Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake next to Dianchi and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. It means, 'sea shaped like an ear', in Chinese. Implying that the lake is ear shaped and as large as a sea, hence it was so named. The Erhai Lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers (96 square miles) and is located about two kilometers (1.2 miles) east of Dali. It is like a crescent lying between Cangshan and Dali city as seen from Cangshan Mountain. In a sunny day, the crystal waters of Erhai Lake and the snow mantled Cangshan Mount radiate with each other. Thus the scene was commonly described as 'Silver Cangshan and Jade Erhai'.
There are a lot of ways to tour around the Erhai Lake but I suggested you the best two ways.
Cycling/Sightseeing Car/Electric Bike/Electric Car - No matter which type of transportation you are using, you need 2 days to complete the tour around the lake. The total distance is 128km. My suggestion is you leave your big luggage at the hotel you stay near Dali Ancient City and you travel light to Shuanglang Village to overnight. The next day, you continue your journey back to your hotel.
Cruise Tour - If you have limited days like I do, just take a cruise tour. The ticket price starts at CNY142/pax. They have a lot of private rooms for you to choose from. There are karaoke system in the room too. Additional charges will be imposed depending on the size of the room. Otherwise, just find a seat under the sun which is free.
There are 3 piers departing from for Erhai Lake cruise. All 3 piers with different route. If you know where you wish to go, just make sure you go to the pier where I will be listed it below:
From Erhai Lake Pier (Xiaguan Pier) around 8.00am - 9.00am, visit Nanzhao Folk Island and enjoy Bai People's Three Courses of Tea and arrive at Taoyuan Pier.
From Longkan Pier around 9.00am - 10.00am, visit Longquan Peninsula or Jinsuo Island, enjoy Bai's three Courses of Tea and arrive at Taoyuan Pier around 12.30pm - 1.00pm
From Taoyuan Pier around 1.30pm - 2.00pm, visit Nanzhao Folk Island and enjoy Bai's Three Courses of Tea and arrive at Longkan Pier around 5.30 - 6.00pm.
I took the cruise from Taoyuan Pier which is just opposite road of Butterfly Spring. Our first stop was at Nanzhao Folk Island. We were given a very limited time to stop by which is only 1 hour. That's how inflexible it is if you are joining a group tour.
Before you get to the Nanzhao Castle, you will see this big Bodhisattva Kwan-yin where you can say your prayer.
This is the Nanzhao Kingdom's castle which is now a 4-star hotel. Honestly, this hotel is badly managed. What a pity! They could have maintain it well with such a historical site. It is now looks like a ghost castle more than a hotel. The worst part is the hotel is not cheap at all.
In order to know more about Dali, you need to the whole history of it but I don't worry, I won't give you the history lesson here. I believe Master Google will help you more with that. All I can give is just a brief timeline of the Dali history.
The History of Dali
In 738, the Nanzhao Kingdom was established with Dali as its capital.
In 937, the Kingdom of Dali emerged.
By 1000, Dali was one of the 13 largest cities in the world.
In 1253, the Mongols conquered the city and ended the Kingdom of Dali.
In the early 1400s, the old Dali City was rebuilt by the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), and it still stands in a similar layout today.
Nanzhao Folk Island, also called Nanzhao Love Island, is one of the three islands in Erhai Lake. It is about five minutes from Shuanglang by cruise. Besides the hills, threes, beach, there are eight man-made sights to see - the Statues of "Mother Shayi", the Seascape Villas, the Guanyin Acuoye Statue on the Luck of Yunnan Square (Fuxing Square), the big hotel called the Nanzhao Summer Palace, the Square of the Patron Gods, a small amusement part on the beach, the Taihu Rocks and a View of Fishing Families. Travelers who visit Nanzhao Folk Island need to pay 50 Yuan and you'd better spend about 2 hours there. Since, I am joining the cruise tour, this fee has been included in.
Since there is still some time left, the cruise gave us a stopover for 30 minutes at Shuanglang Town. As I have mentioned before, if you are travelling using other transportation, it is recommended to stay a night at this town.
Shuanglang, the most scenic town around Erhai Lake, is located in the north of Dali and the northeast of Erhai Lake. For over a thousand years, the local Bai ethnic people here made their living fishing in the lake. And now the small tranquil village is popular with visitors unwinding and enjoying a slower tempo. Enjoy several hours or a peaceful night here to explore among the old alleys and traditional architecture or take a boat out on Erhai Lake or kick back and do very little.
For your information, the mountain behind this Shuanglang town is a graveyard for the locals here. It is kinda spooky if you think of it.
Another weird about this town there is a Jimsonweed tree which is also known as the Devil's Trumpet. Usually use in traditional medicine to relieve asthma symptoms and as an analgesic during surgery or bonesetting. All parts of Jimsonweed contain dangerous levels of the tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, which are classified as deliriants, or anticholinergics. The risk of fatal overdose is high among uninformed users, and many hospitalizations occur amongst recreational users who ingest the plant for its psychoactive effects
Dali is famous with a celebrity named Yang Liping. She is the director, choreographer and star of a performance art show called "Dynamic Yunnan" that has drawn sellout crowds all over China. She is currently a judge on So You Think You Can Dance China. Basically you will see her face all around Dali especially at Dali Ancient Town. And the picture above was her home and now is a hotel.
30 minutes is really not enough for us to do anything here. We didn't fully explore the entire place. It was a pity.
So I would highly recommend you to travel by yourself around the lake. You can see more things and will not miss all the tourist spots such as Little Putuo Island, Jinsuo Island, Luoquan Peninsula, Erhai Park, Xizhou Ancient Town and Zhoucheng.
The only advantage I can think of for taking the cruise tour is able to see the performance of Ba's Three Courses of Tea. While you were watching their dance performance, you will be served 3 cups of tea by the Bai's tribe. The teas are salty, bitter and sweet. I have editing some of their performance in the video clip below. Do enjoy.
After the show, you can take picture with the dancers there and also watching the seagulls following the cruise all the way to the Longkan pier. It was an amazing sight which I have captured them and included in this post below.
Overall, the Erhai Lake is awesome. However, the best way to enjoy this lake is not via cruise tour. You have to travel all by yourself. So if you have more people in your trip, it will be more fun!
I used to whine that Japanese cuisine in Johor Bahru is horrifying and disappointing until I meet Warakuya Japanese Garden at Mount Austin. From the exterior itself, this restaurant looks so grand and luxury. The first thing comes to my mind is the price will be hefty. However, when I saw the queue in front of the restaurant, I already doubt their price is going to be really expensive. I know people just loves good food but at the minimum price. Who doesn't anyway? One of the best part of the restaurant is they are providing 42" LCD TV, free flow of drinks and seating area for the queue. You will never know time flies when you are having those things at the waiting area. Something that Sushi Zanmai needs to consider. Mango Sushi @RM11.90++ Outlook: 5/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 - The moment I put the whole piece into my mouth, the sweetness of the mango already started to pamper my tongue. Once the biting started, the sweet taste is ge...
I have been always wanted to get hold of a real gun and shoot like James Bond, Neo in Matrix and Max Payne. I have invited my buddy, Suyin who is very interested in it as well to accompany me. Thanks to ILoveDiscounts , this dream is no longer a dream and it is made possible and affordable to everyone. The link of the deal as follows: RM105 for a handgun experience + 25 Rounds of Ammo Before we attend, we are required to submit our passport photo, photocopy of our IC and filling up their Vetting form. The documents are required for a background check to eliminate those who has criminal record especially related to gun. 14 working days are required to run the check. After that, it is compulsory to attend their briefing which is lasting at most 2 hours to learn and understand the safety rules. At the same time, to learn the basic techniques in shooting. Since this is a real gun and it is not a gun we are playing in a fun fair, we must adhere to their strict rules not just for prot...
Never know about this place until I watched Ah Xian from the TV Programme which is known as "Taste with Jason". This restaurant is known as Chong Siew Lam Restaurant. No signboard to show this place but this is the only the crowded place in the whole street. They only serve for lunch so do expect great crowd roaming to this place between 12.00pm to 2.00pm. Steamed Tilapia Fish Head @RM20.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 4/5 Overall: 4/5 - Tilapia is a freshwater fish and the best is to steam it. Without a doubt, they did it very well. The meat is so fresh but what is the best part is the gravy. Not sure how they made it but it brings a little wine taste in it with spicy kick. Absolutely uniquely delicious! Steam Salted Chicken @RM22.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - By steaming the chicken like that, the gravy has already penetrated the entire chicken meat. If you just eat the chicken itself, it i...
Not really much entertainment in Sandakan even though they are just beside the sea. No nice beach for water activities and the nearest island like Pulau Selingan and Turtle Island are about 90 minutes away. As for the town itself, basically is this bowling centre called Champ's which has a very nice and good condition bowling alley, bowling shoes and bowling bowls if to compare with bowling centres like in KL. Not very big at all for their bowling centre which only has 12 lanes. Their shoes look so new! Here is a demonstration on how to bowl. Looks pro...I wonder how is the end result. So what do guys think? Is it a strike? They have a lounge here as well. And a cafe too! The price of the bowling is cost at RM4.80 per game per pax. We went at their most peak hours so their price basically has not much different than our KL City price. As for the bowling shoes is chargeable at RM2.00 per pax. FYI, the prices not inclusive government ta...
Kampua is the most famous local delicacies in Sibu. It is as famous as Kolok Mee at Kuching. For your information, both Kampua and Kolok Mee are almost the same. It is just different dialect to translate the word of "dry noodle". Kampua is from Foochow and Kolok Mee is from Hokkien. Another difference is the way they prepare them. Kampua has 3 type of sauces to accompany to dry noodle which are soy sauce, white sauce and spicy sauce. While Kolok Mee has only 2 type of sauces which are red sauce and white sauce. Red sauce is nothing to do with spicy sauce. It is just coloring. So today, I have been brought to one of the famous Kampua in Sibu which is at Soon Hock Cafe & Restaurant. Wait no more and let's see. Sarawak Laksa @RM4.50 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - Not much difference in taste if to compare with the one that I had at Golden Arch Cafe, Kuching. Both are equally good. However, the prawns here are sligh...
This is my first time dining at Sentul and glad to know this great Chinese restaurant which is known as Restoran Makanan Laut Lau Heong. This is the crowd at 6.00pm on Sunday. Crazy right? Let you see from another angle. They just own one shop lot but seems like owning an extra 4 parking space but still they are people standing and waiting for their seat including me! Curry Fish Head @RM25.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - This is their signature. You can choose a normal fish meat or a fish head like this. The curry is not really spicy at all. It contains more coconut milk taste than the curry itself. The fragrance of the curry and the coconut milk work perfectly. I can smell it before it is served. The fish heads are soft, tender, fresh and delicious. Highly recommend to everyone to try. Ginger Squid and Prawn @RM18.00 Outlook: 4/5 Creativity: 5/5 Taste: 5/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: 4/5 - Hardly taste the ginger but what makes me...
Have you ever visited a restaurant which is highly recommended by a tv programme? This is my first time and the restaurant name is Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice. This restaurant is recommended by Axian (阿贤) in "Taste with Jason" Programme. I like this restaurant is they really 100% using charcoal to make their claypot rice. So the waiting for the claypot rice will take a while. It is best to call them 45 minutes earlier before your arrival so you will reduce your waiting time especially to those who has limited lunch time to spend. The response were extremely great during the lunch session seems like the tv programme has increased their fame. Pig Stomach with White Pepper Soup @RM9.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 3/5 Taste: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 - The pepper taste is quite strong to remove any awkward taste from the pig stomach. This is the best dish I had on that day. You Mak @RM6.00 Outlook: 2/5 Creativity: 1/5 Taste: 3/5 Price: 2/5 Overall: ...
My sister and I has been talking about Sekinchan for more than half a year and we still not managed to schedule our time right for this trip up until now. Finally, we managed to ignore everything we were suppose to do and concentrate for this trip. We started our journey at 11.00am using old road without using any highway to reach Sekinchan. It took us almost 2 hours to reach there. Actually 2 hours is a normal duration if you are using highway, so I am considering myself driving fast and furious along sharp curve zig-zag road and small kampung road. I know my sister already having her cold sweat running over her body. Therefore, my advice is not to use old road. Hahaha...I know actually I should say: "my advice is do not drive fast when using the old road" but I really do not know how to drive slow. Somehow the car automatically accelerate itself. LOL Anyway when we reached there, it is already almost time for lunch. So I took her to a seafood restaurant called Resto...
After an overrated trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, I had my disappointment redeemed by visiting Shika Snow Mountain. The highest point that we can go as a tourist is only 4500m instead of 4680m at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. However, it is fine by us for many reasons so do read on. It is quite easy to get to the snow mountain from Shangri-la because it stands 4 miles (7 kilometers) to the southwest of the county. Take bus line 9 from Shangri-la Passenger Station, and get off at the terminus. The bus is available from 7.30am to 5.00pm at hourly intervals. The fare is CNY 3. Take a taxi to the scenic area at about CNY 30 for a single trip. Charter a car, and it costs about CNY 60 for a round trip. You should agree a time with the driver for him to pick you up for the return trip. I took the option 3 which is the convenient options ever as you don't have to waste time to take the bus. The bus is not bad actually for just CNY3 for the fare but the bus took an hour t...
It does not need to study a rocket science to know a restaurant which is meant to bait the tourist but somehow I still ended up in there. The place is called Restoran Ocean King Seafood. Pretty frustrated for me at that time. Very nice red carpet ready to bait you in. This restaurant is built on top of the sea. They have their own "Kelong" type of aquarium to rear their own fishes and other sea creatures. Look at their fish is so real big! I always never get to order fish because fish is just too big for us who always having two pax to dine all the time. Sea snails which later you will see them on my plate. Very limited lobster to choose from. "Pissing" prawn? Clams and see them on my plate below. Clams with Ginger & Onion @RM10.00 Outlook: 3/5 Creativity: 2/5 Taste: 3/5 Price: 3/5 Overall: 2/5 - Yes, their clams are quite big in size but I am not really impress with the taste of the ginger and onion which are barely reach...
Comments
Post a Comment