Erhai Lake is located in Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. As the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, it belongs to the Lancang River basin and has a lake surface elevation of 1,972 meters. The core area of the scenic spot covers approximately 256.5 square kilometers, stretching 42 kilometers from north to south, with an average width of 6-7 kilometers from east to west, and a maximum depth of 21.3 meters. Erhai Lake is a national-level scenic spot and a national 4A-level tourist attraction, known as the "Pearl of the Plateau". It combines multiple features such as landscape scenery, Bai culture, and ecological wetlands. The lake water is as clear as a mirror, forming the classic "Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon" landscape with the snow-capped Cangshan Mountain and Bai villages. Famous attractions along the shore include the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and Xizhou Ancient Town, making it the core destination for tourism in Dali.
Historical Culture
The Erhai Lake area is one of the important birthplaces of ancient Yunnan civilization, with human settlements dating back to the Neolithic Age. In the Han Dynasty, it was called "Ye Yu Ze". During the Nanzhao Kingdom period in the Tang Dynasty, it became an important activity area for the royal family, with historical records describing it as "surrounded by two hundred li, several zhang deep, abundant in fish and water chestnuts". During the Dali Kingdom period in the Song Dynasty, landmark buildings such as the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple and the Taihe City Ruins were constructed around Erhai Lake, making it the political and cultural center of western Yunnan.
Erhai Lake carries rich Bai culture. The villages along the shore retain traditional residential buildings such as the "three courtyards and one screen wall" and "four compounds with five patios". Intangible cultural heritages such as Bai tie-dyeing, embroidery, and the Three-Course Tea ceremony are inherited here. The thousand-year-old fishing technique of "cormorant fishing" (now a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage) and the Rao San Ling folk activities among fishermen demonstrate the ecological wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In addition, Tang Dynasty poet Liu Changqing, Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake, and others left poetic inscriptions by Erhai Lake, adding to the scenic area's cultural heritage.
Main Attractions
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
A national key cultural relic protection unit located about 1.5 kilometers north of Dali Ancient Town. The main pagoda is 69.13 meters high, a Tang Dynasty-style multi-eaved square hollow brick pagoda, with two smaller octagonal pagodas on either side, each 42.19 meters high. Built during the Nanzhao Kingdom period (8th century AD), they symbolize Dali. The pagodas have remained intact through thousands of earthquakes, with over 600 cultural relics unearthed from them now displayed in the scenic area museum.
Shuanglang Ancient Town
Located on the northeastern shore of Erhai Lake, this traditional Bai fishing village is known as the "First Town of Canghai Scenery". Covering an area of about 2.5 square kilometers, the town is marked by the artistic architectural complexes of Yang Liping's Sun Palace and Moon Palace, integrating Bai folk houses with modern art styles. Tourists can take a boat to Nanzhao Style Island (0.18 square kilometers, featuring a 14-meter-high statue of Achuoye Guanyin) or cycle along the East Erhai Lake Road to enjoy the "Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in a Single View" landscape.
Xizhou Ancient Town
Located on the northwestern shore of Erhai Lake, this is a major commercial and cultural town of the Bai people, where the "Xizhou Merchant Gang" was renowned in western Yunnan during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The town preserves approximately 1.5 square kilometers of Ming and Qing residential buildings, represented by the Yan Family Courtyard (2,478 square meters, with a three-entry compound and five-patio layout) and the Corner Building. Its main features include Bai tie-dye workshops and rice paddy scenery (core paddy area of about 500 mu).
Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor
An ecological protection project surrounding the western shore of Erhai Lake, spanning 46 kilometers in total, with an 8-kilometer demonstration section from Dali Ancient Town to Caicun. The corridor integrates wetland restoration, cultural display, and leisure tourism, planting over 30 species of aquatic plants and featuring viewing platforms and bicycle lanes. It allows close observation of Erhai Lake's water quality (currently maintained at Class II standard) and wintering black-headed gulls (approximately 100,000 inhabit from November to March each year).
Food
Sour and Spicy Fish
A specialty of Erhai Lake, using local bowfish or crucian carp stewed with pickled papaya and fermented chili peppers, offering a sour and spicy flavor. Recommended restaurants along Caicun Wharf and Shuanglang Ancient Town charge an average of 50-80 yuan per person.
Bai Three-Course Tea
A Bai hospitality ritual: the first course is "bitter tea" (roasted tea), the second is "sweet tea" (with milk fan and walnuts), and the third is "aftertaste tea" (with honey and Sichuan pepper), symbolizing "first bitterness, then sweetness, finally reflection". Experiences are available at the Yan Family Courtyard in Xizhou and teahouses in Dali Ancient Town, with performances lasting about 40 minutes and an average cost of 30-50 yuan per person.
Milk Fan (Rushan)
A traditional Bai dairy product made from milk and acid water, which can be fried, roasted, deep-fried, or served cold. Recommended freshly roasted milk fans in Xizhou Ancient Town (2-5 yuan per serving), sprinkled with sugar or rose jam, offering a rich milky flavor.
Cold Chicken Rice Noodles
A signature Dali snack featuring rice noodles with shredded cold chicken, papaya vinegar, and chili powder, offering a sweet and sour taste. Old-established shops in Dali Ancient Town like "Jiuniang Cold Chicken Rice Noodles" and "Shijing Private Cuisine" charge an average of 15-20 yuan per person.
Admission
The Erhai Lake scenic area is free to enter, but some attractions within the area charge fees:
Opening Hours
Erhai Lake is open 24 hours a day. Specific opening hours for individual attractions may vary:
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour: Route 1 (Cultural Experience): Dali Ancient Town → Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (2 hours) → Xizhou Ancient Town (visiting Yan Family Courtyard and rice paddy photography, 2 hours) → Zhoucheng (visiting tie-dye workshops, 1 hour) → Return to Ancient Town. Route 2 (Coastal Scenery): Caicun Wharf → Biking along Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor (electric bike rental, 30 yuan/day, Dali Ancient Town to Panxi section, about 15 km, 3 hours) → Shuanglang Ancient Town (lunch and visiting Sun Palace, 3 hours) → Wase Town (photography at Little Putuo 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 folk homestays); Day 2: Shuanglang Ancient Town → Nanzhao Style Island → Wase Town → Wenbi Village (sunset viewing) → Return to Ancient Town.
Transportation
- By Air: Approximately 30 kilometers from Dali Airport, taxi fare is 40-60 yuan, or take an airport bus to Dali Ancient Town (25 yuan/person, 1 hour).
- By High-Speed Rail: Dali Railway Station is about 13 kilometers from the ancient town, taxi fare is 30-40 yuan, or take Bus No. 8 (2 yuan/person, 40 minutes) to the ancient town.
- Circum-Lake Transportation: - Car Rental: SUVs cost about 200-300 yuan/day, note that some sections of West Erhai Lake Road have width restrictions; - Electric Bikes/Bicycles: Electric bikes cost 50-80 yuan/day (60-100 km range), 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 daily from 8:00-16:00.
Must-See Attractions
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple: A landmark of Dali, climbing the pagodas offers a panoramic view of Erhai Lake and the ancient town; it is recommended to enter before 9:00 AM to avoid crowds.
- Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor: The best waterfront spot, the "S Curve" in the Panxi section is a popular photo spot for capturing Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain together.
- Shuanglang Ancient Town: Stay in a lakeside homestay to watch the sunrise over Cangshan and Erhai Lake.
- Xizhou Rice Paddies: Most beautiful during the harvest season from September to October; take photos of Bai architecture with golden rice paddies at the Corner Building.
Tour Tips
- Best Seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November), with temperatures of 15-22°C, avoiding summer crowds and the rainy season (June-August with frequent showers).
- Dress Code: Large day-night temperature difference, bring a light jacket; strong UV rays, wear a hat, sunglasses, and SPF50+ sunscreen.
- Accommodation Options: - Dali Ancient Town: Convenient for nightlife, recommended to stay near South Gate; - Shuanglang/Wase: Mainly sea-view rooms, suitable for sunrise viewing; - Xizhou: Experience rural scenery.
- Avoid Scams: Refuse low-cost "One-Day Circum-Lake Tour" touts on the street, which may involve forced shopping; check battery and brakes before renting electric bikes.
Notes
- Ecological Protection: Swimming, fishing, and releasing non-native species in Erhai Lake are prohibited, with a maximum fine of 2,000 yuan (Erhai Lake Protection and Management Regulations).
- Respect for Folklore: The Bai people prohibit spitting into fireplaces or touching children's heads; remove hats before entering religious sites and seek permission before taking photos.
- Safety Tips: Some sections of West Erhai Lake Road have no guardrails along the lake; pay attention to safety while cycling; mountain weather is changeable, bring rain gear.
- Altitude Sickness: At an altitude of about 2,000 meters, some may experience mild headaches; avoid strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water.