Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, 'sea shaped like an ear', in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named. The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali. It is like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city as seen from Cangshan Mount. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the scene was commonly described as 'Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai'.
Xizhou Bai Minority House -Yan's Compound in Xizhou is the most representative of Bai-style residences, about 13 kilometers (8.08 miles) from Dali City. The compound covers an area of about 3,066 square meters (0.76 acres), built around the 1920's. As a whole, it is divided into four parts and each part is cleverly linked together. After visiting this impressive compound, you will admire for its magnificence and the Bai people's architectural gifts.
In the morning you will be collected and transferred to Cangshan Mountain, also called Diancang Mountain, was once named Xiongcang Mountain and in ancient times was called Lingjiu Mountain.
This mountain, which makes the Dali Old Town so attractive by providing a stunning backdrop, offers some great treks. In fact, Cangshan is probably Dali’s best attraction. Cangshan’s easiest walks are along Jade Cloud Path – a largely flat, paved walkway that runs north to south along the mountainside. The most common way to reach this walkway is by taking the chair lift up to Zhonghe Temple, which is just below the path. Alternatively, you can walk up the stairs behind the Dali Movie City. It’s a steep, hour-long hike up.
This stop will spend you 1.5 hrs. Afternoon, you will walk in Dali Ancient City ---is 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) away from Xiaguan in Dali City, Yunnan Province and is one of the 'Three Ancients' (Ancient Cities, Ancient Pagodas and Ancient Steles) of the Dali Scenic Spot. It can be dated back to the year 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has been among the top listed historical cities of China since 1982. With Erhai Lake to the east, and Cangshan Mountain to the west, its grand city wall, traditional Bai ethnic minority folk houses and marvelous scenery have been attracting many visitors.
Then your next stop is THREE PAGODAS--Three pagodas, about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) northwest of the ancient city of Dali, occupying a scenic location at the foot of Mt. Cangshan facing Erhai Lake, has a history of over 1,800 years.
Today's tour will be started with choosing your own bicycle, and then begin your tour-Erhai cycling. Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, 'sea shaped like an ear', in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named.
The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali. It is like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city as seen from Cangshan Mount. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the scene was commonly described as 'Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai'. The usual duration is about 6 hours for whole trip, and of course the guide will adjust it as per your physical condition, enjoy yourself with the wind and beautiful scenery of Erhai. At end of the tour, the guide will lead you to give back bicycle and transfer you to hotel.