Xizhou Bai Villages & Eryuan Hot Springs

Stay in Xizhou Ancient Town, explore Bai villages and Zhoucheng tie-dye at a slow pace, then head to Eryuan for hot springs.

Skip the Old Town crowds and stay in Xizhou on the northwest shore of Erhai Lake. Taste crispy baba, wander among Bai houses and Haishe Park, learn tie-dye in Zhoucheng and visit Butterfly Spring. On Day 3, head north to Eryuan for Xi Lake and Cibi Lake, then soak in the hot springs at the Geothermal Kingdom. On your way out, stop at the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. The pace is relaxed, suited to families and anyone keen to experience Bai life. Cangshan and Shuanglang are left out.

Butterfly Spring has plenty of butterflies from March to May, and the Xizhou rice paddies turn golden in autumn.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive at Xizhou Ancient Town

Dali（Xizhou Ancient Town、Haishe Peninsula Park）

About 50 minutes by taxi from Dali Station to Xizhou. Stroll the old town in the afternoon, then cycle to Haishe Park by evening.

Fewer visitors come early and late in the day, which is good for photographing Bai houses.

Stay: Xizhou Ancient Town

Day 2 · Zhoucheng tie-dye & Butterfly Spring

Dali（Zhoucheng Village、Butterfly Spring、Gusheng Village）

Take a taxi or bike about 15 minutes from Xizhou to Zhoucheng, then about 5 km north to Butterfly Spring. Visit Gusheng Village on the way back.

Tie-dye workshops are quieter in the morning.

Stay: Xizhou Ancient Town

Day 3 · Xi Lake & hot springs in Eryuan

Dali（Eryuan West Lake、Cibi Lake、Eryuan Geothermal Park (Dirguo)）

Charter a car north about 50 minutes to Xi Lake in Eryuan, then continue to Cibi Lake and the Geothermal Kingdom for a hot spring soak. Return to Xizhou by evening.

Stay: Xizhou Ancient Town

Day 4 · Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, then departure

Dali（Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple）

Take a taxi from Xizhou about 30 minutes to the Three Pagodas. After your visit, take a taxi about 40 minutes to Dali Station.

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