Dali is perched on the southern shores of Er Hai, an alpine lake with a backdrop of cloud-crowned mountains. Go hiking along the shores or boating on the water and find out about the lake’s history as an important resource for the Bai people. The name Er Hai translates to “ear-shaped sea” and its ancient beauty has been celebrated with pretty pagodas and temples.
Look out across Er Hai from Dali Town on the lake’s southern edge. From here, you can see the lake stretching up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the north. At its widest point, Er Hai is 5 miles (8 kilometers) across. The Cangshan Mountain tumbles down into the lake on its western shores. If the weather is sunny, you can experience the phenomenon known as “Silver Cangshan and Jade Er Hai,” where the snow-capped peaks of Cangshan and the glistening waters of the lake appear to radiate a special glow. Relax at an outdoor terrace on Dali’s lakeshore and take in the views of lakeside houses backed by rolling mountains.
Check out Er’hai Lake Park, a pretty parkland adorned with flowerbeds and exotic trees. Walk along the captivating lakeside trails and enjoy the views. In the springtime, the park comes alive with color as camellias, azaleas and primrose begin to bloom.
Join a boat tour and go on a sightseeing journey around the lake’s islands, temples and villages. See the superb Chinese Buddhist temple on Xiaoputuo Dao, which dates back to the 15th century and was originally devoted to Bodhisattva Kwan-yin. You might see Golden Shuttle Island (Jinsuo Dao) and cozy fishing villages. Note the way that local fishermen are accompanied by flocks of cormorants. The traditional Bai fishing method involves training cormorants with rings around their necks to collect the fish.
Er Hai is easy to access from Dali’s town center. The lakeshore park is a 10-minute drive from Dali’s main railway station. Visit the lake any time of the year for free. Sightseeing boats depart from the marina at Er’hai Lake Park.
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