Erhai Lake, located in Dali City, Yunnan Province, is one of China’s most popular destinations for cycling. The route surrounds a serene blue lake, passes through Bai ethnic villages, open countryside, and historical towns—offering a perfect blend of nature and culture.
Recommended Route (Highlight Section)
- 🗺️ Ideal Vehicle: E-bike or mountain bike
- 📅 Best Seasons: Spring & Autumn (March–June / September–November)
- 🕐 Start Time: Around 8:00 AM
🚩 Overview – Highlight Route (~50km)
Dali Old Town → Caicun → Haixi Peninsula → Xizhou → Wase → Shuanglang → Xiaoputuo
Estimated duration: 6–8 hours (including stops and photo breaks)
Route Breakdown
📍 Segment 1: Dali Old Town → Caicun Village
- Distance: ~5 km
- Road Condition: Flat asphalt road with bike lanes
- Attractions: Caicun Wetland Park, Caicun Pier
- Highlight: The closest point to the lake on the west shore
- Tip: Great spot for sunrise photography; fewer tourists in the morning
🔧 Rental Tip: Many rental shops near the Old Town; choose a bike with a phone mount for navigation
📍 Segment 2: Caicun → Haixi Peninsula (North of Xizhou)
- Distance: ~10 km
- Road Condition: Cement village roads + some gravel
- Attractions: Erhai Eco Corridor, seasonal flower fields (rapeseed, cosmos)
- Highlight: Fields of flowers and traditional Bai architecture
- Tip: Haixi Peninsula offers a walkway that stretches into the lake
🔧 Safety Note: Watch for pedestrians and local three-wheeled carts; shared lanes
📍 Segment 3: Haixi → Xizhou Ancient Town
- Distance: ~3 km
- Road Condition: Village paths near residential areas
- Attractions: Yan Family Courtyard, Old School Street
- Highlight: Historic Bai town with delicious street food and shaded alleys
- Tip: Ideal lunch stop—try Xizhou Baba and Cold Chicken Rice Noodles
🔧 Explore Tip: Park your bike and walk through the ancient streets
📍 Segment 4: Xizhou → Wase Town
- Distance: ~10 km
- Road Condition: Mix of country roads and lakefront highways
- Attractions: Rural villages, mountain-lake panoramas, birdwatching points
- Highlight: Peaceful route, fewer tourists—perfect for slow travel
- Tip: Rest at lakeside cafés for a coffee break
🔧 Water Reminder: Few shops on this stretch—carry enough water
📍 Segment 5: Wase → Shuanglang Town
- Distance: ~10 km
- Road Condition: Scenic lakeside highway, slight uphill sections
- Attractions: Panoramic Erhai views, boardwalk cycling paths
- Highlight: One of the most beautiful parts of the entire route
- Tip: Explore Yuji Island and the lakefront swing cafés in Shuanglang
🔧 Sun Safety: Little shade—bring sunscreen and wear sunglasses
📍 Segment 6: Shuanglang → Xiaoputuo Island
- Distance: ~7 km
- Road Condition: Smooth and flat
- Attractions: Xiaoputuo Island, lake reflections, sunset photo spot
- Highlight: A small Buddhist temple on a tiny island in the lake
- Tip: Great spot to relax and end your ride with a stunning view
🔁 Return Options: - Take a car or shuttle back to Dali Old Town (~1 hour)
- Or stay overnight in Shuanglang for a slower itinerary
Bike Rental & Return Guide
🏪 Rental Options
- Offline Rental Shops: Available in Dali Old Town, Caicun, Shuanglang
- Online Platforms (English Supported):
- Meituan
- Ctrip (Trip.com)
- Hello Bike
- Xiaohongshu (Red) – for user reviews & tips
🚲 Bike Types
- E-bikes (60–100km range) – effortless and efficient
- Mountain/Road Bikes – for fitness and enthusiasts
- Tandem E-bikes – great for couples or friends
🔁 Return Methods
- Same Location: Most shops require you to return the bike to where you rented it
- Different Location: Some offer drop-off in other towns (e.g. Dali → Shuanglang), with a small fee (~20–50 RMB)
Travel Tips – Must Know
| Category | Recommendation |
| Safety | Always wear a helmet; obey traffic laws |
| Road Condition | Mostly smooth cement/asphalt; some narrow village paths |
| Sun Protection | Strong UV – use sunscreen, wear sunglasses |
| Battery Range | Check e-bike range; carry charger or spare battery if possible |
| Supplies | Snacks & drinks available along the way (especially in towns) |
| Translation | Use translation apps like Google Translate or Youdao |
| Best Timing | Start at 8 AM; reach Xizhou by noon for lunch, finish in Shuanglang or Xiaoputuo |
📷 Must-Visit Photo Spots
- Sunrise at Caicun Pier
- Flower fields and rice paddies in Xizhou (best in spring & autumn)
- Peninsula walkway in Haixi Park
- Hanging chairs by the lake in Shuanglang
- Buddhist temple silhouette on Xiaoputuo Island
