Picture/Miaosen (unless otherwise noted)
This is my third time coming to Dali this year, and every time I leave I feel like "this is a place I want to come back to."
To be honest, I might hesitate to settle in Dali because I can’t give up the takeout that can be had in a big city in half an hour. But I understand those people who move to Dali from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Dali is really worth it.
According to them, the local people in Dali are very simple and down-to-earth. After the fruits and vegetables in your home are ripe, you will send a copy to your neighbors. Sometimes they will be hung directly on the door, so you can't refuse them. After going back and forth, everyone around him soon became familiar with him.
We all joke together that Dali is utopia.
▲ Photographed by friend@wangwang· chapter.
This trip with the baby also allows her to adapt to more environments, so we will not focus on her during the trip. This travel note is for everyone to refer to, it is not written specifically for people with children.
Objectively speaking, is it convenient to bring children to Dali?
Along the way, I found that there were many tourists over 1 year old, but there were still few 8-month-old tourists like Ou Mei. Maybe it's because many hotels don't provide cribs. But except for the crib, everything else is very convenient.
Regardless of whether you have children or not, sun protection measures must be taken well. This is also my biggest "exhortation" when visiting Dali. The sun in Dali is very hot. As the locals say, good solar energy can make people catch a cold. Recommended items to bring: times 40 + sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and cold medicine . It is very convenient to buy medicine locally, but it is still recommended to bring some yourself. Children don’t need to be overly careful. If they are exposed to the outside world, they will have better resistance to minor illnesses.
▲ A regular medicine for European girls.
Because the length of the article is limited, putting too many pictures and videos will affect the reading experience. Dali Vlog has been updated on the WeChat video account, with a total of about 10 Vlogs. Video ID: European girl is here .
Table of contents
■ Accommodation recommendations ■
Jinsuo Island Shiguang Seaview Boutique Inn
Fangqingchen Seaview Resort Hotel *Miaosen recommended
■ Eat eat eat ■
Rainbow Fishing House *Miaosen recommends
Courtyard No.1
Dali Duan Gongzi * Recommended by Miaosen
Fly to the Moon * Recommended by Miaosen
Yunyin Kitchen
Looking back at Shredded Chicken Cold Noodles
Mengzhaoyuan Private Kitchen Restaurant * Recommended by Miaosen
Li's private kitchen *Miaosen recommends
Feng Xiang Restaurant
Haiyue Restaurant
Xiaoxi Private Kitchen
Dali’s small courtyard * Recommended by Miaosen
■ What to play ■
Jizhao'an *Recommended by Miaosen
Dali ancient city
Ideal State
Lishe Manor *Recommended by Miaosen
Yang Liping Grand Theater
When you come to a lazy and artistic city like Dali, it is very important that your accommodation is comfortable. If you don’t go shopping in Dali, you won’t be able to spend much just on eating and playing, so it’s recommended that you set a higher budget for accommodation as it will be well worth it.
The price of accommodation in Dali varies greatly between off-season and peak season. I chose to come after the National Day holiday, so I saved a lot of money. For example, the airbnb I rented (the conditions are generally not recommended in this article) is 700 yuan in the off-season and 2,000 yuan in the peak season.
1. Shiguang Seaview Boutique Inn (Jinsuo Island) * Recommended by Miaosen
Dali's Jinsuo Island has only become known to people in the past two or three years. It is an isolated island in the middle of the Erhai Lake and is home to more than 200original households. Transportation on the island is by foot. The people are simple and the prices are cheap. This place retains the scent that travelers love most, a wild scent that has not been tamed by the tourism industry. You can dance in the square with the residents at night, and during the day you can smell the aroma of cooking at the end of the street in the alleys where people still really live.
There are no attractions to visit on Jinsuo Island. It is a place suitable for living and relaxing. 2-3 days is the best time to play. It costs 20 yuan to take a boat from Gudu Fishing Village Pier, which only takes 5-10 minutes. The boat is very stable, so you don’t have to worry about seasickness.
Shiguang Seaview Inn was created by two couples who had never left Beijing, and was also photographed by " Ichijo ". Every room in the inn can see Erhai Lake. The boss said that even when the room is full, there is often no one in the lobby. The guests stayed in their rooms. The entire inn is full of good backgrounds for taking photos.
There are also many places where you can take photos near the inn. They are all within 5 minutes of turning left when you go out of the inn. You can also borrow clothes for taking photos in the inn.
Reference price: 1,300 yuan including breakfast/sea view king bed room
▲ European girl stands in front of a painting.
▲The miniature sky mirror at the entrance of the inn. This photo was taken by a 50-year-old aunt. You can lower the lens so that you can’t see the water, and the effect will be better. 
▲ European girl is tasting figs grown on the island.
▲In the hotel room. Pictures from Dianping.
▲The picture comes from the Internet.
2. Fangqingchen Seaview Resort Hotel *Miaosen recommends
The inn is located at Longkan Wharf, and the scenery is the best in the surrounding Erhai Lake area. During the day, tourists will come to take photos and check in, and there are also wedding photography to take pictures. But not noisy at all. At night it became very quiet after the sun set. One night the sky was bright which instantly reminded me of watching the aurora in Iceland.
▲ 11 o’clock at night. View from the hotel balcony.
How did you find this inn? Originally, we rented a nearby airbnb, but when we arrived, we found that the sanitary conditions were average and wanted to change to another one when we were full. SoLao Wu and I rode shared bicycles for a walk along the Erhai Lake. We went in to check out the prices at several inns, and finally chose this one - Fangqingchen Seaview Resort Hotel.
I think this inn suffers a bit. Firstly, it doesn’t know how to market it, and secondly, it’s not photogenic. Typically the real thing is better than the picture! What advantages are not easily visible in pictures? Hygiene, details, texture. I think Yifang Qingchen has done a good job in these three aspects. As soon as I entered the house, I realized that the decoration must have cost a lot of money. Later, I asked the boss, and it turned out that a lot of money had been invested, and many places had to spend money on maintenance every year. He also sighed that it was not easy to run an inn. How many years would it take to make back the money.
The room we stayed in was Family Suite. A large room was split into two small rooms, one for adults and one for the aunt and baby. The total area is 75 square meters, which is larger and more comfortable than nearby similar or higher-priced apartments. This type of room is very suitable for traveling with children and aunties, and it is also very suitable for three or four girlfriends to go out and play together.
Of course, in addition to family rooms, there are also normal double rooms. I recommended it to my distant relatives who were also visiting Dali at the time, and they moved here immediately. Originally they only wanted to stay for one day, but as soon as they walked in and sat for a while, they asked for leave from the company and extended their stay for another day. It’s so comfortable.
By the way, the inn has cribs, baby high chairs, strollers, and even a special bathtub for babies (I didn't use the bathtub because I brought my own). These are very rare in Dali inns, that’s why I highly recommend them . The boss is also very attentive. Even in the off-season when there are not many customers, neatly trimmed flowers will be placed on the corridor.
I've also been in their kitchen and it's very clean. There are also a bunch of small appliances, including ovens, multi-function pots, light food machines, and electric steamers. It can be seen that the boss is a person who loves life, and he does not neglect fun in such a busy work.
▲ You can make Pu'er tea and make waffles at the inn if you don't want to go out.
As mentioned earlier, in addition to good scenery , the hotel location also has two advantages: 1. It is only 3-4 kilometers away from the ancient city . It costs 15 yuan to take a taxi. It is already close to the ancient city of Dali and has beautiful scenery. The beautiful Erhai Lake is here; 2. There is a shared bicycle storage point. Vehicles are not allowed to enter this section of Erhai Lake. Shared bicycles are not only convenient, but you can also ride a bicycle around Erhai Lake in the evening when it is most comfortable.
▲ The top floor of the inn is a unique place, where you can watch the stars or take photos at night.
▲ Prices on Fliggy. Low season VS peak season
The boss said that fans of European girls can get a discount if they come to stay . The exact amount depends on the off-peak season. But what I can guarantee is that it will definitely be cheaper than what you booked on Qunar/Fliggy. If you come in the off-season and stay for a long time, 50% off is not impossible. Living in a house like this at 50% off is really a huge profit.
I plan to create a group for fans of European girls who want to come to Dali, and include the boss. Since the group QR code has an expiration date, you can add my personal WeChat account maiter0202 with the password "Dali Group" first. (If you already have my personal WeChat account, you don’t need to add it. Just tell me to join the Dali group)
Prices in Dali are cheap . I stayed there for half a month. Except for eating sashimi once, nothing else cost more than 100 per person, and more than half of them were less than 50.
There are not many local restaurants, but they are all delicious. It has flavor but can appear very light. The spicy and sour fish is added with papaya. The acid is not acetic acid but papaya fruit acid. It is very special and recommended to everyone. The dish of water-based Yanghua is also a local specialty. It has a strange name but is delicious.
In short, I have never had any bad experiences when dining in Dali. Some of them are indeed not as good as expected, but rationally speaking, they are good. And because Dali people have an easy-going personality and the prices are fair, even if you eat average food, it won't affect your mood.
The restaurant environment in Dali is not very good. There are some with baby dining chairs, and many of them are dirty and old. I don't mind it myself, because children have to adapt to different environments. Friends who mind can bring a piece of disposable paper as a cushion.
1. Rainbow Fishing House No. 1 Courtyard (Jinsuo Island)
Rainbow Fishing House and No. 1 Courtyard are two private restaurants on Jinsuo Island. They both eat in their own courtyards. They are quite famous in Dali. Many people come here by boat. Eat, especially Rainbow Fishing House. The summary is that they are all delicious, and the average price per person is less than 50 yuan. There is not much difference in the dishes. The environment of No. 1 Courtyard is cleaner, but Rainbow Fishing House is more unique. The yard is full of persimmon trees. It is very leisurely and comfortable to dine under the trees at dusk.
Per capita reference: 45 yuan.
▲ Courtyard No.1
2. Mr. Duan of Dali (in the ancient city) * Recommended by Miaosen
A very unbeatable restaurant! highly recommended!
With the name and decoration, I thought that because of the popularity of Tian Long Ba Bu, I would not be able to cook well. I didn’t expect itto be very delicious! ! The signature dish Glutinous Rice Spare Ribs is the best glutinous rice pork ribs I have ever eaten in recent times, it is particularly amazing. The quality of other dishes is also not low.
The location is in the ancient city. After eating, we went to visit the ancient city. This restaurant is also at the top of Dianping's list, and it deserves it. The second restaurant on the list is called Ark Fatty Kitchen . It specializes in fungi. If you don't like fungi, there is no need to go. The cooking skills are very average.
Per capita reference: 90 yuan.
3. Fly to the moon (inside the ancient city) * Recommended by Miaosen
An old Internet celebrity Western restaurant in the ancient city of Dali. The environment is relatively clean but quite crowded. The key points are the price is good and the taste is good . A local friend in Dali said that he met Teacher Yang Liping there. In such an environment, Teacher Yang Liping still came here probably because of the delicious food and nothing else.
Don’t think that in a fourth-tier city like Dali, Western food is not good. All my favorite pizzas in my life were eaten in Yunnan, one in Dali and one in Lijiang (I later found out that the one in Lijiang had closed down).
Flying to the Moon 's pizza is the best I've ever tasted recently . It's actually a thin-crust pizza. The crust is thin and crispy. It tastes good and doesn't take up much space in your stomach. Highly recommend durian pancake, is their signature. There are also Eggs Benedict , fried just right; Nepali Milk Tea , with really broken tea leaves floating on top; and my favorite Lychee Soda , the combination of lychee and soda is not bad.
Per capita reference: 70 yuan.
▲ Durian pancakes and Nepalese milk tea.
It is also recommended to try Dali’s Cold Rice Noodles with Shredded Chicken, Yunyin Little Chef and and look back , they are both in the ancient city, and the cold rice noodles with shredded chicken are both good. Looking back, it is a time-honored restaurant. It became popular when I went there a few years ago. The environment is just like that of Shaxian snacks. Yunyin Kitchen is slightly better. The average person is less than 50.
4. Li Family Private Kitchen Fengxiang Restaurant Haiyue Restaurant Xiaoxi Private Kitchen Food Meng Zhaoyuan Private Kitchen *Miaosen recommends
The ones I will recommend next are all next to the inn where I am staying. Li's Private Kitchen is right next to the inn. It has good reviews and is very cheap. Braised Chicken is a must. , the way it is made does not have any soup, it is a bit like Sichuan Spicy Chicken. I did not distinguish it carefully, I only know that it is delicious and top-notch. Fengxiang Restaurant is also just two steps away. I kept thinking about the braised chicken from Li’s private kitchen when I was eating, so I didn’t taste it properly, but its reviews are also very good. Haiyue Restaurant is worthy of its merits. None of the above three families is over 50, and they are all very, very nice people. Dali people are so easy-going that there is nothing to say.
▲ Braised chicken from Li’s private kitchen.
The above three restaurants are all within walking distance, and there are also Mengzhaoyuan Private House Cuisine and Xiaoxi Private HouseCuisine which can be reached in 5 minutes by bicycle, located in Caicun Wetland Park Nearby, after eating, you can take a walk in the Wetland Park to refresh yourself. No tickets are required and the walk will take 5 minutes.
Mengzhaoyuan Private Kitchen's Braised Chicken is a must-have. The secret soup base is boiled on the steamed chicken. It is flavorful and not greasy. Highly recommended! Xiaoxi Private Kitchen is also nearby, and Mushroom Chicken Soup is also a must-have!
The locations of these two addresses are relatively better, and the per capita income is higher, but it will not exceed 100.
I have always felt that Dali is a place suitable for long-term stay, but that does not mean that it is not suitable for short-term visits.
1. Jizhao'an * Recommended by Miaosen
Known as the most beautiful nunnery in China, I highly recommend everyone to go. It is different from other nunneries in that it only grows flowers and does not burn incense . So the air in the whole nunnery is very fresh. The succulents throughout the courtyard are well maintained, and there is also a succulent wall. Friends who like succulents must not miss it.
No tickets required. If possible, choose a time when there are fewer people, such as on a rainy day when the mountains are filled with smoke and are very beautiful. The beauty of Jizhao'an can only be felt by a small number of people.
When I took a taxi, I said I wanted to go to Jizhao'an. It only takes 20 minutes to climb up from the foot of the mountain, and it's all asphalt. It's quite steep, so don't push a stroller. There is vegetarian food available in the morning, but I couldn’t get up, so I went in the afternoon. But I still advise everyone to go in the morning as much as possible, because I went in the afternoon and was reluctant to leave before I had enough time.
▲I took the photo with my mobile phone.
4. Lishe Manor Hotel * recommended by Miaosen
Although it is a hotel, it is also a wedding photo spot. It is also a place where you can make movies everywhere. Although the place is not big, the scenery and atmosphere are good. It has Cangshan Mountain in the background and overlooks the Erhai Lake .
After taking the photo, we took a break at the dessert house and had afternoon tea. The cheesecake in the dessert house is very good. The most important thing is that the boss is very friendly. Dali is really the utopia in my heart.
At the foot of Lishe Manor is Dali's small courtyard, which is relatively quiet and has a relatively high price per customer, including the legendary rice noodles across the bridge for 168 yuan. What the taxi driver said: Tourists generally cannot find this place to eat . Therefore, this is also a place where celebrities like to come. Recommend Zhaimen Past Cultural Theme Restaurant . The hot pot and barbecue are great. It is also here that I had the best ham. Because a friend paid for it, I don’t know how much it cost.
▲ I didn’t want to take pictures at first, but I couldn’t help but see the beautiful scenery.
5. Yang Liping Grand Theater
Teacher Yang Liping is from the Bai ethnic group in Dali. It can be imagined that she is really the pride of Dali people.
If you also stay at the inn I recommend, the Yang Liping Grand Theater is quite close. It is a very modern building in Dali and very beautiful. You might as well go in and have a look when you have time, and you can also have afternoon tea before leaving.
If there is a drama, you can go and join in the fun. I watched "A Peng Looking for the Golden Flower" directed by Yang Liping. The stage effect was good and the dance was beautiful, but to be honest, the plot was too cliche. It's a bit like those shows in the Spring Festival Gala that look great but you just can't stand it. The people laughing heartily at the scene were all middle-aged adults and grandparents from the tour group. In short, the tickets are not expensive. If you bring an elder to recommend you to see , don’t have too high expectations if you go by yourself. Teacher Yang Liping is also 60, so it is normal for her not to have an appetite for young people.
6. Dali Ancient City
The shops in the ancient city have very reasonable prices, so just buy what you like. But the pedestrian streets in Dali Ancient City are the same as the pedestrian streets in most cities. It is difficult to have anything new . If you have time, go into the alleys, it will be more interesting. In short, half a day is enough.
7. Ideal State
There is also a very easy-to-remember nickname here - Dali Santorini .
Originally, I didn’t plan to come here because I’m not a big fan of taking photos, but when we took a taxi, the driver of the Bai ethnic group said: We’ve already passed by, why not go up and take some beautiful photos? It won't take much time.
I thought yes, let’s go up there. Everything is more beautiful than I imagined, especially the succulent ones, which are even more beautiful than those of Jizhao Ai. All buildings are modeled after Santorini, and it has become a holy place for internet celebrities to check in. Buildings, swimming pools, succulents...It is very easy to take good photos here .
▲ Opposite is Jinsuo Island.
▲ Succulents are particularly beautiful, subverting my understanding of succulents.
Here is a small episode -
We thought that the driver pulled us down and took us around because he wanted to promote paid attractions or products (after all, Dali is also a tourist city). Otherwise, who would waste more than half an hour on a guest who only meets this time in his life? Isn’t it good to lie down and rest at home or go out to take orders and make money?
But it turned out that he really just wanted to share a good place with us. Not only did he not promote products, he didn't even solicit orders for his own taxi business, and he didn't leave us a phone number. We couldn't help but feel ashamed of our thoughts, and gave a red envelope on Didi to express our gratitude.
There are too many "good people" like Dali, so I feel sad every time I see negative news about Dali tourism, fearing that people who have never been to Dali will condemn this beautiful place to death.
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