Erhai Lake Photography Spots: 5 Secret Locations for Stunning Shots

I’ve guided hundreds of photographers around this lake. And I’ve seen the same mistake over and over — everyone follows the online checklist and ends up with identical, crowded shots. Here’s the catch: the real magic is hidden in places you won’t find on a generic blog. Let me save you the frustration. Below are five spots I personally use for every single client, with exact directions and timing.

Why Most Tourists Get Mediocre Photos

Erhai Lake is huge — 250 square kilometers. The classic “photography spots” listed on travel apps (like the Caishun Pier or Nanzhao Style Island) are swarmed from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Worse, the light on the eastern shore turns flat and harsh after noon. If you only shoot from the standard viewpoints, you’ll fight for space and your images will lack depth. My trick? Go to the western and northern banks, where the mountains create a natural light filter and the water reflects a deeper blue. But even there, you need specific coordinates.

Spot #1: Caijiacun Village Pier

Address: Caijiacun, Dali City (near the north end of Erhai). Google Maps: “Caijiacun Pier”.

Why it works: The abandoned wooden pier juts into the water, surrounded by cormorant perches. At sunrise, the light hits the reeds from behind, creating a golden rim. Most tourists drive past it because there’s no entrance fee and no sign. You’ll likely have the place to yourself on weekdays.

Exact timing: Arrive 40 minutes before official sunrise. The first rays tint the clouds pink — that’s your 15-minute window. After that, the sun climbs behind the eastern hills and the scene becomes contrasty.

How to get there: From Dali Ancient Town, take a taxi (about 40 minutes, 60-80 RMB). Tell the driver “Caijiacun matou”. They’ll drop you at the village entrance. Walk 5 minutes east along the dirt road toward the water. No ticket required.

Spot #2: Xizhou Ancient Town Lakeside

Address: Xizhou Ancient Town, Dali. Head to the lakeside trail near the Dali Binhai Road.

Why it works: This spot offers a combination of old Bai architecture and the lake. I frame the flying eaves of a traditional courtyard with the lake in the background. The light here is special — the Cangshan Mountain blocks direct morning sun, so you get a soft, even illumination until 10 AM. Perfect for portraits.

Pro tip from my last group: Enter Xizhou through the north gate (free), walk straight past the market, and exit through the east gate. The trail is immediately on your left. At 8 AM, the local fishermen hang their nets by the shore — ask politely and they’ll let you photograph them for a small tip (10 RMB).

Entrance fee: Xizhou Ancient Town itself is free. No booking needed.

Spot #3: Haiyan Park Observation Deck

Address: Haiyan Park, near the southern tip of Erhai. You’ll see a small climbing trail off the main road.

Why it works: The park is built on a hill that rises 80 meters above the lake — one of the few elevated natural viewpoints. From the deck, you can see the entire southern basin, with Dali Ancient Town and Cangshan in the background. The perspective compresses the lake so it looks endless.

Beware: The park opens at 8:00 AM, but the ticket office starts selling at 7:30. Arrive at 7:20 to be first in line. The climb is 350 steps — not bad, but bring water. No elevator.

Ticket: 30 RMB per person (cash or WeChat). No need to book in advance; the queue moves fast.

Light note: This spot is best in the early morning (8:00-9:30). After 10 AM, the sun is behind the deck, lighting the lake from the front — flatness city. Skip it in the afternoon.

Spot #4: Shuanglang Ancient Town – The “Wrong Angle”

Every travel blogger tells you to shoot the famous “Heart of Erhai” viewing platform in Shuanglang. But that place is packed from 10 AM onward, and the composition is boring — a dusty platform with a heart-shaped frame. Here’s my alternative: walk 200 meters south from the platform to the stairs that descend to the old fishing harbor.

The exact location: Look for a small restaurant called “Old Man Fish” (no English sign, it’s on the waterfront). Next to it, stone steps go down to a tiny dock. The dock is broken, so step carefully.

Why it’s gold: From this low angle, you frame the harbor boats with the lake and the distant Cangshan. The water is calmer here, giving mirror reflections. I captured my best-selling print right here. No crowds, no tickets.

Transportation tip: Shuanglang is 50 km north of Dali. Take bus 8 from Dali Ancient Town to the west gate, then switch to a minibus to Shuanglang (20 RMB, 1 hour). Or rent a scooter from Dali (80 RMB/day).

Spot #5: Cangshan Mountain Panorama

Address: Cangshan Scenic Area, take the Gantong Cable Car up to mid-station.

Why it works: From 2,600 meters, the entire Erhai Lake unfolds below like a blue silk ribbon. The aerial perspective is unique — you can capture the lake’s shape and the patchwork of farmland.

Best time: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM in clear weather. The afternoon light skims across the lake, creating texture. Avoid midday (11-2) — the haze kills contrast.

Ticket & booking: The cable car ticket is 120 RMB round trip (includes park entry). Must book via the official WeChat mini-program “Cangshan Erhai Travel”; walk-up tickets often sell out by 11 AM. Bring your passport for verification.

Gear note: Carry a telephoto lens (70-200mm or similar). The lake appears small from up there — you need reach to isolate details like a boat or a village.

Best Time & Gear for Erhai Lake Shots

FAQ: Common Pitfalls Answered

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