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Dali Exploration: Cycling Erhai Lake & Bai Villages

China’s Most Beautiful Lake Town? Exploring Dali 🇨🇳 中国最美湖滨小镇?探索大理

Destination:ChinaProvince:YunnanCity:Dali
China’s Most Beautiful Lake Town? Exploring Dali 🇨🇳 中国最美湖滨小镇?探索大理
Max and Jacqueline18 min

China’s Most Beautiful Lake Town? Exploring. This was filmed by Max and Jacqueline. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

After hopping on a high-speed train from Kunming, we arrive in Dali, a laid-back town surrounded by mountains and the sparkling Erhai Lake. Dali has a unique charm — it’s got a backpacker vibe, a touch of old China, and a slower pace that draws you in.

We rent bikes to ride nearly 45km along the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, passing through peaceful Bai villages, Buddhist temples, and some of the most beautiful landscapes we’ve seen so far. This was one of our favorite days in China.

We also visit the Three Pagodas and try some delicious local food along the way — including a big bowl of handmade noodles in a tiny village shop. The day ends back in Dali Old Town, lit up with lanterns and buzzing with live music and local energy.

--- Max and Jacqueline
April 16, 2025, Spring in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Max and Jacqueline arrive in Dali from Kunming by high-speed train for a two-day visit. They rent bikes for the 45-kilometer Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, stop in Bai villages and visit temples, Xizhou and Zhoucheng. They try handmade noodles, Bai-style food and crossing-the-bridge noodles, then see the Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple before exploring the old town market and traveling onward by train.

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China’s Most Beautiful Lake Town? Exploring Dali 🇨🇳 中国最美湖滨小镇?探索大理

Cycling by Erhai Lake

Max and Jacqueline travel from Kunming to Dali by high-speed train for a two-day visit. They rent bikes and ride the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, a 45-kilometer path with views of the lake, Bai villages and Buddhist temples. They negotiate the rental price and ride along the water, meeting local people and even encountering a large cat. The route gives them a way to see the villages and countryside at a slower pace.

The couple visit Xizhou Ancient Town and Zhoucheng Village, looking at traditional architecture and local markets. In a small village shop they eat handmade Bai-style noodles for breakfast. They describe the noodles as affordable and delicious. Ordering food can be challenging, so they use translation apps and take photos to confirm what they are ordering. They also try crossing-the-bridge noodles, a local specialty, and watch how the dish is prepared with fresh ingredients and broth.

Dali's historic sites and evening streets

The itinerary includes Dali's Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple, a Buddhist center with a history of more than 1,000 years. The travelers walk through the surrounding park and notice the contrast between the busy town and the calm religious grounds. They later return to Erhai Lake for sunset views. In Dali Old Town they explore the night market, architecture and shops, then pick up snacks for the next journey. A brief rain shower gives them a reason to pause for coffee.

Max and Jacqueline enjoy cycling, local food and the town's history. They recommend bikes for the Erhai corridor and walking in the old town. The two-day trip ends with their affection for Dali and a train onward to Liang. Their experience includes local interactions, negotiation, translation apps, village streets and the lake route.

The couple's cycling route is a central part of the visit. They ride along the 45-kilometer Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, stopping to look at the lake and the surrounding villages. They negotiate the rental price before setting off, then continue past Bai villages and Buddhist temples. The ride includes spontaneous moments, such as meeting a large cat, and gives them a view of the region that they would not get from a car. They later see sunset over Erhai Lake and enjoy the quieter scenery after visiting towns and temples.

Their food stops include handmade noodles for breakfast in a small village shop and crossing-the-bridge noodles, a local specialty prepared with fresh ingredients in broth. They use translation apps and photos to understand menus and ensure they order the right dishes. The couple also visit Xizhou Ancient Town and Zhoucheng Village, where traditional architecture and local markets add to their impressions. At the Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple, a Buddhist site with a history of over a thousand years, they walk through the park and compare the calm grounds with busier parts of Dali. The trip ends with the night market in Dali Old Town, snacks for the next train and a coffee break during brief rain.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What was the most memorable part of Dali?
A: They remember cycling around Erhai Lake for the views and Bai villages, as well as eating handmade noodles in a small village shop. The bike route also let them stop at Bai villages and temples and enjoy the lake at their own pace.
Q: What is a good way to get around Dali?
A: Renting bikes works well for exploring the Erhai Lake area, while Dali Old Town can be explored on foot.
Q: What food did they try?
A: They enjoyed handmade noodles and crossing-the-bridge noodles, and describe Dali food as affordable with a wide variety to try. They were especially impressed by a handmade noodle breakfast in a small village shop and the chance to sample the regional noodle specialty.

Previous travel video:

Dali Exploration: Cycling Erhai Lake & Bai Villages

After hopping on a high-speed train from Kunming, we arrive in Dali, a laid-back town surrounded by mountains and the sparkling Erhai Lake. Dali has a unique charm — it’s got a backpacker vibe, a touch of old China, and a slower pace that draws you in. We rent bikes to ride nearly 45km along the...

Dali Travel Vlog: Cycling Erhai Lake & Exploring Ancient Town

Max and Jacqueline's Chinese adventure continues in Dali, a charming town nestled beside the stunning Erhai Lake. Their journey begins with a scenic bike ride along the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, taking in breathtaking landscapes and visiting serene Bai villages and ancient temples. A highlight is a delightful noodle breakfast in a quaint village shop. The exploration culminates in the vibrant Dali Old Town, alive with music and local charm, making Dali a truly unforgettable experience.

Attractions in this video: Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Shihu Ancient Town, Dali Old Town