The Erhai Lake, the second largest lake in Yunnan Province with the Dianchi Lake ranking the first, coexists well with Cangshan Mountain.
This amazing lake lies next to the amazing historic sites in the Dali valley and the natural scenery and good hiking trails on Cangshan Mountain. The whole region is full of interesting and beautiful sites. The easy access to beautiful and quiet places to camp, ride horses, ride bikes and hike in high mountains is unusual in China. You can experience ethnic cultures in this area as well. The ancient city of Dali and the other historic sites lie west of Erhai Lake. The local people feel that this big lake with its clear water and its reflections of land and sky as well as the entire region are unusually beautiful, and it is another highlight of a visit to Yunnan Province.
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.
Looking from the sky, you will find Erhai Lake is just like a crescent lying quietly between Cangshan Mountain and the Basin of Dali. Erhai Lake was created by the sinking of fault in the earths crust. The water is so clear that you can see the lake bed. Erhai Lake has been called the "flawless and beautiful jade lying among mountains" from the ancient times. Legend says that a very big jade cabbage grows on the sea bed and the clear water is in fact the jade fluid coming from the heart of the cabbage.
To give the people and tourists alike the convenience of watching the lake, Erhai Lake Park was built. In spring, the place is transformed into a wonderland of flowers like camellias, azaleas and primrose, and abundant exotic trees.
It only cost 5 Yuan by taxi from any place in Dali town. So what can prevent you from enjoying the unpolluted and 'immaculate jade' waters of Erhai?
Tips
When you are at Erhai Lake, it is advisable to visit the fishing villages of Bai people nearby, which is the few fishing villages on the altiplano. The famous movie of 1950s, the Five Golden Flowers, reflected the life here. Erhai Park in Xiaguan was designed and built for tourists to sea Erhai Lake. You can get there from any place in the city proper by taxi and that will only cost you 5 yuan. If you are interested, you can take ships there to visit Erhai. There are wooden ships and yachts. Remember to bargain before you get aboard. Ordinary boats do not go to the Nanzhao Love Islands. They usually come back after arriving at Golden Shuttle Island, Small Putuo Island and Kwan-yin Pavilion. If you rent boats, safety is the most important. When it is summer and autumn, especially when Husband Awaiting Clouds turn up on the Cangshan Mountain, it is better for you not to go on the sea.
Admission Fee: CNY 10 (Erhai Park)
CNY 30 (Resource Protection Fare)
Recommended
Time for a Visit: 40 minutes
Opening Hours: 08:30 to 18:00
