Nanzhao Folklore Island (南诏风情岛) is one of the three main islands on Erhai Lake, sitting directly opposite Shuanglang town. It’s a 4A-rated scenic area that compresses over a thousand years of Dali’s Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom heritage into a compact, walkable island.
📍 Basics
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Northeast Erhai Lake, facing Shuanglang town |
| Duration | 1.5–3 hours |
| Best season | March–June (mild weather, flowers in bloom) |
🎫 Tickets & Fees
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance + round-trip ferry | CNY 50 (CNY 48 if booked online) |
| Island loop shuttle | CNY 20 (hop-on, hop-off) |
| Bai tie-dye workshop | ~CNY 30 |
| Bai costume rental | ~CNY 50 |
Discounts:
-
Children under 1.2 m: free (ferry fee only)
-
Children 1.2–1.4 m: half price
-
Seniors 70+, active military: free entry (ID required)
-
Spring Festival, Labor Day, National Day: 20% off
-
Dali Prefecture residents: free entry during March Street Festival & Prefecture Anniversary (ferry fee CNY 20 still applies)
⏰ Hours
-
Open: 08:00–17:30 year-round
-
Last entry: ~17:00
-
Last return ferry: ~17:00–18:00 (confirm at the dock — don’t miss it)
🚢 Getting There
From Shuanglang (most common):
-
Buy tickets at the south pier of Shuanglang town
-
Ferry ride: 5–10 minutes
-
Frequent departures; essentially hop-on when ready
From Dali Port / Longkan Pier:
-
Take the Erhai Lake cruise boat; Nanzhao Island is one of the stops
-
Cost: ~CNY 140 (includes onboard ethnic minority performances)
🗺️ Main Sights
| Site | What to See |
|---|---|
| Shayi Mother Sculpture Wharf | The first thing you see — a massive group sculpture based on the Bai creation myth from the Book of the Later Han |
| Fuxing Square (Acuoye Guanyin) | The island’s centerpiece: a towering white-jade Guanyin statue, reputedly the tallest of its kind |
| Nanzhao Palace / Summer Palace | Cultural exhibits on the Nanzhao Kingdom. Free guided tours at 10:00 and 14:00 |
| Bai Benzhu Culture Square | Displays on the Bai people’s native “Benzhu” deity worship |
| Artificial Beach | A sandy lakeside area popular for photos and wedding shoots |
| 500-Year-Old Banyan Tree | The island’s oldest resident — its canopy covers over 600 m² |
| Viewing Pavilion | 360° panoramas of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain |
🎭 Performances
-
Bai Three-Course Tea Show: 11:00 and 15:00 daily
-
Nanzhao Palace Guided Tour: 10:00 and 14:00 daily (free)
📸 Photo Tips
-
08:00 arrival: Fewest tourists, no queues for shots, and possible sunrise views from the pavilion (bring a jacket — it’s chilly)
-
16:00 arrival: Golden-hour light for portraits and lake reflections; enough time to explore before the last ferry
-
Artificial beach: A popular wedding-photo backdrop — romantic lakeside vibes
⚠️ Important Tips
-
Advance booking required: The island uses a reservation system. Book through the “Travel Yunnan” app or “Dali Tourism Group” WeChat mini-program, especially on weekends and holidays.
-
Don’t miss the last boat: The final return ferry leaves around 17:00–18:00. If you miss it, you’re staying overnight (and island accommodation is limited and pricey).
-
No shade: The island is mostly exposed. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are essential.
-
Windy: Lake breezes are constant; bring a light jacket.
-
Footwear: Wear comfortable flat shoes — you’ll be walking stone paths.
🗓️ How to Fit It Into Your Trip
Nanzhao Island is almost always paired with Shuanglang:
Half-Day Itinerary
-
Morning or afternoon: Ferry from Shuanglang → explore island (1.5–2 hrs) → return → sunset drinks on Shuanglang’s Hai Jie
Full-Day Shuanglang + Island
-
08:00: Ferry to Nanzhao Island (beat the crowds)
-
10:30: Back to Shuanglang; explore Yuji Island and Sun Palace
-
12:30: Lunch (sour-spicy fish, grilled rushan)
-
14:00: Stroll Hai Jie, café time
-
18:00: Sunset over the lake
The island is small — you can circle it on foot in about 30 minutes — but it’s densely packed with history, myth, and some of the best open-water views on Erhai. If you’re already in Shuanglang, it’s absolutely worth the half-day detour.