Dali, China
Region: Yunnan
Geographic Coordinates: 34.795300, 109.938000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 25.0°C (14°F to 77°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 109696
Language: Chinese
Dali is a stunning city situated in the southwestern part of China, Nestled in the heart of Yunnan Province. The city is surrounded by mountains and sits at an altitude of 1, 900 meters above sea level. Dali boasts a rich cultural heritage with many historic sites, Including ancient temples and traditional architecture that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. The Old Town of Dali is a must-visit destination for visitors to the region. This area features narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional Bai-style buildings that have been well-preserved over time.
The town’s main attraction is its ancient city walls that surround it, Offering stunning views of both the town and surrounding countryside. Erhai Lake is another popular attraction in Dali, Which translates to “ear-shaped” due to its unique shape resembling an ear when viewed from above. This lake spans over 250 square kilometers and offers breathtaking views of crystal clear waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Dali also has a vibrant arts scene with many galleries showcasing local artists’ works ranging from paintings to sculptures.
Visitors can explore art exhibitions or attend workshops where they can learn about different artistic techniques from local artists. One unique aspect of Dali’s culture is their love for music and dance performances known as “Shaoshan.” These performances are held throughout the year during festivals or special events where locals dress up in colorful costumes while performing traditional dances accompanied by live music played on instruments like drums, Flutes, And cymbals. Food lovers will enjoy exploring Dali’s culinary scene as it offers a wide variety of dishes influenced by both Han Chinese cuisine along with Bai minority cuisine.
Local specialties include Yunnan rice noodles served in hot pot style broth called Guoqiao Mixian, Steamed buns stuffed with pork called Xizhou Baba, Grilled fish seasoned with herbs called Erhai Fish among others. Dali is a charming city with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural scenery. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture by exploring ancient temples, Traditional architecture, Attending music and dance performances or indulging in delicious local cuisine. Whether you are an art lover, History buff or nature enthusiast, Dali has something to offer for everyone.
- Dali Ancient City
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
- Erhai Lake
- Cangshan Mountain Range
- Butterfly Spring Park
- Zhoucheng Village and Bai Tie-dye Workshop
- Xizhou Ancient Town
- Shaxi Ancient Town
- Weishan Old Town
- Nanzhao Folk Island
- Tourism
- Agriculture (especially tea and fruits)
- Handicrafts (such as tie-dyeing, embroidery, and woodcarving)
- Mining (for minerals such as marble and copper)
- Manufacturing
- Several universities and research institutes
- The Dali Kingdom was once the capital of an ancient kingdom that existed from 937 to 1253 AD.
- The Bai people are an ethnic minority group that has lived in the Dali area for centuries and have had a significant impact on the region’s culture and history.
- The Three Pagodas are a group of three ancient pagodas located in Dali that date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). They are considered one of China’s most iconic landmarks.
- Marco Polo visited Dali during his travels through China in the 13th century and wrote about its beauty and wealth.
- Zhang Yimou is a renowned Chinese film director who was born in Xi’an but spent much of his childhood in Dali, known for films such as Raise the Red Lantern and Hero.
- Erhai Lake is a large freshwater lake located near Dali that has played an important role in local culture and history for centuries.
- Chiang Kai-shek spent several years living in exile in Dali during World War II before returning to power after Japan’s surrender, former leader of Taiwan.
- Yang Liping is a famous Chinese dancer who was born and raised near Dali, incorporating traditional Bai dance into her performances.
- Cangshan Mountain Range is a scenic mountain range located near Dali designated as both national park & UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Jianchuan Museum Cluster outside of Dali showcases traditional Chinese art, history, culture & architecture from various regions throughout China’s long history.
- Three Pagodas: A group of three ancient pagodas dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries.
- Dali Ancient City: A well-preserved old town with traditional architecture, narrow streets, and historic landmarks.
- Chongsheng Temple: A significant Buddhist temple complex with impressive stone carvings and statues.
- Bai Minority Culture Museum: A museum dedicated to the culture, history, and traditions of the Bai ethnic minority group in Dali.
- Erhai Lake: One of the largest freshwater lakes in China with stunning views of surrounding mountains and traditional fishing villages.
- Butterfly Spring Park: An idyllic park featuring a natural spring surrounded by blooming flowers and butterflies.
- Cangshan Mountain Range: A scenic mountain range with hiking trails, waterfalls, and panoramic views of Dali’s landscape.
- Zhoucheng Village: Known for its tie-dyeing techniques that have been passed down for generations among the Bai people.
- Shaxi Ancient Town: An ancient town located on an important trade route between Yunnan province and Tibet with well-preserved architecture from different dynasties in China’s history.
- Xizhou Town: Another historic town known for its traditional courtyards, ornate gateways, temples, and local snacks such as Xizhou baba (a type of flatbread).
- Dali Butterfly Festival is an annual celebration of nature and the abundance of butterflies in the area, held in Butterfly Spring Park.
- March Street Festival is a cultural event that takes place every March, showcasing traditional dances, music, food and crafts of the Bai ethnic minority.
- Cangshan Mountain Music Festival features performances by local and international artists at Cangshan Mountain on a yearly basis.
- Dali Ancient City International Photography Exhibition exhibits photographs from around the world annually in Dali’s ancient city.
- Three Pagodas Cultural Tourism Festival is held at the Three Pagodas complex and includes cultural performances, art exhibitions and traditional food stalls.
- Shaxi Ancient Town Music Festival showcases traditional Chinese music as well as international acts every year in Shaxi Ancient Town near Dali.
- Yunnan Ethnic Minority Culture Expo exhibits various ethnic minority cultures across Yunnan province through dance performances, art exhibitions and handicraft displays.
- Tea Horse Road Cultural Tourism Festival celebrates an ancient trade route connecting Yunnan with Tibet via tea-horse caravans with cultural events like horse racing competitions and tea ceremonies annually.
- Bai Cuisine: This is the traditional cuisine of the Bai people, who are an ethnic minority group in Dali. Some popular dishes include Xizhou Baba (a type of flatbread), Yunnan Rice Noodles, and Er Kuai (a type of rice cake).
- Haidilao Hot Pot: This is a popular chain restaurant that serves hot pot, which is a Chinese dish where diners cook their own food in a pot of boiling broth.
- The Ancient City Night Market: This night market is located within the ancient city walls of Dali and offers a variety of street food options such as grilled meat skewers, fried noodles, and steamed buns.
- Cafe de Jack: This cafe serves Western-style food such as burgers and sandwiches as well as coffee drinks.
- Golden Flower Restaurant: This restaurant specializes in Yunnan-style dishes such as stir-fried mushrooms with ham and steamed fish with chili sauce.
- Zhangjia Restaurant: This restaurant serves Dai cuisine which includes spicy grilled fish, sour soup with vegetables and pork ribs.
- Shaxi Old Theatre Inn Restaurant: Located in nearby Shaxi town this restaurant offers traditional Chinese dishes like stir-fried vegetables with tofu or chicken stewed with mushrooms alongside Western options like pizza or steak fries for those looking for something different from local fare.
- Erhai Park is a beautiful lakeside park that provides visitors with walking paths, picnic areas, and boat rentals.
- Cangshan National Scenic Area is an awe-inspiring mountain range that offers hiking trails and breathtaking scenic views.
- Dali Ancient City Wall Park is a lovely park surrounding the ancient city walls of Dali. It features gardens and cultural exhibits for visitors to enjoy.
- Butterfly Spring Park is a nature reserve that boasts waterfalls, hot springs, and butterfly habitats for those who love the great outdoors.
- Zhonghe Temple Forest Park is a serene forested park located around an ancient Buddhist temple where visitors can relax in nature’s tranquility.
- Three Pagodas Scenic Area is a historical site featuring three ancient pagodas along with stunning gardens to explore at your leisure.
- Shuanglang Ancient Town was once an old fishing village but has since been transformed into a popular tourist destination offering scenic views of Erhai Lake.
- Xizhou Bai Minority Folklore Museum showcases the rich culture of the Bai minority group in Dali through various exhibits on traditional architecture, handicrafts, and farming techniques.
- Cai Village gives visitors the chance to learn about traditional architecture, handicrafts, and farming techniques while immersing themselves in this quaint Bai village’s peaceful surroundings.
- Xiaguan Mosque built during the Qing Dynasty remains in use today by Muslims living in Xiaguan – it’s worth visiting if you’re interested in learning more about China’s Islamic heritage.
