Dali, nestled against the Cangshan Mountains and facing Erhai Lake, is an ancient city that blends natural scenery with the culture of ethnic minorities. This Dali travel guide offers travelers a rich and unique experience.
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- What to do when visiting Dali for the first time
- Dali Weather and Best Time to Visit
- Must-Visit Attractions in Dali
- Unique Experiences
- Food Experiences
- Transportation Guide
- Accommodation Recommendations
- Travel Tips
- Your travel planning
What can I do if I visit Dali for the first time?
If this is your first time visiting Dali, I recommend allocating 3 days to allow yourself time to fully experience the city’s pace.
On the day of arrival, you can stroll through Dali Old Town, where there are many live music bars and handicraft markets, perfect for relaxing.
If you arrive during the day, consider starting with the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor. Rent a bicycle and cycle along the lakeside to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Dali Weather and Best Time to Travel
Dali is located on a plateau with a mild climate, distinct seasons, and abundant sunshine.
- Best time to travel: March to May, when spring is in full bloom and the lake is as smooth as a mirror; September to November, when the sky is high and the clouds are light, perfect for outdoor hiking and photography.
Visiting between June and August, or between December and February of the following year, is also a great time to experience different scenery in Dali.
Tip: Dali is at an altitude of about 1970 meters and has strong ultraviolet radiation. It is recommended to wear a hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen in any season.
Unique Experience
- Bai ethnic tie-dyeing: In Xizhou or Zhoucheng Village, you can experience the traditional Bai tie-dyeing technique firsthand and create your own fabric artwork.
- Erhai Lake cycling: Cycling along the ecological corridor is one of the best ways to experience the slow pace of life in Dali.
- Cangshan Mountain hiking: Choose a trail suitable for your physical condition, delve into the high-altitude forests, and admire the rhododendron sea and mountain streams.
- Tea culture experience: Many tea gardens are scattered around Dali, some offering tea picking and tea-making experiences, suitable for travelers interested in tea culture.
Must-visit attractions in Dali
Erhai Lake
The lake is about 120 kilometers long, with clear water and Bai ethnic villages and wetland parks scattered around it. It is the core area to experience the natural scenery and slow pace of life in Dali.
- Unique Experiences: Cycle or stroll along the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, take a boat trip from Caicun or Longkan Wharf to admire the lake and the reflection of Cangshan Mountain, or observe red-billed gulls in winter.
- Admission: Ecological Corridor is free; boat trips cost approximately 40–100 yuan, depending on the route and boat type.
Cangshan Mountain
Composed of nineteen mountain peaks, it is an ideal place to overlook Erhai Lake and Dali Ancient City.
- Unique Experience: Take the Ximatang Cableway (at an altitude of nearly 4000 meters) to admire the alpine rhododendrons and sea of clouds. Visit mountain temples such as Gantong Temple and sample “Gantong Tea” nearby.
- Tickets and Fees: Entrance fee ¥35; Gantong Cableway ¥130; Ximatang Cableway ¥335; Zhonghe Cableway ¥95.
The ancient city retains the traditional architectural style of the Bai ethnic group and the chessboard-like street layout, and is filled with cafes, handicraft shops and art spaces.
- Unique Experience: Renmin Road and Fuxing Road in Dali Old Town are the center of street music and creative markets.
- Admission and Fees: Free, but some attractions within the scenic area require tickets.
Located on the west bank of Erhai Lake, it is an ancient town where Bai ethnic culture is well preserved, and is famous for its traditional dwellings, rice paddy scenery and tie-dyeing crafts.
- Unique Experiences: Visit the Yan Family Courtyard, admire the classic Bai architectural layout of “three courtyards and one screen wall,” sample local snacks like Xizhou Baba, and participate in Bai tie-dye making in Zhoucheng Village.
- Admission Fees: The ancient town is free to enter; the Yan Family Courtyard costs approximately 20 yuan; the tie-dye experience costs approximately 50-100 yuan.
Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas
As a royal temple in Dali’s history, the Three Pagodas were built during the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom periods and are the most representative Buddhist architectural complex in the area.
- Tickets and Fees: Tickets ¥75; Tour bus ¥35 (round trip), ¥20 (uphill), ¥15 (downhill)
Shaxi Ancient Town
It is the best-preserved ancient market on the Tea Horse Road, retaining the original Bai ethnic style and the legacy of the caravan, and is known as “the only surviving ancient market on the Tea Horse Road”.
- Unique Experience: If you visit on a Friday, you can catch the local traditional market day and experience the authentic local atmosphere.
- Tickets and Fees: Entry to the ancient town is free; however, Xingjiao Temple, a scenic spot within the town, requires ID registration, and a combined ticket for some attractions costs approximately 50 yuan.
Food Experience
Recommended dishes:
- Dali Casserole Fish: Fish is stewed with ham, tofu, and mushrooms, resulting in a fresh and flavorful soup.
- Milk fan: A traditional dairy product of the Bai ethnic group, which can be roasted or fried, has a unique taste, and is commonly found at snack stalls in the ancient city.
- Xizhou Crispy Cake: It has a unique taste, combining sweetness, softness, and crispness.
- Three-course tea ceremony: The tea ceremony begins with “bitter tea”, followed by “sweet tea”, and ends with “aftertaste tea”, which contains spices such as Sichuan pepper, ginger and cinnamon.
Transportation Guide
How to get there
- Air Travel: Dali Fengyi Airport has flights from cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou. Some international routes require a transfer in Kunming (some regional international routes may operate during specific seasons).
From Dali University Airport (DLU) to the city center: Airport shuttle bus (30-40 minutes) to Dali Old Town and Xiaguan (Dali New Town). Taxi takes approximately 25-40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Ride-hailing apps (such as Didi Chuxing) are very popular and are usually slightly cheaper than taxis.
- Railway: Dali Railway Station connects to Kunming, Lijiang, and other destinations. High-speed rail from Kunming takes approximately 2 hours, with beautiful scenery along the way.
- Bus: Dali Bus Station (Xiaguan area) offers long-distance bus connections between Dali and surrounding destinations, such as Lijiang (approximately 2-2.5 hours), Shangri-La (approximately 4-5 hours), and Baoshan (approximately 3-4 hours).
City travel
- Taxis and ride-hailing services: Reasonable starting fares, suitable for short trips or when carrying luggage.
- Bicycles and electric bikes: Numerous rental points are available along Erhai Lake, ideal for exploring the lake.
- Public transportation: Buses cover major attractions, but services are infrequent, suitable for travelers with ample time.
Accommodation Recommendations
- Dali Old Town and surrounding areas: Suitable for travelers who enjoy convenient amenities and nightlife. A wide variety of guesthouses are available, and services are mostly English-speaking and friendly.
- Erhai Lake villages: Such as Longkan and Caicun, suitable for travelers seeking tranquility and lake views. Mostly boutique guesthouses.
- Xizhou Ancient Town: Suitable for travelers interested in culture and architecture. A peaceful environment ideal for a deeper experience.
Travel advice
language
- Basic English is generally sufficient for communication in the old town, tourist attractions, and major hotels. It is recommended to download a translation app (such as Google Translate) beforehand and write down simple Chinese words like “thank you,” “how much,” and “this” to be useful when dealing with small vendors and remote areas.
Payment
- Most shops accept credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) and WeChat/Alipay. Please carry 200-400 RMB in cash for small stalls, roadside vendors, or temporary payments.
Environmental protection and cycling
- Erhai Lake is an ecological protection area; please do not litter. When cycling, please stay along the ecological corridor or non-motorized vehicle lane, do not enter the wetlands, and do not feed the water birds.
High altitude acclimatization
- Dali is at an altitude of approximately 1970 meters, and most people experience no discomfort. On the first day after arrival, avoid strenuous exercise, drink plenty of water (more than 1.5 liters per day), drink less alcohol, and get plenty of rest.
Local application
- WeChat: Communication, social networking, and payment (foreign credit card binding).
- Alipay: Cashless payment, with wider usage scenarios.
- Didi Chuxing: Ride-hailing app, supports English interface and foreign credit card payment.
The temperature difference between day and night is significant, so bring a jacket; take precautions against sunburn during the day. Respect local Bai customs and obtain permission before taking photos.
Your travel planning
We can tailor a Dali trip just for you, based on your travel duration, interests, and travel style. Contact us for more information!
Recommended Itinerary:
7-Day Yunnan Tour Lijiang Dali Shangri-La
8-Day Yunnan Small Group Tour: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La
All links to external tourist attractions in this article are from: China Travel Book
