Thinking of traveling during the May Day holiday but don't know where to go? Consider Dali.

Dali is a famous tourist destination in Yunnan Province, China, known for its natural beauty of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Bai culture, and the historic ancient city. Here's a detailed Dali travel guide covering attractions, food, transportation, and things to note. ✅Must-See Attractions 📍Dali Ancient City Features: Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture, Renmin Road, and Foreigner Street are hubs for art shops and bars. Recommended Activities: Explore the ancient city at night, sample snacks, and browse handicraft shops. Tickets: Free (some attractions charge separate fees). 📍Erhai Lake Cycling Route: Approx. 120 km, cycling or chartering a car is recommended (electric bike/bicycle rental is about CNY 50–80/day). Must-See Spots: Shuanglang Ancient Town: Built by the water, a popular spot for photos. Xizhou Ancient Town: Pastoral scenery, experience tie-dyeing, and taste Xizhou Baba. S-curve at Panxi Village: A classic Erhai Lake photo spot. Small Putuo Island: Seagulls gather here in winter. 📍Cangshan Mountain Things to Do: Take a cable car (Ximatan Cableway/ Gantong Cableway) for a bird's-eye view of Erhai Lake. Hike the Jade Belt Road (requires physical strength). Tickets: Cangshan Mountain tickets + cable car approx. CNY 200–300. 📍Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple Highlights: Dali landmark, Buddhist cultural site. Tickets: CNY 75 (includes Three Pagodas Reflection Park). 🌿Other Niche Attractions Shaxi Ancient Town (2 hours' drive from Dali): A quiet town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Jizhao An: The "most beautiful nunnery" on Cangshan Mountain, famous for its succulents and vegetarian meals. Butterfly Spring: Suitable for spring (butterfly season). 🍱Food Recommendations 🍡Must-Try Snacks: Rushan (grilled or fried, dipped in rose sauce). Xizhou Baba (sweet and savory flavors). Cold Chicken Rice Noodles, Ersi (rice noodles). Dali Hot and Sour Fish (made with Erhai Lake fish). 🥗Restaurant Recommendations: Dali Duan Gongzi (Yunnan cuisine). Fuxing Xiaoyuan (Bai home-style dishes). Shuanglang Lao Li Jia Baoshan Copper Ladle Beef (hot pot). 🍹Drinks: Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon Beer. Dali Yogurt. 🚗Transportation Guide ●Getting to Dali: ✈️By Air: Dali Fengyi Airport (fewer flights), or fly to Kunming and transfer to high-speed rail (approx. 2 hours). 🚇By High-Speed Rail: Direct access from Kunming/Lijiang/Chengdu and other places to Dali Station. ●Local Transportation: Walk or rent an electric bike within the ancient city. Chartering a car (approx. CNY 300–500/day) or joining a group tour is recommended for traveling around Erhai Lake. 🏨Accommodation Recommendations ✨Dali Ancient City: Convenient for nightlife, suitable for backpackers (hostels or guesthouses are recommended). ✨Erhai Lakeside: Shuanglang, Caicun, and other places, sea-view rooms are more expensive (CNY 500+/night). ✨Xizhou/Shaxi: Quietly experience rural life. 📝Things to Note ①Sun Protection: Strong ultraviolet rays on the plateau, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are necessary. ②Warm Clothing: Large temperature difference between day and night, bring a jacket even in summer. ③Avoid Tourist Traps: Avoid low-price one-day tour traps. It is recommended to buy specialties such as silverware and tea at reputable stores. ④Environmental Protection: Erhai Lake protection is strict, do not litter. 🗓Sample Itinerary (3 Days and 2 Nights) Day 1: Dali Ancient City → Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple → Explore Renmin Road at night. Day 2: Erhai Lake Tour (Xizhou → Shuanglang → Small Putuo Island). Day 3: Hiking on Cangshan Mountain/Jizhao An → Return trip. Dali is suitable for slow travel, it is recommended to allow 3–5 days for an in-depth experience. If you have more time, you can combine Lijiang, Shangri-La, or Lugu Lake to plan a Northwest Yunnan loop. Have a great trip!