Things to do in Dali City

Getting to the cable car involves climbing some steps, which isn't very friendly to the elderly. They've really gone to great lengths to accommodate the businesses lining the route. Just taking a ride makes my trip to Cangshan worthwhile, right? It's a good way to check off the sights and get a panoramic view of Erhai Lake and Dali. Not seeing it feels like something's missing, but once you've seen it, it's worth it. There are a few attractions worth visiting. Gantong Temple and Jizhao Nunnery next to the cable car are worth a visit; have a vegetarian meal and make some Buddhist connection. There are quite a few slopes and steps to walk up and down. The Jade Belt Road was closed, so I couldn't go, and I didn't have enough time, which is a bit of a shame. It's close by, so it's worth a visit.

The Cangshan Mountain behind it is breathtakingly beautiful. I highly recommend buying a one-way shuttle bus ticket from the moment you enter the park to go up and then leisurely explore the area back down. It's definitely worth it. There's also an area teeming with squirrels 🐿️ I roughly counted over a dozen! If you're interested in Buddhist culture, you absolutely must visit this place; it's well worth it.

On my second trip to Dali, I stayed for three days. On the first day, I stayed at Erhai Park, facing north to enjoy the view of Erhai Lake. On the second day, I stayed at Shuanglang Ancient Town, facing west to see the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake together. On the third day, I cycled from west to east along the Erhai Ecological Corridor to enjoy the view of Erhai Lake. I also went to Yunxiang Mountain Road for extreme mountain biking, Shuanglang, Xizhou Ancient Town, Dali Ancient City, etc. Every angle offered a different perspective of Erhai Lake. The scenery in Dali is truly beautiful.

Dali Ancient City is definitely worth a visit. Entering from the South Gate, the ancient cobblestone streets exude a charming, old-world atmosphere. Backed by Cangshan Mountain, with distant views of rolling hills, it evokes the feeling of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom. The ancient city's streets and alleys are crisscrossed, with Renmin Road and Yangren Street being particularly lively. You can find Bai ethnic snacks like roasted milk fan and crispy rice cakes on the street. Climbing Wuhua Tower offers a panoramic view of the entire ancient city's rooftops. The main street is lined with shops, making it quite commercialized. Souvenir shops abound, so be sure to compare prices before buying. It's recommended to avoid the crowds and explore the side alleys to experience the local atmosphere. Stroll around during the day, watch the sunset over the ancient city, and enjoy the enchanting ambiance when the city lights up at night. Overall, it's a great experience. I recommend allowing 2-3 hours to explore at a leisurely pace. A must-visit in Dali, perfect for a relaxing stroll and soaking in the city's laid-back lifestyle.

After taking the cable car, you still have to climb a bit to reach the viewing platform. The scenery is mainly green mountains and streams flowing through the valleys. The water in Qingbi Creek is indeed beautiful, a clear, deep green. However, it rains frequently in the mountains, and without good weather, the view of Erhai Lake from the mountain isn't very interesting. This time, it rained heavily on the mountain, then it drizzled on the cable car ride down, but the sky cleared up as we went further down.

Xizhou Ancient Town, also known as Huanxizhou, is a Bai ethnic town with a thousand-year history, described by Lao She as a paradise on earth. It boasts the best-preserved Bai ethnic residential architecture. Unfortunately, Xizhou's rice paddies are more famous than the ancient town and its buildings. Most tourists are taken to the rice paddies by tour guides and leave in a hurry without having time to explore the ancient town. It must be said that Xizhou's lush green rice paddies, the wind blowing through the wheat fields, and the little train running through them are truly a healing experience.

Nanzhao island is good for a short boat ride and walk. Shuanglang village is actually next to the jetty. The village is like the one in Dali and Xizhou

I went in early August during the rainy season. We started playing at 10 am and left the film studio at 4 pm, a total of 6 hours, including a ride on the ramp escalator. You need to prepare a hat, warm clothes, a raincoat, an umbrella, and some snacks.

There aren't many tall buildings on either side of Erhai Lake; it's mostly mountains and water. Its unique feature is the scenery of the lake and mountains. Culturally, it's somewhat related to the local Bai ethnic group's life. The landscape is a combination of the lake and the Cangshan Mountains, which is pleasing to the eye, but the sun is very strong and the wind is also strong.

Was at a loss when we start use CN bus app to move around. The bus operator guide was helpful to assist and guide us how to book our stops and the attractions at each stop. Nice!