Dali One-Day Trip: Must-Do Activities, Routes, and Prices (2026)

Spend the morning in Dali Ancient Town 大理古城, ride the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor on an e-bike midday, and end at Xizhou Old Town for sunset. Dali Ancient Town entry is free; arrive at the South Gate by 8 AM to walk Renmin Road and Foreigner Street before tour groups. Buy Xizhou baba 喜洲粑粑, the local stuffed flatbread, for ¥5-8 from any street vendor. Rent an e-bike at one of the corridor's official rental points; rates run ¥15 per hour or ¥80-120 for a full day through Meituan or on-site shops. The corridor stretches roughly 50km along Erhai Lake from Xiaguan to Shuanglang; private cars are restricted, so the path stays clear for cyclists and electric scooters. The 18km north-bound stretch from Caicun Pier to Xizhou is the visual highlight, with views of Cangshan Mountain reflecting in the lake. Lunch at Xizhou on sour fish hotpot or grilled bait fish runs ¥120-180 for two. If weather is clear, take the Gantong cable car up Cangshan in the late afternoon; round trip ¥115 including the entrance fee. Return to Dali Ancient Town for dinner. Pay for everything with Alipay TourCard; cash is rarely accepted by 2026. Use Didi for taxi rides at ¥30-60 between zones.