Dali Biking Guide - Best Routes and Travel Tips

Dali is 2000 meters above sea level, and a climatic characteristic in the low-latitude plateau region with strong ultraviolet radiation, hence, there are no distinctive four seasons in this area. The annual average temperature in Dali is 15 ℃, warm and dry all year round just like in spring.

The best way to explore Dali is by bike. You can go to visit lesser-known villages and find your very own hidden gems.

Dali Biking Adventure Trails - Cycling Around Erhai Lake

Many cycling routes in Dali can stretch to different scenic spots. The most classical biking trial generally starts from the Dali Old Town where you rent your bike, and ride along with the cycling ring of Erhai Lake, it will basically take one or two days.

Reasons to Bike around Erhai Lake

The most important reason for this is that you can explore the great outdoor scenes of Erhai Lake, stop and take pictures whenever you want along the way, and immerse in the local life when passing through local villages. Furthermore, cycling can allow you to get fully integrated into the natural landscape, while also gaining a full sense of accomplishment, a rare experience in life.

One Day Erhai Lake Cycling Trail - West Ring

• Total Length: 50-55 km/31-34 mile
• Difficulty: easy
• The time needed: 1 Day
• Biking Route: Dali Old Town - Haixi Scenery - Shuanglang Village - Nanzhao Love Island - Dali Old Town

The day before the trip, find out a bike rental store near your hotel in Dali Old Town, and choose the one with the right size to suit your height and weight.

Starts the trip at 8 am in the morning at the east gate of Dali Old Town, cycling from the north through the west ring of Erhai Lake to Shuanglang Village. Along the way, you can see the large-scale sea of flowers, old villages, paddy fields, and stunning Cangshan scenery.

Take a short trip sightseeing and have lunch in Shuanglang Village. Your time is well spent by doing a sightseeing tour through the old village as well as by visiting the famous Nanzhao Love Island. Taking a ferry to Nannan cost RMB30, and an entrance ticket cost RMB50.

If you just want to stay longer in Shuanglang, find a bar or a restaurant with a lakeside view, laid back, and see people go and fro.

Riding Back to Dali Old Town at least at 4 pm from Shuanglang.

Two-Day Erhai Lake Cycling Trail - West Ring to East Ring

• Total Length: 136km
• Difficulty: Moderate
• The time needed: 2 Days

If you start the trip from Dali Old Town, it is recommended to cycle counterclockwise through the lakeside ring from east to west.

Why ride counter-clockwise around Erhai Lake: 1. riding downwind and back to the sunlight while riding on the east side of the lake, with minimal wind resistance. 2. more downhill sections on this route and making the ride easier and faster.

Day 1: Dali Old Town - Shuanglang

• Total Length: 66km
• Difficulty: easy
• The time needed: 7 hours

In the morning, pick up your bike from the rental store in Dali Old Town. Suggest starting your trip before 8 am.

The trial through Caicun, Longnian, Erbin, Xiaguan, Haidong, Xiaoputuo , Wase (about 49km from the Old Town, just in the middle point of the cycling route, where you can take a short break and have lunch here), Shuanglang. Catch the gorgeous sunset scenery at Shuanglang lakeside.

Meal: lunch in Wase, dinner in Shuanglang

Overnight stay at a boutique hotel in Shuanglang Village.

Day 2: Shuanglang - Xizhou - Dali Old Town

• Total Length: 70km
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• The time needed: 7 hours

Start the trip early in the morning from Shuanglang, passing several villages along the way to Sifang Street in Xizhou Ancient Town, arriving at around 12:30 p.m. The track was 30 kilometers from this town.

Enter the Erhai Ecological Corridor on the west side of the lake. This section of the ride is generally easy and relaxed on riding. You can stroll around Xizhou ancient town, taste local snacks like Xizhou Baba （glutinous rice cakes) there then return to Dali ancient town.

Dali Biking Guide and Tips

Best Time to Bike

Dali has a low-latitude plateau-type monsoon climate with little seasonal changes and a small annual temperature difference of 15 degrees. March to April is the best time for cycling, suitable for visiting Dali Old Town, climbing Cang Mountain, and swimming in the Erhai Sea.

What to Pack

Suggest packing as light as possible to lighten your backpack when on the ride, The long-distance ride may hurt your buttocks. Try to wear comfortable and soft clothes and trousers. You can wear special riding pants if possible. Whereas, the rain gear, sunglasses, sunscreen, and camera should be on the packing list.

Where to Rent a Bike

Suggest rent mountain bikes in the Dali Old Town, about 50 yuan/day in the off-season and about 20-30 yuan/day in the peak season; Pay attention to sun protection and anti-glare, and wear hats, riding scarves, mineral water, and anti plateau products; There are signs on the road around Erhai Lake. You can ride along the signs. There will be shops and restaurants on the highway, so you can take just water and snacks for food supply.

Transportation

There are three ways to arrive in Dali: by train, by car, or by plane, so choose the right transport to arrive. After arriving, you can choose to take a car to the ancient city, or you can rent a mountain bike to ride around the Erhai Sea.

Dining

When you come to Dali, how can you miss the food? Dali dishes are mostly spicy and sour, with heavy flavors, and the ingredients are mainly chicken, fish, and mushrooms.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Dali is recommended to stay near the ancient city or inns by the Erhai Sea. The advantage of staying in the ancient city is convenient for transportation, and the advantage of staying by Erhai Lake is quietness and nature.