3 Days 2 Nights Dali Nanny Guide! Avoid 90% of Pitfalls

Just got back from Dali, painstakingly putting together this anti-pitfall guide + must-do activities. Now is the perfect time to visit! Optimized itinerary (personally tested to efficiently avoid crowds) 🌿Day 1: Ancient Town Vibes + West Erhai Lake Route - Morning: Rush to Longkan Pier before 7 AM to watch the sunrise (few people! stunning light and shadow) → Bike ride in Caicun (scan shared bike QR code, reach S-bend before 9 AM) - Afternoon: Explore and eat in Dali Ancient Town → Taobao tie-dye on Renmin Road (headbands 30 RMB, bargain!) → Bed Sheet Factory Art District (artisanal shops perfect for photos) - Overnight in Ancient Town: Stay at South Gate Hostel for 60 RMB, rooftop star photography✨ 🌊Day 2: Deep Tour of East Erhai Lake Route - Rent a car and go counterclockwise (350 RMB/day, avoid tour groups): → Xizhou Ancient Town (take photos of corner tower + yellow wall rice fields before 10 AM) → Zhoucheng to experience tie-dyeing (50 RMB DIY square scarf) → Shuanglang (free photos outside Yang Liping’s Sun Palace, 100 RMB afternoon tea to enter) → Wenbi Village (4 PM rainbow road with perfect lighting! Wear a white dress!) - Overnight in Shuanglang: Choose a sea view hostel (70 RMB bed, window opens to Erhai Lake) ⛰️Day 3: Cangshan Secret Spots + Off-the-Beaten-Path Check-ins - Morning: Take Gantong Cableway up Cangshan → Yudai Road light hike (easy 1 hour, overlook Erhai Lake) → Jizhao Nunnery (queue at 11 AM for 20-ingredient vegetarian meal, succulent plant paradise must-see) - Afternoon: Fengyangyi Village (filming location of "To the Windy Place") → Xingsheng Bridge (European-style bridge perfect for vintage outfits) → Before heading back, show off a bowl of cold chicken rice noodles (Ancient Town’s “Zai Huishou” 12 RMB) Accommodation Pitfall Guide - Nightlife: Choose Ancient Town; South Gate is convenient, avoid staying near bar street (noisy!) - Best value sea view: Caicun, 200+ RMB lakeside homestays, walking distance to ecological corridor - Avoid: Shuanglang sea view rooms are overpriced; non-sea view rooms better to stay in Ancient Town! Food Hits and Misses (Locals Verified) 🔥Must-Eat List - Snacks around 15 RMB per person: → North Gate Market: thin mung bean jelly + fried dough sticks (6 RMB), grilled milk fan (rose jam! 6 RMB) → Xizhou: sweet and savory mixed baba cakes (10 RMB), Dai-style pounded chicken feet (15 RMB, spicy and satisfying) - Main meals recommended: → Xinghui Little Fairy: wild mushroom hot pot (Erhai branch has great views) → Dai Girl Hand-grabbed Rice: Ancient Town main store 2-person meal 128 RMB, grilled fish with lemongrass flavor! → Bai cuisine: sour and spicy fish (using Erhai crucian carp), Yongping yellow braised chicken (local chicken tender and juicy) 💣Avoid: Ancient Town bar street (high minimum spend!), scenic area flower cakes (Jiahua freshly baked are more fragrant) Hard-Learned Pitfall Tips 1. Transportation: - After high-speed train, look for “Scenic Area Direct Bus” 5 RMB to Ancient Town! Don’t take illegal taxis - Don’t rent electric bikes around the lake (130 km battery insufficient, easy to break down), rent a car or buy “Travel Dali” bus 3-day pass (98 RMB unlimited rides) 2. Sun protection: arm sleeves + hat + SPF50 + sunscreen! UV rays can cause peeling in 10 minutes 3. Cangshan: cableway closes on rainy days, check weather in advance! Don’t touch succulents inside the nunnery (fine warning) 4. Bargaining: don’t buy shawls over 35 RMB, tie-dye bags can be bargained down by half! The charm of Dali is in the slow life! Morning bike rides listening to waves, squatting for a pink sunset in the evening, the coffee aroma in alleys is more healing than trendy cafes~ Keep this guide handy, save on entrance fees, and enjoy delicious food and drinks!💃