🏝Nanzhao Folk Island: Features Nanzhao Palace and the Shayi Mother Sculptures, showcasing Bai culture. 🏡Yuji Island: Home to Yang Liping’s Sun Palace and Moon Palace, plus art-filled shops and sea-view B&Bs. 🎭Shuanglang Ancient Stage: A historic landmark where traditional Bai performances occasionally occur. 🌅Dajianpang Viral Swing: A photo spot (¥68) with Erhai and Cangshan as backdrops. 🌊Shuanglang Seafront Street: Lined with daisies, snack stalls, and souvenir shops opposite Nanzhao Island. 4. Itinerary Suggestions 🎈One-Day Trip: North Gate → Ethnic Culture Street → Ancient Stage → Yuji Island (Sun/Moon Palaces, Fort Ruins) → Nanzhao Island → Seafront Street → Dajianpang Swing. 🎈Two-Day Trip: Day 1: Arrive → Check into a sea-view B&B → Stroll the town → Local dinner → Sunset by the lake. Day 2: Sunrise → Explore Yuji Island → Lunch → Nanzhao Island → Night market. 5. Food Recs 🥧Grilled Rushan (Grandma’s Stall): A local dairy snack—start with a small portion. 🍜Mingqiao Rice Noodles: Sea-view eatery (¥30/person). 🍲Yunzi Wild Mushroom Hotpot: 8-year-old stone-pot restaurant with fresh ingredients. 🐂Xiaohuangniu Dry Pot: Tender beef at great value. 🥘Haiyun Renjia: Authentic Bai cuisine near Yuji Island. 6. Tips 1. Strong UV—pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. 2. Narrow streets: Drive/ride cautiously. 3. Book Sun Palace slots early; heed ferry safety on Nanzhao Island. 4. Confirm prices before buying souvenirs/food. 5. Book sea-view B&Bs in advance (pricier but rewarding). Shuanglang