The most beautiful places in Dali are actually all free

🌿【Dali's 0-Cost Hidden Gems｜Local's Secret Routes Revealed】 Just got back from Dali! This time I unlocked a bunch of free and photogenic spots. Sharing this detailed guide to help you avoid crowds and enjoy a high-end experience👇 🚗 Travel Gear Sunscreen! Sunglasses! Wide-brimmed hat! (UV rays are strong enough to cause peeling) Windbreaker + thin T-shirt (big temperature difference between day and night, can be as low as 15°C even in June) Comfortable sports shoes (average 20,000 steps per day) Umbrella for sun and rain (rainy season can start suddenly) Stomach medicine + glucose oral solution (to cope with local water and food) 📸 5 Must-Visit Secret Spots 1. Erhai Moon Wetland Park (Local's secret photo spot) Watch the sunrise over Cangshan Mountain in the early morning, shoot the reed marshes at sunset, the boardwalk extends deep into Erhai Lake, every snap looks like a movie poster! Bring some bread to feed the seagulls~ 2. Shaxi Ancient Town (A forgotten Tea Horse Road post) The Friday market is super lively! Recommended to have a cup of ancient tree tea on Sideng Street, watch Bai grandmas washing vegetables by Yujin Bridge, when lanterns light up Sifang Street at night, it feels like traveling back a thousand years. 3. Xizhou Ancient Town (A Miyazaki world in the rice fields) Most beautiful when the rice fields turn golden in July! Rent a bike to ride among Bai ethnic houses, stumble upon a tie-dye workshop around the corner, highly recommend "Yuanlai Restaurant" for their cold chicken rice noodles, sour and spicy, perfect for cooling down. 4. Mulian Park (Sky corridor views of Cangshan and Erhai) A hidden gem next to the airport! A 1.5 km colorful cycling path suspended among the trees, one side city skyline, the other side lake and mountain scenery, occasionally planes fly low overhead, super healing. 5. Nuodeng Ancient Village (The aroma of ham from the thousand-year-old salt wells) An ancient village built on the mountain, every house roof hangs Nuodeng ham. Climb the stone path to the viewing platform to overlook layers of yellow walls and blue tiles. Remember to buy a bag of handmade salt as a souvenir on the way down. 🍜 Hidden Food List ✅ Grilled Erkuai (Dali Ancient City North Gate Vegetable Market) crispy outside, sticky inside, even better with a fried dough stick ✅ Xizhou Crispy Baba (Sifang Street old shop) freshly baked and eaten on the spot, rose sugar filling bursts in your mouth ✅ Bai-style Sour and Spicy Fish (Shuanglang Ancient Town lakeside) sour and spicy broth with Erhai fish, so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise ⚠️ Avoid: Don’t eat the "stone slab barbecue" in scenic spots, locals go to Xiaguan for "Old Place Huopiao Beef" 🚙 Route Plan (3-day version) Day 1: Dali Ancient City → Longkan Wharf → Xizhou Ancient Town (stay in a rice field guesthouse) Day 2: Shuanglang Ancient Town → Erhai Moon Wetland Park → Wase Little Putuo Day 3: Shaxi Ancient Town → Nuodeng Ancient Village → Return 💡 Travel Tips 1. Rent an electric bike around Erhai (50 RMB/day), don’t trust private drivers’ "exclusive routes" 2. Avoid noon for photos, after 4 PM the light is softest 3. If you encounter Bai festivals (like Benzhu Festival), join the crowd to experience the dances 4. Take your trash with you when leaving to protect this pure land ✨ The beauty of Dali is hidden in those free corners. Spend an afternoon daydreaming by Erhai Lake, watching clouds cast shadows on the water, even time feels gentle~ Which place are you ready to check in first?