Cycling Cangshan and Erhai Lake | Exploring villages and culture

"My name is Lao Shuai. I used to be a long-distance cycling enthusiast. I worked for the NGO education organization "Beautiful China" for many years. In recent years, I have lived in Dali and run a bicycle shop."

Why choose this cycling route?

"In Dali, cycling along the corridor along the Erhai Lake is common, and the coastline route is easy to follow. However, if travelers want to experience Dali's rich natural and cultural diversity through cycling, it is difficult. Even for locals, it is not easy. So, my friends and I planned our first cycling route in Dali to explore the villages and different workshops at the foot of Cangshan Mountain. We visited friends who are engaged in various creative projects and lifestyles. Besides nature and culture, the connection between people is what I value most. Most of the time, you experience local life through people. At the end, we passed through the fields and rode back along Erhai Lake, so we called it 'mountain and sea cycling'."

"This is a cycling tour, and cycling itself is a very healthy activity. Cycling also makes every stop along the way a relaxing experience. The greatest joy of our cycling tour is that we integrate the traditional culture of Dali, the lifestyle and creativity of new immigrants, the natural hillside landscape of Cangshan Mountain, the magnificent water and sky of Erhai Lake, and the tranquil beauty of the fields. We collected these scattered pearls and wove them into our journey."

"This is not just a route planned for travelers to Dali. While completing this route, we, as locals of Dali, also deeply felt the richness of this place."

Things you will experience along the way:

• Walking through Sanwenbi Village, you will see a group of young immigrants from other provinces growing up under the ancient three towers, different from the commercialized ancient town.

• Cycling quietly on the road above the village at the foot of the mountain, visiting the beekeeper Chunyu in the woods along the way

• Arriving at the foot of Wuwei Temple Mountain, we will visit a nature studio where a girl named Li Zhenhao runs a cafe, makes mushroom lamps, and creates her own botanical artworks using mushrooms and plant specimens collected from all over Yunnan.

• Walking through the village, you will see screen walls in every household, recording information about family heritage. The ancient West Gate Tower and South Gate Tower reveal the historical scale of the village.

• Park your bike under a tree, walk along the most beautiful ancient mountain road in the ancient city, pass through a tea plantation, and then hike up the mountain to enjoy the view of the village and Erhai Lake.

• Follow the stream, pass the ruins of Sanyang Ancient City, and then go down the mountain to Yinqiao Town. You can enjoy a delicious Bai-style lunch at a local restaurant. Their braised chicken is especially delicious. If you are lucky, you may catch up with the local market, which is particularly busy on the 5th, 13th, 20th and 28th of the lunar calendar.

• After passing through farmland and streams, we cycled for a few kilometers along the shore of Erhai Lake, stopping to walk through a beautiful and tall water pine forest by the lake.

• Passing through a village, we will visit the local 'Benzhu Temple' to learn about Dali's unique Benzhu culture.

• Cycle through the vast fields and see different scenery as the seasons change. This peaceful and tranquil area is home to hardworking farmers.

Activity time: 9:30 -15:30 (may vary according to season, please refer to your reservation to confirm)

Meeting Place: Shengkai Bicycle Ancient Town Store (near the lower section of Yuer Road, next to the east gate of the ancient city)

strength: 27 km round trip, suitable for most people

Recommended age: 12 years and above

Things to bring: Water, sunscreen and personal items

Inclusive Of: Guide, Giant mountain bike, helmet and cycling gloves

Fees do not include: Local specialty lunch (AA system, about 30-40 yuan/person)

My route exploration record:

"We were constantly surprised and excited during this day of exploring the route. In a short 27km journey, we saw traditional Bai-style houses, modern communities, the majestic Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, and were surprised by hidden gems such as exotic cafes hidden deep in the villages. We also discovered natural art spaces full of creativity next to the fields. Along the way, we passed by golden ginkgo trees beside the stream and colorful water pine forests beside Erhai Lake."

“These wonderful places are like unique pearls scattered in different corners of the Dali Basin. We connected them together through cycling and created a string of precious memories.”

Some photos along the way:

San Wen Bi Village

Three Towers

Beekeeper in the woods spring rain

"Yamashita Nature Studio/Cafe" on the road

South Gate Tower of Ancient Village

West Gate Tower and the Road Up the Mountain

Hiking up, the view from the slope and the height

Visit the exotic B&B cafe at the foot of the mountain

Local Market

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant

Ginkgo tree path leading to the seaside

Grasslands and pine forests at Erhai Lake

Fields on the way back