[2025 Dali Attraction] Travel Guide for Xizhou Colorful Rice Fields (Updated May)

### **Dali "Ideal Garden" Travel Guide: A Dreamy Wonderland by Erhai Lake** Dali's "Ideal Garden" is a popular online destination in recent years, located in Santorini Ideal Land on the east bank of Erhai Lake, and is known as "Dali's Monet Garden." Built on a hillside and facing Erhai Lake, it brings together romantic scenes such as a sea of flowers, white steps, an infinity pool, and a cactus garden. Every shot is a blockbuster! This guide will take you through this dreamy garden. --- ## **📍 Basic Information** - **Address**: Haidong Town, Dali City, about 100 meters north of Dali Songyun SKYLINE Seaview Resort Hotel on Huanhai East Road - **Transportation**: - **Plane**: Fly directly to Dali Fengyi Airport, about 30 minutes by taxi - **High-speed train**: Arrive at Dali Station and take a taxi or bus (about 40 minutes) - **Self-driving/cycling**: You can visit the east line around Erhai Lake along the way, and the scenery along the way is beautiful - **Tickets**: CNY 68 per person (online ticket purchase may be more favorable) - **Best time to visit**: - **Season**: March–October (sea of flowers in full bloom, sunny weather) - **Time**: 9–11am or 3–5pm (soft light, fewer people and better photos) --- ## **🌺 Must-see Attractions** 1. **Meadow Flower Border** - The colorful sea of flowers on the plateau slope is like walking into an oil painting, suitable for taking French pastoral photos. 2. **Cloud Mirror (Baishuitai)** - The pure white terraced fields reflect the blue sky, like a fairyland, the Dali version of "Pamukkale." 3. **Infinity Pool** - "Connected" to Erhai Lake, take photos with a sense of island vacation, it is recommended to wear bright swimsuits. 4. **Iris Chapel** - Pure white building + arched porch, romantic wedding venue, popular wedding photo location. 5. **Cactus Garden** - Full of tropical style, with small wooden houses, take photos with a Mexican style. 6. **Gugu's Nest (Observation Deck)** - The highest point of the garden, overlooking Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain, is beautiful at sunset. --- ## **📸 Photo Tips** ✅ **Dress Suggestions**: - Solid color long dress (white, red, and yellow are the most popular) - Accessories such as straw hats, woven bags, and sunglasses add to the atmosphere ✅ **Best Location**: - Overlooking Baishuitai (wide-angle lens is more shocking) - Edge of the infinity pool (shoot the "floating" effect from a low angle) - Flower Sea Path (running or catching a back view) ✅ **Props Recommendation**: - Transparent umbrella, bouquet, book (increase the sense of literature and art) --- ## **🍽️ Recommended Local Food** - **Ideal Land Cafe**: Order a cup of coffee and stare at Erhai Lake - **Haidong Town Restaurant**: Try Bai ethnic spicy and sour fish and Rushan soup - **Shuanglang Food**: Yang Liping Sun Palace Afternoon Tea (reservation required) --- ## **🚗 Recommended Itinerary** **Day 1: Ideal Land + East Line around Erhai Lake** - Morning: Take photos of the Ideal Garden - Afternoon: Stroll around Santorini Ideal Land - Evening: Watch the sunset in Wenbi Village **Day 2: Dali Ancient City + Xizhou** - Morning: Stroll in Dali Ancient City - Afternoon: Xizhou Rice Field + Tie-dye Experience --- ## **⚠️ Precautions** - Sun protection! The ultraviolet rays in Dali are strong, so it is recommended to use SPF50+ sunscreen + sun hat. - It is windy, wear a windproof thin coat (especially in autumn and winter). - Try to avoid holidays, otherwise you will have to wait in line for photos. --- ### **✨ Conclusion** "Ideal Garden" is the epitome of romance and dreams in Dali. Whether it is a couple, a girlfriend, or a parent-child tour, you can find your own fairy tale moment here. Take this guide and meet the sea of flowers and sunshine by Erhai Lake! **📌 More Dali Play Recommendations:** - Mao Mi Garden (over 10,000 square meters of private garden) - Mingli Commune (farm dinner + bonfire party) - Shaxi Ancient Town (the way Lijiang looked 20 years ago) I hope every day you spend in Dali is as beautiful as a garden! 🌸

#喜洲古镇 #大理旅行 #云南旅行 #慢生活 #古镇风光 #田园风光 #小众旅行 #自然之美 #文艺旅行 #旅行日记 #XizhouAncientTown #DaliOldTown #YunnanHiddenGem #TravelYunnan #ChinaHeritage #AncientTownCharm #CulturalExplorer #HalfDayAdventure #HistoricChina #BeautifulDestinations #TravelInspiration #WanderTheWorld #AsiaTravel #HiddenGems #ExploreChina During my trip to Dali, I spent half a day exploring Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇), and it was absolutely worth it. Compared to the more touristy parts of Dali, Xizhou feels much more authentic and laid-back, offering a glimpse into traditional Bai culture. The town is famous for its beautifully preserved Bai-style architecture — white walls, intricate carvings, and colorful paintings. Walking through the narrow alleys, I could feel the rich history and vibrant local life all around. There were small family-owned shops, local markets, and charming cafes tucked into old courtyards. One highlight was visiting the Yan Family Compound (严家大院), an old mansion showcasing the wealth and artistry of Bai merchants from the past. Another must-see is the iconic Corner Tower (转角楼), a stunning historic building that perfectly represents Xizhou’s traditional charm — its unique architecture makes it one of the most photogenic spots in the town. When it comes to food, make sure to try the local snack Xizhou Baba (喜洲粑粑) — a freshly baked, crispy flatbread that’s both savory and slightly chewy. I also highly recommend the famous 鲜花饼 (flower pastry), delicately sweet with a light floral aroma — a true taste of Yunnan’s unique flavors. Both snacks made perfect companions while wandering the town. After exploring the ancient streets, I found a beautiful café right next to the rice fields. Sitting there with a cup of coffee, looking out over the endless green paddies with the Cangshan mountains (苍山) in the background, was incredibly peaceful. It was the perfect way to slow down, enjoy the breeze, and take in the natural beauty of Xizhou. A half-day was just enough to soak in the atmosphere, have a relaxed walk around, try some local food, and enjoy a quiet moment by the fields. If you want a quieter, more authentic side of Dali without the crowds, Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇) is a wonderful choice. Quick Tips Before You Go: •. Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon for cooler weather and softer light for photos. •. How to Get There: About a 30-minute drive from Dali Old Town (大理古城) — easy by car, taxi, or bike. •. Must-See: Yan Family Compound (严家大院) and Corner Tower (转角楼). •. Must-Try Snacks: Xizhou Baba (喜洲粑粑) and 鲜花饼 (flower pastry). •. Café Tip: Look for cafes near the rice fields for the best view which is perfect for a coffee break and photo ops. •. What to Bring: Sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes The sun (UV) can be strong even if it’s cool! •. Travel Vibe: Relaxed and photogenic — ideal for slow travel lovers.

||I can come back to Xizhou Ancient Town countless times for this fungus hotpot! ! Very delicious. Dali! Xizhou Ancient Town! The wild mushroom hotpot that I will order over and over again! ||I can come back to Xizhou Ancient Town countless times for this fungus hotpot! ! Very delicious and delicious😋 I have eaten fungus hot pot two or three times when traveling to Dali...but the Four Seasons Yunye restaurant in Xizhou Ancient Town really surprised me😍! ! ! The new store environment is very beautiful! There is an entire garden and small courtyard🌸It is very photogenic for taking photos! Eating hotpot here is really atmospheric😌 We ordered a waxed pork rib pot and a mushroom platter! There are several kinds of fungi in one serving! You can eat anything like yellow beef liver, old man's liver, black beef liver... This soup is very delicious after boiling! The kind that can drink several bowls in a row! ! The cured pork ribs inside are also very delicious! Delicious too! ! There is a mushroom pot cooking in the middle, and there is a grilled meat on the side🥓I ordered the stuffed tofu and pork belly to be grilled! It smells so good! 🤤 And this mushroom steamed dumpling 🥟 I can finish a whole portion! ! I really want to eat here every day😭😭 📍Four Seasons Yunye·Yunnan Wild Mushroom Hotpot·Barbeque in the Fireplace (Xizhou Ancient Town Store)

Every place was excellent! If I shoot not beautiful even if I lose 🤣 。 🌳 In short, the beautiful scenery of Xizhou Ancient Town is concentrated on the four main roads in the southeast, northwest and northwest centered on the corner building It is recommended that you navigate to [Justice Gate] or [Dong'an Gate] at Xizhou (Xizhou grows rice or wheat fields in different seasons, rice fields in early autumn). 。 📸 Beautiful shooting locations in and around the ancient town are: 1️⃣Kelizhuang Not in the ancient town, but the rice fields are very large, very few people, there are two excellent huts in the rice fields, navigating 📍 Roadside Picnic Coffee Gallery, 📍 Half Summer Coffee, the two places are very close 2️⃣ Windy trees Outside the ancient town of Dong'an, navigate the windy tree and take pictures of the same camera seats in the drama "Going to the Windy Place" 3️⃣ Navigation 📍 Corner building, the small wooden porch is very retro, standing at the door casually shooting is very beautiful 4️⃣ Rice fields + yellow wall + small train Navigation📍 Joy Tea, blue sky, white clouds + retro yellow walls and small train, rice fields blown into waves, is the most beautiful place in Joy Island in my opinion 5️⃣ Navigation 📍 Dong Jin Han Courtyard, along the way there are many retro yellow walls written "喜 Chau", there are 'Joyful State', 'i♡ Xi Chau' and others are very beautiful 6️⃣ Navigation 📍Xiba Bowl, along the way there are many colorful graffiti walls written "Xi Chau", the excellent 'Xi Chau Sweetheart Wall' is there 7️⃣ Navigation 📍Hi Tong, along the way there are many beautiful shops at the door, especially the most beautiful at the entrance of Hi Tong 。 🌾Other tips: 我 ✔️ Double Gallery - Xizhou shuttle bus 10 yuan / person, Double Gallery in the Moonlight Lane parking lot, Xizhou in Justice Gate ✔️ Leisure day trip arrangement: After breakfast, make an appointment for a free trip/photograph in the room, then go to Xizhou, play until about 4 pm back to the double gallery to watch the sunset

Xizhou Ancient Town is located in the northern part of Dali City, with Cangshan Mountain to the west and Erhai Lake to the east. The rice fields in Xizhou are stunning in the summer. It is recommended to stay for one night and visit the surrounding attractions over two days. DAY1 Xizhou Ancient Town ✅Zhuanjiao Building: A landmark building in Xizhou Ancient Town, it is an old Bai ethnic residence with a unique architectural style. ✅Xilin Courtyard: The yellow walls here contrast beautifully with the rice fields, making it a great spot for artistic photos, though the sun can be quite harsh! ✅Wheat Fields: The wheat fields offer different scenery in different seasons. In summer, the lush green fields are perfect for photos. ✅Big Green Tree: Located outside Xizhou Ancient Town, this ancient tree is where Liu Yifei shed tears in the show 'To a Place Where the Wind Blows'. Fans of the show shouldn't miss it~ DAY2 Haise Park ✅The park features beautiful lake views, grasslands, and trees, making it a great spot for photos. ⚠️Tips: You need to book the park tickets by 6 pm the day before! 👍Accommodation recommendation: The newly opened 'Moxianyuan·Luxury Homestay' near Xizhou Ancient Town. The rooms are fully equipped with smart technology and excellent hardware! The best part is that it's within 3 km of all the above attractions. The owner thoughtfully provides a photo album and offers free electric scooters! 🆚Compared to many other homestays in the area, none offer such amenities at the same price! 🌃At night, you can also enjoy the stunning starry sky from the rooftop of the homestay~

The S-bend in Panxi Village is really beautiful, but of course, there are also many people. Renting a very cute but hard-to-ride bicycle for 20 yuan, you can see many beautiful sceneries in 20-30 minutes. The shore is lined with cafes and dessert shops, where you can casually find one to enjoy some dessert and a cup of coffee, making you feel very happy. The wind by Erhai Lake is really strong, so it's recommended to tie your hair up, otherwise, it will get very messy. Hahaha. I really like Xizhou Ancient Town, especially compared to Baisha Ancient Town and Shuhe Ancient Town in Lijiang that I visited later. Xizhou Ancient Town has more cultural and family characteristics. The descendants of the four major families, such as the Yan family and the Ya family, still run businesses like silk embroidery and Tuo tea here. Moreover, the scenery in Xizhou Ancient Town is very beautiful, not only with houses but also with ancient trees, rice fields, and other beautiful landscapes. It's a great place for photography. The main ethnic minority in Dali is the Bai people, and plant-based tie-dye is a specialty of the Bai people, so you must experience it. Tie-dye can actually be seen everywhere in Dali, and the prices vary greatly, so ask carefully. After comparing three shops yesterday, we chose to experience it at Yufengheng Tie-dye Workshop in Zhoucheng. The owner is a big sister with a very good attitude, and the quality of the six pieces of clothing was quite good for only 600 yuan. In the commercial streets of Dali Ancient City and Xizhou Ancient Town, a single dress costs 300 yuan. We initially went to a place in Zhoucheng called 'Grandma's', but the owner was very rude. When I tried to bargain, she directly said, 'Go to whichever shop you like.' We are out to have fun, so if someone makes me unhappy, I'll just leave. Haha. Bai people's plant-based tie-dye uses the leaves of Isatis tinctoria as the dye. When you start dyeing, it is green, and it will slowly turn blue after being oxidized in the air for a while. If you want a deeper color, you need to repeatedly lift it out and put it back in to oxidize multiple times. The longer and more times it is oxidized, the deeper the blue color will be. It has nothing to do with the soaking time.

#adventuretraveler Guide to Xizhou Wheat Field in Dali, Yunnan 🌾🌄 Preface 🏞 In the gentle embrace of Dali, there is a secret place - Xizhou, gently embraced by the golden wheat waves. This is the pastoral poem of Yunnan and the dream field in every traveler's heart. As the seasons change, the wheat field changes from green to golden, and every step follows the rhythm of nature, inviting you to take a pastoral journey at your fingertips. Transportation 🚗 Starting from the ancient city of Dali, it only takes half an hour to drive to Xizhou. The scenery along the way is picturesque and refreshing. You can choose to take a bus and drive along the Erhai Lake, enjoying the scenery along the way; you can also drive there by yourself, parking along the way, and capture those heart-warming moments at any time. Either way, you can easily reach this dreamy wheat field. Travel 👣 Stepping into Xizhou Wheat Field is like walking into a huge oil painting. Under the sun, the ears of wheat are full and golden. The breeze blows, and the waves of wheat roll and make a rustling sound. It is the most beautiful movement of nature. It is recommended to come early in the morning or at dusk, when the light is soft and the tones are warm, making for stunning photos. Walking along the field paths, feeling the fragrance of the earth and the caressing of the wheat ears, will give you the most complete relaxation of your soul. Experience 📸 Xizhou Wheat Field is not only a visual feast, but also an excellent location for taking photos. You can wear a white or light-colored skirt, which contrasts sharply with the golden wheat fields. You can run and spin lightly in the fields, letting the skirt fly with the wind, and freeze the most beautiful look of youth. Or, find a quiet corner, sit quietly, and let the camera capture the warm scene of you integrating with the wheat field. Here, every moment is worth cherishing. Culture 🏡 Xizhou not only has beautiful wheat fields, but also has a profound cultural heritage of the Bai ethnic group. After visiting, you might as well walk into Xizhou Ancient Town, stroll around the courtyards and streets full of age, taste the authentic Bai three-course tea, and feel the rich ethnic customs. In addition, Xizhou's architecture is also a highlight. The exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings and screen walls all demonstrate the wisdom and artistic talent of the Bai people. Tips 💡 Please respect farmland and do not trample or damage wheat fields at will. Please pay attention to sun protection and mosquito bites when playing. The best viewing season for wheat fields is every summer (June to August), but the specific time may vary due to climate change. There are many specialty snacks and handicraft shops in Xizhou Ancient Town. You may wish to visit more, you may gain unexpected rewards!