Dali Memories

We arrived at Dali Railway Station at around 10 pm. We had rented a car online in advance, so we picked up the car quickly after leaving the station. As it was nighttime and we were unfamiliar with the roads, we drove carefully. By the time we arrived at the homestay we had booked on the east bank of Erhai Lake, it was almost midnight. The homestay's front desk staff was very considerate and waited for us in the lobby, leaving the door and parking space open for us. After settling in and taking a shower, we were exhausted and fell asleep until dawn. We didn't make any plans and just went with the flow. After breakfast the next day, we first went to the nearest Shuanglang Ancient Town. As it was the off-season, many homestays were under renovation and expansion. We originally wanted to see Yang Liping's Sun Palace, but we found out that we needed to make a reservation in advance, so we had to give up. The streets were mostly filled with small shops, various flower cakes, and Yunnan coffee. The core scenic area of Shuanglang Town was a short street along Erhai Lake, with cafes and bars on one side and the blue Erhai Lake on the other. In the afternoon, we went to Ideal State. We didn't know if it was under renovation or because it was the off-season, but many shops were vacant, and it didn't feel like an ideal state. Instead, it felt desolate. We walked down a zigzag staircase, just in time for the sunset. The walls were covered with blooming flowers, and the shimmering Erhai Lake was in front of us. We paused to appreciate the beauty of the moment. The weather in Dali is cool in the morning and evening, hot at noon, and the UV rays are strong. Many local Bai women have dark skin, so it's recommended to prepare for sun protection when visiting. As it was sunny when we left, we didn't wear much. By the time we wandered outside until sunset, we felt a chill and quickly returned to the hotel. The next morning, we went to Xizhou Ancient Town. The road from the east bank to the west bank was narrow, with many large vehicles and poor road conditions. It was dusty, and many places didn't have streetlights. In the past, there were accidents where tourists drove into Erhai Lake at night due to poor visibility, resulting in fatalities. Therefore, many sections of the road on the east bank near the lake now have simple fences installed. Xizhou Ancient Town is relatively large, with four main streets radiating from the town center and countless alleys. The town is noisy and bustling, with various vendors. One of the main streets leads to a rural train and an outdoor horse riding field. However, the hotels and restaurants near the ancient town exit by the train are mostly old houses converted into businesses, with few tourists. They look old and quiet, adorned with flowers, giving off a literary vibe.