Er Hai Lake

Address: Erhai Lake, Dali, Yunnan Province, China

Er Hai is a large freshwater lake in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, lying immediately east of Dali city and west of the Cangshan Mountains. It is one of the region’s principal natural landmarks and an important freshwater basin.

The lake is roughly 40 kilometers long with a surface area in the order of 250 square kilometres and sits at high elevation on the Yunnan Plateau. It supports fisheries, local irrigated agriculture, and a lakeside road network used for tourism and commuting.

Er Hai is ringed by small towns and villages, with bays, peninsulas, and ferries connecting settlements; it is widely used for short excursions from Dali for cycling around the lakeshore, boat rides, and visits to waterside communities. Water-management and conservation efforts have been undertaken in recent decades to address pollution and ecological health.

Er Hai lies immediately east of Dali city on the Yunnan Plateau, with the Cangshan mountain range forming the lake’s western backdrop.

• Size: The lake is about 40 kilometers long and covers roughly 250 square kilometers at high water, making it one of Yunnan’s largest highland lakes.
• Visitor access: A ring road and local services make the lake a popular short excursion from Dali for cycling, boat trips, and visits to waterside villages.

Erhai Lake is immediately north of Dali Old Town. Dali is readily accessed by train from Kunming (about 2-3 hours) or by flight. From Dali, local buses and taxis reach various piers and towns around the lake; cycling the lakeside is a popular way to explore.

• Take the lakeside road for sunset views-the light on the Cangshan hills transforms the water into a sheet of copper in late afternoon.
• Hire a bicycle or e-bike to circle portions of the lake (full circuit is 100+ km)-many travelers choose day hops between towns like Dali Ancient Town and Xiaguan.
• Avoid the main tourist piers at noon; mornings are quieter for boat trips and birdwatching along the reed beds.