Erhai Lake is located in Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is the second-largest freshwater lake in Yunnan and part of the Lancang River basin, with an elevation of 1,972 meters above sea level. The core area of the scenic spot covers approximately 256.5 square kilometers, stretching 42 kilometers from north to south and 6 to 7 kilometers in average width from east to west, with a maximum depth of 21.3 meters. As a national key scenic area and a national 4A-level tourist attraction, Erhai Lake is known as the "Pearl of the Plateau" and features a unique combination of natural landscapes (mountains and water), Bai ethnic culture, and ecological wetlands. Its crystal-clear waters, together with the snow-capped Cangshan Mountains and Bai villages, form the classic "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon" scenery. Famous attractions such as the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and Xizhou Ancient Town are scattered along its shores, making Erhai Lake the core destination for tourism in Dali.
History and Culture
The Erhai Lake area is one of the important cradles of ancient civilizations in Yunnan. As early as the Neolithic Age, humans have lived and thrived here. During the Han Dynasty, it was known as "Yeyuze". In the Tang Dynasty, when the Nanzhao Kingdom ruled, it became a key area for royal activities; historical records describe it as "two hundred li in circumference, several zhang deep, abundant in fish and water chestnuts". During the Song Dynasty, when the Dali Kingdom was in power, landmark structures such as the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple and the ruins of Taihe City were built around Erhai Lake, establishing the area as the political and cultural center of western Yunnan.
Erhai Lake carries a rich heritage of Bai ethnic culture. Villages along its shores preserve traditional Bai-style residences featuring architectural patterns like "Three Courtyards with a Screen Wall" and "Four Compounds with Five Skylights". Intangible cultural heritages of the Bai people, such as tie-dyeing, embroidery, and the "Three-Course Tea" ritual, are passed down here. The thousand-year-old "cormorant fishing" technique (now a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage) practiced by local fishermen and the "Raosanling" folk festival demonstrate the ecological wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Additionally, Tang Dynasty poet Liu Changqing and Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake both left poems and calligraphy works about Erhai Lake, enriching the scenic area's cultural connotation.
Major Attractions
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
A key national cultural relic protection unit, located approximately 1.5 kilometers north of Dali Ancient Town. The main pagoda stands 69.13 meters tall, a hollow square brick pagoda with closely spaced eaves, a typical style of the Tang Dynasty. The two smaller pagodas on either side are 42.19 meters high and octagonal in shape. Built during the Nanzhao Kingdom period (8th century AD), the Three Pagodas are a symbol of Dali. Having survived numerous earthquakes over a thousand years, they remain well-preserved. More than 600 cultural relics unearthed from the pagodas are now housed in the scenic area's museum.
Shuanglang Ancient Town
Situated on the northeastern shore of Erhai Lake, this traditional Bai fishing village is known as "the No.1 Town for Cangshan and Erhai Scenery". Covering an area of approximately 2.5 square kilometers, the town is marked by the artistic architectural complex of Yang Liping's Sun Palace and Moon Palace, which blends traditional Bai residences with modern artistic styles. Visitors can take a boat to tour Nanzhao Fengqing Island (covering 0.18 square kilometers, home to a 14-meter-tall statue of Acarya Avalokitesvara) or cycle along the East Ring Road of Erhai Lake to enjoy the "Cangshan and Erhai in a Single Line of Sky" view.
Xizhou Ancient Town
Located on the northwestern shore of Erhai Lake, Xizhou is a major town of Bai commercial culture. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the "Xizhou Merchant Group" was renowned across western Yunnan. The town preserves a cluster of Ming and Qing-era residential buildings covering about 1.5 square kilometers, with Yan Family Courtyard (covering 2,478 square meters, featuring a "three-entry, four-compound, five-skylight" layout) and the Corner Tower as representative landmarks. Bai tie-dye workshops and rice field scenery (with a core rice field area of approximately 500 mu, 1 mu ≈ 0.0667 hectares) are the town's main highlights.
Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor
An ecological protection project encircling the western shore of Erhai Lake, with a total length of 46 kilometers. The demonstration section (from Dali Ancient Town to Caicun Village) is 8 kilometers long. Integrating wetland restoration, cultural display, and leisure tourism, the corridor is planted with over 30 species of aquatic plants and equipped with viewing platforms and bicycle lanes. It allows visitors to closely observe Erhai Lake's water quality (currently maintaining Grade Ⅱ standard) and wintering black-headed gulls (about 100,000 gulls inhabit here from November to March each year).
Travel Routes
One-Day Tour: Route 1 (Cultural Experience): Dali Ancient Town → Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (2 hours) → Xizhou Ancient Town (visit Yan Family Courtyard, take photos in rice fields, 2 hours) → Zhoucheng Village (visit tie-dye workshops, 1 hour) → Return to the ancient town. Route 2 (Lake-Ring Scenery): Caicun Wharf → Cycling on Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor (rent an electric bike for 30 yuan/day, from Dali Ancient Town to Panxi Section, approximately 15 kilometers, 3 hours) → Shuanglang Ancient Town (lunch, visit Sun Palace, 3 hours) → Wase Town (take photos at Xiaoputuo Island, 1 hour) → Return.
Two-Day Tour: Day 1: Dali Ancient Town → Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple → Xizhou Ancient Town (stay in Xizhou to experience Bai-style homestays); Day 2: Shuanglang Ancient Town → Nanzhao Fengqing Island → Wase Town → Wenbi Village (watch the sunset) → Return to the ancient town.
Travel Tips
- Best Season: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November), with temperatures ranging from 15℃ to 22℃. This avoids the large tourist crowds in summer and the rainy season (June-August, frequent showers).
- Clothing: There is a large temperature difference between day and night, so a light jacket is recommended. UV radiation is strong, so wear a hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen with SPF 50+.
- Accommodation Choices: - Dali Ancient Town: Convenient for nightlife, recommended to stay near the South Gate; - Shuanglang/Wase: Mainly sea-view rooms, ideal for watching the sunrise; - Xizhou: Perfect for experiencing rural scenery.
- Pitfall Avoidance: Reject cheap "one-day lake-ring tour" groups soliciting customers on the street, as they may force shopping. Check the battery level and brakes of electric bikes before renting.
Notes
- Ecological Protection: Swimming, fishing, and releasing alien species in Erhai Lake are prohibited. Violators may face a maximum fine of 2,000 yuan (in accordance with the Erhai Lake Protection and Management Regulations).
- Respect for Folk Customs: The Bai people taboo spitting into fire pits or touching children's heads. Remove hats when entering religious sites and ask for permission before taking photos.
- Safety Tips: Some sections of the West Ring Road are adjacent to the lake without guardrails; exercise caution while cycling. Weather in mountainous areas is changeable, so carry rain gear.
- Altitude Sickness: With an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters, a small number of people may experience mild headaches. Avoid strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water.
Transportation
- Airplane: Approximately 30 kilometers from Dali Airport. A taxi ride costs 40-60 yuan, or take the airport bus to Dali Ancient Town (25 yuan/person, 1 hour).
- High-Speed Railway: Dali Railway Station is about 13 kilometers from the ancient town. A taxi ride costs 30-40 yuan, or take Bus No. 8 (2 yuan/person, 40 minutes) to the ancient town.
- Lake-Ring Transportation: - Self-Driving (Rental): An SUV costs about 200-300 yuan/day; note that some sections of the West Ring Road have width restrictions; - Electric Bike/Bicycle: Electric bikes cost 50-80 yuan/day (with a range of 60-100 kilometers), and bicycles cost 20-30 yuan/day; - Tourist Shuttle: Direct bus from Dali Ancient Town to Shuanglang Ancient Town (30 yuan/person, 1.5 hours), departing from 8:00 to 16:00 daily.
Opening Hours
Erhai Lake is open 24 hours a day.
Tickets
Erhai Lake Scenic Area is open to the public free of charge, but fees apply to specific attractions and activities within the scenic area.