Shuanglang Town in Dali
Chinese Name: 大理双廊古镇
English Name: Shuanglang Town, Dali
Type: sightseeing, historical town
Recommended Visiting Days: 2-3 days
Entrance Fee: free
Opening Hours: all the day
Location: northeast of Dali City and northern bank of Erhai Lake
Shuanglang Town
Shuanglang Town is located in northeast of Dali City and northern bank of Erhai Lake. Enjoying the charming landscape of Erhai and spectacular view of Cangshan Mountain, it is known as the “First Town of Canghai”. Shuanglang enjoys the essence of landscape of Cangshan and Erhai. It is embraced by Jinsuo Island and Yuji Island, hence its name. Shuanglang, a fishing town with a history of over one thousand years, is located in north Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan.Many Chinese and foreign tourists are disappointed with Lijiang (丽江) or Fenghuang (凤凰), because of the year-round crowds and over-commercialisation. In spite of that, they are places worth seeing because there are enough narrow streets and hidden alleys. Shuanglang however is bad on a whole other level.
Why is Shuanglang Town so special?
Shuanglang Town enjoys the unique location favorable environment and splendid ethnic culture. It is known as the “First Town of Canghai ”. Shuanglang offers the essence of landscape of Cangshan Mountain an Erhai Lake.
Facing the Erhai Lake and connecting with the Jizu Mountain, Shuanglang always offer people with its most charming sceneries. Wondering through the cobblestone-paved streets filled with old dwellings of Bai people, tourists can not only be treated with pristine sceneries but also a sense of peace. People here live a simple but happy life, fishing in the Erhai Lake all year around. In addition to those well-preserved folk houses, some hotels or inns that are characterized by different themes are also the most attractive part of the village. Enjoying the scenery of the Erhai Lake in scenery room of a small hotel here may make a big difference to guests and help them to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Where is Shuanglang Town?
Shuanglang Town is located in northeast of Dali City and northern bank of Erhai Lake. It is embraced by Jinsuo Island and Yuji Island
How to Get to Shuanglang Town?
By car: Travelers can rent a car from Dali Ancient Town. It costs you RMB 100-150.
By ship: Take ship from Erhai Pier in Xiaguan to Naozhao Island of Shuanglang, but ship cannot reach bank.
By bus: There are the bus to Shuanglang in North Passenger Station. The buses will departure every 40 minutes.
History of Shuanglang Town
Shuanglang, enjoying the profound history and splendid culture, is the birthplace of civilization of Neolithic Age and Bronze Age in Dali area. It was also the important base of navy of Nanzhao Kingdom in Tang and Song dynasties. Shuanglang is the site of Tianbao War, also the place of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and primitive region. Shuanglang keeps the well-protected cultural street and traditional Bai’s residence houses of Ming and Qing dynasties.
Best Time to Visit Shuanglang Town
The best visiting time is spring. Traveler can enjoy the most beautiful scenery during this season.
Accommodate at Shuanglang Town
Recent years, Shuanglang becomes more and more popular. Shuanglang enjoys complete and high-quality facilities, also many approving hotels. Hotels ranges from luxury hotels to featured inns, like LadyFour Hotel, Shuangdao Hotel, Chuanjia Inn and Sunshine Bank Inn etc. Travelers can stay at the hotel according to diverse requirements and appreciate the charming scenery at night.
Useful Travel Tips
From Kunming to Dali: you can take a bus or train. The journey on the train takes about seven hours and costs RMB 50. The express bus takes about four hours and costs nearly RMB 140.
The railway station or bus station which is located in the new area of Xiaguang Town is a little far from the Ancient Town of Dali, so it is advised to take the NO. 8 Bus which costs RMB 1.5/one.
PS: the buses in Dali stop when one waves hands, but there is no station reporting system, you should pay more attention to the stop board.
From Dali to Shuanglang: you can take a bus which departs every forty minutes from Dali to Shaunglang. It costs RMB 17/one. But you can’t find a bus to Shuanglang after three o’clock in the afternoon.