Sightseeing and Activities: The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, Erhai Lake cruise, Dali Old Town
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
In the morning, head to Xizhou Town to fully appreciate the Bai-style traditional architectural courtyards, taste their fragrant Three-Course Tea, and explore their distinctive culture. This little village is known as "a living art museum" due to its unusual concentration of nationally protected heritage sites, mostly including architecture from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the establishment of New China in 1949, as well as centuries-old trees, parks, and wildlife preserves.
After Xizhou, visit Zhoucheng Village , the largest Bai ethnic village in China, and the Bai Ethnic Tie-Dyeing Cloth Workshop, where you can purchase special souvenirs in the Bai ethnic style. The tie-dyeing products from Zhoucheng Village are highly sought after, both domestically and internationally. Drop by and witness this historical craftsmanship firsthand—who knows, you may return home with some beautifully crafted cloths.
After lunch, take a cruise on Erhai Lake by small boat to Jinsuo Islet in the eastern part of the lake. Approximately 200 Bai ethnic families, about 1,000 people, live on Jinsuo Island. During the Erhai Lake cruise, you’ll enjoy views of the green Cangshan Mountain and the Three Pagodas from a distance, as well as spot many birds and seagulls flying over the lake.
Afterwards, visit Dali Old Town. Dali Old Town dates back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and has been one of China's top historical cities since 1982. With Erhai Lake to the east and Cangshan Mountain to the west, its grand city walls, traditional Bai ethnic folk houses, and marvelous scenery have attracted many visitors. The tour of Dali Old Town will include the Foreigner Street, the Gate Towers, and the Ancient City Wall.