What to see and skip in Dali
🧭✨ 2 Days in Dali, Yunnan — What to See, Skip & Our Faves 🏔️🚲🌸
📍From: Kunming ➡️ Dali (by high-speed train)
📌Save this post if Dali is on your China bucket list!
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Dali absolutely won me over with its lakeside views, cultural charm, and the dreamiest cycling spots. We spent 2 nights here as part of our Yunnan trip, and it quickly became one of my favourite stops.
The pace is slower, the air feels cleaner, and there’s that perfect mix of nature, history, and aesthetic cafés (seriously, they’re everywhere).
Here’s our exact itinerary, what’s worth checking out, and what you can totally skip 👇
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🗓️ Our Itinerary
Day 1
🚄 Kunming ➡️ Dali (via high-speed train)
🚤 Boat ride to Jinsuo Island (金梭岛)
📸 “Santorini of Dali” photo-op
🛏️ Stayed in Dali
Day 2
🏰 Dali Ancient Town (大理古城)
🏯 Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇)
🚲 S-Curve by Erhai Lake – we cycled!
📍 Added stop at Wenbi Village (文笔村) & café time
🛏️ Stayed in Dali again
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🌟 What to See & Do
🏘️ Dali Ancient Town (大理古城)
Quaint, lively, and full of charm. It’s a tourist hub, yes, but still feels walkable and local — loved the stone-paved streets and historic Bai-style architecture.
Great for shopping, people-watching, and snacking (try the grilled cheese skewers 🧀🔥)
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🏯 Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇)
A smaller, quieter version of Dali Old Town. More preserved, less commercial, and gives you a real sense of Bai minority culture.
✨ Try the 喜洲粑粑 (Xizhou baba) from street vendors – flaky, savoury, and so addictive.
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🚲 S-Curve Ride (S湾骑行)
This was a trip highlight! The curved lakeside road with the Erhai backdrop is SO photogenic, and riding a bike here was the perfect way to enjoy it.
Note: The “open-top jeep” part was really just a photo op in a random farm field… then they drove us to the lake. Not really worth it – the cycling is where the magic is. Spend half a day here, stop for photos and enjoy the breeze.
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🌿 Wenbi Village (文笔村) & Café Stop
We added this into our itinerary last-minute and I’m so glad we did. Quiet, local, and peaceful – it’s a perfect break from the tourist trail.
☕ We chilled at 日落山海 (Sunset Shanhai Café) just outside the village —
💐 Surrounded by flowers
🪑 Full of cosy corners to read or nap
🍽️ And the food? Surprisingly good! (Get the rice bowl and iced fruit teas!)
Would 100% go back just to hang out here longer.
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🙅♀️ What to Skip
🚤 Jinsuo Island (金梭岛)
Took a boat out here, but there wasn’t much to see or do. Kind of empty and touristy.
📸 Santorini of Dali
A manmade spot designed for photos, styled to look like Greece. Not authentic, just aesthetic. Skip unless you’re desperate for a white-and-blue IG shot.
🚙 Open-top Jeep Ride
Honestly? Just a photo shoot on a farm field, and a short drive to the lake. Not worth booking separately — focus on cycling instead!
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🥢 Food Highlight
We tried 酸菜鱼 with passionfruit – yes, sauerkraut fish with passionfruit. Sounds weird, but it totally worked. The tangy fruit balanced out the spicy broth and added a sweet layer of flavor. Would absolutely eat again.
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🛏️ Where We Stayed
Our hotel was included in the tour – decent, but nothing memorable. If you’re planning your own trip, I highly recommend picking a boutique stay near Erhai Lake. So many beautifully designed places for a good price.
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💬 Final Thoughts
Dali is a must-visit if you love nature, slow travel, and a bit of culture mixed in. If you’re going:
✔️ Spend at least 2 nights
✔️ Cycle along the lake – skip the jeep
✔️ Add Wenbi Village and visit Sunset Shanhai Café
✔️ Skip the “touristy extras” – they’re not worth it
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📍Save this post if you’re planning a Yunnan trip
& let me know if you need help planning a route or finding the best places to stay!
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If you have extra time during your Dali visit, consider exploring the surrounding areas beyond the popular spots. Wenbi Village, as mentioned, is a peaceful retreat ideal for those who want to see authentic local life away from crowds. It’s also a great place to interact with locals and appreciate Bai minority culture. For accommodation, while I stayed in a hotel included in my tour, I highly recommend looking for boutique guesthouses or B&Bs close to Erhai Lake. These often offer stunning lake views and a cozy atmosphere that suits the slow-travel vibe of Dali. Regarding the S-Curve ride by Erhai Lake, it’s worth renting a bike for the entire afternoon to leisurely explore various viewpoints and stop for photos whenever you like. The fresh air and the scenic beauty make it one of the most relaxing experiences in Dali. Food lovers should try traditional Bai dishes beyond the popular 酸菜鱼 (sauerkraut fish). Street food vendors often sell delicious snacks like roasted cheese skewers and Xizhou baba (a flaky local pastry). Engaging with street vendors also adds a more immersive cultural experience. If you plan to extend your trip, nearby towns like Lijiang or Shaxi offer additional cultural and historical highlights worth visiting. However, focusing on Dali’s mix of nature, history, and laid-back atmosphere during at least two days ensures you capture the essence of this beautiful Yunnan spot.
Hi thanks for sharing your beautiful experiences in yunan with great tips 👍hey just like to check if you hired private driver to move around? What is the charges like?