Top Spring Cycling Routes in Dali

🌿 Dali, Yunnan Travel Guide | Between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Living Life Like Poetry When is the best time to visit? March to May is spring in Dali, with cherry blossoms and pear blossoms lining the shores of Erhai Lake, stretching as far as the eye can see. The air is filled with warm floral scents, and the weather is pleasantly mild. September to November brings autumn, turning rice fields golden, with clear skies and fewer crowds—every shot is wallpaper-worthy. July and August are rainy but offer lower prices and fewer tourists, perfect for a quiet getaway. Must-Visit "Romantic Spots" 1. **Dali Ancient Town** 🏯 Bai-style old buildings blend with artsy shops, while the nights on Renmin Road and the bustle of Foreigner Street exude local charm. Avoid the morning rush; instead, stroll at dawn as sunlight spills over blue-tiled roofs or wander at sunset to soak in the town’s slow pace. 2. **Erhai Lake** 🌊 A lakeside loop is a must! • *Cycling*: Take the ecological corridor (Caicun to Panxi Village section)—breezy and healing with lake views. • *Driving*: A 130km loop by car or private hire, stopping at Xizhou, Shuanglang, and Wase for endless scenery. Don’t miss: **Longkan Dock** at sunrise, where golden light leaves you speechless; **Panxi Village’s S-curve** for early-morning photos (beat the crowds); **Shuanglang Ancient Town**—sip coffee by the lake and gaze at Yang Liping’s Sun Palace, letting time slow down. 3. **Xizhou Ancient Town** 🌾 Bai-style homes with blue tiles and white walls hide stories. Rice fields glow green in spring/summer and gold in autumn—every shot is rustic perfection. Snap the iconic Corner Tower, try tie-dyeing, and savor Xizhou baba (sweet or savory—both are finger-licking good). 4. **Cangshan Mountain** ⛰️ Ride the Ximatan Cableway to the summit (3,966m) for a bird’s-eye view of Erhai, like a sapphire embedded in the earth. **Jizhao Nunnery**, the "most beautiful nunnery," serves vegetarian meals at 11:30—so fragrant you’ll want seconds. **Gantong Temple** and **Qingbi Stream** are ideal for light hikes, offering fresh air and serenity. 5. **Hidden Gems** **Shaxi Ancient Town**: A "living fossil" on the Tea Horse Road, 2 hours from Dali—no commercialization, just old teahouses and cobblestone tranquility. **Weishan Ancient Town**: Birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, where old alleys preserve authentic local life. **What to Eat? Local Picks** ✅ Must-try: Grilled/fried *rushan* (dairy rolls with rose jam), hand-pulled *erkuai* (rice cakes with fermented tofu), Erhai sour-spicy fish (crucian carp + papaya soup), Xizhou baba (sweet rose or savory minced meat—try both!). ✅ Restaurant recs: • *Dali Ancient Town*: **Duan Gongzi** (*Heavenly Dragons*-themed, immersive vibe), **Fuxing Xiaoyuan** (homestyle dishes). • *Shuanglang*: **Siji Yunye** (wild mushroom hotpot—divinely fresh). **Where to Stay?** • *Dali Ancient Town*: Central, lively at night—ideal for young travelers. • *Caicun/Longkan Dock*: Lakeside, perfect for sunrise views and peaceful sleep. • *Shuanglang*: Luxury lake-view rooms—splurge for the full experience. **Getting Around** • *To Dali*: Fly to Kunming + 2h high-speed train, or direct to Dali Airport. • *Local*: Rent an e-bike (¥30-50/day) for short trips; hire a car (¥300-400/day) with a driver-guide for Erhai; shuttle buses run cheaply to Xizhou/Shuanglang. **Pro Tips** ❶ *Sunscreen!* UV rays are fierce—hat, shades, and SPF are non-negotiable. ❷ Haggle hard for shawls and tie-dye—start at half the asking price. ❸ Pack layers—even summers get chilly at night. ❹ Avoid roadside tour touts (scams aplenty); ask about fees before snapping pics at "sky mirror" photo ops. Dali’s romance lingers in Erhai’s breeze, Cangshan’s clouds, and the ancient town’s slow rhythm. Skip the rush—chase the wind on an e-bike or daydream by the lake with coffee. That’s the real "wind, flowers, snow, and moon." ~