Dali in Yunnan is stunning, but I honestly don’t recommend going in July because...........

Dali: The poetry and distant beauty of wind, flowers, snow, and moon—a healing utopia between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake Dali, an ancient city in western Yunnan embraced by Cangshan Mountain and awakened by Erhai Lake, is the "jianghu" in Jin Yong’s novels, the "spectacle" in Xu Xiake’s eyes, and an "ideal country" for modern people to escape the hustle and bustle. Here, the breeze gently brushes the Bai ethnic group’s tie-dye in Shangguan, flowers cover the mountain paths in Xiaguan, snow on Cangshan reflects the moon over Erhai, and the four wonders of wind, flowers, snow, and moon make it "China’s most romantic city." Come to Dali, ride along Erhai chasing the wind, listen to folk songs on the ancient city’s stone paths, drink coffee in the rice fields of Xizhou, and let the clouds of Cangshan, the waves of Erhai, and the Bai people’s everyday life heal all your fatigue and confusion. 1. Cangshan and Erhai: Ultimate Romance Between Mountains and Water Erhai Lake: A healing journey of cycling, driving, and daydreaming Cycling around Erhai: Rent an electric bike (80 RMB/day) or a bicycle (20 RMB/day), start from Longkan Pier, head north along the ecological corridor, passing Panxi S-bend, the lonely tree on the corridor bridge, and Xizhou wheat fields. The sea breeze caresses your face, golden rice fields surround you, and every snapshot looks like a Japanese movie scene. Driving around the lake: Recommended clockwise route (Dali Ancient City → Xizhou → Shuanglang → Xiaoputuo → Ideal Country), check in at the popular S-bend, Yang Liping’s Sun Palace in Shuanglang (afternoon tea reservation required, 128 RMB/person), and the Rainbow Road in Wenbi Village. Watch the sunset in Wase Town, where the lake surface sparkles like scattered diamonds. Erhai daydreaming guide: Find a lakeside guesthouse at Caicun Pier or Wenbi Village, open the window to Erhai, lie in a hammock watching the clouds roll by, or feed seagulls at Xiaoputuo in the lake center (November to March), feeling the healing of "facing the sea, with spring blossoms." Cangshan Mountain: Hiking, cable car, and a fairy tale dream in the clouds Ximatan Cable Car: Asia’s longest cable car (3500 meters), reaching the peak of Cangshan at 3,966 meters. In summer, rhododendron seas bloom like clouds; in winter, snow covers the mountain like a fairyland, overlooking Erhai like a sapphire embedded in the earth. Hiking secret spots: Jizhao Nunnery ("China’s most beautiful nunnery") with a courtyard full of succulents and hydrangeas, a 20-minute hike away, vegetarian meals 20 RMB/person (served at 11:30, queue required); Yudai Cloud Trail, an 11.5 km gentle path weaving through mist and fir forests, perfect for family hiking. Cangshan trivia: The summit is snow-covered year-round, but the foothills enjoy spring-like weather all year, creating the wonder of "one mountain with four seasons, ten miles with different weather." 2. Ancient City and Towns: Bai Ethnic Life and Artistic Jianghu Dali Ancient City: A thousand-year dream of the Nanzhao Kingdom Wuhua Tower: Climb to overlook the entire ancient city, where blue tiles and white walls hide memories of the Tea Horse Road; Renmin Road: Filled with folk music bars and handmade shops, listen to a live show like "Da Bing’s Little House" at night, and enjoy a glass of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon beer; North Gate Vegetable Market: The local smoky Jianghu, with 5 RMB bowls of thin bean jelly, 10 RMB bags of Rushan cheese, freshly picked blueberries and cherries, the best entry point to experience Dali life. Xizhou Ancient Town: Bai aesthetics in the rice fields Corner Tower: A century-old Bai residence with curved exterior walls and bluestone paths, wearing a white dress for photos instantly turns you into a "Bai princess"; Xilinyuan Yellow Walls: Rammed earth walls by the rice fields, blooming rapeseed flowers in spring and rolling wheat waves in autumn, filming location of "To the Windy Place"; Must-try food: Xizhou Baba (savory and sweet, 10 RMB each), Cool House milk popsicle (5 RMB each), Lao Li’s Baoshan copper ladle beef (60 RMB per person). Shuanglang Ancient Town: An artistic utopia by Erhai Yang Liping Sun Palace: The "Moon Palace" sister site built on the mountain, afternoon tea by reservation only, art installations blend with Erhai; Muxi Dali · Mountain Cocoon Coffee: A cliffside café by Erhai, order a Dirty coffee, watch sailboats glide across the water, daydream until sunset; Shuanglang Night Market: At the entrance of Yuji Island, grilled Rushan cheese, Yangbi rice rolls, Dai-style pounded chicken feet, 30 RMB per person to eat your fill. 3. Local Experiences: Deep Exploration from Tie-Dye to Markets Zhoucheng Tie-Dye: Intangible cultural heritage’s blue and white romance Visit the "Puzhen Tie-Dye Museum," make your own tie-dye scarf (100-200 RMB), watch Bai grandmas dye starry skies, butterflies, and Erhai waves with indigo root, feel the magic of "cloth blooming flowers." March Street Market: The smoky human world of a thousand-year-old market On the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd of the lunar month, the March Street market opens outside the west gate of Dali Ancient City, with herbs, mushrooms, mountain goods, and handicrafts in abundance. Strawberries at 10 RMB for 3 jin, flowers at 5 RMB a bunch, a local carnival. Shaxi Ancient Town: A "time capsule" on the Tea Horse Road Two hours from Dali by car, Yujin Bridge, ancient theater stage, Pioneer Bookstore, Half Mountain Café. No commercial noise here, only the sound of horse bells echoing through stone bridges and ancient alleys. Perfect for an overnight stay to watch the starry Milky Way hanging low. 4. Dali on the Palate: A Flavorful Feast from Rushan Cheese to Mushrooms Must-try foods Rushan Cheese: Thin slices of baked milk, can be eaten raw, fried, or grilled. Recommended: Yang’s Rushan (5 RMB each); Shengpi: Traditional Bai dish, pig skin roasted and sliced, dipped in special sauce, crispy and tender (choose fresh meat parts carefully); Mushroom Hotpot: Rainy season special from July to September, with matsutake, chicken mushrooms, boletus, and fresh greens stewed together, incredibly fresh (80 RMB per person, recommended restaurant "Flying to the Moon"); Cold Chicken Rice Noodles: Sweet, sour, and spicy, shredded chicken, crushed peanuts, and rice noodles mixed with plum vinegar, a summer heat-relief magic (Zai Huishou Cold Chicken Rice Noodles, 10 RMB/bowl). Food districts Dali Ancient City: Renmin Road, Yeyu Road, popular restaurants "Flying to the Moon" (brunch), "Tang Coffee" (hand drip coffee), "Zhenhua Restaurant" (Bai home cooking); Xiaguan: Taiye International Plaza, a local gathering spot, recommended "Dai Flavor Hand-grabbed Rice" (50 RMB per person). 5. Itinerary Planning and Practical Tips Classic 3-day 2-night highlights tour: Day 1: Dali Ancient City → Jizhao Nunnery → Erhai Ecological Corridor cycling → Caicun Pier sunset; Day 2: Xizhou Ancient Town → Shuanglang Ancient Town → Yang Liping Sun Palace → Wase Town sunset; Day 3: Cangshan Ximatan Cable Car → Zhoucheng Tie-Dye → March Street Market (if open). 5-day 4-night deep tour: Days 1-3 same as above; Day 4: Shaxi Ancient Town day trip (Yujin Bridge → Ancient Theater Stage → Pioneer Bookstore); Day 5: Nuodeng Ancient Village (thousand-year-old Bai village famous for ham) or Weishan Ancient City (Nanzhao origin, snack paradise). Accommodation guide By Erhai: Shuanglang "Mingyue Songjian," "Muxi Dali," Caicun "Dali Muxi" sea view rooms (300-800 RMB per person); Around the ancient city: Dali Ancient City "Jixia Mountain," "Dali Ancient City No.1 Courtyard," Xizhou "Jiyisi Xiangju" (200-500 RMB per person); Best value: Xiaguan city hotels (150-300 RMB/night), convenient for self-driving tourists. Transportation tips External transport: Direct flights to Dali Fengyi Airport, or high-speed train to "Dali Station" (Kunming → Dali 2 hours); Internal transport: Rent a car (Beetle convertible 200 RMB/day), charter car (300-500 RMB/day), Erhai loop bus (98 RMB/3-day pass). Avoid pitfalls Sun protection: Dali has very strong UV rays, bring SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats; Car rental: Check vehicle condition, buy insurance, motor vehicles are prohibited on the Erhai ecological corridor; Shopping: Be cautious buying silverware and jade, for Rushan cheese and flower cakes, choose established brands. 6. Conclusion The beauty of Dali is the thousand-year watch of Cangshan snow and Erhai moon, the blue and white poetry of Bai tie-dye, the soft singing of folk singers under the ancient city walls, and a latte in a rice field café. It’s quiet but lets every visitor talk with the wind while cycling, touch time through tie-dye, and taste the freshness of the wild in mushroom hotpot. Come to Dali, let the clouds of Cangshan wash away your anxiety, let the waves of Erhai carry away your troubles, and let this "City of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon" become your eternal utopia. Tips: Dali is best for slow travel. Avoid the summer (July-August) and National Day holidays. The best travel seasons are March-May when spring cherry blossoms bloom and September-November when the weather is clear and cool. Bring your camera, good mood, and a heart willing to "waste time"—come to Dali and live a dream you never want to wake from.