How to play in the Erhai Ecological Corridor

The Erhai Ecological Corridor is suitable for choosing a section and riding slowly, but it is not suitable for blindly challenging the whole journey for the first time. Official data shows that the main line of the Erhai Ecological Corridor is about 129 kilometers, of which the Haixi closed operation section is the most visited by tourists, starting from Yangnanxi in the south to the Taoyuan area of Xizhou Town in the north, which is about 46 kilometers.

This route connects Yangnanxi, Sansheng Island, Longgong Wharf, Caicun, Majiuyi, S bend of Fenxi, Gusheng Village, Covered Bridge, Haitongue and Taoyuan. It is usually most suitable for ordinary tourists to arrange a half-day ride of 6-15 kilometers. Riding further will not only increase the physical exertion, but also encounter problems such as the vehicle cannot be returned to another place, it is difficult to call a taxi at the end, and the sightseeing bus is out of service.

It needs to be stated first that the Erhai Ecological Corridor is not a highway around the Erhai Lake. The ecological corridor is mainly used for walking, bicycles, corridor operation mopeds and environmentally friendly sightseeing vehicles. Ordinary motor vehicles and electric vehicles rented from outside are not allowed to enter at will. The distances in this article are used for trip planning. Actual mileage will vary due to drop-off locations, village entrance detours, temporary construction and specific parking areas. Shared vehicle prices, electronic fences and sightseeing bus schedules may also be adjusted. Please check the mini program and on-site announcement again on the day of departure.

If you haven’t determined how many days you want to stay in Dali, you can check firstA guide to must-visit tourist attractions in Dali, and then decide whether to arrange the ecological corridor for half a day, a full day, or to combine it with Xizhou, Zhoucheng and other places.

Quick selection

Playing needs	Suggested entrance	Recommended route	Cycling distance	Actual time	Ending method
First time playing	Dragon niche	Long Niu—Caicun—Long Niu	About 6 kilometers round trip	2-3 hours	Return the car to the starting point
Want to watch the sunrise	Dragon niche	Longkan—Caicun—Majiuyi	One way is about 7 kilometers, you can turn back at any time	3-4 hours	Return the same way, or confirm to return the car in another place
Want to shoot S bend	Panxi	Fengxi-Gusheng Village Direction	About 4.5-6 kilometers one way	2-4 hours	Return to Fengxi, or return the car in a permitted area
Like quietness	Yangnanxi	Yangnanxi—Sansheng Island—Dragon Shrine	About 9 kilometers one way	3-4 hours	Longkan returned the car and took a taxi to leave.
Take care of the elderly and children	caicun	Short ride around Caicun	2-6 kilometers	2-3 hours	Go back to the starting point or take a sightseeing bus instead
I also want to go to Xizhou	Panxi	Fengxi-Gusheng Village-Covered Bridge-Hai Tongue direction	About 13-16 kilometers one way	4-6 hours	Take a taxi from outside to Xizhou Ancient Town
Strong riding ability	Yangnanxi	Yangnanxi—Taoyuan	About 46 kilometers one way	6-9 hours	Confirm Taoyuan return and return trip in advance

Route difficulty depends on more than just kilometers. The surface of the corridor is generally gentle. What really affects physical strength are headwinds, tourist density, frequent parking, vehicle types, and whether you need to ride back the same way. A one-way route of 14 kilometers may end up being a round trip of nearly 28 kilometers if you rent a bicycle that has to be returned to the original store.

If you plan to stay in Dali for multiple days, you don’t have to cram all of Longkan, Fengxi, Xizhou and Shuanglang into the same day. You can refer to the siteDali 7-day slow travel guide, arrange the ecological corridor cycling, Xizhou Ancient Town and other sections around Erhai Lake separately.

Entrance

Dragon niche

Dragon Shrine is suitable for tourists who are visiting Dali for the first time, live near the ancient city of Dali, or who mainly want to watch the sunrise over Erhai Lake. When navigating, you can search for “Longkan Wharf” or “Longkan Ancient Ferry”. Online car-hailing services generally can only park at the entrance of the village or on peripheral roads, and you need to walk to enter the last section.

After entering from Longqian, you can ride to Caicun, Majiuyi and Fenxi in the north; you can ride to Sansheng Island and Yangnanxi in the south. It is recommended to go north when riding for the first time, because Caicun is close and it is more convenient to resupply, rest and exit along the way.

The one-way trip from Longkan to Caicun is about 3 kilometers, with a slight slope. There are the most tourists near the pier, especially in the morning after sunrise. Don’t wait for the sky view in the center of the pier. After riding a kilometer or two north, the lakeshore will gradually open up and the crowds will disperse.

The advantage of Longkan as the entrance is that there are many transportation and car rental options, and it is easier to call a taxi outside after the trip. The disadvantage is that there is congestion during peak hours, and people often take photos for a long time at popular metasequoia and waterfront locations, so you need to slow down in advance when riding.

If you mainly want to take pictures of the sunrise, Cangshan Mountain and the reflection of Erhai Lake, you can continue to viewDali Lijiang Photography Route and Erhai Sunrise Guide, arrange the shooting time and subsequent itinerary in advance.

Suitable for routes:

• Longkan-Caicun-Longkan: The round trip is about 6 kilometers, suitable for a short trip of 2-3 hours.
• Longkan – Caicun – Majiuyi: about 7 kilometers one way. You can turn back at Caicun or Majiuyi according to your physical strength.
• Longkeng-Caicun-Majiuyi-Fengxi: about 14 kilometers one way, only suitable for vehicles that support off-site return.

Caicun

Caicun is close to the ancient city of Dali, and the surrounding accommodation, catering and transportation are relatively mature. It is suitable for families with children, seniors traveling together, and tourists who only have two or three hours left. You can search for “Caicun Pier” when navigating, but vehicles usually still need to park outside, and you may have to walk for a while before entering the corridor.

From Caicun, go south about 3 kilometers to Longkan, northward about 4 kilometers to Majiuyi, and continue about 7 kilometers to Fenxi. Compared with Longkan, the advantage of Caicun is not that the scenery is particularly different, but that the route is more flexible. If you are physically fit, you can generally ride south to the Dragon Shrine and back; if you want to avoid the crowds at the Dragon Shrine, you can ride directly north for Jiuyi.

If you only have two hours left, it is recommended that you go from Caicun to Longkan and back instead of riding to Fengxi on the spur of the moment. The one-way trip from Caicun to Fengxi is about 11 kilometers. After stopping many times along the way, the actual time taken may easily exceed expectations.

Caicun is suitable for renting bicycles from stores that need to be returned to the original point, because there are short-term options on both the north and south sides. When planning a one-way ride to Fengxi, you should give priority to using shared vehicles that clearly support off-site return.

When traveling with children, it is not recommended to rush to see more places. You can put Caicun Danqi inYunnan parent-child 8-day easy travel route, it is arranged separately from the ancient city, snow-capped mountains and lake itineraries.

Panxi

The main goal is to take pictures of the S-turn. You don’t need to ride from Longqian. You can enter directly from Fengxi. When navigating, you can search for “S Bay of Fengxi Village” or “S Bend of Fengxi Village”. Online taxis usually park on the road outside the village and then walk to the lake.

The S-turn is just a small section of Fengxi and does not represent the entire riding experience. Tourists, coffee shops and people taking photos are concentrated near the S bend, so 30-60 minutes is usually enough. After taking the photo, continue riding north toward Gusheng Village and Covered Bridge. The road will gradually become quieter, and the riding experience is usually better than stopping at the center of the S-turn.

From Fengxi to the south is the direction of Majiuyi, Caicun and Longkeng; to the north is the direction of Gusheng Village, Langqiao and Haitongue. Tourists who have already been to Longqian are more recommended to ride north to avoid repeating the tourist-heavy sections.

If you only plan to take pictures of S-curves and drink coffee, there is no need to rent a car. It is often less troublesome to leave directly after a walking tour than to only ride a kilometer or two after unlocking the door. When you plan to continue riding to Gusheng Village or Covered Bridge, it is more reasonable to choose a vehicle.

S bend is still a normal road. Don’t stand in the middle of a curve to take pictures, don’t suddenly cross the cycling lane, and don’t park your bicycle in the middle of the road. When there are many people in the morning and on holidays, you should get off the bus and push through the most crowded areas.

Yangnanxi

Yangnanxi is the southern entrance to the 46-kilometer closed operation section of Haixi. It is suitable for tourists who live near Xiaguan and Dali stations, or who want to avoid the crowds of Longcheng and Fenxi. When navigating, you can search for “Yangnanxi Erhai Ecological Corridor” or the corridor entrance near Yangnanxi.

From Yangnan River to the north, ride about 6 kilometers to Sansheng Island, and then ride about 3 kilometers to Longcheng. The front section is dominated by wetlands, lakeshores and continuous slow-moving roads. The commercial facilities are not as dense as Longqian and Caicun. Before setting off, you should prepare drinking water and check the vehicle battery and brakes.

Yangnanxi to Sansheng Island is suitable for continuous cycling, while Sansheng Island to Longcheng gradually approaches the popular tourist area. After riding to the Dragon Shrine, you can return the bike in the permitted area, and then take a taxi from outside the Dragon Shrine to return to the ancient city or Xiaguan.

If the vehicle can only go back to the original store, Yangnanxi is not suitable as a one-way starting point, because after riding to Longchang, you have to ride another 9 kilometers back. Before unlocking, you must confirm whether Longqian belongs to the return area of this brand and model.

If you live in the ancient city of Dali, if you only plan a half-day trip, there is no need to go all the way to Yangnanxi. If you live near Xiaguan or Dali Station, it will be more convenient to enter from Yangnanxi.

North section

The northern section usually refers to the direction of Gusheng Village, Langqiao, Haitou and Taoyuan north of Feng River. It is more dispersed than Longgeng and Fenxi, with more villages, farmland, lakeshores and trees. It is suitable for those who have already seen popular attractions and want to ride quietly.

From Fengxi to Gusheng Village, the commonly used route information is about 4.5-6 kilometers; after continuing to the direction of Langqiao and Haitongue, the distance will increase. The supply points in the northern section are not as continuous as Longkan and Caicun. Water and simple food should be prepared before entering the long-distance section.

It should be noted that “riding to the vicinity of Xizhou” and “reaching Xizhou Ancient Town” are not the same thing. The ecological corridor is on the west bank of Erhai Lake, and the center of Xizhou Ancient Town is located further inland. After riding from the covered bridge or Haitongue, you usually have to walk or take a ride along the village road to the ancient town.

When planning to visit Xizhou on the same day, it is recommended to use the covered bridge or the sea tongue as the end point of the ride, and then take a taxi from the peripheral road to the ancient town. Don’t continue riding blindly to Taoyuan in the afternoon, otherwise it will easily shorten the time to visit Xizhou and increase the difficulty of the return trip.

If you plan to stay in Xizhou for more than half a day, you can continue readingDali Bai culture and Xizhou tie-dye experience guide, learn how Xizhou Ancient Town, Zhoucheng tie-dyeing and Bai folk houses are combined.

Route

Easy line

Route: Longkan—Caicun—Longkan

The round trip is about 6 kilometers, and the pure cycling takes about 40-60 minutes. In addition to taking pictures, watching the lake and resting, it is more appropriate to arrange 2-3 hours.

After setting off from Longkan, there is a dense flow of people near the pier, so pass slowly at first. After riding out of popular areas, the road gradually opens up. After arriving at Caicun, you can eat, drink water or take a short rest, and then return to the Dragon Shrine along the same route.

This route does not need to deal with the problem of returning the bike to another place, and is suitable for first-time cyclists, parent-child families, elderly people and tourists who set out temporarily in the afternoon. Even if you feel tired midway, you can always turn around.

If the Dragon Shrine is too crowded that day, you can also start from Caicun, ride to the outside of the Dragon Shrine and then return. The scenery isn’t much different, but Caicun might be easier to rent a car and access the roads.

Classic line

Route: Longkan—Caicun—Majiuyi—Fengxi

The one-way trip is about 14 kilometers, and it is recommended to schedule 4-5 hours. It must first be noted that this is a one-way distance. If you rent a bicycle that has to be returned to the original store in Longkan, the final round trip may be close to 28 kilometers.

It is about 3 kilometers from Longcun to Caicun, where there are many tourists, and is suitable for slow riding; it is about 4 kilometers from Caicun to Majiuyi, and the number of people gradually decreases, so it is more suitable for continuous riding; it is about 7 kilometers from Majiuyi to Fengxi, which is a longer section of the entire route, so you need to judge your physical strength in advance.

Both Caicun and Majiu can be used as exit points. If you feel tired after riding to Caicun, you can turn back to Longqian directly. After riding to Majiuyi, your condition will be normal and there is no need to continue completing the last 7 kilometers.

After arriving at Fengxi, return the car first, and then arrange for photos, coffee or meals. Don’t leave the vehicle first and find out later that the order has not ended.

This route is suitable for ordinary shared bicycles or compliant mopeds in the corridor. In-store bicycles are only suitable when the merchant explicitly provides off-site pick-up, otherwise you must ride back the same way.

For the return journey from the end point, you can choose a ride-hailing service on the Fenxi peripheral network, a compliant shuttle bus, or a sightseeing bus that is still in operation. Don’t consider the last time of the sightseeing bus as your only return plan.

South section line

Route: Yangnan River—Sansheng Island—Longchun

The one-way trip is about 9 kilometers, and it is recommended to schedule 3-4 hours. It is about 6 kilometers from Yangnanxi to Sansheng Island, and about 3 kilometers from Sansheng Island to Longjian.

This section is quieter than the one from Longcun to Fengxi, and is more suitable for serious cycling rather than concentrated check-in. The first section of Yangnan River is dominated by wetlands and open lakeshores, and gradually approaches villages and popular areas after reaching Sansheng Island.

If you live near Xiaguan or Dali Station, you can take a taxi to Yangnanxi and ride from south to north to Longkan. Tourists who live near the ancient city and want to watch the sunrise at Longchang can also arrange in reverse: first watch the sunrise at Longqian, then ride south to Sansheng Island, and continue to Yangnanxi when they have enough energy.

Before riding in the opposite direction, you must confirm the final return and transportation. The conditions for calling a ride outside Yangnanxi are different from those at Longqian. Don’t start looking for a way back after riding to the end.

North section line

Route: Fengxi—Gusheng Village—Covered Bridge—Hai Tongue

According to commonly used route information, it is about 4.5-6 kilometers from Fengxi to Gusheng Village, and Gusheng Village continues to the direction of Haitou for about 7 kilometers. Including detouring around the village entrance, looking for entrances and taking photos, the actual distance from Fengxi to Haitou may be 13-16 kilometers.

This route does not have to be ridden in one go. It can be divided into three ways of playing:

• Fengxi—Gusheng Village—Fengxi:Suitable for half-day short-term, the distance is easy to control.
• Fengxi—Gusheng Village—Covered Bridge:Suitable for viewing the lakeshore, villages and covered bridges. After the tour, call a taxi from the outside.
• Fengxi-Covered Bridge-Hai Tongue direction:Suitable for tourists who are in good physical condition and plan to visit Xizhou Ancient Town later.

Gusheng Village is an important point for judging physical strength. If you have been riding slowly after arriving at Gusheng Village, you should turn back or end here. Do not continue riding to Hai Tongue just because it looks not far away on the map.

Arriving near Haitongue does not mean that you have entered the center of Xizhou Ancient Town. You should complete the vehicle return first, and then take the peripheral road to the ancient town. When renting a car, if the end point of the electronic fence only goes to Gusheng Village or Covered Bridge, you cannot continue riding to Haitang.

Full line

Route: Yangnanxi—Sansheng Island—Longkan—Caicun—Majiuyi—Fengxi—Gusheng Village—Haitongue—Taoyuan

The closed operation section of Haixi is about 46 kilometers. It is only recommended for people who have long-distance riding experience, can ride for several hours continuously, and have confirmed the end-point return and return trip.

The 46-kilometer road is generally not steep, but tourists will frequently stop, take photos, eat, enter the village and look for parking areas. The pure riding time may take about 4 hours. After adding normal stops, the total trip usually reaches 6-9 hours.

The following items must be confirmed before departure:

• Whether vehicles are allowed to ride from Yangnanxi to Taoyuan;
• Whether Taoyuan belongs to the return area of this model;
• Whether the remaining power of the moped is sufficient;
• Whether there is a confirmed online car-hailing, shuttle bus or pick-up person at the end point;
• Wind strength, rainfall and sunset time on the day;
• Whether the mobile phone has enough power to complete unlocking, navigation, payment and return of the car.

A shortening plan should be prepared for the entire route. Longkan, Caicun, Fengxi, Gusheng Village and the corridor bridges can all be used as phase ending nodes. When encountering headwinds, rain, reduced vehicle battery, or physical fatigue, you should end the ride in advance and do not force the ride to Taoyuan.

If you don’t want to deal with long-distance connections yourself and plan to put Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang on the same itinerary, you can check out the itinerary that includes Erhai Cycling, Xizhou Ancient Town, and LijiangKunming Dali Lijiang 6-day slow tour route, and then adjust the riding distance according to your own physical strength.

Car rental

Vehicles	Suitable for route	Returning the car to another location	Main issues
Ordinary shared bicycles	Short-distance, one-way routes	Subject to electronic fence	The destination may not be in the return area
Store bicycles	Round trip short line	Most of them need to go back to the original store	One-way routes will become round-trips
Corridor moped	Routes over 10 kilometers	Look at the brand and model	There are restrictions on battery capacity and operating range.
Family car or multi-person car	Partial experience	Usually more restrictive	Turns slowly and takes up a lot of space
Sightseeing bus	The elderly, children or returning by bicycle	Does not involve returning the car	Affected by shifts and business hours

Shared car

Shared bicycles are suitable for one-way riding and are also convenient for adjusting routes midway. Before unlocking, don’t just check whether there is a car nearby. You should first open the mini program map to confirm whether there is a return area for this brand and model at the planned destination.

Check four items before unlocking:

• Whether the front and rear brakes can brake normally;
• Whether the tire is obviously deflated or deformed;
• Whether the seat can be adjusted to the appropriate height;
• Whether the locks, pedals and handlebars are loose.

Ordinary bicycles, mopeds and parent-child vehicles of the same brand may also use different electronic fences. Just because ordinary bicycles can be returned in Fengxi does not mean that mopeds can also be returned.

Riding relies on mobile phones to unlock and complete orders. Make sure your mobile phone is charged before departure, and it is best to bring a power bank with you for long distances. Do not rely on the same mobile phone if you are traveling together. Otherwise, if the mobile phone is out of battery, has no network, or the account is abnormal, the order may not be completed normally.

Moped

Corridor operation systems usually include shared mopeds, parent-child four-wheelers and other special vehicles. Mopeds are suitable for routes of more than 10 kilometers and can reduce the fatigue of long-distance riding, but it does not mean that you can enter all road sections at will.

Two types of vehicles need to be distinguished here:

• Corridor operation vehicles:Use within specified road sections and drive according to the operation page and on-site rules.
• External ordinary electric vehicles:Renting from Dali Ancient City, outside the village or other stores does not allow you to drive into the closed ecological corridor by default.

Before unlocking the moped, you should check the remaining battery capacity and estimated battery life. The battery life shown on the page is only an estimate. Headwinds, frequent starts, heavy loads and low temperatures will all increase power consumption.

When riding long distances, don’t just look at “how much battery is left”, but also consider whether there are conditions for charging or changing bikes at the end point. When the power drops rapidly, it should be terminated early at nodes with many services, such as Longqian, Caicun, and Fengxi.

Store car

The car rental stores outside the entrance usually provide ordinary bicycles, mountain bikes and other vehicles. The store’s vehicles are suitable for routes from Longkan to Caicun, short rides around Caicun, and other routes that require returning to the starting point.

Before renting a car, you should confirm:

• Whether it must be returned to the original store;
• How to charge for exceeding the time;
• Who will deal with vehicle breakdowns during the journey;
• Whether we provide pick-up services from other places;
• How much additional fees will be required to pick up a car from another place;
• Whether vehicles are allowed to enter the planned riding section.

If the merchant verbally promises that the car can be returned at a different location, it is best to write down the specific location and fee in the order or chat history. Don’t just head out after hearing “drop-off is available, pick-up is available”.

Return the car

Erhai Ecological Corridor does not have a universal return point that is suitable for all brands and all models. Electronic fences will vary depending on vehicle brands, models, dispatching and operational arrangements, so this article cannot state that a certain location can definitely be returned.

Common cycling ending nodes include Longkan, Caicun, Fengxi, Gusheng Village, Covered Bridge and some service areas in the northern section. However, whether the order can be ended must be based on the mini program map of the unlocked vehicle.

How to use different nodes:

• Dragon niche:It is suitable for the end of routes such as Yangnanxi-Longchun and Caicun-Longchun. The surrounding transportation and dining are more convenient.
• Caicun:It is suitable for short-term riding in Longkan or around Caicun. It is relatively convenient to return to the ancient city.
• Fengxi:It is suitable for the Longkan-Fengxi and Fengxi surrounding routes, but the specific model of electronic fence must be confirmed in advance.
• Gusheng Village or Covered Bridge:It is suitable for the northern section to end halfway. Before calling a taxi, you must first go to the peripheral road that allows vehicle traffic.
• Direction to Haitongue or Taoyuan:Suitable for long-distance cyclists, it should not be assumed that all shared bikes can be returned here.

Correct return of the car should be done in the following order:

1. Check the endpoint electronic fence before unlocking and save the screenshot;
2. When approaching the end, re-open the mini program to confirm the parking area;
3. Park your vehicle in the designated parking area and do not occupy the cycling path or village entrance;
4. Close the lock or click to end the order as required;
5. The confirmation page shows that the order has ended and the fee calculation has stopped;
6. Confirm before leaving the vehicle.

Temporary parking, locking the car and ending the order are not the same concepts. Some vehicles will continue to be billed after being temporarily locked. Only when the system shows that the order is over can the vehicle be truly returned.

When not in the return area:Don’t leave the car where it is. Open the mini program to find the nearest permitted parking area, and continue riding there according to the map. If you are unable to determine, you should contact the vehicle platform customer service.

When the bill is still being charged after being locked:First check whether the vehicle is truly locked, and then refresh the order page. If the problem is not resolved, you should take a photo of the vehicle’s location, license plate, lock status and mobile phone order page, and contact customer service immediately.

When vehicles accumulate in the parking area:Do not park in wetlands, shop entrances, village road exits or sightseeing bus stops. The electronic fence allows for vehicle returns, but also ensures that the site does not block the road.

Sightseeing bus

If you don’t want to ride back to the starting point, you can use the sightseeing car as a supplementary transportation. It is more suitable for the elderly, children, those who lack physical strength after riding, or those who just want to see the scenery along the way and are not prepared to ride the entire section by themselves.

As of July 2026, the sightseeing bus business hours announced on the official operation page are 8:00-19:00 in summer and 8:00-18:30 in winter. There are lines such as Caicun Pier-Fengxi, Fengxi-Xizhou, etc., and some full round-trip products are 60 yuan. The consultation telephone number is 0872-2362108.

Ticket prices, sites and business hours may change due to season, weather and operational adjustments. You should check the official ticket purchase page again or consult on-site staff on the day of departure.

Do not assume that rental bicycles, mopeds or parent-child vehicles can be carried on sightseeing buses. If you plan to “ride there and ride back” before riding, you should first confirm whether the vehicle can be returned at the end, rather than assuming that you can take the bicycle with you on the sightseeing bus.

When starting a long trip in the afternoon, do not use the last sightseeing bus as your only return option. There may be queues during peak seasons, and temporary suspensions, overcrowding, or site adjustments may also affect the itinerary.

When the elderly are traveling together, instead of arranging a long-distance ride from Longkan to Fengxi, it is better to take a short ride plus a sightseeing car. For more Yunnan itinerary combinations for walking, you can refer to6-day slow travel guide for the elderly in Yunnan。

Time

If you want to watch the sunrise, you should first choose accommodation near Longkan or Caicun. To check the exact sunrise time on the day, just walk to the lake in advance. It is not recommended to ride a long distance in the dark from Dali Ancient City in the early morning to catch the sunrise.

It is safer to rent a car after watching the sunrise, and it also avoids carrying thick coats and photography equipment during the ride. In autumn and winter, the temperature is low in the early morning and heats up quickly after sunrise, so you should prepare a jacket that is easy to take off and put on.

It is recommended to start long-distance riding in the morning. After 3 pm, it is more suitable for a short ride of about 6 kilometers, and is not suitable for a short-term decision to ride to Fenxi, Haitongue or Taoyuan.

On a sunny day at noon, there is less shade at the lakeside, and the lake surface is highly reflective. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and drinking water. If you ride for more than 10 kilometers, you can bring a small amount of bread, chocolate or other foods that can easily replenish energy.

No matter how far you ride, you should enter a clear end point at least one hour before dark, allowing time to return the bike, walk to the peripheral roads, and hail a ride.

Transportation

If you live in the ancient city of Dali, give priority to the entrance of Longkan or Caicun; if you mainly want to see the S bend, you can go directly to Fenxi; if you live near Xiaguan or Dali Station, enter Gengshun Road from Yangnanxi.

Dali Ancient City + Dragon Shrine:Take a taxi from the ancient city to the outskirts of the Dragon Shrine, get off the bus and walk in. There may be traffic jams during sunrise and holidays, so please allow at least 30 minutes longer than normal navigation time.

Fengxi+Xizhou:Enter from Fengxi in the morning and ride towards Gusheng Village, Covered Bridge or Haitongue. After returning the car, walk to the peripheral road and then take the bus to Xizhou Ancient Town. Don’t position the end of the lakeshore directly as the center of Xizhou Ancient Town.

Yangnanxi + Dali Station:When staying in Xiaguan or preparing to go to Dali Station, you can ride north from Yangnan River. If you need to catch the high-speed rail that day, you should choose the short-term ride around Yangnan River, or end it before Longkan, and do not continue riding to Fengxi.

Online car-hailing services can usually only pick up and drop off at village entrances, parking lots or peripheral roads, and drivers cannot be required to enter closed slow-moving roads. When calling for a ride on the return journey, you should place your position in a location that allows motor vehicles to pass.

Congestion may occur outside Longqian, Caicun and Fengxi during holidays. If you need to catch a high-speed train or plane after riding, you should add at least 30-60 minutes of buffering; you should also allow more time to return to Dali Station from the northern section.

Avoid pits

• Don’t decide your destination only after renting a car. Check the route and drop-off area first, then unlock it.
• Don’t just look at the pure riding time in the navigation. Taking photos, finding the entrance, eating and returning the car will all increase the time.
• Don’t mistake “14 kilometers one way” as the total distance traveled. When the store car needs to return to the original store, the distance may double.
• Do not confuse ordinary external electric vehicles with corridor operation mopeds.
• Do not default to using the same electronic fence for different brands and models.
• Don’t just bring a low-battery phone. Navigation, payment, and order completion may be impossible if your phone is out of battery.
• Don’t start a long one-way trip late in the afternoon, especially from Fengxi to Haitang or from Yangnanxi to Taoyuan.
• Don’t think of “near Xizhou” as arriving at Xizhou Ancient Town. The two still need to be connected by transportation.
• Do not ride with large luggage. Luggage, heavier backpacks, and loose totes can all affect balance.
• Do not suddenly stop or cross the road at S-turns, waterfront locations and popular photo spots.
• Do not enter wetlands, cross isolation facilities, and do not picnic, camp, or fish in corridors.
• If you experience dizziness, chest tightness, obvious heart palpitations, or persistent difficulty breathing, you should stop riding immediately and seek help.

FAQ

Want tickets?

The Erhai Ecological Corridor is an open slow-travel space. Walking and self-entering usually do not require the purchase of scenic spot tickets. There are separate fees for renting bicycles, mopeds, family cars and sightseeing cars.

Vehicle charges will be adjusted based on brand, model, time and activity. It is not recommended to prepare a budget directly based on the prices in the old guide. Before unlocking the car, check the billing method, whether there are any charges for temporary parking, and whether there are any additional charges for returning the car at a different location.

Which section is the best to ride?

For your first trip, choose Longkeng to Caicun, a round trip of about 6 kilometers; if you want to see the S bend, choose Fengxi toward Gusheng Village; if you want to ride quietly, choose Yangnanxi to Longgong; if you plan to combine it with Xizhou Ancient Town, you can choose Fengxi to Langqiao or Haitongue.

Only arrange for half a day, do not pursue the sunrise of Longkan, the S bend of Fenxi River, the covered bridge and Xizhou Ancient Town at the same time. Choose one of these sections and the experience will be better than frequently taking a taxi to catch up on groceries.

Can I return the car anywhere?

No. Shared vehicles can only end orders within the electronic fence approved by the corresponding brand and model, and store vehicles usually need to be returned to the original store.

Longkan, Caicun, Fengxi and other popular nodes do not mean that all vehicles can be returned. Before unlocking, you should directly check the end point in the vehicle applet and cannot judge based on other brands of vehicles parked on the roadside.

Can I take care of children?

Yes, but it is recommended to choose short-term routes of 2-6 kilometers around Caicun or Longchun. You can also use sightseeing buses as the main transportation. Before using a family car, you should check the safety belts, brakes and seat fastening conditions.

Do not allow children to stand on the pedals, baskets or non-riding areas. The speed should be reduced on crowded sections such as S-curve and Longkan Wharf, and if necessary, get off the vehicle and push. Age, height and vehicle type restrictions are subject to on-site operating rules.

Can I ride when it rains?

The road surface may be slippery after light rain, and the wind will increase near the lake. If there is a short period of light rain, the route can be shortened and the route can be shortened, and activities can be done near Longqian, Caicun or the entrance of Fengxi. It is not recommended to ride long distances in weather with continuous rainfall, thunder and lightning or strong winds.

If you have encountered weather changes on the way, you should give priority to ending at nodes such as Longgian, Caicun, Fengxi, Gusheng Village or Langqiao. Do not continue riding to a remote destination just to complete your plan.

The safest way to play for the first time is to enter from the dragon niche, ride to Caicun or Majiuyi, and decide whether to turn back or continue based on your physical strength. When planning to ride one-way to Fengxi, Corridor Bridge or further north, confirm the final return area and surrounding return traffic before unlocking.

If you still need to continue to combine destinations such as Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La, etc., you can enterYunnan travel routespage to filter suitable itineraries based on travel days, companions and travel pace.

Dali —: Numbers to Check

Tickets & Booking

• Xizhou Ancient Town: Free; Yan Family Residence about CNY 18, Yan Family Courtyard Museum about CNY 21–30; Xizhou wheat-field mini-train CNY 35; no booking required^[src]
• Shuanglang Ancient Town: Free; Nanzhao Customs Island about CNY 50–56; no booking required^[src]
• Erhai cruise: About CNY 142 per person (the Greater Shuanglang line one way and other ticket types)^[src]

Transport & Schedules

• Dali station → Kunming South station | EMU: E.g., D8784/D8781: Dali departs 15:40–Kunming South terminates 18:22, 2 h 42 min total, 356 km; stops at Yunnanyi, Chuxiong, Guangtong North, Lufeng South, Kunming^[src]

Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby

• Dali Ancient Town | Reference price Moderate range (mostly OTA guesthouses) | Room tip: Convenient for food, lodging and transport, suitable for a first visit to Dali | Nearby add-ons: Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, Renmin Road night market, Cangshan Gantong cableway^[src]
• Shuanglang Ancient Town | Reference price On the high side (lake-view guesthouses) | Room tip: Right by Erhai with a good view but relatively inconvenient transport | Nearby add-ons: Nanzhao Customs Island, Yuji Island^[src]

Typical Climate & Packing (Past Years)

• January: 2 °C–16 °C °C, [Travel climate reference]
• February: 4 °C–18 °C °C
• March: 6 °C–21 °C °C
• April: 9 °C–24 °C °C
• May: 12 °C–25 °C °C
• June: 15 °C–25 °C °C, Rainy season