Back from Dali, I really don’t recommend going in July! Because it’s just too much～

Who understands! Heading to Dali in July for the "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon" vibe, but ended up enchanted by the summer here—the sparkling waves of Erhai Lake, the rolling clouds over Cangshan Mountain, the stone-paved streets of the ancient town reflecting the sunset. After three days, my phone is full of videos of blue skies and white clouds, and now all I can think about is the creamy aroma of milk fan and Sachima snacks. Who can resist that～ 🚗 Transportation Guide ✈️ Flight: Taxi from Dali Fengyi Airport to the ancient town takes 40 minutes (about 80 RMB), airport shuttle bus 25 RMB direct to Dali Station 🚌 🚄 High-speed rail: Taxi from Dali Station to the ancient town takes 30 minutes (about 50 RMB), bus No. 8 goes to Foreigner Street 🚌 City transport: Rent an electric scooter for 50 RMB/day, cycling around Erhai Lake with the sea breeze is super refreshing 🏍️; the lake loop shuttle bus costs 50 RMB/day, hop on and off anytime, very convenient 🌿 Super detailed 3-day itinerary Day 1: Dali Ancient Town → Foreigner Street → Caicun Pier • Morning stroll in the ancient town (free!), bougainvillea climbs all over the city walls in July, climb Wuhua Tower for a panoramic view, try hand-dyeing at a tie-dye shop (50 RMB/piece) 👘 • Lunch at a local alley for Ersi noodles, afternoon wandering Foreigner Street, enjoy a rose latte by the window watching passersby, super cozy ☕ • Evening wait for sunset at Caicun Pier, the shimmering Erhai Lake mixed with reed marshes, fishermen rowing pig trough boats heading home 🌇 Day 2: West Bank of Erhai Lake → Xizhou Ancient Town → Shuanglang • Morning cycling on the west bank (free!), the rice fields from Caicun to Xizhou glow green, stop to take photos of the "wind blowing wheat waves," super healing 🌾 • Lunch in Xizhou with crispy Pastry Cake (3 RMB each), afternoon visit Bai ethnic houses (25 RMB entrance), the architecture of Sanfang Yizhaobi is exquisite 🏠 • Evening explore Shuanglang (free!), watch Erhai Lake from Yang Liping’s Sun Palace on Yujidao Island, the sunset dyes the lake orange 🍊 Day 3: Cangshan Mountain → Jizhao Nunnery → Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple • Morning visit Cangshan Mountain (ticket + cable car 280 RMB), the cloud views in July are stunning! Wildflowers at Ximatan form a colorful carpet, overlooking Erhai Lake like a sapphire 💎 • Lunch vegetarian at Jizhao Nunnery (20 RMB/person), succulent plants cover the courtyard walls, the nun’s tea is very fragrant 🍵 • Evening see the Three Pagodas (75 RMB ticket), sunset shines on the pagodas, the reflection pool frames all three pagodas together, perfect for ancient costume photos 🗼 🌟 Must-visit spots 1. West Bank of Erhai Lake: Best for cycling in July! The rice fields from Caicun to Xizhou with Bai ethnic houses look like "Little Switzerland" in every snap 🌾 2. Xizhou Ancient Town: Quieter than Dali Ancient Town! Freshly made crispy Pastry Cake must be eaten hot, the corner building with blue tiles and white walls is very photogenic 📸 3. Cangshan Ximatan: The cable car through the sea of clouds feels like entering a fairyland! July’s alpine meadows bloom with little yellow flowers, the wind carries pine scent 🌲 4. Jizhao Nunnery: "The most beautiful nunnery"! Succulent plants taller than people, you wash your own dishes after vegetarian meals, drinking tea and listening to the nun’s Zen talks is very relaxing 🍵 5. Shuanglang Ancient Town: The sea-view platform on Yujidao Island offers a full view of Erhai Lake, lanterns light up at dusk, jazz music from bars mixed with waves is super comfortable 🎶 6. Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple: Dali’s landmark! The reflection pool captures the "Three Pagodas under the moon," after July rains the golden light on the pagodas is very sacred 🗼 7. Renmin Road in Dali Ancient Town: The night market is lively! Grilled milk fan 5 RMB/skewer, flower cakes 10 RMB/bag, street performers’ singing is very healing 🎤 🍜 Local food recommendations • Crispy Pastry Cake: The most authentic in Xizhou! Sweet (rose) and savory (scallion oil) fillings are both amazing, 3 RMB fills you up, freshly baked and flaky 🥞 • Ersi noodles: The soul of Dali people’s breakfast! Chicken broth cooked Ersi noodles with toppings, 10 RMB a bowl, the old shops in the ancient town alleys are the best 🍜 • Milk Fan Sachima: Milk-made milk fan mixed with Sachima, creamy with a slight sourness, 10 RMB/bag, perfect as a souvenir gift 🥛 • Sour and Spicy Fish: Erhai fish cooked with sour papaya, sour and spicy to whet the appetite, 30 RMB/small portion, Bai ethnic restaurants cooking on wood stoves are the tastiest 🐟 🏡 Accommodation recommendations 📍 Dali Ancient Town: Bai ethnic courtyard homestay 150 RMB/night, drink tea and stargaze in the courtyard, the host recommends off-the-beaten-path routes 🌌 📍 Xizhou Ancient Town: Homestay by the rice fields 200 RMB/night, open the window to see green waves, wake up to rooster crowing, warm feeling eating the host’s homemade rice noodles 🍜 📍 Shuanglang: Seaview inn 250 RMB/night, balcony lounge chair overlooking Erhai Lake, fall asleep to the sound of waves at night, perfect for couples 💑 💡 Travel Tips 1. UV rays in Dali are very strong in July! Sunscreen + sun hat are a must, wear long sleeves when cycling around Erhai Lake or you’ll get "panda arms" 🧢 2. Don’t buy tie-dye too cheap! The intangible cultural heritage shops in Xizhou are expensive but authentic, 50 RMB can buy a pure cotton scarf, don’t bargain too hard 🛍️ 3. Don’t wear sandals on Cangshan! The plank road at Ximatan has gravel, sports shoes are safer, bring non-slip shoes on rainy days 🌧️ 4. Don’t buy wild mushrooms casually! July is rainy season, wild mushrooms at the market should be cooked by restaurants, don’t try eating them yourself 🍄 July in Dali is the wind of Erhai Lake, the clouds of Cangshan, the tea fragrance of Bai ethnic courtyards. You can enjoy full relaxation with little money. Once you come, you don’t want to leave—this must be the magic of Dali 🌿