Jinsuo Island (Golden Shuttle Island), Dali, Yunnan
Jinsuo Island is the largest island on Erhai Lake and the only one with permanent residents, located off the coast of Haidong Town, Dali. From above, the island resembles a weaving shuttle lying across the water, giving it its poetic name — “Golden Shuttle.” The Ming Dynasty poet Li Yuanyang once wrote: “A winged rock born like a golden shuttle, wishing to weave silver waves upon the water.”
🏝️ Island Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Area | ~740,000 m²; roughly 2 km long and 370 m wide |
| Elevation | 76.6 m above sea level |
| Population | 600+ households, ~1,600 residents, mostly Bai ethnic group |
| Ancient Name | “Shari Shuicheng” (Water City of Relics) — a summer retreat for Nanzhao kings |
| Climate | Annual average 20.1°C; mild year-round, ideal for wellness tourism |
📜 History & Legend
The Weaver’s Shuttle: Legend tells of a celestial fairy, moved by the beauty of Erhai Lake and the kindness of Bai fishermen, who cast her beloved golden shuttle into the water. It became Jinsuo Island, while her silver shuttle became the nearby uninhabited Yinsuo (Silver Shuttle) Island.
Nanzhao Summer Palace: During the Nanzhao Kingdom (738–902), the island’s serene beauty and cool climate made it a royal summer retreat named “Shari Shuicheng.” It once featured a Sea-Gazing Tower, Fishing Terrace, and imperial gardens where the royal family escaped the summer heat.
🌟 Must-See Attractions
1. Dragon Palace Cave (Yulong Palace)
Hidden inside the island lies a natural karst cave stretching roughly 1,300–1,500 meters, filled with fantastical stalactites. Inside, an underground theater hosts Bai ethnic song-and-dance performances inspired by fishing life — including “Flower of the Sea,” “Ottelia Acuminata,” and “Fishing Dance.” It perfectly embodies the local saying: “A sea with an island, an island with a cave, a cave with a view.”
2. Three-Star Benzhu Temple
The island’s patron deity (Benzhu) is Three Zhang Princes. The temple bears a couplet: “Among the splendid rivers and mountains, Golden Shuttle Island holds its place; across the glorious land of the motherland, Shari Shuicheng stands alone.” Every year on the 23rd day of the 8th lunar month, the Benzhu Festival features opera, traditional ballads, and thrilling rituals like “climbing the knife ladder.”
3. Bai Fishing Village
Jinsuo Island preserves the most intact fishing culture on Erhai Lake. Fishing boats, nets, and cormorants are still part of daily life. Stroll the island’s ring road and you’ll see elderly women frying fresh shrimp, children playing by the water, and a pace of life unchanged for centuries.
4. Best Spot for “Moon Over Erhai”
The island’s position in the middle of the lake makes it the ultimate place to witness “Moon Over Erhai” — one of Dali’s legendary “Four Scenic Wonders” (Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon). When the full moon rises, its light shatters into countless stars on the water around the island. On nights when fishing lights dot the horizon, it feels like the Milky Way has fallen into the lake.
🎭 Three Major Bai Festivals
| Festival | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Welcoming the Benzhu | 22nd–23rd of 1st lunar month | The island’s grandest celebration; villagers carry the deity in procession with drums and gongs. Visitors may be invited to join the feast. |
| Torch Festival | 25th of 6th lunar month | Honors Lady Baijie. Visitors can join locals in “scattering torches,” creating spectacular fire cascades with pine resin powder. |
| Benzhu Festival | 23rd of 8th lunar month | Worship at the Three-Star Temple; features traditional ballads, knife-ladder climbing, and biting red-hot plowshares. |
🎫 Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tickets | Round-trip ferry ~¥20; ferry + Dragon Palace Cave combo ticket ~¥168 (confirm at gate) |
| Ferry | From Jinsuo Island Pier in Haidong Town; crossing takes ~5 minutes |
| Opening Hours | ~09:00–18:00 |
| Recommended Visit | Half day to full day |
| Contact | 0872-2479333 |
🚗 Getting There
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Self-Drive / Taxi — Navigate to “Jinsuo Island Pier” (Haidong Town). Parking is available at the pier.
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Bus — From Dali Railway Station, take the “Xiaguan–Haidong” bus line to Jinsuo Island Station, then walk ~20 m to the pier.
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Ring-Road Itinerary — Combine with nearby eastern-lake attractions: Ideal Bay (“Santorini of Dali”), Wenbi Village, and Little Putuo.
🍜 What to Eat
Jinsuo Island is famous for authentic fisherman’s cuisine:
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“Eight Bowls of the Sea” / Whole Fish Feast — Steamed fish, crispy fish, clear-broth fish, sour-spicy fish, stir-fried fish slices, silverfish omelet, and more
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Live Fish Boiled in Erhai Water — Cooked directly in lake water for the purest flavor
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Ottelia Soup with Taro, Braised Fish, Crispy Fried Shrimp, Snail Stew
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Bai Three-Course Tea — Bitter, sweet, and aftertaste teas, a ritual of Bai hospitality
Try the island’s farmhouse restaurants (like “Mama’s Kitchen”) for the most authentic, freshly caught flavors.
📌 Tips
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Stay Overnight: A handful of sea-view guesthouses let you fall asleep to the sound of waves — highly recommended for a deeper experience.
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Best Seasons: Pleasant year-round, but April–June and September–November offer the most comfortable weather.
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Sun & Wind: High-altitude UV is intense and Erhai winds are strong; bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a windbreaker.
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Eco-Conscious: All island waste is collected and transported to the mainland — the locals “protect Erhai as they would protect their own eyes.”
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Pace: Jinsuo Island remains largely uncommercialized. Slow down, wander the village lanes, and discover the raw, living soul of Erhai Lake.
If your Dali itinerary only includes the ancient town and Shuanglang, you’ll miss the most authentic heartbeat of the lake — a living museum of Bai culture that has endured for over a thousand years.