Preface

Having just returned from Dali, this trip left me with many unforgettable memories. As an urban professional who frequently travels for work and spends days rushing around in office buildings, I really needed this kind of complete relaxation. Dali's slow-paced lifestyle helped me rediscover the meaning of life and understand that travel isn't about getting likes on social media, but about finding a sanctuary for one's soul.

Why I Chose Dali

My previous experience in Lijiang left me somewhat disappointed, with streets full of internet-famous shops and the ancient town packed with tourists running around with selfie sticks. I often saw friends sharing photos of Dali on social media - the cobblestone streets of the ancient town, leisurely courtyard cafes, and the distant Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake, each frame filled with poetic beauty. Especially recently, with overwhelming work pressure, spending days coding in front of computers, revising proposals, and working weekends, I was nearly burnt out. I desperately needed a place where I could truly relax.

Budget Allocation

As a well-organized post-90s person, I created a detailed budget spreadsheet before departure. Transportation budget was 5,000 yuan, including round-trip flights and all transportation costs in Dali. Accommodation budget was set at 6,000 yuan, averaging 400 yuan per night, which can get you a very nice guesthouse in Dali. Food budget was set at 3,000 yuan - I'm not someone who must eat at trendy restaurants, preferring local favorites instead. The remaining 6,000 yuan was reserved for experiences, including car rental, souvenirs, and interesting activities.

Flight Strategy

Regarding flights, I did thorough research. I downloaded several booking apps two months in advance and monitored price trends daily. I discovered a pattern: airlines release special discount tickets around 10 PM every Tuesday. I waited by my phone and finally snagged discount tickets, totaling 3,800 yuan round trip, saving almost a thousand yuan. However, I should remind everyone to choose refundable tickets when buying discounted fares, as plans can change unexpectedly.

Accommodation Choice

Accommodation was a crucial part of the entire journey. I looked at at least 50 guesthouses on Xianyu and Xiaohongshu before choosing one called "Meeting Time" near the ancient city. The owner is a post-90s woman, super nice, who previously worked as a product manager at a major internet company in Beijing before quitting at 25 to open a guesthouse in Dali. I booked a mountain-view room on the second floor - though only 20 square meters, the balcony directly faced Cangshan Mountain, offering misty mountain views right from the window each morning. The room was thoughtfully designed, with the owner's watercolor paintings on the walls and several interesting magazines and travel journals by the bed.

Food Exploration

Dali's prices were incredibly friendly. I remember my first night at the Cang'er Road night market, where the cheap street food prices were almost unbelievable. Grilled rushan for 5 yuan a skewer, baba rice for 8 yuan a serving, sala rice noodle soup for 20 yuan a bowl - you could have a satisfying meal for just 40 yuan. The most surprising find was a shop called "Aqing Sao's Rice Noodles," open for over 20 years, serving regular rice noodles for just 12 yuan. Their broth is incredible, made from chicken bones, pork bones, and various spices, with preparation starting at 4 AM daily - the aroma can be smelled from far away.

Local Experiences

In Dali, cycling around Erhai Lake is practically mandatory. I rented a Giant bike from a rental place next to the guesthouse (50 yuan per day, 500 yuan deposit) and spent two full days cycling around the lake. Honestly, it wasn't easy - about 150 kilometers round trip. But the scenery along the way was absolutely beautiful: crystal-clear lake water, grazing cattle and sheep, distant Cangshan Mountains and clouds, and various unique shops along the way. I basically stopped every 10 minutes to take photos and would sit down at any shop I liked. I recommend avoiding weekends, otherwise the cycling route is full of self-driving tourists' cars, which isn't pleasant at all.

Unexpected Discoveries

The biggest gain from this trip was meeting a Taiwanese uncle in Shuanglang Ancient Town. His coffee shop was by the lake, and I arrived just in time for sunset, when the entire shop was bathed in golden light. He said he used to be a technical director at a technology company in Taiwan, earning over a million annually, but always felt something was missing in life. At 35, he made a bold decision: sold his house in Taipei and came to Dali with his savings to open this shop. Although he now earns only a fraction of his previous income, he says he's never been happier. Every day he watches the sunrise and sunset over Erhai Lake, chats with travelers from all over, and occasionally hosts small concerts. After hearing his story, I sat on his shop's terrace for an entire afternoon, watching the sun slowly sink into Erhai Lake, suddenly realizing life has so many possibilities.

Money-Saving Tips

This trip taught me many money-saving techniques. First with accommodation - by staying at the same guesthouse for 12 days, the owner gave me a 35% discount, making it even cheaper than my initial budget. Second with food - I generally avoided restaurants in tourist areas and went to small shops in residential areas instead. Prices there were at least a third cheaper, and the food was authentically local. Finally, regarding entrance tickets - I bought all the attraction tickets I wanted in advance on Ctrip, saving ten to twenty yuan per ticket, which added up to a significant amount.

Time Management

Many friends thought taking 15 days off was too extravagant, but I think this is the right way to vacation. The first three days I just wandered around the ancient city, adjusting to the local altitude and pace of life. The middle nine days were my most enjoyable time - waking up naturally each day and going wherever I wanted. I visited the canola flower fields in Cai Village, ate authentic broken crispy baba in Xizhou Ancient Town, watched wild birds all day at the Haishi Ecological Park, and participated in a tie-dye workshop. The last three days were basically just relaxing - drinking coffee and reading on the guesthouse terrace in the morning, spacing out by Erhai Lake in the afternoon, and having BBQ and chatting with the guesthouse owner and others in the evening.

Important Notes

Regarding weather, Dali's temperature difference between day and night is really dramatic. The sun is particularly strong during the day, with temperatures reaching above 25 degrees, but it can drop to around 10 degrees at night. I suggest everyone bring several layers, preferably light windbreakers that are easy to carry. Sun protection is also crucial - I was too careless on the first day, just applying sunscreen before going out, and ended up looking like a cooked shrimp that evening. Later I not only applied sunscreen but also carried a parasol. As for altitude sickness, Dali is around 2,000 meters above sea level, which usually isn't a problem for most people, but it's still recommended to drink plenty of water, avoid staying up late, and not exercise vigorously.

Trip Summary

The biggest takeaway from this trip was: slowing down feels great. Previously when traveling, I always tried to pack every minute full, afraid of missing something. But this time I really slowed down my pace, stopping when I wanted to stop, walking when I wanted to walk. I sat by the canola fields in Cai Village for an afternoon, just watching butterflies flutter among the flowers; in a coffee shop in Shuanglang, I spent two hours on one cup of coffee, just waiting for the perfect sunset; there was even one rainy day when I stayed in my guesthouse room all day, reading three books while listening to the rain. This feeling was truly wonderful.

Final Thoughts

Through this trip, I understood one truth: budget isn't the most important thing - what matters is the kind of travel experience you want. Some people can have a great time backpacking on a few thousand yuan, while others might stay in five-star hotels and still feel dissatisfied. These 15 days in Dali made me rethink many things. Maybe we don't need to work so hard, maybe we can live a bit slower. If you're considering going to Dali, I hope my experience can provide some inspiration. Everyone deserves to experience this kind of slow travel once, letting their soul find its own rhythm.