Ming Yang
What You'll Learn in This Guide
Let me guess. You booked a 3-day Dali tour online, and now you're stuck with a schedule that has you running from Shuanglang to Dali Old Town in one afternoon. I've seen it happen hundreds of times. That's exactly why I wrote this Shuanglang Ancient Town guided tour — to save you from the mistakes I made my first year here.
Why Visit Shuanglang Ancient Town?
Shuanglang sits on the east bank of Erhai Lake, offering postcard-perfect views of the water and Cangshan Mountains. Unlike Dali Old Town (which is now a shopping mall with fake souvenirs), Shuanglang retains a sleepy village vibe — at least in the mornings before the tour buses arrive. It's the kind of place where you can sip Yunnan coffee while watching fishermen row across the lake.
But here's the catch: the main street gets packed from 11am to 3pm. I always tell my clients to sleep in, have a late breakfast, and hit the waterfront at 4pm. You'll get golden light and half the people.
Getting to Shuanglang: Best Routes for Foreign Travelers
| Route | Duration | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi/Didi from Dali Old Town | 50–70 min | 100–130 RMB | Door-to-door, flexible | Not all drivers speak English; peak hour traffic |
| Tourist Bus from Dali Ancient City | 1.5 hrs | 30 RMB | Cheap, fixed schedule | Only 3 departures/day; limited luggage space |
| Rent a Scooter (electric) | 1.5–2 hrs | 60–80 RMB/day | Scenic ride along Erhai | Need international driving permit; road can be dusty |
| Private Transfer (booked via Ctrip) | 50 min | 180–250 RMB | English-speaking driver, comfortable | Must book 24h ahead |
Shuanglang Ancient Town Guided Tour: Must-See Spots
Yuji Island (Nanzhao Folk Island)
This tiny island is the main attraction. It costs 50 RMB for the combined ferry and entry ticket (students 25 RMB, seniors free with ID). Buy tickets at the pier — no need to pre-book, but bring cash because the card machine often fails. The ferry runs every 20 minutes from 8:30am to 5:30pm. The island walk takes about 45 minutes. Pro tip: ignore the "guide" who offers to show you around — the island is one loop and you won't get lost.
The Jade Waves Pavilion (looking over Erhai)
Free to enter, but small. Best photo spot at sunset. Arrive 30 minutes before actual sunset to claim your spot. I always tell people to bring a tripod — the handrails are too low for phones.
The Ancient Banyan Tree (600 years old)
Located near the north gate of the town. It's a quick 5-minute stop, but great for shade. Tour groups often skip it, so it's quiet even at noon.
Overall time for the guided tour of Shuanglang Ancient Town: I'd allocate 3–4 hours for the main sights, plus another hour if you want to relax by the water.
Where to Eat: Local Dishes I Never Skip
| Restaurant | Address | Specialty | Price per person | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Grandma's Kitchen | Main St., near the post office | Sour-spicy fish (suān là yú) | 50–70 RMB | Cash only, no English menu, but point at photos |
| Moon Garden Cafe | Lakeside path, opposite Yuji Island ferry | Yunnan coffee, rose cake | 30–50 RMB | Accepts Visa/MC, English menu available |
| Xiaoxian's Noodles | North alley, 50m from banyan tree | Crossing-the-bridge noodles (guò qiáo mǐ xiàn) |
25–40 RMB | Vegetarian option available, WeChat/Alipay only |
My personal favorite is the sour-spicy fish at Old Grandma's. The fish is caught fresh from Erhai every morning, and the broth is lip-puckeringly sour with a kick of chili. But be warned: the wait can be 30 minutes during dinner. Go at 5pm to avoid the queue.
Best Hotels in Shuanglang for Every Budget
| Hotel | Type | Price range (low season) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeside Inn | Budget hostel (dorm beds available) | 80–150 RMB | Rooftop terrace with lake view, free WiFi, luggage storage |
| Shuanglang Yunshu Boutique Hotel | Mid-range | 350–600 RMB | Lake-view rooms with balcony, English-speaking reception |
| Anbo Erhai Resort | Luxury (5-star) | 800–1500 RMB | Private infinity pool, spa, but book 2 weeks ahead |
If you're a solo traveler on a budget, Lakeside Inn is fine — just bring earplugs because the walls are thin. For couples, Yunshu is the sweet spot: great views and the staff helped me book a last-minute taxi to the airport at 6am.
Sample Itinerary: 24 Hours in Shuanglang
3:00 PM: Arrive via Didi. Check into hotel, drop luggage.
4:00 PM: Walk to Jade Waves Pavilion for sunset photos. Grab coffee at Moon Garden.
6:00 PM: Dinner at Old Grandma's Kitchen (order before 6:30 to avoid rush).
8:00 PM: Stroll along the waterfront path — it's lit but peaceful. Many shops close early.
8:00 AM next day: Visit Yuji Island (buy ferry ticket at pier, arrive before 9am to avoid crowds).
10:30 AM: Quick stop at the Ancient Banyan Tree, then walk through local market street.
12:00 PM: Lunch at Xiaoxian's Noodles, then check out.
1:30 PM: Take tourist bus back to Dali or taxi to airport.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shuanglang Ancient Tour
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