Eryuan County

Eryuan County, under the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, is located in the northern part of Dali Prefecture. It is named after the source of Erhai Lake. The county covers an area of approximately 2,614 square kilometers, with a permanent population of about 268,000 as of 2023, and administers 6 towns and 3 townships. It is a Bai ethnic enclave, with Bai people accounting for over 70% of the population, featuring unique Bai culture, hot spring resources, and lake wetlands. Eryuan County is the source of Erhai Lake, known as the "Source of Erhai," and is home to plateau lakes such as Cibi Lake, West Lake, and Haixi Lake, as well as a geothermal hot spring belt, earning it the reputation of "Hot Spring Town." Its history dates back to the Nanzhao period of the Tang Dynasty, and it was established as Dengchuan Prefecture during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, renamed Eryuan County in 1958. As an important part of the Dali tourism circle, Eryuan County features hot spring wellness, lake wetland sightseeing, and Bai folk customs, making it an ecological haven away from the hustle and bustle.

I. Core Attractions

1. Cibi Lake (about 3 km from the county seat) - Opening hours: All day, best visiting time 8:00-18:00 - Ticket: Free (some boat tours charge about 30-50 yuan/person) - Features: Source lake of Erhai, emerald green water, with the "Water Flower Tree" phenomenon (underground hot springs bubbling up like blooming flowers). You can cycle around the lake or take a boat tour. Nearby Liyuan Village is famous for pear blossoms in spring.

2. Dali West Lake (about 12 km from the county seat, in Yousuo Town) - Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 - Ticket: About 50 yuan/person (including boat ride) - Features: National Wetland Park, with six villages and seven islands in the lake, surrounded by Bai folk houses. Take a boat through the reeds to spot rare birds like purple swamphen. Nearby farmhouses offer "West Lake Fish Feast," recommended for sour and spicy fish.

3. Haixi Lake (about 20 km from the county seat, in Niujie Township) - Opening hours: All day - Ticket: Free - Features: Plateau freshwater lake with clear water, surrounded by mountains. Suitable for camping, fishing, and photography. Wildflowers bloom along the shore in summer.

4. Geothermal Hot Spring Belt (mainly around the county seat and Niujie Township) - Recommended hot springs: Eryuan Hot Spring City (in the county seat, ticket about 80-120 yuan/person), Niujie Hot Spring (Niujie Township, some free wild springs) - Features: Water temperature 40-90°C, rich in sulfur, calcium, magnesium, etc. There are many hot spring hotels in the county, such as "Diguo" Hot Spring Resort, offering private baths and public pools.

5. Bird Diaoshan (about 30 km from the county seat, in Fengyu Town) - Opening hours: All day - Ticket: Free - Features: Migratory bird passage, with large numbers of migratory birds passing through in autumn (August-October). The mountaintop has alpine meadows, suitable for hiking and birdwatching.

II. Local Cuisine and Specialties

1. Eryuan Rushan: Traditional Bai cheese, made by curdling milk and stretching into sheets. Can be grilled, fried, or steamed. Recommended to buy fresh rushan at "Rushan Fang" in the county seat, about 20 yuan/portion. 2. Dengchuan Milk: Highland milk from Dengchuan Town, rich in flavor, can be made into yogurt or milk cake. Available at local breakfast shops, about 5 yuan/cup. 3. Cibi Lake Fish: Wild crucian carp and carp from the lake. Recommended "Cibi Lake Fish Village" for sour and spicy fish hotpot (about 60 yuan/person). 4. Hot Spring Boiled Eggs: Eggs boiled in hot spring water, with tender yolks. Available near Niujie Hot Spring, about 2 yuan each.

III. Transportation Guide

1. External Transportation: - Dali Airport to Eryuan county seat is about 80 km. Take airport bus to Dali Ancient City, then transfer to a minibus (about 1.5 hours, fare about 30 yuan). - Dali Railway Station to Eryuan: Take a minibus to Eryuan from the station square (about 1.5 hours, fare about 35 yuan). - Self-driving: From Dali Ancient City, take Dali Expressway (G5611) to Dengchuan exit, then north on National Highway 214 for about 20 km.

2. Internal Transportation: - Taxi starting fare in the county seat is 5 yuan. Charter a car for sightseeing (about 200-300 yuan for a full day). - Rural passenger buses connect townships (e.g., Eryuan to Yousuo Town fare about 10 yuan, 30 minutes).

IV. Recommended Itineraries

One-day tour: Eryuan county seat → Cibi Lake → Dali West Lake → return for hot spring Two-day tour: Day 1 Eryuan county seat → Cibi Lake → Haixi Lake (camping) Day 2 Bird Diaoshan hiking → Niujie Hot Spring → return