Erhai Lake
Da Li, Yunnan
One of Yunnan's largest lakes, ringed by Bai fishing villages and cycling paths, with the Cangshan mountains rising directly behind it.
Why visit Erhai Lake?
Erhai shapes daily life in Dali in a way that's hard to see from photos alone — fishing villages, wetland parks, and lakeside cafés all sit along its long shoreline.
How to experience it
Rent a bike or e-scooter and ride a section of the lakeside path rather than trying to circle the whole lake in one day.
Tip
The eastern shore is quieter and more rural than the developed western shore near Dali old town.