[2025 Dali Attraction] Travel Guide for The Ancient Tea Horse Road (Updated Feb)

5 days in Dali: Enjoy the ancient city and snow-capped mountains in the warm winter sun. Don't miss this detailed guide! -- Route Overview: 🗺️ Day 1: Dali Ancient City Stroll through the ancient streets and experience the history and culture of Dali. Day 2: Cangshan Mountain - Gantong Cableway - Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas - Zhang Family Garden Climb to the top of Cangshan Mountain and take the Gantong Cableway to enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery🏞️. Then visit the ancient ruins of the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and finally stroll through the Zhang Family Garden to experience the unique charm of the Bai courtyard. Day 3: Fengyangyi Ancient Tea Horse Road - Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas - Xizhou - Erhai Ecological Corridor - Panxi Village Walk the Ancient Tea Horse Road and experience the caravan culture🐎. Visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple again, then head to Xizhou to experience Bai culture. Cycle along the Erhai Ecological Corridor, and finally arrive at Panxi Village to watch the sunset over Erhai Lake. Day 4: Shuanglang - Wase Pier - Xiaoputuo - Ideal State - Erhai Park Start from Shuanglang, pass by Wase Pier, take a boat to Xiaoputuo, visit the art buildings of Ideal State, and finally end the day at Erhai Park to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of Erhai Lake. Day 5: Return Private transfer to the airport. End your wonderful trip to Dali. See you next time! 👋 -- **Notes**: - 🎉 Customs: Don't miss the Bai dance and music. Join local festivals to experience the charm of Bai culture! - 🎁 Souvenir prices: Silver jewelry, tie-dye, and other handicrafts are reasonably priced. Compare prices to avoid being overcharged. - 📸 Photo spots: Shuanglang, Erhai Lake, and Xizhou Ancient Town are all beautiful places to take photos. Don't miss them! - ☁️ February weather: Warm and comfortable during the day, but cool at night. Remember to bring a warm coat! -- Dali is waiting for you. Take this guide and start your romantic journey!

Fengyangyi Ancient Village in Dali includes the Ancient Tea Horse Road, Youfeng Courtyard, Guanyin Well, and Twin Wells. A Place with Wind, Fengyangyi in Dali is definitely a fun place to visit! Instead of traveling far away during the Lunar New Year, I chose to visit a scenic spot close to home. It takes about half an hour to walk from the inn to Fengyangyi Ancient Village. During the Lunar New Year, the Ancient Tea Horse Road in Fengyangyi is crowded with tourists, creating a festive atmosphere. I took my 82-year-old mother-in-law for a leisurely walk to the Ancient Tea Horse Road. There were many tourists riding horses, and the sound of bells echoed back and forth, highlighting the unique charm of the ancient road. At the southern end of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, a new flower cake shop has opened. "Xie Ji" flower cakes have already gained a reputation in Dali, and they have opened four branches. The price has not increased, and it is still CNY 3 each. The taste is still as good as ever. Fengyangyi Ancient Tea Horse Road was once a street selling straw hats. Nowadays, you can still occasionally see straw hats for sale on the street, as shown in the second picture. The combination of ancient handmade craftsmanship and modern creativity makes them look very beautiful. 🌹Travel Tips: There are also delicious and affordable roasted rice cakes in Dali, which taste great. Fengyangyi Ancient Village has several parking lots along Route 214 for tourists to choose from. The "courtyard culture" here is very unique. Some beautiful courtyards are less well-known, so be sure to ask for permission before taking photos. Youfeng Courtyard only allows online ticket purchases. Offline, you can only take photos at the entrance.

Top pick for winter vacation! 6-day itinerary in Yunnan: Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali. Experience a different kind of winter! -- 🚩Itinerary: D1: Dianchi Lake > Haigeng Dam > Jinma Biji Archway > Green Lake Park > Dounan Flower Market > Guandu Ancient Town Explore the beautiful scenery of Dianchi Lake, stroll along Haigeng Dam, feel the historical charm of Jinma Biji Archway, enjoy the tranquility of Green Lake Park, visit Dounan Flower Market, and finally, explore the ancient charm of Guandu Ancient Town. D2: Dianchi Lake > Stone Forest Scenic Area > Small Stone Forest Scenic Area - Ashima > Moon Lake Enjoy the beauty of Dianchi Lake again, then head to the magnificent Stone Forest Scenic Area, explore the legend of Ashima in the Small Stone Forest, and finally, enjoy the tranquility of Moon Lake. D3: Erhai Ecological Corridor > Haixie Ecological Park > Fengyangyi Ancient Tea Horse Road Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Erhai Ecological Corridor, explore the unique landscape of Haixie Ecological Park, and stroll along the Fengyangyi Ancient Tea Horse Road to feel the history. D4: Dali Ancient City > Jade Dragon Snow Mountain > Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Cableway > "Lishui Jinsha" Show > Lijiang Ancient City Explore the ancient buildings of Dali Ancient City, then head to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and take the cableway to enjoy the snow-capped mountains, watch the "Lishui Jinsha" show in the evening, and finally, explore Lijiang Ancient City to experience Naxi culture. D5: Shuhe Ancient Town > Jiuding Longtan > Blue Moon Valley Explore Shuhe Ancient Town to experience the ancient Naxi culture, then head to Jiuding Longtan and Blue Moon Valley to enjoy the magical scenery of nature. D6: Tourist Distribution Center > Airport Transfer End your pleasant trip to Yunnan, head to the Tourist Distribution Center, and prepare for your return trip. 🛫 -- Some tips: 🛫 Airport transportation: Kunming Airport is convenient. Take a bus or subway to the city center for an eco-friendly and economical option. 🌡️ January weather: Kunming is warm, so wear light clothes during the day. Dali is a bit cooler, so bring a jacket. Lijiang has a large temperature difference between day and night, so bring warm clothes. 🎁 Specialty prices: Yunnan has a variety of specialties, such as flower cakes and Pu'er tea, which are cost-effective. Remember to compare prices. 📸 Photo spots: Green Lake in Kunming, Erhai Lake in Dali, and Lijiang Ancient City are all beautiful. Remember to charge your camera! 🍽️ Food recommendations: Cross-bridge rice noodles, roasted milk fan, and wild mushroom hot pot are delicious and not to be missed. 💡 Tips: In high-altitude areas, pay attention to sun protection and hydration. Keep a good mood and enjoy the beauty of Yunnan! -- Visit Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali in Yunnan to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Group tours are more worry-free and make your trip a beautiful memory!

| Filming location of "Meet Yourself". Fengyangyi is a must-visit place in Dali. It is one of the filming locations of "Meet Yourself" and has a very simple and natural village atmosphere. You can take photos like the ones in the drama. Half a day is enough to visit. My favorite places ❤️ Qiu Garden Cafe → Youfeng Courtyard → Meet Yourself Yile Space → Small stalls on both sides of the ancient road ☕️ Qiu Garden Cafe ☕️ Walk a few minutes into the ancient village to reach Qiu Garden Cafe, which is the filming location of Gesanghua Restaurant in the drama. You can go in, have a coffee ☕, take some photos, and have a rest. We went in for a coffee and a rest on our way back. 🏠 Youfeng Courtyard 🏠 Youfeng Courtyard in the drama has many photo spots. But now you need to book afternoon tea to enter. It's a bit expensive. We didn't go in. We took some photos at the door, which also felt good. 📷 Meet Yourself Yile Space 📷 Yile Space requires you to buy a cup of coffee to take photos inside. It costs 50 for one person. There is someone to help you take photos. It is recommended to go with a friend. It costs 56 or 78 for two people. The photos will be better! The store provides hairbands, clothes, and bouquets like the ones in the drama. The photos are great. 🍉 Small stalls on both sides of the ancient road 🍉 There are many interesting stalls on both sides of the ancient road, such as handmade weaving, tie-dyeing experience, intangible cultural heritage lacquer fans, cultural and creative customization, food experience, Yunnan-style grilled milk fans, flower cakes, etc.! Many corners of the village are great for taking photos. It is worth visiting. You can feel the slow pace of life. It's great to wander around in the morning! Fengyangyi Ancient Tea Horse Road

#travelanywhere This is located at Feng Yang Yi village made popular by Liu Yi Fei's hit drama Meet Yourself. The lane is filled with stalls selling food and souvenirs only open in the day. One can hear the original sound track of the drama being played in many of the shops. Fans of the drama must not miss this place! See my other posts if you want to do a tribute trip like I did!

"The phoenix sings, on that high ridge. The parasol trees grow, in the morning sun." Fengyang Yi village is located under the Buddha's summit of Cangshan Mountain. Originally named "Brick Kiln", it was historically known for firing bricks, tiles, and pottery. Later, it was renamed "Fengyang Yi" after the phrase "the phoenix faces the sun", symbolizing auspiciousness, happiness, and a bright future. Fengyang Yi village was part of Taihe City, the earliest capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and has existed since before the Yuan Dynasty, with a history of over 1000 years. The village is backed by Cangshan Mountain, and the ancient Bai ethnic residences are well preserved, simple yet charming. Here, a section of the ancient Tea Horse Road about 700 meters long is preserved. 🚘 Travel Tips 📍 Location: Fengyang Yi Natural Village, Liuguanchang Administrative Village, Taihe Street, Dali City 🚗 About 7 kilometers from Dali Ancient Town 🚌 Take bus No. 4 and get off at Fengyang Yi Station The village roads are narrow, and there is a paid parking lot at the entrance of the village for 10r 🎫 Ticket: Free to visit all day Recommended Attractions 1️⃣ The Eye of the Phoenix A viewing platform overlooking Erhai Lake and Dali city, which requires about a 10-minute climb, but‼️ you need to make a purchase (three-course tea or other beverages) to access the viewing platform 2️⃣ The Ancient Tea Horse Road Fengyang Yi has a thousand-year-old Tea Horse Road, retaining its unique historical appearance and folk culture! Occasionally, a few horses pass by!! It's really comfortable to stroll leisurely on it. 3️⃣ Thirteen Wind Listening Courtyard Located along the ancient road, why highlight it!! Because at its entrance it says: Free photography! (‼️Not to take advantage of small benefits) It really feels sincere, as too many commercialized scenic spots have lost their original flavor! The decoration and design of the place are also particularly attractive!! It's very photogenic, have a cup of tea, sit for an afternoon, it's simply too comfortable! Isn't their window the same one used by Liu Yifei!! 3️⃣ The same Gesang Flower Restaurant from the drama (Jiu Yuan Coffee) Continue along the Tea Horse Road, very close to the Windy Courtyard! 4️⃣ Windy Courtyard To enter the Windy Courtyard, you need to spend 188 (including some afternoon tea), and the number of visitors is limited to 160 per day! Visited Xu Hongdou's room, saw the "Our Promise" written by Xu Hongdou, and pushed open the window where she met Xie Zhiyao... 5️⃣ Fengyang Yi also has a folk indigo dyeing museum (where you can hand-dye), the Absurd Art Museum (where everyone is an artist academy)... The charm of the ancient village is everywhere! Stroll around and slowly feel its charm, feel the breath of the wind! 🌟 Special Tips: 1. Please respect the local culture and history, and keep the environment clean. 2. Riding electric bikes on the Tea Horse Road of Fengyang Yi village is not allowed, in order to protect the integrity of the ancient road. 3. Even if you don't enter the courtyards, just strolling on the Tea Horse Road and feeling the atmosphere of this ancient village is absolutely worth it. 4. Don't forget to try the handmade accessories and authentic snacks from the stalls on both sides, and experience the unique charm of local life.

Thinking that March is the peak season for tourism, four of us, along with a child, set off for Yunnan! Travel itinerary: ✈️Chengdu-Kunming 🚄Kunming-Dali 🚄Dali-Lijiang ✈️Lijiang-Chengdu. After comparing, we found that flying to Kunming was cheaper (in the off-season, you can book one or two days in advance; we booked a couple of weeks ahead and it was more expensive, resulting in a loss of over two hundred yuan for round-trip tickets). Day 1️⃣: Arrived in Kunming, visited Dian Lake to feed seagulls, and explored the old streets of Kunming. Day 2️⃣-Day 4️⃣: Kunming-Dali. We stayed in Dali for two days, strolled through the ancient town, checked in at the popular Feng Xiaoyuan, and circled Erhai Lake (we rented a business car; route: Internet-famous S Bay-Xizhou Ancient Town-Shuanglang. Personally, I found Xizhou Ancient Town more enjoyable to visit, and remember not to trample on the wheat fields when taking photos – you will be reminded by aunties with loudspeakers!!). Day 5️⃣: Dali-Lijiang. Took some portrait photos and wandered through the ancient town. Finally, went to Zhongyi Market and bought some blueberries for 50 yuan per half kilo, bargained down to 40 yuan per half kilo. They were quite big and sweet, not sure if I overpaid. Travel tips to share: 1️⃣ It's best to wear a hat when feeding seagulls at Dian Lake – both my friend and I were graced with bird droppings. 2️⃣ Upon arriving at Dali station, you can take a direct bus or the No. 4 bus to Dali Ancient Town. 3️⃣ The earrings, shawls, etc., inside the ancient town are pretty much the same – haggle hard, and if that doesn't work, move on. 4️⃣ If you want to circle Erhai Lake in one day, it's best to rent a car. We only visited three places in nine hours. 5️⃣ The weather in Yunnan is very unpredictable, so it's best to bring an umbrella and a thick coat. 6️⃣ For portrait photography, Lijiang is recommended – I feel the results are better than in Dali, and the prices are more reasonable. 7️⃣ The temperature difference between day and night in Yunnan is significant. Dress casually at noon, but a coat is a must in the morning and evening. Be sure to pay attention to sun protection and drink plenty of water!!! It's too dry. The delicacies we tried: 1️⃣ Jingdaiyuan hand-grabbed rice 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 not filling enough 2️⃣ There's a soul-stirring chicken leg stall at the entrance of Dali Ancient Town 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 we ate oysters next door. As someone from Sichuan, even their mild spice was a bit much for me, but it was very delicious. 3️⃣ Shaxian snacks 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 relatively light, suitable for breakfast 4️⃣ Baili Private Kitchen 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 located in Lijiang Ancient Town, opened by someone from Chongqing – highly recommended for those who can handle spicy food!!! 5️⃣ Yunwei Collection 🌟🌟🌟🌟 found a random place online for beef hotpot, the portion was okay, but not tasty – maybe the good reviews are all fake? 6️⃣ A Chongqing noodle shop next to our homestay 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 run by a lady from Chongqing, very tasty 7️⃣ Bamu Xuan 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 recommended by our homestay owner, they have all the signature dishes, we had stir-fried dishes, and the taste was good 8️⃣ Zhaotong Hu's Brothers Babashao 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 located inside the ancient town, very fragrant and delicious Overall, this was a commando-style trip. If you want to just chill, I recommend visiting Shaxi Town. We didn't go because we were short on time. It's between Dali and Lijiang, a bit far, and the driver quoted around 800 yuan for a chartered car. Also, there's no off-season in Yunnan, and the prices are not very cheap, even a bit expensive – it all depends on how you plan. Share over 🔚 Feel free to ask questions, and I hope everyone has a fun trip～

"To the Place with the Wind" Fengyangyi Windy Courtyard Dali Fengyangyi, was once also a major town on the ancient Tea Horse Road. The book 'To the Place with the Wind' has completely popularized Dali Fengyangyi. After arriving at the village, you will see the sign for the windy place. Follow the sign and you will reach the Windy Courtyard. Near the Windy Courtyard, the road is now lined with stalls set up by local villagers, offering all kinds of food, drinks, and entertainment. There are even charged photo spots for TV drama check-ins, which is quite commercialized and lacks the feeling of a slow-paced life, but the flow of visitors is still very high. To visit the Windy Courtyard, you need to make a reservation in advance on the platform. Business hours: 9:30~11:30 12:30~18:30, four sessions in total each day, at 9:30, 12:30, 14:30, and 16:30, each session lasting 2 hours.

If you visit Dali multiple times, each time you'll discover new, lesser-known attractions. There are off-the-beaten-path and free spots to visit just by taking the bus. Fengyangyi This is the only well-preserved section of the ancient Tea Horse Road within the Dali city area, known as the Fengyangyi Ancient Post Road. It stretches about 2000 meters and was originally built during the Han Dynasty. Admission is free. Attraction Guide: Tuku House, Scripture Drying Stone, Double-Mouth Well, Straw Hat Street Tuku House, formed during the Dali Nanzhao Kingdom period, is an ancient Bai ethnic village. It represents the most traditional residential architecture of the Dali Bai people, with thick exteriors and simple structures, built using slab stones or cobblestones. Straw Hat Street, where the trade of straw hats flourished in ancient times. Scripture Drying Stone, legend has it that this is where the monk Xuanzang dried his scriptures on two large bluestones after they got wet on his journey from the Western Regions. Transportation Guide: Take bus No. 4 and get off at Fengyangyi Station Jizhaoan is located on the southern foot of Shengying Peak of Cangshan Mountain in Dali, built during the Ming Dynasty. It has also become a popular temple on the internet because it is filled with succulents. Admission is free. Transportation Guide: Take the scenic area shuttle to the Cangshan scenic area parking lot, and from there it's about a 20-minute walk along the mountain path. Food Guide: The vegetarian meals at Jizhaoan are also famous for their good taste. 20 yuan per person. Guanyintang Dali's Guanyintang, also known as Dawang Temple, is located in Shangmo Village of the ancient city area of Dali, built during the Ming Dynasty. In the hearts of the Bai people, this is a temple that carries the history of the Bai people, filled with magical stories and exquisitely beautiful. Admission is free. Transportation Guide: Take bus No. 4 and get off at Guanyintang Station General's Cave General's Cave is located in Longquan Park, an ancient temple of over a thousand years, along with the cave in the mountains. Hiking in Cangshan, you can overlook the entire Erhai Lake and the panoramic view of Xiaguan. Attraction Guide: Longquan Holy Land, Li Mi Temple, General's Cave, Longquan Transportation Guide: Take bus No. 12 and get off at General's Cave Station Admission is 2 yuan, and you can also come to fetch mountain spring water.

Fengyang Yi still has this feeling I really like this sense of dilapidation The interplay of light and shadow in the sunlight There is a sense of story and silence The heart will also calm down Fengyang Yi Tea Horse Ancient Road