Top Dali Attractions

No.1 Dali Old Town

Type: Ancient Town, Historic Sites

Dali Old Town is the southernmost of the large old towns - the other two are Lijiang and Shangri-La. Embracing Erhai Lake in the east and Cangshan Mountain in the west; streams from Cangshan Mountain come into the city, going across the streets and visiting every family, running eastwards to Erhai Lake. In the Town, you’ll enjoy the City Wall, Gate-towers, elegant streets, small and exquisite courtyards, colorful flowers blooming in the sunshine. Some visitors, seduced by Dali’s charms forget to leave and Westerners run much business here.

Recommended Tour:

6 Days Yunnan Essence Tour (Kunming, Dali & Lijiang)

No.2 The Three Pagodas

Type: Cultural Relics, Scenic Spots

The Three Pagodas, around 3km north of the Dali Old Town, is Dali’s most iconic landmarks, three Layered, cream-coloured pagodas gently tapering towards their summits. The oldest pagoda was built around 850 when the region was a major Buddhist center. The Three Pagodas look best at a distance. Chongsheng Temple adjoins the Three Pagodas and was the largest monastery in this area.

Recommended Tour:

8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

No.3 Erhai Lake

Type: Natural Landscape,Scenic Spots

Erhai Lake stretches 40km along the flat valley in the west of Dali Old Town, its shore fringed with Bai villages. The west side is well watered by stream descending the Cangshan Mountain; and famous little old town, Xizhou Town and Zhoucheng Town are all lies in the west side. You can reach many local villages by cycling or car.

Cruising on the Erhai Lake is a leisure way to see the Lake. Also, you can choose cycling. Cormorant fishing trips are available for tourist to see local traditional fishing.

Recommended Tour:

3 Days Dali Classic Tour

No.4 Cangshan Mountain

Type: Natural Landscape,Scenic Spots

Cangshan Mountain, the Green Mountains, is a 50-km-long range peaking from between 2100m and 4122m, cloaked in thick forest and cloud. You’ll experience 15km-long walking trail (named Cloud Pass) which passes some temples, waterfalls, caves and shrines; you’ll see Gantong Temple, Qingbi Stream, Grand Canyon and Zhonghe Temple by the walking trail. In good weather, views off the mountain take in the whole Erhai Lake, with plenty of birdlife, the odd squirrel and colorful flowers alongside the path. Of course, you can take multi-day hikes in the mountain area if you are hiking enthusiasts.

Recommended Tour:

3 Days Dali City Tour with Cangshan Mountain Hiking

No.5 Shaxi Ancient Town

Type: Ancient Town, Historic Sites

Shaxi Ancient Town is an attractive old mud-brick Bai town of Shaxi, occupies a flat, heavily farmed valley, 95km northwest of Dali Old Town. Shaxi is tiny but plays a very important role as a bustling trade station on the Tea and Horse Road. Nowadays, Shaxi still has that border-town feel; mountain villagers come down from the hills to trade their goods on every Friday which is Friday Market in Shaxi. Even you can buy a horse here if you would like. Some sites you can’t miss-Sideng, Sifang Street and the arched stone Yujin Bridge which marks the start of the old packhorse route north to Tibet. It’s best to catch Friday Market here if you are lucky.

Recommended Tour:

4 Days Dali Leisure Vacation for Nature & Culture Savory (in Luxury Boutique Hotel)

6 Days Dali Lijiang Tour with Shaxi Ancient Town (Dali / Shaxi Ancient Town / Lijiang)

No.6 Xizhou Village & Morning Market

Type: Ancient Town

With 18km north from Dali Old town, the single most important Bai town, Xizhou Village was once a commercial center of Yunnan Province, and more than 1500 year ago, Xizhou and nearby area has been the major habitat for the Bai people. Xizhou is going to show you the Bai minority cultural, the local people’s daily life and natural beauty.

The morning market in Xizhou, a place for local people trading daily supplies, including fresh vegetable, fruits, meats, and many kinds of food and daily necessities. It is a great opportunity for getting close to local living conditions.

Recommended Tour:

6 Days Yunnan Essence Tour (Kunming, Dali & Lijiang)

No.7 Zhoucheng Village

Type: Ancient Town

This small town is 28km up the highway from Dali Old Town. Zhoucheng is a tie-dyeing center, is named “the Land for National Tie-Dye” by China Culture Administration. Tie-dye is an old Chinese textile dyeing technique. This traditional technique is still popular in Zhouzheng. Behind Zhoucheng’s main marketplace, the Butterfly Spring is a deep, blue pond haunted by clouds of butterflies in early summer. The Butterfly Festival is held on the 15th of the fourth lunar month (Late May or early June).

Recommended Tour:

4 Days Dali Leisure Vacation for Nature & Culture Savory (in Luxury Boutique Hotel)