Erhai Lake Cycling Stunning Route

2025 July Summer Escape Dali 7-Day Travel Guide, combining cool climate and summer romantic experiences, costing 3000-4000 RMB per person 🌊 Highlights Average temperature in July: 22-24℃, natural cooling from Erhai Lake breeze and Cangshan Mountain streams Activities: Early outings, afternoon rest, evening tours to avoid peak sun Immersive slow travel: multi-dimensional experiences including cycling, hiking, and boating 📅 Daily Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Dali · Initial Exploration of Ancient Town Afternoon: Check in at a guesthouse in Dali Ancient Town (recommended near Foreigner Street) Evening: Visit Renmin Road Night Market, try grilled milk fan Night tour: Climb Wuhua Tower to view ancient town lights Stay in the ancient town, convenient transportation Day 2: Erhai Lake Boat Tour · Bai Ethnic Style Morning: Long boat tour (Dali Port → Nanzhao Style Island → Shuanglang) ⏰ Departure at 10:00 | Watch Bai ethnic song and dance / feed seagulls Tips: Choose the second-floor bow seat for sun protection and great photos Afternoon: Explore Shuanglang Art Town shops (Taiyang Palace / Muxi Dali) Evening: Night tour of West Er River, enjoy the dreamlike Erhai Lake reflected in lights Day 3: Self-driving Around Erhai Lake · Secret Spots Check-in Rent a car to circle the lake (recommended electric bike, 80 RMB/day) Route: Ancient Town → Internet-famous S Curve cycling → Wenbi Village (Bai ethnic rainbow road) → Luwoshan (cliff caves/ruined walls) Lunch: Farmhouse restaurant on Erhai Road (must order claypot fish) Evening: Watch wheat waves and experience tie-dye in Xizhou Ancient Town Day 4: Cangshan Mountain Summer Escape · Stream Healing Morning: Take Ximatan Cableway to Cangshan Mountain 🌲 Hike Yudai Cloud Tour Trail, collect pine cones and listen to streams Afternoon: Cool off in Qingbi Stream (bring creek shoes!) Dinner: Grandma’s Braised Spare Ribs in Ancient Town (popular must-eat) Day 5: Cultural Depth · Bai Ethnic Craftsmanship Morning: Zhoucheng Tie-dye Museum DIY scarf Afternoon: Explore Xizhou Ancient Town secrets (Yan Family Courtyard / Corner Tower) Experience: Make Xizhou Baba by hand (savory and sweet combo) Day 6: Off-the-Beaten-Path Secret Spots · Wild Fun Time All day: Fengyangyi Tea Horse Road (filming location of "To the Windy Place") Horse riding to explore ancient villages | Daydream at Qiuyuan Café Evening: Watch panoramic Erhai Lake view from Zemoshan (alternative to popular Luwoshan) Day 7: Leisure and Return Morning: Shop for mushrooms and flower cakes at North Gate Market Recommended souvenirs: Weishan preserved fruits / Dengchuan milk fan 🍜 Specialty Food Yangji Crispy Baba (rose brown sugar filling) Xizhou Sifang Street Yunqiao Guest Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles Dai-style pounded chicken feet + Paoluda ⚠️ Key Summer Escape Tips Sun protection combo: UV index is strong! Use SPF 50+ sunscreen + cooling sleeves + wide-brim hat Flexible clothing: Thin jacket essential (mountain temperature difference up to 10℃) Off-peak travel: Best to visit attractions before 9 AM or after 4 PM Accommodation advice: Choose Ancient Town or Caicun (many guesthouses by Erhai Lake are under reconstruction) 🌟 In-depth experience: Choose ecological corridor cycling on West Erhai Road (no motor vehicles allowed), the S Curve to Longkan Wharf section is the most beautiful; for Cangshan, the Gantong Cableway is recommended