Dali Travel Guide
Dali, located at the intersection of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains, is a picturesque city with majestic landscapes featuring the Cangshan Mountains and the expansive, clear waters of Erhai Lake. Together, these natural wonders create a stunning vista where mountains reflect in the lake. Dali is home to 25 ethnic minority groups, including the Bai, Yi, Hui, Tibetan, Lisu, and Naxi, who reside in ancient towns such as Dali Old Town, Xizhou, and Shuanglang. These towns are rich in cultural heritage, showcasing traditional crafts like tie-dye and local delicacies such as Erkuai (a type of rice cake), highlighting the area’s ethnic charm.
Dali is renowned for its “Four Wonders”: Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon:
- Xia Guan Wind: The southern end of Erhai Lake in Xia Guan is known for its constant, unceasing wind.
- Shang Guan Flowers:The northern end of Erhai Lake in Shang Guan was once a vast grassland covered with colorful flowers.
- Cangshan Snow:The peaks of the Cangshan Mountains are perpetually snow-capped, providing a striking contrast against the blue sky.
- Erhai Moon: The moonlight over Erhai Lake is soft and enchanting, casting a magical glow on the water.
Dali enjoys a mild climate year-round, with no severe winter or scorching summer, and the seasons are not particularly distinct. The best times to visit Dali are during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is most favorable for exploring its scenic and cultural attractions.
Most Popular Dali Attractions
The Old Town of Dali (大理古城), also known as Yeyu City or Purple City, is situated in the western part of Yunnan Province, China. Its history dates back...
Erhai Lake (洱海), also known as Kunming Pool, Er River, or Yeyu Lake in ancient times, is located in Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province,...
Jizu Mountain (鸡足山, Chicken-Foot Mountain), also known as Jiuqu Mountain or Qingdian Mountain, derives its name from its resemblance to a rooster’s...
Cangshan Mountain (苍山), also known as Diancangshan (点苍山), is part of the Hengduan Mountains range, which is the southern extension of the Himalayas. Its...
Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇), located in Dali, is nestled between the eastern shores of Erhai Lake and the western slopes of Cangshan Mountain. It stands...
Shuanglang Town in Dali (大理双廊镇) is a charming tourist destination that attracts visitors with its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Not only is...
Other Attractions in Dali
Located in Jianchuan County, Yunnan Province, Shibao Mountain (石宝山) is renowned for its unique peaks and rocks formed by Danxia landforms and spherical...
The Tianjin Pavilion (天镜阁), which can be translated in Sky Mirror Pavilion, stands proudly on the Luoquan Peninsula, on the eastern shore of Erhai Lake...
Located in Dali, Yunnan Province, Weibao Mountain (巍宝山) spans an area of 19.4 square kilometers, with its summit towering at an altitude of 2509 meters....
Xima Pool (洗马潭), located in the Cangshan Mountain range of Dali, stands at an elevation of 3920 meters, earning it the title of “Lake at the Peak”....
West Lake in Eryuan (洱源西湖) is situated at the foot of Yunlong Peak, the highest peak of Cangshan Mountain in Dali, Yunnan Province, China. Nestled beneath...
Zibi Lake (茈碧湖), located in Eryuan County, Yunnan Province, is a natural freshwater lake formed by the depression and dissolution of the plateau. It is...
Gantong Temple (感通寺), also known as Dangshan Temple (荡山寺), is nestled at the southern foot of the Shengying Peak of Diancang Mountain in Dali, with the...
Wuwei Temple (无为寺), built in the ninth year of the Tang Dynasty’s Yuanzhen era (793 AD), holds a profound historical and cultural significance in...
Shimen Pass (石门关), also known as Stone Gate Pass, is a significant part of the Cangshan National Geological Park in Dali. Historically, it served as a...
Dali Bar Street (大理酒吧一条街), nestled in the southern part of Old Town of Dali, near the picturesque Erhai Lake and the scenic Wa Mountain, epitomizes a laid-back...
Jinsuo Island (金梭岛, Gold Shuttle Island), with a length of approximately 2000 meters and an average width of about 370 meters, covers a total area of 740,000...
Sakura Valley (樱花谷), nestled in Wuliang Mountain (无量山) at an altitude of 2175 meters, owes its name to the winter cherry blossoms planted within the tea...
Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Dali, Zhoucheng Village (周城村) stands as a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of the Bai ethnic community....
Fuxing Road is the main thoroughfare in Dali Ancient Town, running from south to north. Its construction dates back to the 15th year of the Hongwu reign...
Located at the foot of the Ailao Mountains in western Yunnan Province, Weishan Old Town (巍山古城) dates back to the Yuan Dynasty and was reconstructed with...
Zhang’s Garden in Dali (大理张家花园) is a masterpiece of Bai ethnic residential architecture and a prominent attraction in Dali tourism. Originating from...
Renmin Road (人民路) is a thoroughfare situated in the heart of the ancient city area of Dali, Yunnan Province. Stretching approximately 1500 meters in length,...
Jizhao Nunnery (寂照庵), nestled at the southern foothills of the Shengying Peak in Cangshan Mountain Scenic Area, Dali City, Yunnan Province, can be reached...
Little Putuo Island (小普陀岛) is situated near the eastern shore of Erhai Lake in Dali. It is a limestone island with an area of approximately 100 square...
Yuji Island (玉几岛) boasts a unique natural environment and is one of the three islands on Erhai Lake, earning the reputation as the “number one village...
Wase Town (挖色镇, Digging Color Town), formerly known as Haibianyi, was renamed Wase after colored minerals were excavated from the nearby mountains, coloring...
Cai Village, also known as Caicun Village (才村) is nestled along the western shore of Erhai Lake in Dali. With over 3 kilometers of lakeshore, the village...
Nuodeng Village (诺邓村), situated in Yunlong County, Yunnan Province, is the earliest economic hub of the Bai ethnic group and one of the oldest villages...
Nanzhao Folk Island (南诏风情岛), situated amidst the serene waters of Erhai Lake, is one of the three islands adorning its landscape. Renowned for its breathtaking...
Haishe Ecological Park (海舌生态公园) is situated on the western bank of Erhai Lake, surrounded by water on three sides. The park, shaped like a tongue, extends...
Butterfly Spring (蝴蝶泉), situated between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in Dali, covers an area of over 50 square meters, with a depth of 6 meters. The...
Located in Dali, Chongsheng Temple (崇圣寺) sits to the east overlooking Erhai Lake and is backed by the Cangshan Mountains to the west. Historically, it...
Shaxi Ancient Town (沙溪古镇), nestled in Dali, was once a significant stop along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. As the Tea Horse Road faded into obscurity, Shaxi...
The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (崇圣寺三塔) form a magnificent architectural ensemble in Dali, Yunnan Province, China. This trio of towers consists...
Erhai Park (洱海公园) is located in Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, serving as the gateway to exploring the Cangshan Mountain and...
Erhaiyue Wetland Park (洱海月湿地公园, Erhai Moon Wetland Park), located on the western shore of Erhai Lake in Dali City, Yunnan Province, is a vibrant and dynamic...
Wuhua Building (五华楼, Wuhua Tower, Wuhua Pavilion), originally constructed in the tenth year of the Tang Dynasty in 856 AD, stands as a towering symbol...
1⃣ The lake in Haixi has been enclosed, and you need to walk to the entrance of the ecological corridor. Basically, there is an entrance to the ecological corridor in every village. Just navigate to the spot closest to the sea. 2⃣ You can spend a day driving or hiring a car to circle the coast. On rainy days, it’s not advisable to rent an electric bike to circle the coast, as it can be very windy, cold, and slippery.… Read more »
The commercialization in the ancient city is very severe; every ancient city feels the same. It’s either chain stores or exorbitant prices where it seems like they are trying to rip you off just because you are a tourist. The roadside vendors are relentless, following you around and trying to sell their stuff even after you’ve clearly refused several times. While the scenery is quite nice, it really isn’t as beautiful as it’s been hyped up to be. Moreover, any… Read more »
You can only walk or ride a bicycle along the shore of Erhai Lake. When I rented an electric bike, the owner insisted I could take it around Erhai Lake, but it turned out to be a lie.
One of the main roads in Dali Ancient City is under construction, and with the large crowds during the summer, it’s incredibly congested! A journey that usually takes 10 minutes on an electric bike can end up taking 20 minutes instead. It’s better to visit during the off-peak season!
When visiting Dali, it’s essential to check the weather first. It’s best to choose a sunny day for your trip, as the scenery is truly beautiful when the sun is shining. However, on cloudy or rainy days, the views can be quite disappointing, often appearing foggy and obscured.
Erhai Lake (洱海) has a total length of 140 kilometers, divided into two areas: the eastern and western part. If you have enough time, it is recommended to spend two days exploring it. – The western part is an ecological corridor with a fresh and clean scenery, and the distance between attractions is relatively short. One can ride a bike or electric vehicle along the eco-corridor around the lake, which is very comfortable. – The eastern part is characterized by… Read more »