The Ideal Town of Dali

The Ideal Town of Dali (or "Ideal Town" for short) is a comprehensive resort in Haidong Town, Dali City, Yunnan Province. It is famous for its unique European architectural style blended with the natural landscape of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, earning it the nickname "Santorini of Dali" or "Santorini of the East." Located on the eastern bank of Erhai Lake, it sits next to Cangshan Mountain and faces Dali Ancient City across the lake, directly opposite Jinsuo Island, the largest island in Erhai Lake. The buildings are arranged in cascading layers along the mountainside, primarily in white and light brown. Combined with Mediterranean arches and terraced designs, they create a three-dimensional artistic space resembling a "mountain and sea theater." Integrating traditional Bai culture and intangible cultural heritage displays, the mountaintop houses the Ideal Town Intangible Cultural Heritage Art Museum. The streets are lined with over 100 varieties of rare flowers, and the alleys are filled with poetic and picturesque scenery, perfect for photography. After entering, you can explore the brown P4 area (petal-shaped layout), the white P1/2 area (the main Santorini-style photo spot), the Western European town at the top (constellation-themed buildings), and the infinity pool. It's about a 30-minute drive from Dali Railway Station (taxi fare is about CNY 50). If driving, you can park at the foot of the mountain or at the top (parking fee is CNY 10). You can combine a visit with Luoquan Peninsula (2 km away) for a half-day trip. There are many Sunshine Coast-style homestays within the scenic area (off-season sea-view rooms are about CNY 1,400/night), and the dining prices are affordable (e.g., milk tea is CNY 10/cup). Ideal Town is a newly popular landmark in Dali, suitable for tourists seeking romance, photography, and short-term leisure. Its free admission policy and diverse experiences make it a cost-effective travel choice. Duration: Approximately 2 hours, which can be extended to half a day for taking photos or dining. Opening hours: 10:00–17:30 (subject to change on the day), free admission.