Written by Catherine |
Dali city in Yunnan is popular among visitors who are seeking to get away from the busy modern life. With plenty of Dali attractions, from ancient towns, ethnic villages, to beautiful lakes and mountains, it’s the perfect destination for a peaceful and fulfilling journey. One of the most beautiful places in Dali to see its natural and cultural landscapes is Shuanglang Village.
Fast Facts about Shuanglang Village
- Location: Northeastern bank or Erhai Lake, Northeastern Dali, Yunnan Province, China
- Opening time: All day
- Ticket price: Free
- Recommended visit time: Half a day
- Best time to visit: All year round, especially spring and fall
- Suited to: Anyone seekinga quiet getaway with authentic local culture and beautiful views
What to See and Do in Shuanglang Village
Enjoy the Best Views of Erhai Lake & Cangshan Mountain
Shuanglang Village is known to be the best place to see the two gems of Dali, Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one. Erhai Lake is the most beautiful landmark of Dali, visited by almost everyone who travels to Yunnan.
In Shuanglang Village, you can visit Yuji Island, the smallest but the most beautiful of the three islands on Erhai Lake. It is a small piece of land extending into the lake. On it, ancient fishing culture is still prevalent today along with many historic buildings. A little distance away from Shuanglang Town, Nanzhao Island is the second largest of the three. There’re many cultural sites to explore.
Explore Authentic Bai Culture
Shuanglang Ancient Village has a long history and rich culture of the Bai ethnic group. The beautiful natural environment nourished a small fishing village. Today, when you travel to Dali and visit Shuanglang Village, you can try a variety of local Bai cuisine, especially dishes made from freshwater ingredients, such as sour and spicy fish, sautéed grass fish, fried fish with eggs.
Walking down the streets of Shuanglang Village, you’ll see many stalls run by local Bai people. They are relaxed and welcoming. You’ll hear them chatting with each other and laughing from time to time. They sell a variety of stuff, tropical fruits you’ve never seen before, homemade snacks in jars, or different kinds of locally found mushrooms.
Immerse Yourself in the Leisurely Lifestyle
On your Yunnan tour to Dali, forget about your fast-paced and stressful life for a moment while you’re in Shuanglang Village. You’ll feel like being in a village from another world. Have a coffee under the sun. Stay at a lakeside hotel or guesthouse. Listen to some music while watching the clear water. The leisurely lifestyle is the signature of Shuanglang Village.
Best Time to Visit Shuanglang Village
Shuanglang Village and Dali are suitable for visit all year round because of the mild climate of Yunnan. But the best time to travel to Dali is in spring and autumn, from March to May and September to November. During these months, Dali weather is ideal for going outdoors to Shuanglang Village with plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and little rainfall.
How to Get to Shuanglang Village
Getting to Dali, Yunnan
There’re two major ways to get to Dali, Yunnan, by flight and by train.
If you’re traveling to Yunnan directly from your home country, your best option is to fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Yunnan. Then take a high-speed train to Dali. Dali Huangcaoba Airport, or Dali Fengyi Airport, is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from Dali city center. It offers flights to and from many major Chinese cities.
You can also take a train to Dali Railway Station from other cities in China like Kunming, Chongqing, Guiyang, and Chengdu.
Getting to Shuanglang Village
Shuanglang Village is on the northeastern shore of Erhai Lake. You can take a taxi from wherever you are in Dali. Or you can take a bus at North Passenger Station to Shuanglang stop.
Dali Attractions nearby Shuanglang Village
Dali Ancient Town is a historic town with rich minority culture. Take some time to explore the ancient city wall, historical landmark buildings, and the historic streets.
Erhai Lake is the most well-known landmark of Dali. It’s the best place to relax yourself and experience the life of a local.
Cangshan Mountain is a magnificent mountain range with many peaks and streams. You can hike up there to see temples, waterfalls, wildflowers, forests, and many rare plants and animals.
