Dali Hidden Gem! When swinging in the breeze by Erhai Lake, a seagull really landed on my shoulder

I used to think all Dali homestays were the same until I sat on this seaside swing in Shuanglang—seagulls dared to peck the cookies in my palm, the wind carried the salty air of Erhai Lake and tousled my hair, even zoning out became a uniquely comfortable experience. It’s not a forced influencer vibe; it’s truly a place that lets you slow down. 🏡 Homestay: Tinghua Island Seaview Garden Boutique Stay 📍 Address: No. 279-1, Shuanglang Street, Shuanglang Town, Dali (midsection of the ancient town, just open the door to Erhai Lake) 🚗 Transportation: Self-driving guests can park at Qinglu Shangzhai Parking Lot, the housekeeper will pick you up; non-drivers can arrange a pick-up in advance, super hassle-free 💌 Perks: Includes double breakfast + afternoon tea, free fairy dresses available for photo shoots 🌊 Unforgettable frontline sea view experience ✅ Lingbo Soaking Pool Room: 270° floor-to-ceiling windows facing Erhai Lake, open the smart curtains and the snowy Cangshan Mountain and blue Erhai Lake flood the room! The constant temperature soaking pool can be heated; soaking while watching seagulls fly back and forth, even the breeze tastes sweet. Rose bath salts and aromatherapy are provided by the bathtub, and at sunset, the light and shadows pour in, creating a perfect photo atmosphere ✅ Room options with zero risk: Besides the soaking pool room, the starry bubble house and rooftop terrace room are also amazing. You can lie down and stargaze in the bubble house at night, the terrace room has a small garden, and the 200㎡ public terrace area is perfect for wandering or zoning out all afternoon without getting bored ✅ Detail lovers will be thrilled: The entire house features smart voice control 🎙️, Harman Kardon speakers, capsule coffee machine, Dyson hairdryer, and even the bathrobes are in Morandi color tones, absolutely exquisite 📸 Four top photo spots that will blow up your social feed 1. Seaside Swing: The must-shoot centerpiece! Wear the free white gauze dress provided by the homestay, lightly touch the water with your toes, the photographer crouches low for an upward shot, with Cangshan Mountain as the backdrop and Erhai’s shimmering waves in the frame, the backlit silhouette looks like a fairyland (staff will help push the swing, super thoughtful) 2. Private Hot Spring Balcony: Soak in the pool during soft sunlight and shoot your profile; catch seagulls flying by for an instant “framed with nature” healing vibe 3. Seaside Garden: Blue-purple hydrangeas + pure white arch 🌸, like stepping into Monet’s garden. Flowers bloom even in winter; sit on the waterside terrace feeding seagulls with special bird food provided by the homestay, no worries about harming the ecosystem 4. Rooftop Terrace: Bohemian-style lounge chairs + wish bell corridor, at dusk the bells gently ring, light and shadow weave into an oil painting, shooting from behind or profile is full of story 💫 Heartwarming little details during your stay ✔️ The housekeeper is more thoughtful than a friend: Dragging my luggage just arriving at the ancient town entrance, I saw the housekeeper waiting and immediately took my luggage to the room. To avoid any pitfalls, they even hand-drew a Shuanglang food and shopping map, clearly marking which tie-dye shops have the best value and which section of the lakeside road is best for photos. They can also help arrange convertible car rentals ✔️ No need to chase food 🍜: The breakfast rice noodles are freshly cooked, the broth so fresh I drank two bowls; if you want local specialties, the homestay can arrange cured pork rib hotpot, tender and flavorful, even better than the old shops you’d have to travel far for, satisfying your taste buds right in the ancient town ✔️ Even photo novices can get great shots: Worried about not taking good photos? The homestay offers professional photographers for hire who will teach you poses and angles. Forgot a pretty dress? No problem, there are plenty of fairy dresses to borrow for free, cleaned daily, so you can wear them confidently and easily snap stunning photos for your feed Off-the-beaten-path nearby activities | 5 minutes to secret spots 🌿 1. Walk 5 minutes from the homestay to Shuanglang Ancient Town’s main street, browse tie-dye shops and unique cafes, super convenient for meals 2. Rent a Beetle car to circle the lake 🚗, soon you’ll reach Wase Causeway, where seagulls are up close—an affordable alternative to Erhai’s “Sky Mirror” 3. The popular little forest next to the homestay, dappled light and shadow, perfect for shooting forest-style photos ⚠️ Must-know travel tips for Dali 📝 🌞 Don’t skimp on sun protection: Yunnan’s UV rays are very strong, bring high-SPF sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses—otherwise, you’ll easily get tanned or sunburned 👗 Smart clothing choices: Big temperature difference between day and night, wear dresses for photos during the day, but layer with a thick jacket in the morning and evening; thin down jackets or knit cardigans work well 🧴 Keep up with skincare: The climate is quite dry, don’t forget moisturizing masks and lotions, or your skin will peel 👟 Choose the right shoes: Shuanglang Ancient Town mostly has stone roads, sneakers or flats are most comfortable, leave the high heels at home Days at Tinghua Island turn even zoning out into top-level romance. Waking up to the sparkling waves of Erhai Lake in the morning, watching the sunset dye the sky orange in the evening, this is not just a homestay, it’s a utopia by Erhai Lake 🌅 The sea breeze gently brushes by, making time feel soft and endless.