{"id":762,"date":"2026-08-30T10:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=762"},"modified":"2026-08-30T10:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T10:40:23","slug":"jinsuo-island","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.ynatcn.com\/?page_id=762","title":{"rendered":"Jinsuo Island"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jinsuo Island (Golden Shuttle Island), Dali, Yunnan<\/h1>\n
Jinsuo Island is the largest island on Erhai Lake<\/strong> and the only one with permanent residents<\/strong>, 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 \u2014 “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.”<\/em><\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udfdd\ufe0f Island Overview<\/h2>\n
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Feature<\/th>\nDetails<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Area<\/strong><\/td>\n~740,000 m\u00b2; roughly 2 km long and 370 m wide<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elevation<\/strong><\/td>\n76.6 m above sea level<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population<\/strong><\/td>\n600+ households, ~1,600 residents, mostly Bai ethnic group<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ancient Name<\/strong><\/td>\n“Shari Shuicheng” (Water City of Relics) \u2014 a summer retreat for Nanzhao kings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Climate<\/strong><\/td>\nAnnual average 20.1\u00b0C; mild year-round, ideal for wellness tourism<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\udcdc History & Legend<\/h2>\n
The Weaver’s Shuttle<\/strong>: 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.<\/div>\n
Nanzhao Summer Palace<\/strong>: During the Nanzhao Kingdom (738\u2013902), 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.<\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udf1f Must-See Attractions<\/h2>\n

1. Dragon Palace Cave (Yulong Palace)<\/h3>\n
Hidden inside the island lies a natural karst cave<\/strong> stretching roughly 1,300\u20131,500 meters, filled with fantastical stalactites. Inside, an underground theater hosts Bai ethnic song-and-dance performances inspired by fishing life \u2014 including “Flower of the Sea,”<\/em> “Ottelia Acuminata,”<\/em> and “Fishing Dance.”<\/em> It perfectly embodies the local saying: “A sea with an island, an island with a cave, a cave with a view.”<\/em><\/div>\n

2. Three-Star Benzhu Temple<\/h3>\n
The island’s patron deity (Benzhu) is Three Zhang Princes<\/strong>. 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.”<\/em> Every year on the 23rd day of the 8th lunar month<\/strong>, the Benzhu Festival features opera, traditional ballads, and thrilling rituals like “climbing the knife ladder.”<\/div>\n

3. Bai Fishing Village<\/h3>\n
Jinsuo Island preserves the most intact fishing culture<\/strong> 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.<\/div>\n

4. Best Spot for “Moon Over Erhai”<\/h3>\n
The island’s position in the middle of the lake makes it the ultimate place to witness “Moon Over Erhai”<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udfad Three Major Bai Festivals<\/h2>\n
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Festival<\/th>\nDate<\/th>\nHighlights<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Welcoming the Benzhu<\/strong><\/td>\n22nd\u201323rd of 1st lunar month<\/td>\nThe island’s grandest celebration; villagers carry the deity in procession with drums and gongs. Visitors may be invited to join the feast.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Torch Festival<\/strong><\/td>\n25th of 6th lunar month<\/td>\nHonors Lady Baijie. Visitors can join locals in “scattering torches,” creating spectacular fire cascades with pine resin powder.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Benzhu Festival<\/strong><\/td>\n23rd of 8th lunar month<\/td>\nWorship at the Three-Star Temple; features traditional ballads, knife-ladder climbing, and biting red-hot plowshares.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83c\udfab Practical Information<\/h2>\n
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Detail<\/th>\nInfo<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tickets<\/strong><\/td>\nRound-trip ferry ~\u00a520; ferry + Dragon Palace Cave combo ticket ~\u00a5168 (confirm at gate)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ferry<\/strong><\/td>\nFrom Jinsuo Island Pier in Haidong Town; crossing takes ~5 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Opening Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n~09:00\u201318:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended Visit<\/strong><\/td>\nHalf day to full day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contact<\/strong><\/td>\n0872-2479333<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\ud83d\ude97 Getting There<\/h2>\n