The Eryuan Village Tour is an excellent way to leave the bustling Dali Old Town and experience the tranquility of the countryside, fields, lakes, and Dali's unique history. In Dengchuan, known for its dairy products, you can not only see the daily production of local Rushan and fresh milk but also experience the making process and learn about the culture of this traditional snack. There are no other tourists around. This is a deeply immersive journey suitable for everyone. Bring your family, leave the tourist attractions, and enjoy a leisurely trip.

As a guest named FairyH described, she wrote it better than our own activity description:

"The people of Dengchuan say Rushan is the white gold of the Bai people. When my hands were immersed in the warm milk, the fragrance of milk climbed up my fingers with the light. The curd was spun into thin wings on bamboo poles, drying in the wind that sifts through the nineteen peaks of Cangshan.

The boat oar cut through the West Lake, ripples spread, the oar sound mixed with cloud shadows. The child and the national treasure (dog) played in the water, both getting wet.

Jiming Village, from the outside, it is hard to see traces of Islam. The tailor took me to visit a non-traditional mosque. The conflict between faith and reality left me unsettled for a long time.

On the way back, we encountered a huge rainbow. Today's trip had the coolness of the lake, the heat of the milk, and the prayers we didn't hear must have been long, all in the same porcelain bowl, shimmering like silver.

Thank you to our guides, the tailor and the national treasure (dog). Eryuan is truly worth it."

"I am Aruna, from Inner Mongolia, and I have lived in Dali for ten years. I have a baking studio in Xiaocun Village near the old town, where I do some teaching. I like to go camping in nature. I once drove a van for a long camping trip for half a year, so I usually lead camping trips to Shangri-La and other places near Dali. My partners in the deep travel group—usually He Chen, Xiao Qi, Xiao Chun, Hong Hong, etc.—and I really love Eryuan. The fields there change with the seasons, colors shift, migratory birds fly to the lake, and the reeds turn green and yellow. The friendly sisters at the Rushan workshop, the boatman A Du and his family, and the cattle and sheep we occasionally encounter in the villages—everything becomes more familiar with time. I hope to share these simple and beautiful daily scenes with you."

Possible discomforts:

Transportation: Our tour vehicles are mostly ordinary vans. We are frugal and often carry outdoor gear on natural mountain paths and country roads, so vans are mostly the best choice. Many children like the bumpy ride and call it a "rocking car."

Graves in the mountains: Sometimes guests may feel uncomfortable passing by graves. In rural Yunnan, many graves are located on hillsides near villages, even along roads. The relationship with graves here is different from urban areas—people pass by cemeteries when working in the fields, picking mushrooms, herbs, or chopping wood. People might even have picnics near graves. The sunshine, peaceful atmosphere, and local customs make this place unique. If you are sensitive to cemeteries, please consider carefully before booking.

Some glimpses along the Eryuan Village Tour: Autumn harvest season: In November, migratory birds gradually return to the lake, and more raptors circle overhead. The lake where we take the boat. Sheep in the Muslim village.

Experience highlights:

Dengchuan Rushan Workshop: Watch the daily production of Rushan, taste fresh milk, or enjoy milk popsicles. If you like, you can try making Rushan yourself, experiencing how fresh milk is transformed into cheese through heating and separation.

Walk through villages and fields: Follow paths through rice paddies, villages, and fields.

Explore a century-old village: Stroll through an ancient Muslim village, where the sound of evening broadcasts echoes in the air.

Boat ride on the lake: Sail along winding waterways, enjoying the white-walled, black-tiled villages and distant mountains.

Local cuisine: If you are not in a hurry to return, you can have dinner with the guide on the way back at a local farmhouse or halal restaurant. I think it will be a rare local restaurant in Dali with good value and taste (about 35-50 RMB per person).

Itinerary details:

This journey will take you to a lakeside village 55 kilometers from Dali, far from typical tourist destinations. Walk through natural fields where locals work, visit a peninsula in the lake, take a boat through reed marshes, and go deep into the lake. The area is full of waterfowl, with views of the distant Cangshan Mountain and Bai villages with white walls and black tiles. This is a picturesque rural landscape you may never have seen before.

On the way, we will stop in Dengchuan, an important source of fresh milk in Dali. The town has many milk fan workshops where you can watch or participate in the making of Rushan, taste fresh milk, and enjoy milk ice cream at a very affordable price of 2-3 RMB.

After the boat ride, we pass through another century-old village with huge banyan trees that tell of its long history, possibly dating back to the Mongol period 800 years ago.

We will walk along a road at the foot of the mountain lined with flowers, rarely traveled. From this high point, you can overlook villages and the lake. The road is lined with eucalyptus and walnut trees. Nearby is a lake as green as emerald, surrounded by farmland. We can stop here for afternoon tea, order black tea and fruit, and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery. Lotus flowers bloom in the lake, and in the evening, villagers often go out in boats to fish. This lake was once full of Egyptian papyrus, perhaps with a unique connection to ancient Egyptian culture. Sitting by the lake, you can quietly watch the smoke rising from the village on the opposite shore.

At the end of the itinerary, if you are not in a hurry to return, you can have dinner with the guide at a local restaurant in the town (about 30-40 RMB per person, split the bill). It is an opportunity to experience real local restaurant prices. We will return to Dali Old Town around 8:00-9:00 PM.

Distance from Dali Old Town: 55 kilometers

Difficulty: Easy, suitable for infants and the elderly

Departure time: 13:00-14:30 (confirmed at booking; later departure in summer to avoid heat)

Return time: 19:30-20:30

Child fee: Same as adult