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Real-Life Lalaland Scene
Photographers come to Zhemo Mountain to shoot a real-life 'La La Land' style scene overlooking Erhai Lake.
YUNNAN · DALI · EXPERIENCE
Written and signed by Ivy Chen
Dali Hidden Gems Experience
5 offbeat Dali routes from ancient Naxi towns to lakeside villages, Cangshan meadows and heritage streets.
Written and signed by Ivy ChenWhat it actually is
A curated 5-day journey through Dali's most authentic off-the-beaten-path experiences, from ancient Naxi towns and alpine meadows to serene lakeside villages and historical passes — discover the landscapes, flavours and stories that most tourists miss.
Editor's take
Ivy ChenWritten and signed by
The verdict
"Worth it if you come for slow lake days, the back-road old towns, and early-morning Erhai — and if you skip the paid photo-op traps like the Zhemu sunset platform. Go on your own wheels, pick a clear-weather day, and manage expectations. If you're only chasing the viral S-bend shot or you can't stand crowds and pay-per-photo commercialization, I'd skip it."
What's great
Erhai Lake is the real draw and it holds up — the Cang'er Road lakeshore walk toward Longkan pier and the quieter hidden shoreline are where Dali actually feels calming rather than staged.
Go for the ancient towns off the main circuit — Shaxi and Weishan old street are slower and more genuine than the built-up lakefront, and Weishan in particular gets called out as more interesting than the famous stops.
This works best if you rent a scooter or hire a local moto driver for the day (people pay ~100 yuan to get shuttled around the S-bend area) — it's far cheaper and easier than fighting lake-road traffic in a car.
Views live and die by weather and light — clear sun makes Erhai and Cangshan; overcast days people flatly describe the water as looking washed-out, so plan flexible days and shoot early morning.
Worth knowing
It's heavily commercialized — every photogenic pullout charges a fee, cafes near the shore run a ~48 yuan/person minimum, and repeat visitors say it's lost a lot of its original character.
Crowds and traffic are real, especially the S-bend and lakeside photo spots. The lake road jams up, and if you're only there for the postcard shot you'll be sharing it with a lot of people.
The Zhemu Mountain (Banshanyue) sunset spot draws the loudest complaints — it's a paid photo setup that basically needs a hired photographer to be worth it, and solo visitors say don't bother.
Erhai's water quality gets flat honest criticism, and on a grey day the scenery genuinely underwhelms — several people came away disappointed comparing it to lakes and coastlines back home.
Grounded in 86+ real traveller reviews. Distilled by our editors from real traveller reviews on Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
Good to know
Layers year-round —Plateau UV intense
Xizhou rice cakes & Erhai fish
Shaxi & Shuanglang boutique inns
Motorbike 50 CNY/day; buses between towns
Check cable car status before Cangshan
5-Day Dali Off-the-Beaten-Path
A curated 5-day journey through Dali's most authentic hidden gems, from ancient Naxi towns and alpine meadows to serene lakeside villages and historical passes, offering a genuine alternative to mainstream tourist circuits.
- 1
Dali Ancient Town· 2-3 hrs
Glass ball photography, local market culture
- 2
Zhemu Mountain· 2-3 hrs
Sunset over Erhai, panoramic photography
Shared car ~80 CNY/person round trip
- 3
Shaxi Ancient Town· Half day
Authentic Naxi architecture, riverside tea houses
Day buses from Dali bus station
- 4
Cangshan Mountain· 4-6 hrs
Alpine meadows, 4-season in 1 day, cable car to 3900m
Choose longest cable car; bring warm layer even in summer
- 5
Shuanglang· Half day
Coastal walkway, fairy-tale sea views, artisan cafes
Rent e-bike along the lake
- 6
Weishan Old Street· 3-4 hrs
Living Bai culture, intangible heritage workshops
High-speed train Dali-Weishan 30 min
- 7
Dragon's Tail Pass· 2 hrs
Nanzhao heritage, local snacks, film location
Combine with Weishan in same day
Trending now
Zhemu Mountain Sunset
At 2800m elevation, Zhemu Mountain offers Dali's most iconic sunset photography vantage point overlooking Erhai Lake. The landscape dramatically resembles LA's hills, earning it the nickname 'Lalaland Dali.' Best visited before 6 PM for the blue-hour lights. Admission is about CNY 30 per person.
Shaxi Ancient Town
A perfectly preserved Ming-Qing Naxi town, Shaxi stands apart from commercialized tourist spots with its authentic tea-house culture along the Black River and traditional Bai minority architecture. Featured in the Chinese TV drama 'Place Where the Wind Goes.' About 2-3 hours by bus from Dali Ancient Town.
Shuanglang Coastal Walk
The most romantic stretch of Erhai's eastern shore, Shuanglang is celebrated for its white-walled villages, azure waters, and the famous 'Lalaland' viewpoint. A leisurely 2-hour walk along the lakeside reveals hidden cafes, guesthouses, and stunning lakeside terraces.
Cangshan Mountain Hike
Cangshan's three major peaks and pristine alpine meadows offer a complete four-season experience in a single day. The cable car reaches 3900m where snow persists even in summer, while the lower trails wind through ancient pine forests and cascading streams. A truly immersive nature escape.
Weishan Old Street
Step into a living museum of traditional Bai culture on Weishan's historic Moonflower Street, where century-old shops, intangible cultural heritage workshops — including wama cats (traditional cloth cat toys) and jiaoma woodblock prints (a local woodblock printing art) — and authentic local snacks like the eight-bowl feast create an unforgettable journey through time.
Hidden Erhai Lakeshore
Escape the crowds at this lesser-known lakeside spot just minutes from Dali Ancient Town, where century-old trees frame calm waters perfect for quiet afternoon contemplation. The peaceful atmosphere and unspoiled natural scenery offer a stark contrast to the busy tourist zones.
Dragon's Tail Pass
Dragon's Tail Pass (Longwei Pass) in Xiaguan is a Nanzhao-era strategic pass now transformed into a cultural corridor of traditional wooden houses, art galleries, and authentic local eateries. The TV drama 'Sitan' was filmed here, adding historical weight to this photogenic old quarter.
Photo spots
Xiaohongshu
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Erhai Fishing-Lantern Shot
From Zhemo Mountain you can capture Erhai Lake with its fishing lanterns, a signature image of the spot.
Xiaohongshu
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Sunset View Point
One traveler shot here in the moments before sunset (around 17:26), with the golden light over the landscape.
Xiaohongshu
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Blue Hour View Point
The same spot is great just before the blue hour (around 18:20) for deep-blue twilight photos.
Xiaohongshu
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Staged Photo Sets
Most of the photogenic spots on Zhemo Mountain are fenced, human-made staged scenes built for photography.
Xiaohongshu
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Zhemo Mountain Lookout
Zhemo Mountain is recommended by travelers as one of Dali's worthwhile photo locations.
Signature plays
Xiaohongshu
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Pay-Per-Entry Photo Scenes
Most shooting spots on the mountain are enclosed staged setups that charge an entry fee of about 30 RMB per person.
Xiaohongshu
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Carpool Up to Zhemo Mountain
It is hard to get a taxi back to town from the mountain, so travelers recommend carpooling, chartering a car or self-driving. Carpooling costs around 80 RMB per person for the round trip between Zhemo Mountain and the old town.
Xiaohongshu
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Shoot Sunset to Blue Hour
Plan your shoot around the light: travelers caught the sunset scene before about 17:26 and the blue-hour scene before about 18:20, using a telephoto framing (around 70mm, or a 3x phone lens).
