Dali Travel Guide

Yunnan Province | Population: 652,000

Located in the Yunnan Province of China is the picturesque Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Its capital, Dali City is an awesome mix of ethnic groups with colorful and interesting customs and traditions. Dali City is home to the Han Chinese and ethnic minority groups like the Bai, Hui, Lisu, and Yi. The prefecture is named so because nearly 65% of the prefecture’s population consists of the Bai people. The city of Dali is a center for several festivals celebrated by the different ethnic groups. One gets the feeling that the people are celebrating something throughout the year!

Besides its diverse and colorful culture, another reason why Dali is a popular tourist destination in China is that the city is surrounded by wonderful natural scenery. The region is dominated by the spectacular Erhai Lake and the Cangshan Mountains. Caught between these two magnificent landscapes, Dali City is blessed with irresistibly beautiful scenic areas.

Dali City has a history that goes back 3000-4000 years. The Bai Kingdom was first established after overthrowing the Tang Dynasty. Later, the city was occupied by the Mongols under the leadership of Kublai Khan. There were several changes in the regime but throughout, the city of Dali remained a powerful political, cultural, and financial hub with influence not only in other parts of China but also in Burma (now Myanmar). These changes have left their mark on the city in the form of different architectural marvels and cobbled streets that still exist.

Today’s Dali City also encompasses the region called Xiaguan which is located to the south of the main city. This southern region is a bonanza of picturesque green landscapes, monasteries, ethnic villages, pagodas, and other interesting tourist attractions. In fact, Dali City is a popular tourist destination in China for hikers, trekkers, campers, and backpackers.

Where To Stay

Attractions

The Cangshan Mountain Range is considered a national level Geopark and Nature Reserve and is the most popular tourist attraction near Dali City. This scenic area may take more than a day to explore in detail. But there are reasonably priced guesthouses near the Zhonghe Temple so one doesn’t need to drive back to Dali and return the next day. The Geopark is a bonanza of exotic flora and fauna and is a great hiking zone. Cable cars and chairlifts are available to reach the top of the mountain.

The Cloud Traveler's Path is the most well-known hiking path up the Changshan Mountains. Its summit is believed to be 2,500 meters above sea level. As one goes up the path, a cable car is available near Gantong Temple to reach the summit. Signs along the path are written in Chinese as well as English, which is a great help. Other beautiful sites on the mountains are the Phoenix Eye Cave and the Seven Dragon Pools but sometimes these sections are closed due to landslides.

The Erhai Lake Villages area consists of 17 villages spanning the western banks of the Erhai Lake. One can experience the quaint ethnic village life by exploring the beauty of the villages, meeting the friendly locals, and eating the local cuisine. The usual tourist circuit goes along picturesque landscapes. The most significant ones are the three bridges built during the Qing Dynasty era and the Guanyin Temple (Goddess of Mercy Temple). Hikers usually follow the West Erhai Ring Road.

The Tang Dynasty Three Pagodas are also famous landmarks of Dali City. These pagodas are the tallest ones in China. The central pagoda is also believed to be the oldest one, about 1,150 years old and was built during the Nanzhao Kingdom.

Getting Around

Getting There

Weather

See the below table for an overview of Dali's weather:

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