Summer vacation for students, fun and affordable cities, Dali

Dali 3-day lazy guide: Crowded? Not at all, we’re all about winning by relaxing! Day 1: “Goofing off” by Erhai Lake, soaking time in the water Morning: Escape the ancient city crowds, head straight to Longkan Pier Don’t believe the influencers saying “get up at 7 to watch the sunrise,” we’ll casually stroll over at 9 — by then the tour groups have just left, the sunlight is just right and not glaring, the lake surface looks like it’s sprinkled with silver flakes. Rent a second-hand electric scooter (50 yuan/day, more durable than the trendy ones), ride randomly along the ecological corridor, when tired stop under a tree, take off your shoes and dip your feet into Erhai Lake, the water is as cold as if just taken out of the fridge, little fish nibble your toes, tickling like they’re saying hello. Noon: Eat “local flavor” in Xizhou Ancient Town Don’t queue for Xizhou Baba! Walk deep into the ancient town, find a Bai grandma’s house with corn drying at the door, buy a freshly baked one for 10 yuan, salty with minced meat inside, bite down with a “crack” sound, the aroma of oil mixed with wheat fills your mouth, squatting by an old wall to eat tastes better than taking 100 photos in a trendy shop. After eating, wash your hands in the irrigation ditch by the rice fields, the water is cold enough to chill beer. Afternoon: Be a “loafer” in Shuanglang Ancient Town Don’t squeeze into Nanzhao Style Island! Find a lakeside café, order a Rushan latte (so milky it’s like drinking liquid cheese), sit on a lazy sofa and zone out. Watch fishing boats drifting like little ducks in the distance, clouds slowly rolling in the sky, put your phone on silent — let those who want to hustle hustle, today we’re just a stone by the lake. Evening: “Night raid” snack stalls in the ancient city After 7 pm, stroll around Dali Ancient City again, the tour groups have dispersed, locals come out for a walk. Head straight to the alley behind Foreigner Street, find a stall with low tables and small stools, order a claypot fish (soup so fresh you want to lick the pot), with two skewers of grilled Rushan cheese (sprinkled with rose sugar, sweet to the heart), listen to the uncle at the next table bragging “I used to circle Erhai in just 4 hours when I was young” — we just smile silently, thinking: “I took two days on a little electric scooter, and it’s comfortable!” Day 2: Lazy on Cangshan Mountain, pocketing clouds Morning: “Goofing off” on the cable car, no climbing just oxygen Don’t choose the expensive Ximatan cable car! The Gantong cable car takes 30 minutes to mid-mountain, then a 10-minute walk to Yudai Cloud Tour Path — when clouds drift by, you feel wrapped in cotton, the air full of tree and grass fragrance, take a deep breath and feel your lungs getting cleansed. When tired, sit on a rock and watch the water of Qilongnu Pool cascade down step by step, cool mist floats over, cooler than air conditioning. Noon: “Wild food” on the mountaintop, down-to-earth tastes best Bring a Xizhou Baba up the mountain, find a platform with a view of Erhai Lake, gnaw it with the mountain breeze — don’t mind it not being fancy, at this moment the Baba in your mouth tastes 10 times better than the “Cangshan specialty feast” in tourist restaurants. When thirsty, drink some mineral water you brought, sweet like honey (actually just a good mood). Afternoon: “Cool off” at the temple, nap to the bell sounds Descend from Cangshan and head straight to Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas — don’t buy the scenic area ticket! Go around to the village behind the temple, find a big green tree, sit under it and watch the three pagodas peek through the branches, blue sky and white clouds as the backdrop, more spiritual than the “standard photo” in the scenic area. Occasionally the bell rings slowly, listening makes you want to nap, social anxiety blessing: no one rushes you, just sleep. Evening: “Lie flat” at a homestay, listen to insects and binge-watch Stay at a homestay at the foot of Cangshan (choose one with a courtyard), at night move a bamboo chair to the yard, the owner will bring free sour plum juice. Look up at the stars, dense like sprinkled salt, insect chirping as background music, watch a couple of episodes — who says traveling must be “checking in”? Lying down is a serious matter too! Day 3: Wander in ancient towns, live life in slow motion Morning: “Archaeology” in Xizhou Ancient Town, watch people not rice fields Avoid the crowds taking photos of rice fields, slip into the alley beside Yan Family Mansion, watch Bai grandmas sitting at the door embroidering tie-dye, the patterns on the blue cloth look like they grew out of water. Chat with her a bit, she’ll give you a taste of freshly baked Rushan cheese (so milky it sticks to your lips), and before you leave, she’ll stuff you a maltose candy — worth more than a 100-yuan souvenir. Noon: “Hide for peace” in Shaxi Ancient Town (locals’ secret!) Take a 40-minute taxi from Xizhou to Shaxi, this place hasn’t been targeted by influencers, old grandpas play chess in front of the old theater stage, the old saddles in the Horse Caravan Culture Museum still carry stories. Find an old noodle shop, eat a bowl of Ersi noodles (topped with local cured meat, very fragrant), the owner will say: “Dali Ancient City? That’s for you young people to play, Shaxi is where life really happens.” Afternoon: “Steal” some sunshine before heading back Back in Dali Ancient City, buy two bags of fresh flower cakes (freshly baked, bite into them warm and the rose filling flows out), and a can of Rushan Sachima (sweet and crispy, perfect for binge-watching). Don’t take the early high-speed train, choose the evening one — watch the sunset dye Cangshan orange through the window, thinking: “These 3 days I didn’t check in at many places, but it’s comfortable, next time I’ll come back to be a ‘loafer’!” Lazy tips: 1. Sunscreen! Sunscreen! Sunscreen! The sun in Dali is harsher than summer in Wuhan, or your mom won’t recognize you when you get back. 2. Don’t rent a new electric scooter, local uncles’ second-hand ones are more durable, when out of power just find a small shop to charge. 3. Don’t believe “not eating wild mushrooms means a wasted trip,” ordinary mushroom hotpot is delicious too, safety first — we’re here to relax, not to see “little people”! That’s it, live Dali like a “retired life” in 3 days, who gets it! 😌