01City Guide
Butterfly Spring
蝴蝶泉
All Ages
Admission
Adult admission is commonly CNY 40. Extra entertainment projects, photos, and some on-site services can charge separately.
Typical Visit
1.5-2.5 hours
Quick Facts
Ticket
The public town area is free to enter. Yan Family Courtyard, field train products, workshops, cafes, and photo services charge separately.
Hours
The town streets are open all day. Courtyards, shops, field train services, cafes, and workshops keep their own hours.
Transport
No metro. Travel from Dali Old Town by taxi, ride-hailing, local bus, sightseeing bus, chartered car, or as part of an Erhai west-shore route.
Duration
2-4 hours
Best Time
Spring and autumn; field scenery changes with planting and harvest seasons
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Enter through the main town area
Start around the main gate and central streets to see Bai-style houses, snack shops, and the main walking area before moving out toward the fields.
Tip:The town is compact, so do not rush.
2
Use the corner building as a quick landmark
The well-known corner building is popular for photos. Go early if you want a cleaner view, then move on instead of waiting too long.
Tip:This is a photo stop, not the whole reason to visit Xizhou.
3
Add one structured Bai house visit
If you want context, choose a courtyard such as Yan Family Courtyard to understand Bai residential layout and local merchant history.
Tip:This makes the visit more useful than only walking shops.
4
Finish with fields or snacks
Walk toward the fields when the crops are in season, or use the central streets for Xizhou baba and other simple local snacks.
Tip:Field scenery depends on the agricultural season.
Highlights
- A manageable old town with stronger Bai architecture than Dali Old Town
- Local snacks, especially Xizhou baba, near the central streets
- Field views near the town edge when crops are in season
- Useful stop on an Erhai west-shore route
- A good alternative if Dali Old Town feels too commercial
Insider Tips
✦Arrive before late morning if you want fewer people around the photo spots.
✦Do not pay for every small experience; choose one courtyard or workshop if it matches your interest.
✦Check field conditions by season because the famous field views are not constant year-round.
✦Keep Xizhou as a half-day stop unless you are adding cafes, crafts, or a slow lunch.
✦Use a car or sightseeing bus if combining Xizhou with Longkan, Caicun, or the ecological corridor.
More Dali Attractions
02City Guide
Caicun Pier
才村码头
All Ages
Admission
Caicun Pier and nearby public lakefront areas are free to visit. Budget separately for bikes, carts, parking, food, cafes, and boat or local services.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours; longer if cycling the corridor
03City Guide
Cangshan Mountain
苍山
Adults Focused
Admission
Cangshan Geological Park admission is commonly CNY 35. Cableways are separate and vary by route; Ximatan, Gantong, and Zhonghe cableway products can differ by season and package.
Typical Visit
3-6 hours depending on cableway and walking route
04Urban Landmark
Chongsheng Temple and Three Pagodas
崇圣寺三塔文化旅游区
All Ages
Admission
Adult admission is commonly CNY 75. Sightseeing cart products are separate, with uphill and round-trip options often sold at different prices.
Typical Visit
2-4 hours
05City Guide
Erhai Ecological Corridor
洱海生态廊道
All Ages
Admission
There is no single entry ticket for the public corridor. Budget for bikes, approved electric carts, sightseeing carts, parking, cafes, and route transfers.
Typical Visit
1-2 hours for a short section; half day for a longer ride
06City Guide
Erhai Lake
洱海
All Ages
Admission
Erhai Lake itself is not a single gated ticket attraction. Budget separately for bikes, electric carts, parking, boat rides, cafes, and individual villages or islands.
Typical Visit
Half day for one shore section; 1-2 days for a relaxed loop