Экскурсионный автобус вокруг озера Эрхай в Дали

The Dali Erhai Lake Sightseeing Bus is a dedicated hop-on hop-off double-decker service that traces a roughly 130-kilometer loop around the shore of Erhai Lake, stringing together nearly all of the lake's signature sights into a single flexible itinerary. For travelers who want a comprehensive tour of the lake without renting a car or e-bike, or for those who prefer the interpretive comfort of an organized route, it is one of the most convenient ways to see the Erhai basin.

The route passes through the full sequence of landscapes that define the Dali region. Starting from the old town area, it winds past the lakeside Bai villages of the west bank — Caicun, Longkan, Xizhou — continues north past the Cangshan foothills, then turns along the quieter east bank, where cliffs drop into the lake and the road threads through small resort settlements such as Shuanglang and the artistic enclave of "Ideal State." Throughout the journey, the constant backdrop is the layered silhouette of the Cangshan range on the opposite shore.

What makes the bus worthwhile is the way it links experiences that would otherwise require a separate vehicle. Stops typically include the Three Pagodas area, the Erhai Ecological Corridor, the historic villages, the Nanzhao Folk Island ferry terminal, and several scenic overlooks. Passengers can hop off where the view compels them, spend as long as they like, and catch the next bus onward. The glass-roofed upper deck turns the transit itself into a slow-moving panorama.

For first-time visitors, the sightseeing bus is also a useful orientation tool: a single loop reveals how the old town, the lake, the mountains, and the individual villages fit together, which makes planning subsequent days much easier. Allow a full day for the complete circuit, or pick two or three stops for a more leisurely half-day. Bring sun protection for the open upper deck, and try to ride on a clear day for the best of the Cangshan snow and the Erhai reflections.