[2025 Dali Attraction] Travel Guide for Observation Deck of Longkan Wharf (Updated Apr)

#springwander At Longkan Pier, time feels different. As dawn breaks, the first golden light spills across Erhai Lake, turning the water into a canvas of soft, shifting hues. It’s the kind of scene that doesn’t need rushing—where lingering is the best way to experience it. From sunrise to lazy midday reflections, this is a place where hours slip away effortlessly. Whether you sit by the pier or simply watch the world wake up, there’s nowhere else you’d rather waste a day. 🌅✨🌊

#discoverchina Longkan Wharf is a quiet and scenic spot by Erhai Lake in Dali. It’s known for its peaceful vibe, clear lake views, and stunning mountain backdrop. The water is calm, and the fresh breeze makes it a perfect place to relax or take photos. You might see fishermen or small boats gently moving across the lake. The area is less touristy, which adds to its charm. It’s especially beautiful during sunrise or sunset, with golden light reflecting on the water. The surroundings are clean and natural, making Longkan Wharf a lovely hidden spot for a calm, lakeside experience.

We had a memorable 4 nights stay at Dali, we truly enjoyed the atmosphere and vibes in Dali Erhai. We will definitely come back again.

If you’re looking for a trip that feels straight out of a fairytale, Yunnan is the place to be! From ancient towns to snow-capped mountains and dreamy landscapes, this adventure had it all. Lijiang – Wandering through the cobbled streets of Lijiang Old Town felt like stepping back in time. Red lanterns, flowing canals, and rooftops stretching into the sky—every corner was a postcard moment! Oh, and let’s not forget the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The view? Absolutely breathtaking! (And yes, the altitude had me gasping too, but totally worth it.) Shangri-La – The name says it all! This place is pure magic. We explored Songzanlin Monastery, aka “Little Potala Palace,” and soaked in the peaceful vibes. Then, we strolled through Dukezong Ancient Town, a charming maze of wooden houses, Tibetan prayer flags, and the world’s largest prayer wheel. Spinning it is said to bring good luck—so, of course, I gave it a few extra turns! Dali – The chillest town ever! Biking around Erhai Lake with the mountains in the background was a dream. And of course, I couldn’t resist stopping by the local souvenir stores in Dali Old Town—so many unique handicrafts, silver jewelry, and traditional Bai-style artworks to bring home! Yunnan, you’ve officially stolen my heart! Who’s up for this adventure next? ✨⛰️🏯 #YunnanDiaries #LijiangToShangrila #DaliVibes

This is the famous Longkan Wharf, in Dali. I went there in the afternoon, arrived at around 11am and there's already so many people. But the view is definitely not disappointing. It's said to offer even better view during the sunrise. So I would suggest anyone to get up early and experience the sunrise here. I rented the E-bike and rode here from my hotel. it was about a 25 minutes ride. But the view along the way was also 💯. Definitely would recommend anyone to just rent e-bike and explore Dali. #travel #dali #longkanwharf #china

🎶Travel with music, Love in Erhai lyrics Cangshan is green, Erhai is blue A thousand miles of ink painting A jade belt on the water You return when the clouds are beautiful You are Cangshan, I am Erhai We meet but part forever, tears stain my longing The mountains and seas stretch far away How far is love? Between green and blue You protect me, let the clouds linger I wait for a thousand years in red makeup Wind, flowers, snow, and moon, we cross the Butterfly Spring together The mountains and rivers play the strings of love Dali is known as the "Best Place to Confess Love in China," and Erhai adds endless charm to this romance. This song also reflects Dali's efforts to protect Erhai. Only by protecting Erhai's ecological environment can this beauty and romance continue, allowing more people to experience the beauty of love and the grandeur of nature. The Erhai Lake is just as you imagined, with clear water and blue skies. Staying by the lake is a great choice, as the houses here are unique and perfect for photos.

One thing you must do while in Dali is to catch the gorgeous sunrise at Longkan Pier (龙龛码头)! Be sure to arrive early as there will be many people waiting at the "good spots". I was a little bit late, but still managed to catch the last moments of the sun rising above the lake, it's really a memorable experience! 🌅😍 Travel tip: ask your Didi to go to 阳光便利店, one of the closest points that cars can go to near the pier. The pier is just a minute's walk away! 🫶 #dali #yunnan #erhailake #china #sunrise

Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture [Cute][Cute][Cute][Cute]We went to Dali last December. We came from the extremely cold northwest to this beautiful city that seemed to be in full bloom in spring, and had a date with the seagulls. We arrived at Longkan Pier at 6 o'clock in the morning to watch the sunrise. Everyone held sparklers 🪄 and set off small fireworks, 🎇🎇🎇, and threw bread crumbs high into the air to feed the seagulls. A large number of seagulls interacted cordially with people. At the moment when the sun rose, it seemed as if the soul was sublimated. The tranquility of that moment wanted to stay in Dali forever [Love][Love][Love] At 9 o'clock, we went to the ancient city of Dali, a romantic ancient city where you can encounter love. I couldn't help but be attracted by the beautiful clothes. I found the largest photo studio in the ancient city, bargained, and took 4 sets of photos. I was happy all day long [Chukle][Chukle][Chukle] Because we are a minority, we had dinner at Cangfeng Muslim Huidai Hand-Pulled Rice (Nanwuliqiao Branch) at night. The restaurant has a simple and elegant decoration, and the food is very good with local characteristics. At the end of the day, I felt happy both physically and mentally. We stayed in Dali for 3 days, and every day was relaxing and happy!

| Photo Spots Collection!!— ✅Location: Chongyi Village—Free 📍Navigation: Yue Man Xi Lou 👉Details: Chongyi Village is close to Xiaguan City and located in the corridor. You can enter from Longkan and Yangnanxi. — ✅Location: Longkan Wharf 📍Navigation: Directly navigate to the place name 👉Details: It is convenient to get here from the ancient city, about a ten-minute drive, and it is next to Caicun. — ✅Location: Caicun 📍Navigation: Walk from Caicun Wharf to Panxi 👉Details: There are also red metasequoias in Caicun. If you walk further, you can reach the seagull gathering place in Majiuyi. — ✅Location: Xiabopeng Village 📍Navigation: Xingshan Homestay Xiabopeng Branch 👉Details: This is also one of the best places to view metasequoias, and there are also dead tree photo spots and plank roads. — ✅Dali Food 🔥Shancheng Firewood Chicken (Yunnan Dali Branch) 🔥Yuanlai Restaurant (Xizhou) 🔥Dianxi Mabang Cuisine —

Hey, dear friends, long time no see! [Cute] Today, I want to share with you a treasure trove that I recently discovered – Longkan Pier. This place really caught my eye at first sight, so I can't wait to recommend it to you. I recommend this place because it has my three favorite natural elements: sunrise, seagulls and Metasequoia. 📍Detailed address: Longkan Wharf is located in Longkan Ancient Ferry, Longkan Village, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, close to Erhai Lake. 🚉Transportation strategy: • Bus: You can take the Santa Pagoda Express to Longkan Ecological Park Station, then walk about 1.5 kilometers to Longkan Wharf. • Taxi/Self-driving [Car]: Navigate directly to Longkan Wharf. There is a parking lot near the wharf, which is very convenient. • Electric car: Rent an electric car in Dali Ancient Town or Caicun Wharf and ride to Longkan Wharf. The scenery along the way is also a great enjoyment. Tickets 🎫 Related No tickets required 🌟Highlights: [One] Sunrise: Longkan Wharf is a great place to enjoy the sunrise. Every winter, the red metasequoia trees here are at their most beautiful, and there are also thousands of Siberian seagulls nesting here. [Two] Seagulls: In winter, the red metasequoia trees at Longkan Wharf are particularly beautiful. Thousands of Siberian seagulls come here to roost, creating a beautiful picture. [Three] Metasequoia: There are several rare Metasequoia trees, known as living fossils, near Longkan Wharf. As autumn begins, the original Metasequoia forests completely shed their green and are replaced with red, becoming the brightest color in Dali's ecological corridor. 📝Note tips: 1. Keep warm: At Longkan Wharf on the edge of Erhai Lake, the wind is strong and the temperature is low in winter, so remember to keep warm and wear more clothes. 2. Sunrise: If you want to watch the sunrise, remember to get up early, because at the Longkan Wharf at sunrise, the seagulls on the lake "dance" at sunrise, which can be called a gorgeous sunrise feast. [HeartBeat] Recommended attractions nearby If you have enough time, I strongly recommend you to travel around Erhai Lake, so that you can experience Dali's "romance, romance, and beauty" more deeply. The Panxi Village, Xizhou Ancient Town, Haishe Park and other places along the way are all beautiful sights that cannot be missed. Longkan Wharf is a place that makes my heart beat, not only because of its natural beauty, but also because of its tranquility and freedom. Here, you can temporarily put aside the busy life and enjoy some quiet time of your own. So, I strongly recommend you to come here and feel the tranquility and beauty.

Don't miss Longkan Wharf when you visit Dali! The scenery of Erhai Lake in November is breathtaking and unforgettable. If you want to see the sunrise at Longkan Wharf on the west side of Erhai Lake, you have to get up early. It was quite cold when I went out at 6:30 am, and the wind was biting. However, there was a surprising breakfast stall at the intersection of Fenghuaxueyue Square. They have sugar-free roasted milk, which is warm in your hands and warms you up with just one sip. They also have fragrant steamed buns, shumai buns, and sizzling sausages, which are very tempting. What's more, the stall owner is very enthusiastic and will kindly take out a small chair for you to sit on and warm yourself by the stove. She will also guide you to see the sunrise. The cup of roasted milk has the word "Dali" on it, which is very photogenic and perfect for taking photos. You can stay by the stove until 6:50 am, then go to the shore to wait for the sunrise. From 6:50 am, the sky gradually turns red, dyeing the whole sky red, which is spectacular. The red clouds last until about 7:20 am. I thought the sun would appear soon, but it didn't show up until 7:50 am. In just a few seconds, the sun was completely out, and the whole Erhai Lake was illuminated by the sunlight, sparkling and beautiful. Just before sunrise, a flock of seagulls will fly over. They play and hover over the water, complementing the beautiful sunrise. The scene is so healing. After watching the sunrise, there are many fun attractions nearby worth visiting. For example, Xizhou Ancient Town has a well-preserved group of traditional Bai residential buildings. Walking on the stone road, you can feel the ancient atmosphere, as if you can travel through time. Don't forget to try Xizhou Baba here. It comes in two flavors, sweet and salty, with a crispy outside and tender inside. The more you chew, the more fragrant it is. In addition, Cangshan Mountain is also worth a visit. Take the cable car up the mountain and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery along the way. When you reach the top, you can overlook the whole view of Dali, which is an indescribable shock. After going down the mountain, you can try the local specialty food - Yongping Braised Chicken. The chicken is tender and flavorful, and the unique aroma is unforgettable. In short, the sunrise at Longkan Wharf in Dali is just part of this wonderful journey. There are many other places and foods worth exploring nearby. Come and experience it for yourself!

Longkang Port .. Longkang Port Longkang Port is a port located on Erhai Lake in Dali City. In this area, there is a road along the lake for us to ride bicycles, rent golf carts or walk to enjoy the atmosphere by the water. Longkang Port is the starting point of this cycling route. The road along the lake is about 25 kilometers long. In addition, Longkang Port also has many photo spots. Many couples come to take pre-wedding photos. On the other side of the road, there are shops, cafes and accommodations for us to visit. If anyone has time to come to Dali, I recommend riding a bicycle along the lake. The atmosphere is very good. The recommended time to visit is around 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. We will be able to see the sunset. #tripแจกโรงแรมฟรี

Come to Dali for Solo..this 2 days keep raining.. yesterday driving the motorbike to Xizhou Ancient city and was so cold and wet.. Since i stay near Longkan, today decided to have a slow travel..visited 2 nice cafe, buying the voucher from Meituan for very good deal.. Both of the cafe are very nice and relax..good for those who like too take picture also.. Overall have a very relax day and recommended traveller to enjoy the cafe moment during raining day..#Erhai

When you come to Dali, don't go to the Erhai Lake, otherwise you will have a lot of vivid photos 📸, and the atmosphere is simply perfect. In Dali in winter, you will have the dead trees that come back to life in spring as your background, and you will have the feeling of being the heroine in a Korean drama. By the way, have you ever seen a cloudless sky? I have. When an airplane ✈️ flies by, it will be swallowed up by the blue sky. You can also take pictures of ghosts! What fascinates me most is the sense of relaxation. No matter how busy you are, you can stop and relax and follow the rhythm of Dali.

Erhai Lake is a place you can visit 10,000 times🌊 Erhai Lake is so beautiful. I have been having withdrawal symptoms since I came back. If I have the chance, I will definitely go to Dali and live there for a while!! ⌚️: We went to Erhai Lake at around 3pm in the afternoon and played until nearly 7pm, so it is recommended to stay longer so that you can see a red sunset at around 6pm🌄 🚴: We rented a bicycle when we first arrived at Erhai Lake. It cost 15 yuan for an unlimited day. (Later we found out that there are also electric bikes!! It is recommended that those with good physical strength take the bicycle, and those with poor physical strength take the electric bike. But electric cars 15/h) After renting a car, you can start taking photos and going shopping~ Erhai Lake is so beautiful. I will remember that afternoon for the rest of my life. 🧭: After we got there, we went straight to the right and found Longkan Wharf. There was a great atmosphere there, with young men and women singing and many beautiful women taking pictures. Most of them were taking pictures. After walking around there for a while, we went to Caicun Pier and walked in the opposite direction. The scenery along the way was really beautiful!! ❗️❗️: Be sure to do a good job of sun protection. The sunshine in Yunnan is really too dazzling. Sunglasses + hats are must-haves and they are also a great tool for creating an atmosphere. In general: Erhai Lake does not need any strategy because every section is beautiful

[Several places you must visit on the west route around Erhai Lake] The West Line Cycling Haixi is an ecological cycling road where you can rent bicycles or public electric vehicles. When renting a public electric car, pay attention to the battery level and the location for returning the car. Is it in the car return area? 1 Heart Coffee It's a great place to watch the sunrise. The coffee shop opens at 6:30 in the morning! But I couldn't get up, so I watched the sunrise while lying in the hotel in the morning. 2Longkan Wharf Longkan Wharf is a popular location for photographing Metasequoia trees, but the Metasequoia trees have already been photographed. You can take a look at the sparkling Erhai Lake here. 3Hagiyup Village "Gate of Erhai Lake"! Floating on the blue sea, it is like a time tunnel leading to another world 4 S Bay The sunrise at S Bay is also highly recommended, extremely romantic! If time permits, it is recommended to stay a few more days and slow down to feel the tranquil beauty of Dali. Dali's winter is really beautiful. You must meet it in the most beautiful season~

Longkan Wharf is a good place to watch the sunrise. I slept until I woke up naturally and found out about a 20-year-old restaurant where I could eat rice noodles. The price was not expensive, a small bowl was 9 yuan and a large bowl was 11 yuan. After eating a bowl of rice noodles, I took a taxi to Longkan Wharf. Rent an electric bike next to Dali B&B for 45 yuan a day. Ride around and find a place to park (electric bikes are not allowed on the seaside road). Electric bike parking basically costs 5-6 yuan. Walk and see the sea. It's really beautiful on a sunny day. You can take pictures casually. The auntie selling balloons on the roadside agreed to rent her balloons for 5 yuan for three people to take photos.

Dali, Yunnan, Longkan Wharf 1. It is about 4.5 kilometers east of Dali Ancient City. It is recommended to drive an electric car. 2. Don’t park at the beach. You can park in small alleys or public toilets. No one will care about it, otherwise you will have to pay 5 yuan. 3. It is now surrounded and cars cannot enter. You can go directly into the scenic area and rent a small bicycle. The approximate cost is around 20~30 4. There is a public toilet inside, but the location is not easy to find. If you find a restaurant to eat inside, the toilet problem will be perfectly solved. 5. There are many small toys for children, and there are aunties selling them. Asking several stores, some aunties sell it for 5 yuan, some aunties sell it for 10 yuan, and some even sell it for 20 yuan. 6. This pier is also some way away from Caicun. You can also walk. You can see it all in one day, including the most beautiful S-turns and so on. 7. If you want to take a S-curve photo, you have to pay the bill. You can only get it by going upstairs to someone else's villa. Of course, if you have a drone 8. It’s summer now. Can you watch the sunrise in the morning? 5:00~6:00, but it’s rainy season in Dali now, so don’t plan on this. 9. The boss in Dali Ancient Town is quite smart. The minimum price for renting an electric car is 30 yuan, not just 30 yuan, maybe 30, maybe 40, maybe 50. But today there were traffic police at three intersections. I didn’t wear a helmet and he didn’t stop me, so I should be fine. 10. Arrive at Dali Ancient City and take bus No. 8. There are basically seats available when returning from Dali Ancient City to the train station, but if you depart from the train station to Dali Ancient City, there are basically no seats. 11. There are too many people taking photos, and every photo taken is full of people. 12. There are no seagulls in this season. Don’t be deceived. 13. When you get to the most beautiful S-curve, park your car at the telephone pole. Do not drive into the village, otherwise you will be charged another 5 yuan.

Longkan Wharf is located 100 meters south of Longkan Village, Dali City, Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Longkan Village is the hometown of Meng Shilong, the lord of the Dali Kingdom. From 846 to 857 AD, there was internal strife in the Nanzhao court. To prevent unforeseen circumstances, the prince Shilong was secretly hidden in a seaside fishing village called 'Li Jiazhuang', and entrusted to a pair of lonely old people in the village for nursing. In 859 AD, after Shilong succeeded to the throne, he was grateful for the kindness of the villagers in Li Jiazhuang. He issued an imperial decree that from that day on, the people of Li Jiazhuang would enjoy the grace of Emperor Shilong. Later, when he went on an expedition, he unfortunately fell ill and died. When his ashes were transported back to Dali, they landed here, hence the name Longkan Wharf, which means a shrine containing a dragon. 🍂Transportation to Longkan Wharf: 1. Self-driving: It is about 5 kilometers from Dali Ancient City to Longkan Wharf parking lot. 2. Bus: From the north gate of the ancient city, take the No. 3 bus, pass through the ancient city and Shengjiu Village, and finally arrive at Longkan Village. 🍂Places to visit at Longkan Wharf: 1. Longkan Ancient Ferry, with a beautiful environment, is a good place for photo check-in. 2. On the north side of Erhai Lake by Longkan Ancient Ferry, there are dozens of ancient trees growing in Erhai Lake, and the scenery is very beautiful. 3. The ancient streets and old houses in Longkan Village are also good for a leisurely stroll. 4. Haiyan Temple, one of the 72 temples of Jizu Mountain, is located in the middle of Longkan Village and is a typical Buddhist temple. 🍂Reminders for visiting Longkan Wharf: 1. Longkan Wharf, the ultraviolet rays are very strong, be sure to protect yourself. 2. It is recommended to play for 3 hours, in the morning or evening. Longkan Ancient Ferry on the side of Erhai Lake is one of the better places to watch the sunrise of Erhai Lake or the sunset of Cangshan Mountain. 3. Longkan Wharf is a free, open scenic spot. There are also several restaurants in Longkan Village that are open for business and can provide meals.