Begin your day exploring Dali Ancient Town, where cobblestone streets lined with traditional Bai houses transport you back in time. Climb the City Wall for panoramic views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Just north, visit the 1,200-year-old Three Pagodas at Chongsheng Temple, iconic symbols of Dali's Buddhist history. Continue to Xizhou Town to admire exquisite Bai courtyard homes and try the local specialty - Xizhou baba (savory sesame bread). Head to Erhai Lake for a scenic cruise (departs from Dalicun Pier). As you glide across the turquoise waters, watch fishermen using trained cormorants - an ancient practice still preserved today. Disembark at Haixi Ecological Corridor, where you can rent bicycles to pedal past wetlands dotted with migratory birds. Stop for lunch at a lakeside café - try grilled fish with Dali's famous spicy plum sauce. Visit Dali's Art Zone near Caicun village, where converted warehouses now house avant-garde galleries and craft studios. Participate in a quick tie-dye workshop using traditional Bai techniques at Zhoucheng Village, the birthplace of this UNESCO-listed craft. As dusk falls, head to Longkan Wharf where wooden fishing boats create perfect sunset silhouettes. End your day feasting on Bai cuisine - don't miss the "Three Courses Tea" ceremony at a local restaurant, accompanied by folk songs.
Shuanglang Ancient Town-Little Putuo Island-Wenbicun's Rainbow Road-Ideal State
4-Stars Hotel
Morning: Shuanglang Ancient Town & Little Putuo Island
Begin your day with IntoExplore in Shuanglang, the best-preserved Bai ethnic village along Erhai Lake, renowned as "the most picturesque town between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai." By daylight, Shuanglang dazzles in blue - shimmering lake reflections dancing on whitewashed walls; by night, it glows golden with cozy bar lights and fishing boat lanterns. This tranquil alternative to bustling Dali Old Town offers perfect lakeside solitude. Stroll or cycle along the waterfront promenade for breathtaking sunset views.
Continue to Little Putuo Island, a tiny 100-square-meter islet crowned with a Ming Dynasty Guanyin Pavilion. Named after Buddhist sacred mountain Putuoshan for its similar shape, this photogenic spot transforms into a fairytale scene in winter when flocks of seagulls gather.
Afternoon: Rainbow Road & Ideal State
Journey to Wenbicun's Rainbow Road, where pastel-colored lane dividers create an Instagram-perfect "Japanese-style" coastal drive with panoramic Erhai views. Pause at a cliffside café for locally roasted coffee amidst the serenity.
Conclude at Ideal State, a Mediterranean-inspired resort village on Erhai's eastern shore. Its whitewashed arches, infinity pools, and terraced buildings against the backdrop of Cangshan Mountain have made it Dali's most viral photography hotspot. Pro tip: Bring a straw hat, magazine, or coffee cup for effortlessly chic vacation photos.
