One city, one strategy, fun in Yunnan - Dali in wind, snow and moon

"The wind in Xiaguang shakes flowers in Shangguan, moon in Erhai Lake reflects snow on Cangshan Mountain", "Cangshan Mountain has not been inked for thousands of years, and Erhai Lake has no threads and ancient qin." There will always be unintentionally "wind, flower , snow and moon".

Dali is a vast autonomous ethnic minority prefecture. Among 11 counties in southeast and northwest, there are countless ancient roads that cut through canyons and mountains, connecting pastoral dams and mysterious mountain villages.

(1) When to go?

March to May, "Dali is beautiful in March", lively March Festival, Prince Shaxi Club, Hongshan Benzhu Temple, Butterfly Club, Rao Sanlin, etc. interesting in its own way. At this time, there is a lot of sun and flowers bloom, which is very suitable for traveling.

June-September when rainy season begins, weather is cool and there are wild mushrooms in market, which is very suitable for summer holidays. If you can catch up with Torch Festival, Huahai Festival and Shibaoshan Song Festival, you can get more happiness.

October-November, after golden week, cost of accommodation and number of tourists are greatly reduced, but scenery is no less good. At this time, rainy season ends and it is suitable for walking. This is a great time for sightseeing in Dali.

December-February next year, winter in Yunnan is also a dry season with stable weather and little rainfall. Red-billed gulls and other migratory birds come here to escape cold, and at this time it is also very pleasant to soak in hot springs.

Dali Color Rating:

In January, from January to April, visit Yuer Garden in ancient city, Erhai Park in Xiaguang, and Weibao Mountain in Weishan to appreciate camellia.

February, May-June, altitude rhododendron in Cangshan Simatang, Xizhou Huadianba, Eryuan Fengyu Nyaohang Mountain and Yanbi Garden on western slope are in viewing period.

In March and March, Great Rhododendron in Yangbi West Slope Garden is also very beautiful.

4. From November to January next year, go to Boai Road in the ancient city, Dali University, Erhai Park in Xiaguang, Heqing County, and Cherry Blossom Valley in Wuliang Nanjian Mountain to enjoy winter cherry blossoms.

From May, February to March, head to Dali University and mountain communities to see early cherry in full bloom.

In late June and March, pear blossoms at Erhai Zhibi Lake and Heqing Qifeng Village are in full bloom.

7. From late February to early March, head to Xizhou, Gusheng and other villages and towns of Haixi to see incredible canola flowers.

Pear and canola flowers compete for opening

(2) How to play?

Unfortunately you only have 1 day in Dali:

Then you should visit Erhai Ecological Corridor, spend a day around Erhai Lake and see beauty of Cangshan Erhai Lake and homeland of Bai people.

Erhai Ecological Corridor

Departure from Dali Ancient City early in morning, stopping at Xizhou and Shuanglang en route, and returning from Xiaguan in afternoon. At sunset, back to ancient city along ecological corridor of Erhai Lake, this day can be called almost perfect.

Dali Ancient City

If you like mountain climbing, you can also take cable car to Cangshan and pass Yudai Yunyou Road section where you will meet many cute little animals like elves.

If you have 3 days:

On first day, travel to Cangshan in morning, return to Dali Ancient City in afternoon and walk along busy Renmin Road.

On second day, travel to Xizhou to enjoy legend of ancient city next to rice fields.

On third day, take a trip around Erhai Lake or head straight to Shuanglang or Digse and come into close contact with Erhai Lake.

If you have 7 days:

Same as above for first 3 days.

On Day 4, travel to Shaxi, explore last market on ancient tea horse road, and stay overnight in ancient city.

On fifth day, visit Shibaoshan and return to Dali in afternoon.

On 6th day, visit Weishan, which has best ancient city in Yunnan.

On 7th day, go climbing Mount Jizu.

(3) Essence of scenic spots

1. Dali Ancient City

The ancient city of Dali was built during Hongwu period of Ming Dynasty, and all four gate towers were restored by subsequent generations.

The famous Renmin Road has long been nicknamed Renminbi Road. Rents here are constantly on rise, and most of stores that can operate here for a long time are "celebrity chain" stores who are good at marketing. Take a trip to Renmin Road and you can get an idea of ​​what's popular in domestic tourism lately.

Meet Renmin Road

As a city in past, Dali collected many religious beliefs and also left behind many public buildings that contributed to enlightenment of dynasty, such as Wuhua Building, Confucian Temple, Wu Temple, Catholic Church, Christian Church, Puxian Temple, City Temple God, South Gate and West Gate, two mosques.

Wuhua Building

2. Cangshan

Scenic Spot Access - 35. Yudai Yunyue Road on side of a mountain at an altitude of 2800 meters is an old hiking trail overlooking Erhai Lake.

Cangshan Erhai Lake Landscape

"A benevolent person loves a mountain" and "a mountain of books has a way." Cangshan Deep Mountain is inextricably linked with books. Cangshan Public Library, Yuanyang Academy, and Wuwei Study Room are travellers' favorite checks. -in places.

The three pagodas of Chongsheng Temple at foot of Cangshan Mountain

3, Xizhou

Lao She once described in "Short Notes on a Journey to Dayan" that "Xizhou is a wonder. I can't imagine such a decent city in any remote corner of China." This "First City of Bai People" is a place where traditional Haixi Bazi culture is deeply cultivated.

Prosperity of past has left many old houses in ancient city of Xizhou, most of which are still inhabited.

Bai folk houses in green rice fields

Start at Zhengyi Gate, pass by Ziyunshan Temple, Xizhou Mosque, Zhuangjiaolou, Qichishulou, Xifang Street, Deyi Lane, etc., and finally reach Central Imperial Temple. Take a walking tour for approximately 3 hours.

4. Double corridor

Shuanglang has a controversial reputation and you need to visit it from a dialectical point of view. It has best scenery of Erhai Lake, high-class recreation, but also relatively poor quality of Erhai Lake and boring streets worn out by trade.

Scenery of Erhai Lake in Shuanglang

5. Color Search

Of three cities on east coast of Lake Erhai, Quse used to be most prosperous, but now its development is a little behind. But here, too, there is something of interest: undeveloped pastoral old villages, still noisy festivals, relatively cheap accommodation overlooking sea...

Golden autumn digging flowers

6, Chassis

Shahi has been inscribed on "List of World Architectural Heritage in Danger" as "the only surviving ancient market on Ancient Tea Horse Road." Subsequently, ancient market and ancient villages were better restored and protected.

You can visit Xideng Street, Xingjiao Temple, Yujin Bridge, Benzhu Temple and Shibaoshan.

Shaxi Ancient City

It's also a good choice to spend half a day traveling around Chasi Bazi.

7. Weishan

Except for lack of Erhai Lake, Weishan is no worse than Dali, a particularly well-preserved ancient city full of fireworks and cleanliness.

The people of Weishan love to drink roasted green tea, and in season they add Japanese Sophora. The age-old checkerboard tea house on north side of Xinggong Building is a very traditional old tea room that can be poured indefinitely in a bowl that can sit for half a day.

Xinggong Building in Weishan Ancient City

8. Mount Jizu

Most travelers head straight for Mount Jizu when they arrive in Bingchuan. If you have enough time, you can go to an open-air cafe under eucalyptus forest near county seat for a cup of fragrant Vietnamese coffee. and have a leisurely day.

Jinding Temple on Mount Jizu