A Unique Dali Family Outing Guide! A Mom Who Has Lived Here for 1 Year Shares 5 Cool Summer Spots with Few People and Beautiful Scenery, No Disappointments

Visiting Dali with kids during summer vacation? Stop crowding the popular spots! As a local mom who has lived here for a year, I’ve been keeping these 5 creek-tracing camping spots a secret for a long time. The scenery is beautiful, the crowds are small, and it’s easygoing—perfect for taking kids! Dalangba🌿 A hidden gem in Yunlong! You’ll hardly see any tourists, yet it offers the vastness of alpine meadows, the tranquility of wetlands, the clarity of streams, and the depth of forests. The scenery is incredibly diverse. In summer, sitting at the campsite watching cattle and sheep slowly wander across the hillsides, surrounded by colorful wildflowers, feeling this peacefulness with your kids is truly wonderful! Transportation: Drive yourself or take a bus from Xiaguan Bus Station to Yunlong County, then carpool there, about 50 RMB per person. Important reminder: Be sure to bring water shoes, as the wetland grass can be damp! Dali Taoxi🚶 A light hike at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, perfect for kids! You don’t have to walk far—navigate to “Qingji Hotel,” then a 10-minute walk to Mocuicha Room. Want to play in the water? Trace the creek. Want to rest? Have a cup of tea. The pace is super relaxed. If you want to explore more, walk up the right side from the entrance to Yudai Road, about 10+ kilometers in total, passing tea gardens and primeval forests, with streams and waterfalls along the way. Kids will find little surprises all along the route and be super happy! Yunshang Grassland☕ The best value summer escape with kids! Not far from the old town, very convenient to drive or rent an electric scooter. The scenic area is divided into three parts: camping at the top, a children’s playground in the middle that kids love, and animal interaction at the bottom. Tickets are less than 20 RMB, really worth it! Worried about bringing camping gear or no good food in the park? Just order takeout! Burgers, coffee, cold drinks can all be delivered to the grassland. You can lie down, enjoy the view, and eat delicious food—very relaxing with kids. Baishixi💦 A waterfall and stream just over 10 minutes from the old town! Navigate to “Famao Boutique Natural Dali Marble Painting Field,” drive up the village path to Lingshan Temple, then find a small path into the stream. Cross the river and walk up to see the waterfall. The temperature around the waterfall is especially low, and the white noise of flowing water is very soothing. Bring a picnic blanket and some snacks, play with your kids while enjoying nature—it’s so healing! Shuangyuan Creek🎨 A super fun place for kids! Navigate to “Dali Cangshan Image Museum.” There’s a small path next to the parking lot that leads down to the creek where you can trace the stream and camp. Walk further up to find a small waterfall. When tired, visit the museum to see free photography exhibits and let your kids experience the beauty of Dali. Next to it is Wuwei Temple, which has a great atmosphere. Our family goes every week, and the kids never want to leave!