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More about Laoshuai: Click here
"My name is Laoshuai. I used to be a long-distance cycling enthusiast and worked for many years at 'Teach for China', an NGO educational organization. In recent years, I have been living in Dali and running a bicycle shop."
Why choose this cycling route?
"In Dali, it is very common to cycle along the corridors by Erhai Lake, and the coastline route is easy to follow. However, if travelers want to experience the rich natural and cultural diversity of Dali through cycling, it is very 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. We visited friends engaged in various creative projects and lifestyles. Besides nature and culture, the connection between people is what I treasure most. Most of the time, you experience local life through people. Finally, we rode back through the fields and along Erhai Lake, so we call 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 it integrates Dali's traditional culture, the lifestyle and creativity of new immigrants, the natural hillside landscape of Cangshan, the magnificent water and sky of Erhai, and the serene beauty of the fields. We have collected these scattered pearls and woven them into our journey."
"This is not just a route planned for travelers coming to Dali. While completing this route, as Dali locals, we also deeply felt the richness here."
What you will experience along the way:
Pass through Sanwenbi Village, where you will see a group of young immigrants from other provinces growing up under the ancient Three Pagodas, different from the commercialized ancient town.
Cycle quietly on the roads at the foot of the mountain and above the villages, visiting beekeeper Chunyu in the woods along the way.
Arrive at the foot of Wuwei Temple, where we will visit a nature workshop. Here, a girl named Li Zhenhao runs a café, makes mushroom lamps, and creates her own plant artworks using mushrooms and plant specimens collected from all over Yunnan.
Pass through the village, and every household will have a screen wall recording the family inheritance information. The ancient west gate tower and south gate tower reveal the historical scale of the village.
Park the bicycles under a tree, walk along the most beautiful ancient mountain road in the ancient city, pass through a tea garden, 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, then go downhill to Yinqiao Town. You can enjoy a delicious Bai-style lunch at a local restaurant. Their huangmen chicken is especially tasty. If you are lucky, you might catch the local market, which is particularly lively on the 5th, 13th, 20th, and 28th days of the lunar month.
Cross farmlands and streams, then cycle a few kilometers along the lakeshore of Erhai, stopping to pass through a beautiful and tall water pine forest by the lake.
Pass through a village, where we will visit a local 'Benzhu Temple' and learn about the unique Benzhu culture of Dali.
Cycle through wide fields, and depending on the season, you will see different scenery. This peaceful and serene area is home to hardworking farmers.
Activity time: 9:30 -15:30 (may vary by season; please refer to your booking for confirmation)
Meeting point: Shengkai Bike Ancient Town Store (near the lower section of Yuer Road, close to the east gate of the ancient city)
Intensity: 27 km round trip, suitable for most people
Recommended age: 12 years and above
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, and personal items
Includes: Guide, Giant mountain bike, helmet, and cycling gloves
Not included: Local specialty lunch (pay on your own, about 30-40 yuan per person)
My route exploration record:
"On the day we explored this route, we were constantly drawn by surprises, and the excitement stayed with us. In just a 27 km journey, we saw traditional Bai-style houses, modern communities, the majestic Cangshan and Erhai, and were surprised by hidden gems like exotic cafés deep in the villages. We also discovered creative natural art spaces next to the fields. Along the way, we passed golden ginkgo trees by the stream and colorful water pine forests by Erhai Lake."
"These wonderful places are like unique pearls scattered in different corners of the Dali basin. We strung them together through cycling, creating strings of precious memories."
Some photos along the way:
Sanwenbi Village
Three Pagodas
Beekeeper Chunyu in the woods
'Mountain Nature Studio/Café' on the road
South gate tower of the ancient village
West gate tower and the uphill road
Hiking up, the scenery from the slope and height
Visiting an exotic guesthouse café at the foot of the mountain
Local market
Lunch at a local restaurant
The path of ginkgo trees leading to the lake
The grassland and water pine forest of Erhai
Fields on the way back
Photos and videos
