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Shuanglang Fishing Village双廊渔村
Laid-back Bai fishing village on Erhai's east shore facing Nanzhao Folk Island, with lakeside courtyards and Cangshan views — Dali's favourite place to unwind.
Dali · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Shuanglang Fishing Village worth visiting?
A Bai fishing village on Erhai Lake's east shore near Dali, beloved for lazing by the water; free entry, Nanzhao Folk Island 50 yuan, 40 min minibus (15 yuan) from Dali Old Town.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Village free; Nanzhao Folk Island CNY 50 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open all day (shops 09:00-20:00) |
| Recommended duration | 1-2 days (an overnight is worth it) |
| Best time to visit | Any season; spring and autumn have the clearest skies |
| How to get there | Minibus from Dali Old Town to Shuanglang (about 40 min, CNY 15); or hire a car / cycle |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Address | Shuanglang Town, Dali, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan |
| Type | Fishing village / arts town |
| Location | East shore of Erhai Lake |
| Known for | Bai fishing heritage, lake scenery, lakefront cafes |
What to expect
Shuanglang, old name Yizhuang, sits on the east shore of Erhai Lake opposite Nanzhao Folk Island and is one of the best-preserved fishing villages on the lake. Grey-tiled, whitewashed Bai houses step down the hillside to the water, facing Dali Old Town and the nineteen peaks of the Cangshan range across the lake — water wraps the village on one side, mountain rises behind it. The name Shuanglang ('twin corridors') refers to the two shore-side walkways where villagers once watched the lake and fished.
Having kept its fishing-village fabric while adding a dense supply of lake-view guesthouses, Shuanglang has become Dali's most artistic retreat. Lanes wind between lakefront cafes, small inns and artists' studios. The sights include Nanzhao Folk Island (reached by ferry), Yuji Island — home of dancer Yang Liping's Sun Palace and Moon Palace — and the Hongshan Jingdi Temple. The Sun Palace, made famous by a documentary, cannot be entered, but its exterior is the village landmark.
Slow living is Shuanglang's real draw: sunrise from a lakefront cafe, an evening bike ride along the shore, stargazing after dark. The food centres on Erhai fish and Bai cooking — silverfish omelette, fish in claypot, sour-and-hot fish. Developed early and well equipped, it makes an ideal base for exploring the lake's east shore.
How to get there
From Dali Old Town's east gate (Erhai Gate) a minibus runs to Shuanglang (about CNY 15, 40 minutes, every half hour); a hired car takes about 30 minutes. The east-shore lake road is flat and good for cycling — allow about 2 hours from the old town.
Best photo spots
- The lakefront side of the main street with the Cangshan range across the water
- The water around the Nanzhao Folk Island ferry pier
- The exterior of Yang Liping's Sun Palace on Yuji Island
- The village under the sunset glow on Erhai Lake
Tips
- Stay a night if you can — early morning and dusk are when Erhai is calmest and at its best
- Lake-view guesthouses vary widely and prices spike in peak season, so book well ahead
- The ferry to Nanzhao Folk Island is short (15 minutes) and the CNY 50 ticket is mediocre value for the time you get on the island
- The main street to Yuji Island is a 10-minute walk; the Sun Palace exterior is free and needs no booking
Scams to avoid
- Some guesthouses raise prices on arrival or downgrade rooms in peak season — book through platforms for protection
- Photographers offering to shoot you by the lake may demand payment afterwards — agree the price first
- Restaurants are pricey and much alike; check reviews and eat where locals go
- Lake boat tours sold by touts come with no safety guarantees — don't chase the cheap price
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in Shuanglang or Dali Old Town?
They complement each other. The old town has fuller services and more sights but is more commercial; Shuanglang is quieter and better for unwinding, with simpler services. Try both, one or two nights each.
Can you see the sunrise over Erhai in Shuanglang?
Shuanglang faces west, which makes it a sunset spot for the Cangshan skyline. For sunrise, head to the village's west side or out on the water — the lake's best sunrise is actually from the west shore towards Dali Old Town.
Is getting to Lijiang from Shuanglang convenient?
Yes. Trains from Dali to Lijiang take about 2 hours, or buses from the old town station about 3 hours. Shuanglang is about 1 hour's drive from Dali railway station.
Read next
Other things to do in Dali
Dali Ancient Town
One of China's first 24 Historic and Cultural Cities, founded in 1382 and free to enter — Yunnan's best Bai architecture, marble crafts and Three-Course Tea. Allow 1-2 days with Erhai Lake.
Three Pagodas of Dali and Reverse Reflection Park
Dali's iconic three-pagoda complex from the 9th-century Tang era, with Qianxun Pagoda 69.13 m tall; entry 75 yuan, open 08:00-19:00, famed for pagoda reflections in the pond.
Erhai Lake
Yunnan's second-largest freshwater lake: about 250 sq km at 1,972 m elevation, up to 21 m deep, ringed by a free 130 km eco-corridor. Allow 1-2 days for the circuit.
Weishan Ancient City (Yunnan's First City)
One of Yunnan's best-preserved ancient towns — birthplace of the Nanzhao kingdom and source of the Red River — quiet, unvarnished and worth 1-2 unhurried days.
Xizhou Bai Ethnic Ancient Town
Dali's largest Bai settlement, with beautifully preserved traditional architecture — the setting of the classic film Five Golden Flowers; Yan Family Compound CNY 35.