Dali is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly don’t recommend going in December because...........
Dali Travel Guide (Including Price List)
Dali, an ancient city rated as the "Best Travel Destination in Asia" by Lonely Planet, is an ideal destination for countless travelers with its majestic Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, rich Bai culture, and picturesque natural scenery throughout the year. Below is a detailed guide covering attractions, transportation, accommodation, dining, and budget to help you plan an unforgettable trip to Dali.
1. Must-Visit Attractions and Ticket Prices
Erhai Lake Cycling/Driving Around: The full loop around Erhai Lake is about 130 kilometers. You can rent an electric bike (50 RMB/day) or a convertible Beetle (400 RMB/day) to explore freely. Along the way, check out Panxi S-Bend, Xizhou Rice Fields, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and other spots with no entrance fees.
Erhai Lake Large Cruise: Includes Nanzhao Style Island, Little Putuo, and other attractions, about 150 RMB per person, including boat ticket and guided tour.
Nanzhao Style Island: Separate ticket about 50 RMB per person, where you can closely admire Taihu Stone clusters and the Nanzhao Palace.
Cangshan Ximatan Cableway: Directly reaches the mountain top at 3,966 meters altitude, offering panoramic views of Erhai Lake. One-way ticket about 140 RMB per person, round trip about 280 RMB per person.
Gantong Cableway: Suitable for light hikers, one-way about 85 RMB per person, round trip about 160 RMB per person. Along the way, you can visit Jizhao Nunnery (free, vegetarian meal 20 RMB per person).
Dali Ancient City Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas: A landmark of Dali, ticket about 75 RMB per person. Climbing Qianxun Pagoda offers views of Erhai Lake and the ancient city.
Ancient City Free Access: Stroll along Fuxing Road and Renmin Road to experience Bai architecture and local life. At night, climb the city wall to enjoy the night view.
Shaxi Ancient Town Free Access: Explore Sideng Street, ancient theater stage, Yujin Bridge, and experience the historic charm of the Tea Horse Road.
Surrounding Attractions: Heihui River Gorge carriage ride (about 50 RMB per person), Pioneer Bookstore Bai Bookstore (free).
Xizhou Ancient Town Free Access: Some Bai residences like Yan Family Courtyard require tickets (about 20 RMB per person). You can try tie-dyeing (80 RMB per person) or taste Posu Baba (5 RMB each).
2. Transportation Guide and Costs
External Transport
Airplane: Dali Huangcaoba Airport offers direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and other cities. Ticket prices fluctuate by season; booking in advance is recommended.
High-Speed Rail: About 2 hours from Kunming to Dali by high-speed train, ticket about 145 RMB per person; about 1.5 hours from Lijiang to Dali by train, ticket about 34 RMB per person.
Within the Island
Car Rental: Convertible Beetle about 400 RMB per day, suitable for driving around Erhai Lake; electric bike about 50 RMB per day, suitable for short rides.
Direct Shuttle Bus: Erhai Lake loop line about 80 RMB per person, Shaxi Ancient Town special line about 120 RMB per person, advance reservation required.
Bus: Direct buses from Dali Ancient City to Cangshan, Erhai Lake, and other attractions, ticket about 2-5 RMB per person.
3. Accommodation Recommendations and Price Range
Budget Hostels: About 60-80 RMB per night, suitable for backpackers or solo travelers.
Guesthouse Private Rooms: About 150-200 RMB per night, cost-effective, some offer free breakfast.
Mid-Range Hotels and Boutique Inns: About 300-500 RMB per night, combining Bai architectural style with modern facilities, such as the Atour Hotel in Dali Ancient City.
Sea View Rooms: About 600-1000 RMB per night, with windows overlooking Erhai Lake, such as Mingyue Bay Seaview Resort Hotel in Shuanglang Ancient Town.
Luxury Resort Hotels: Over 1000 RMB per night, offering private hot springs, starry sky bars, and other high-end facilities, such as Dali Junfa Pullman Hotel.
4. Dining Expenses
Local Snack Posu Baba: 5 RMB each, available in sweet and savory flavors, most authentic in Xizhou Ancient Town.
Erkuai (Rice Cake): 10 RMB per serving, grilled and wrapped with sauce, soft and chewy texture.
Rushan (Milk Cheese): 15 RMB per serving, made from milk, can be pan-fried or grilled, tastes better with rose jam.
Specialty Restaurant Duan Gongzi · Tianlong Babu Branch: About 80 RMB per person, recommended dishes include "Wind Flower Snow Moon Fish" and "Wild Mushroom Bao Shao."
Nanzhi · Huashanghua Bai Courtyard Restaurant: About 80 RMB per person, elegant environment, suitable for banquets.
Wase Caixiangyuan: About 60 RMB per person, a local favorite canteen, recommended dishes "Old Grandma’s Potatoes" and "Green Pepper Minced Beef."
Night Markets and Bazaars
March Street Market: Held on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd of the lunar month, where you can find handmade silver jewelry, dried mushrooms, etc., average spending about 50 RMB per person.
Dali Ancient City Night Market: Located at the intersection of Renmin Road and Foreigner Street, full of snacks and handicrafts, average spending about 30 RMB per person.
5. Budget Control
Budget: About 1500-2000 RMB per person
Accommodation: Hostel bed or budget guesthouse, about 200 RMB per night.
Transportation: Bus + electric bike, about 50 RMB per day.
Dining: Local snacks + night market, about 80 RMB per day.
Attractions: Free attractions + some paid spots, about 100 RMB per day.
Comfortable: About 3000-4000 RMB per person
Accommodation: Mid-range hotel or sea view room, about 500 RMB per night.
Transportation: Car rental + direct shuttle bus, about 200 RMB per day.
Dining: Specialty restaurants + night market, about 150 RMB per day.
Attractions: Full coverage of paid attractions, about 200 RMB per day.
Luxury: Over 5000 RMB per person
Accommodation: High-end resort hotel, about 1000 RMB per night.
Transportation: Private car + personal guide, about 500 RMB per day.
Dining: Michelin restaurants + private custom meals, about 300 RMB per day.
Attractions: Paid attractions + premium experiences (such as helicopter tours), about 500 RMB per day.
6. Practical Tips
Season Choice: Cherry blossoms bloom in April, cool summer in June, golden rice fields in September, majestic snowy mountains in December, beautiful all year round.
Weather Warning: Large temperature difference at the top of Cangshan Mountain, bring a windbreaker; strong winds on the west shore of Erhai Lake in the afternoon, be careful when cycling.
Environmental Advice: Single-use plastic products are prohibited along Erhai Lake; bring your own water bottle.
Photography Tips: Shoot Erhai Lake S-Bend with front light at 10 a.m.; wear a white long dress and shoot low-angle in Xizhou rice fields in summer.
Cultural Respect: Remove hats when entering temples; ask for permission before photographing locals.
Dali is a feast for the eyes and taste buds, a dialogue between the soul and nature. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and have a date with the wind, flowers, snow, and moon here, remember to save this guide. See you in Dali!