Holding Hands, Our Dali Adventure: A Romantic Journey with Our Two-and-a-Half-Year-Old "Little Monster"

Weibo: @corain君 | Shanghai Native | A Good-Looking Family of Three Traveling the World

Some say traveling with a child is an act of "self-torture"—especially when the kid has just turned two and a half, still in that "uncontrollable creature" phase. But we stubbornly refused to believe it. We took this little creature, who drives us crazy one moment and melts our hearts the next, and set off for Dali and Shuanglang in Yunnan. Six days, from setting out with nervous excitement to returning home with a suitcase full of memories—I can say without hesitation: this family trip was absolutely worth it.

Why Did We Insist on Bringing This "Little Trouble" Along?

Before we left, I scoured every parenting travel guide I could find. Most recommended Sanya or tropical island resorts, and the majority of families brought grandparents along too—basically, live-in babysitters. I understand the predicament: parents have to work, grandparents watch the kids—it's the modern family formula.

But my husband Oskar and I saw it differently. Kids grow up in the blink of an eye, and we didn't want to miss a single moment of his development. Even if he needed naps, bottles, threw tantrums, cried, and ran off in every direction, we decided—we had to bring him.

As it turned out, we made the right call. Sure, there were countless "unexpected moments" along the way, but when we look back at those warm, fleeting memories, only one word comes to mind: worth it.

Itinerary at a Glance: Six Days, This Is How We Did It

• DAY 1: Direct flight from Shanghai to Dali → Check into Xiangshan Hotel
• DAY 2: Xiangshan Hotel → Dali Old Town
• DAY 3: Dali Old Town → Haishe Park → Shuanglang
• DAY 4: Stroll through Shuanglang Ancient Town
• DAY 5: Shuanglang → Wase → Dacheng Old Town → Return to Dali
• DAY 6: Direct flight from Dali to Shanghai

Travel Tip: There are direct flights from Shanghai to Dali. More expensive than the train, sure, but with a toddler in tow, convenience and speed are king. The flight schedule also perfectly coincided with our son Longlong's nap time, which saved us a ton of hassle.

Accommodation Recommendation: We chose two hotels and were absolutely thrilled with both. Dali's Xiangshan Resort Hotel sits at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, with a European countryside style. The rooms were gorgeous, and the common areas and glass greenhouse were the real highlights. In Shuanglang, we picked Walan Xixi Bay Hotel, right on the waterfront, where almost every room offers a view of Erhai Lake. A heads-up: when booking in Shuanglang, make sure you choose a place on the first row facing the lake—that's the only way to truly appreciate its beauty.

DAY 1: First Impressions of Dali—Even a Cloudy Sky Couldn't Dampen Our Spirits

On the plane, Longlong was, as always, fascinated by the planes taking off and landing outside the window. Not long after takeoff, sleep caught up with him, and he dozed off for a solid two hours. When we landed, the sky over Dali was heavy with dark clouds—apparently, we'd hit one of those rare rainy days. Lucky? Maybe. Unlucky? Also kind of special.

We drove to Xiangshan Hotel through misty mountain views. The moment I opened the door to our room, I was speechless: floor-to-ceiling windows, a massive bathtub, a plush king-sized bed... I was practically bursting with joy. The price wasn't cheap, but it was absolutely worth every penny.

The hotel owner knew we had a baby with us and had prepared afternoon tea and homemade cookies. The milk tea was incredible, and the fireplace was lit, making the whole space warm and cozy. For dinner, we tried the local sour fish soup, and the owner specially made Longlong a steamed egg—thoughtful to the point of being touching.

Day 1 Reflection: The weather wasn't on our side, but the warmth of the people in Dali left a lasting impression. That simple, genuine hospitality—so rare in the city—filled me with anticipation for the days ahead.

DAY 2: Wandering Through the Old Town—Food and Surprises Around Every Corner

Family Time at the Hotel

Since the hotel was so beautiful, why waste it? We decided on the spot to spend the morning taking photos. On the second floor, there was a glass greenhouse bathed in sunlight, with warm tones so stunning I couldn't stop clicking the shutter. Longlong stared at the koi fish for ages, then suddenly blurted out, "Mommy, can you cook them for me?"—his dad and I just looked at each other, speechless.

Downstairs, there was a puppy they called a "Dali dog." Longlong was a bit scared of it, but he couldn't resist pestering it. The moment the puppy came close, he'd run into my arms; the moment it walked away, he'd chase after it. A classic case of being both timid and mischievous.

A Culinary Adventure in the Old Town

For lunch, we went to Jinji Restaurant (Golden Chicken Restaurant) on Renmin Road in the old town. The storefront was small, but inside, it was a converted local guesthouse—a hidden gem. The braised chicken, milk-based dishes, lamb hotpot... every dish was a pleasant surprise. And that mulberry fruit drink? I had two glasses—it was that good.

After lunch, Longlong started to get sleepy. Watching him doze off, my heart melted. While he napped, we stumbled into Liwu Coffee (Inside House Coffee)—a small shop specializing in single-origin pour-over coffee. The owner personally selected and roasted the beans, giving us a full rundown on coffee's origins. The pour-over was served without sugar or milk, preserving the purest flavor of the coffee. One sip, and I could taste every bit of its essence.

In the afternoon, we continued exploring the old town—street-side wax figures, snack stalls, dessert shops... our inner foodies came out in full force. I especially recommend the red velvet cake at Mint Sugar dessert shop. It was so dense and rich that my husband insisted on packing two slices to go the next day.

A Surprise Hotpot Dinner

For dinner, a friend named 9 Ge (a photographer who's "secluded" himself in the Cangshan Mountains) recommended Weilu Jianghu (Around the Stove, Rivers and Lakes), a Chongqing-style hotpot place. Before we even reached peak dinner time, the place was packed. The broth was fragrant, spicy, and numbing, with a central pot of bone-in meat so tender it fell apart—perfect for Longlong. But the real showstopper was the unassuming little steamed bun: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, dipped in condensed milk—so good it made me want to cry.

Day 2 Reflection: Our son did pretty well today. He hadn't fully adjusted yet, but overall, he was well-behaved. Watching him fall asleep in his father's arms that night filled me with an overwhelming sense of happiness.

DAY 3: Circling Erhai Lake—Scenery and Surprises at Every Turn

Starting the Lake Loop with Red Velvet Cake

Today's schedule was packed, but we still made a detour to Mint Sugar to pick up red velvet cake and chocolate lava cake. After all, a foodie's happiness can't be compromised.

Heading north along the western lakeside road, the scenery was a non-stop feast for the eyes. The western shore is flat, with mangroves growing right into Erhai Lake; the eastern shore is rugged, with cliffs and steep slopes—the perfect spot for sunset views. We passed through Caicun, Haishe, and Xizhou, and every few minutes, we had to stop the car to take photos.

Haishe Park: Free Beauty Worth Every Second

Haishe Park gets its name because its shape resembles a tongue stretching out into the lake. When we visited, it was still free and uncrowded—ideal for photography. Longlong got excited the moment he saw the stones by the water and immediately launched into his favorite game: "throwing rocks." A photographer named A Song (from 9 Ge's studio) won Longlong over with a single trick—skipping stones. For the rest of the trip, Longlong threw rocks into any body of water he saw, having the time of his life.

Lake Loop Tip: I highly recommend renting a small scooter to ride along the lake. You'll have more freedom and discover hidden gems you'd miss otherwise. Bicycles, however, require serious stamina—the ride from Dali to Shuanglang is too long, so plan your route in advance.

Final Thoughts: Family Travel—Something Every Family Should Try

Our six-day trip to Dali was short, but it gave Oskar and me a whole new perspective on traveling with kids. Yes, it's exhausting—you have to manage their schedule, their emotions, and deal with all kinds of unexpected situations. But when we look back at the photos and videos, every bit of hardship turns into warmth.

The beauty of Dali goes beyond Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. It's in the genuine kindness of the people. Whether it was the hotel owner's thoughtful care or the enthusiastic help from 9 Ge and A Song, we felt a unique warmth that this place has to offer.

A few tips for parents thinking about traveling with kids:

1. Don't be afraid of the hassle—kids will surprise you in the best ways
2. Keep your schedule flexible—leave room for the unexpected
3. Invest in good accommodation—comfort matters when traveling with a little one
4. Slow down—travel isn't about checking off spots; it's about being together

Longlong, on the road ahead, Mom and Dad will keep holding your hand, growing older together, slowly and steadily.

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