Erhai Lake, one of the top attractions in Dali, is a fault lake and a place with ultimate environment and amazing scenery. It is close to the famous Cangshan Mountain, beautiful Butterfly Spring and the Dali Ancient City.

Where to stay: There are many hotels around Erhai Lake, it is so easy to find a hotel.The hostel with the best condition in the old town is Fenghua Xueyue Grand Hotel.

Regent Hotel (大理风花雪月大酒店; Dàlǐ Fēnghuāxuěyuè Dàjiǔdiàn), Yu'er Road, Dali Old Town (大理古城玉洱路; Dàlǐgǔchéng Yùěrlù) (On Cang Mountain facing Erhai Lake), ☎ +86 872 2666666, fax: +86 872 2682082, e-mail: mail@regenthotel.cn. Five-star hotel in Bai architecture style. Very large rooms with free internet. Business center, currency exchange, gift shop, beauty salon, ticket office, karaoke, night club, billiards, table tennis, fitness, tennis, massage and outdoor swimming pool available. Chinese and Western restaurants as well as coffee shop and bar. The hotel comes with everything you can expect from a Chinese five star hotel, but lacks something in taste, service and Western breakfast compared to what you will find in larger cities. Listed rates for doubles ¥880-5,800 including breakfast.

Dali Mingtong Yinxian Youth Hostel, Caicun Dock, Dali Old Town, ☎ +86 872 2691261, +86 13888635082. On the banks of Erhai Lake; there is an enjoyable view of the whole lake from the terrace on the third floor. Located in a Bai village, it is very quiet at night. Dorms ¥25, ensuite doubles from ¥80.

Mama Naxi Guesthouse Dali (Joker's Guesthouse), 88 Fu An Alley. Ren Min Lu (Walk to the East Gate on the Ren Ming Lu. Go right after the No.5 guesthouse (should be on your right). You should also see Wang Jia Zhuang Hotel written on the wall at the end of the street. Go there and then turn left. Walk until you reach the end and turn right.), ☎ +86 872 267 1168, +86 015198320421. This is the Mama Naxi in Dali offering the same services as the one in Lijiang. Clean comfy dorms, double and triple rooms. Quiet, convenient location with friendly, knowledgeable English-speaking staff. Free internet and Wi-Fi. Bike rental. Bus, train and airplane bookings. Discount tickets for local sights. Breakfast and family dinner. There is a nice courtyard to sit and meet other people. ¥20-.

Landscape Hotel (大理古城兰林阁酒店; Dàlǐgǔchéng Lánlíngé Jiǔdiàn), Yu'er Road, Dali Old Town (大理古城玉洱路96号; Dàlǐgǔchéng Yùěrlù) (At the foot of Cang Mountain close to Erhai Lake), ☎ +86 872 2666188, fax: +86 872 2666189, e-mail: landscapehotel@sohu.com. Spacious rooms with internet access against surcharge. Business center, currency exchange, gift shop, ticket office, massage and sauna available. Chinese restaurant, coffee shop and room service. Listed rates for doubles from ¥460, discounted from ¥250, including breakfast.

Where to visit: The surrounding islands, temples and villages are worth visiting too. Golden Shuttle Island (Jinsuo Dao), and the nearby fishing community of Bai Minority do really deserve a visit with its attractive Bai culture and lifestyle, and because of the rare beauty of the lake and its surrounding scenery. The most unforgettable Xiaoputuo Dao, originally devoted to Bodhisattva Kwan-yin, can be traced back to the 15th century. Though tiny and called xiao (which means small in Chinese), one can still experience and see the typical ancient Chinese Buddhist temple's unique architectural styles of its buildings' pointed eaves and decorations on this peninsular.

When to visit: The best time to visit Dali is from March to October when springtime is in full swing and all of nature seems to be in the process of rebirth.Trees and flowers of this garden city are green and in full bloom. Before your Dali tour, please check the Dali weather to have a clear plan for your happy trip.

Nationalities: Bai(82.97%),Han(9.3%),Yi(7.2%),Hui(0.11%),Lisu(0.24%),Miao(0.18%).

Area: about 12 square kilometers

Zip code: 671003

Area code: 0872

Useful Numbers

Consumer Complaint: 12315

Tourist Complaint: 0872-2670384

Telephone Number Inquiry: 114

Weather Forecast: 121

Fire: 119

Police: 110

Ambulance: 120

Banks:

Name：Postal Saving Bank of China

Address:No.59 Yeyu Road,Dali Old Town

Internet Bars:

Name：Yiluxingkong Internet Bar

Address: No.15,Renming Road,Dali Old Town

Post Office:

Name：Post Office of Dali Old Town

Address: No.55,North Renming Road, Dali Old Town

Book Stores:

Name：Xinhua Book Store

Address:No.292,Fuxing Road,Dali Old Town

Hospital:

Name：No.2 People’s Hospital of Dali Old Town

Tel: (0872)2670031

Address: No.580,Fuxing Road,Dali Old Town