Dali Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Dali is the only Bai autonomous prefecture in China. Living on its 29,500 square kilometers of including the Bai, Han, Yi,and Hui. Of the 3.3 million in population, 50 percent are people of the minority groups, and the remaining 50 is percent, people of the Han. The population of the Bai minority groups accounts for one-third of the total.
See and Do
A pleasant sightseeing trip
Butterfly Spring
A shallow pool that periodically swarms with countless butterflies. Otherwise the site (entrance 60RMB) includes a fairly nice park, a small butterfly breeding centre and an uterly bizzare exhibition hall with various pictures made from hundreds of dead butterflies of different colours which were presumably raised and killed on-site. If you really want to see this you can catch a minibus from outside the west gate.
Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake and Wase market. Combine a trip to the Lake with a visit to the Wase market on the Eastern shore of the lake. Wase is a traditional and conservative Bai town with a weekly market aimed at both townpeople and nearby farmers. The market offers an interesting look at life in a quiet country town. On the lake visit the Guanyin temple and several islands. Go with a group and enjoy a great day out. Boats can be easily arranged as the owners come into town to drum up business and you can see what you are getting from the photobooks they carry. A 30RMB Entrance Fee is changed for all lake visits, plus between RMB50-100 per person for a day on the lake. You get what you pay for, so don't expect a great trip with a cheap boat.
Cangshan Mountains
Take the chairlift up to Zhong He Temple (worth it as the hike up is not that great, the paths hard to find and rather painful). Entrance to the Mountain Park cost RMB30 and the chairlift RMB60 return or 30RMB one way. Budget conscious travellers can enter the park (student ID gets you half price RMB15) and take the chairlift up for 30RMB, then walk down. From Zhong He Temple you have a choice of paths running North or South, with each offering equally spectacular views of the mountains, valley and lake. You can head South towards Xiaguan along good paths for up to 8 hours (with several early exit points down the mountain) and enjoy the view. Spectacular. The Northern route offers the option to head up the mountain and enjoy forest, running streams and ever a swim in the cold waters of a natural pool. Beautiful. Neither route involves particularly difficult hiking or climbing and the quality of the path is good. If you are particularly dedicated, you can gain free access to the mountain by taking the route behind the One Pagoda and up the (rather painful) stairway behind the Dali Tianlongbabu TV City. Free, but a long climb. Another route is by taking the Cablecar behind the Guangtong Temple about 8kms South of Dali. You can take the bus down to the Temple (worth a visit in itself) and then a motorbike up to the Guangtong Cablecar. Around 80RMB return. A very beautiful part of the Cang Mountains, with panoramic views of the Lake.
The mountains themselves are home to beautiful wild camelias, orchids, rhodedendrons, azeleas and abundant birdlife. Dali is home to some of the rarest camellias in China and the Cangshan was the source of most of these. The stock for most azealas grown in Europe was sourced from wild azealas on Cangshan. Most of the lower slopes are covered in replanted pine forests, with higher slopes, and steep valleys showing areas of more natural forest cover. The mountains are a national level Geopark and Nature Reserve and have much to offer plant, bird, flower and hiking enthusiasts.
From Zhong He Temple you have a choice of paths running North or South, with each offering equally spectacular views of the mountains, valley and lake. Zhong He temple itself is an old Daoist temple and well worth a visit (but please don't make donations as the 'monks' are nothing of the sort and have subcontracted the temple as a profit-making exercise). The path, named the Cloud Traveller's Path, is one of the least crowded in China with local tourists only walking a few hundred metres from the chairlift, and you may only encounter a few groups along the entire 17kms length.
You can head South along good paths for up to 11 kms towards the Gantong Temple (with a couple early exit points down the mountain, within a few kilometers of Zhong He Temple, leading to Dali Movie City) and enjoy the view. The path itself is clean, very well maintained and very easy walking. It was built by locals with amazing effort and a lot of dynamite. Each of the 4 valleys you walk through offers spectacular views of both the mountains and forests as well as the entire Dali valley. From an altitude of 2500m you can view both the peaks which range up to 4100m and the valley and Erhai lake below. The 7 Dragon Maidens pool, 6 kms from the Zhong He temple are a stunning set of mountain stream pools of varying colors and one of the highlights of the walk.
The Northern route of 6kms of path offers one of the sharpest cliff views of the entire Dali valley, and on a clear day you can see Jizu Mountain (one of the most famous Buddhist mountains in China) well beyond the Erhai lake. The route, at the bend in the main valley, also offers a path up the mountains for 2 kms which ends at a mountain pool where you can take a swim on a warm day.
A suggested route would be to take the chairlift up to Zhonghe temple, take the Northern path for 3 kms enjoying the clearest view of the entire valley, then head back South past Zhonghe temple towards Gantong temple. Good coffee is available at cafes behind the temple, so take a break, then keep walking the full 11kms until you reach Gangtong. If you are not up to the full walk, you can exit the mountain about 3kms past Zhonghe temple down a well made stairway behind the Dali Tianlongbabu TV City. The signage along the path is very good with regular updates in English on just how far you have to go.
Another route worth taking (though more expensive) is by taking the Cablecar behind the Gantong Temple about 8kms South of Dali. You can take the bus down to the Temple (worth a visit in itself) and then a motorbike up to the Guangtong Cablecar. Around 80RMB return, plus the 30RMB entrance fee. A very beautiful part of the Cang Mountains, with panoramic views of the Lake. From Gangtong, you can then head North along the same path described above.
If you visit Dali, plan to spend at least one day up on the mountains. You can also overnight at guesthouses behind Zhonghe Temple, enjoying the most blissful peace & quiet available in China. Well worth it!
-
The famous Tang Dynasty Three Pagodas are located 10 minutes bike ride to the North West of Dali Old Town (next door to the Three Pagodas Hotel), offering one of the best preserved Buddhist structures in China. However, the compounds behind the pagodas were destroyed during the "Cultural Revolution" and were rebuilt starting in 1986. The Central pagoda is almost 1200 years old and represents a period when Dali was a Buddhist Kingdom. The entry price at RMB126+ is rather steep (student ID gives a 50% discount). The Congshen Temple behind the Three Pagados has recently been rebuilt and reopened, after deteriorating in the 20th century due to earthquakes, fires and the cultural revolution. It is a massive complex that continues far up the mountain, where a climb to the top of the pagodas rewards with a beautiful overlook of Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake. Worth a visit for the Tang architecture, numerous statues of the Buddha and Guanyin with influences from both India and China, dragon fountains, and two small museum showcases.
-
Shaping market and Xizhou. About 30 kms north of Dali is Shaping town which offers a lively weekly market with plenty of local color. The market starts early. A great chance to see local farmers out in force and literally watch plenty of horse trading. On the way back, stop in Xizhou, a town about 20kms north of Dali. Xizhou has almost 200 national heritage listed private houses dating from the Qing Dynasty. The houses are among the best examples of traditional Qing architecture in China and are exquisitely detailed. Chinese style with local touches. Building craftsmen from Xizhou were famous throughout SE Asia and traveled to Vietnam, Myanmar and throughout S W China to build and decorate houses. When they made their fortune, they returned to Xizhou to build their own dream home.
As most of these houses are currently occupied, you will need to be on your best behaviour, knock and enter with permission. The best way to see the finest examples are with a local guide as many of the interesting houses are difficult to find. Nonetheless, with a little legwork and good manners you can locate plenty of interesting architecture on your own.
The family estate of the Yan clan is preserved as a museum and open to the public, and while an excellent example of the architecture of the very rich is too commercial and compares poorly with more ordinary family homes in the township.
-
In the modern part of Dali, the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Museum is worth a visit. It has an extensive collection of exhibits, with most signs in both Chinese and English. The museum grounds are beautiful as well - the exhibits are set around a traditional garden. The museum tickets are only 10 RMB each - a real bargain.
Find yourself something to do
-
Take the ropeway (chairlift) upto the Cangshan Mountains to get an impressive view of Dali from high up. Hike in the mountains, going up, North or South. All directions offer some great hiking. Stay overnight (see accommodation below). The 16km 'Cloud Traveller' path across the Cangshan Mountains offers walks that range from easy to hard going, cuts through some superb valleys, offers spectacular views across the lake and valley, and overall is a must for travellers to Dali.
-
Chicken Foot Mountain 'Jizu Shan'. Further away from Dali to the North East behind Wase on the East side of Erhai Lake is Jizu Shan, called this because the mountain and its ranges look like a chicken's foot. Actually a 2-3 day trip in its own right. This is one of the 5 major Buddhist mountains in China and the top and slopes are covered in temples - many in a state of disrepair. Some have been restored and have resident monks. This is a difficult hike with the summit at 3200 metres. Be prepared. Or there are horse rides and a cable car that starts halfway up. To get here take a bus (2 hrs) from Xiaguans Northern bus station to Binchuan and from there change to a minibus or bus (1 hr) to Jizu Shan.
-
Lake Erhai has "Erhai Paradise" which is certainly worth a visit. It's a magical Buddhist haven with giant statues, empty amphitheaters, demon-statues, tea gardens and an artificial beach. The best way is to hire a taxi driver form Dali or Xiaguan for the entire day and negotiate a price. The driver can take you to the boat jetty and show you onto the island ferry. You'll sail across the wonderful lake in the purest air in the south of ChinaExplore the island and come back by boat, where your driver will be waiting to take you to a quality restaurant for dinner, or temples and bars as you wish. Total for the day about 500RMB pp and strongly recommended.
Dali's climate
The average temperature in Dali is less than 20C (68F). There is neither excessive heat in summer or intolerable cold in winter, with a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 millimeters. A spring-like climate prevails throughout the year.
Dining in Dali
What to eat
Dali is perhaps most well-known for dishes historically cooked by the Bai, one of the city's ethnic minority groups, and should certainly not be missed by those stopping in the area. However, Dali is a melting-pot for many different cultures, and offers visitors the chance to sample numerous foods from around Yunnan Province and other Chinese delicacies.
Further information about the food and drink of Dali can be found below:
Dali special dishes
Stewed Carp Casserole
This dish is commonly served as a main course in Dali. It combines 28 different ingredients and numerous seasonings to create a dish that is both a treat for the taste-buds and nutritious.
Steamed Chicken
This typical Yunnan food is steamed in a pot using tender chicken and a variety of traditional Chinese herbs. This delectable dish is also said to have medicinal qualities.
Dali Snacks
Dairy Fans
It is a type of food made from both milk and yoghurt which is then shaped into a fan form. Both ingredients are mixed together and then spread into a pan. They are cooked similarly to pancakes, although can also be steamed or boiled. Dairy Fans are a common local food and can be found served on many of the city's roadsides and lanes.
Er Kuai**
One of the most conventional foods of Dali is Er Kuai, a rice-based dish. The rice is first washed, soaked, stewed and then mashed into a paste, before being molded into various lumps, slices and shreds. It is usually grilled over burning charcoals with a sugar, walnut, or sesame filling.
Xizhou Town Ba Ba
Ba Ba is in fact a kind of savoury snack made from wheat flour. The dough is first rolled into a cake shape and is then sprinkled with a combination of chopped onions, salt and diced ham before being baked in oil. This local fast-food is favored by both locals and travelers alike.
Dali Beverages
Three Courses Tea
Tea is the most popular drink among the Bai. It is commonly drunk as part of a ceremony involving three servings. The first cup of tea tastes bitter, the second is sweeter, while the third cup has added seasoning for a more fragrant, lingering aftertaste. This way of tea drinking can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The three servings of bitterness, followed by sweetness and finally an aromatic aftertaste are supposed to act as metaphors as part of a philosophy on life.
One of the best places for visitors to sample the tea ceremony for themselves is Yan's Compound in Xizhou Village. Yan's is served by minibuses departing from both Xiaguan and Dali Ancient City. This type of ceremony can also be enjoyed on a number of the cruise ships on the Erhai Lake, and is often accompanied by performances of traditional Bai songs and dances.
Butter Tea
This is a tea traditionally made among the Tibetan communities. It is made from a combination of boiled yak butter mixed with salty tea.
Where to eat
Most of Dali's highly-recommended restaurants are located on Foreigner Street of Dali Ancient City. Aside from local food outlets, there is a wide selection of Western offerings; KFC, cafes and bars are readily found on this road and across other locations around Dali.
Local Food
- A Da Yin Restaurant
Location: South Erhai Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
Recommended delicacies: Erhai Fish, Green Plum wine
- Xinghua Village Restaurant
Location: No.165, Yu'er Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
Recommended delicacies: Stewed Carp, Dairy fans, Three Delicacy Noodles
Western Food
- Siji (Four Seasons) Hostel
Location: No.55, Boai Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
Recommended delicacies: Western food, Taiwanese dishes, Dali dishes
- Stella's Pizzeria
Location: No.21, Huoguo Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
Recommended delicacies: Pizza, Italian food
Fast Food
-
KFC
Location: F1-2, Aosen Mansion, West Jianshe Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
-
Dicos
Location: F1, Xiaguan Hotel, No1, Renmin Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
Transportation in Dali
Dali lies at the junction of the Yunnan-Burma Highway (320 National Highway) and the Yunnan-Tibet Highway (214 National Highway). From here Dali connects to other regions of western Yunnan Province. In addition, the Dali-Kunming Freeway is now open. Three long-distance bus stations handle freight and passenger transportation in and out of Dali with ease. Dali also has one railway station that runs four trains a day to Kunming. And Dali has its own airport. This increasingly modern transportation system makes it easier than ever to commute between Dali and other cities.
The urban public transportation in Dali is very convenient. There are dozens of city bus routes covering the entire city. Recently, the government has begun expanding the construction of country roads. And with taxis, autobuses and minibuses, it's easier than ever to explore the scenic spots of Dali.
Sleep
Dali has some of the cheapest accommodation options available in all China. Lots of accommodation to chose from. Expect to pay around 20 yuan for a dorm bed, 30 and up for rooms, 40-80 for a double room with private shower and toilet.
Popular central places include:
Built in 2008, the Jade Emu International Guest House is run by Dave (from Australia) and his partner Song (from China). It provides quality accommodation for the "budget conscious" traveler. Double, twin/triple share and dorm rooms available - all are modern, clean and comfortable. Conveniently located - 1 minute walk from the west wall and 5 minutes walk to the centre of town. Facilities include: Spacious courtyard and rooftop balcony, pool table, bar with outdoor home theatre system, free internet (including WIFI), fax/printing facilities, laundry service, bike rental.
Pricing: 25-160 RMB.
Phone: +86(0)872 2677311, +8613887232726 or +8615887399551.
- Jim's Tibetan Guest House, above Jim's Peace Cafe
Yu Yuan Guesthouse phone 0872 2673267; a block West of the main tourist area; new, clean, with friendly English-speaking staff. 80 RMB for a double with bathtub and electric blankets, including a good breakfast
-
Hotel du Temps Perdu (Feng Qing Dali)
Address: 81 Wenxian Road (From the South Gate continue south on Wenxian Road for about 3 minutes. Traditional style house on right with parking lot in front.)
TEL: +8613988414203
Check in: 12:00
Check out: 12:00
Located by the South Gate about 10 minutes walk from the center of Old Town Dali, this newly-opened hotel brings modern style to a traditional Bai minority house. Charming courtyard, tasteful traditional furnishings and a friendly, helpful staff. Facilities: 24-hour hot water, free WiFi (good connection in all rooms), free parking, laundry service, bike rental, concierge services. Chinese, English, French, Italian, Spanish spoken. from 180RMB (usually discounted)
-
Tibetan Lodge
Address: 58 Renmin Road Dali Old Town
A guest house and restaurant with a lot of character and atmosphere, the Tibetan Lodge is both cheap and comfortable. Single rooms start at 39RMB. Other room types available include doubles, triples, family, and suite. Fast and free internet is provided (wireless or on very slow desktops in lounge). The restaurant downstairs is good, but a little on the expensive side. There are also many neighboring restaurants (the restaurants directly across the street are quite nice) for other good options that are sometimes cheaper.
-
Dali Three Pagodas Youth Hostel (Hostelling International)
Address: Situated north-west of the Old Town - just west of the main road - and only a five-minute walk away)
TEL: 0872-2666398, 13529651981
This hostel is quite new, has friendly staff and is clean and pleasant. They are still working on the courtyard and gardens but they already look great. There is a large comfortable lounge with 2 PCs and free internet access, self-catering kitchen, roof terrace with great views and a travel service. The hostel was very empty when we stayed off-season. Dormitories: 8-bed 20RMB (15RMB), 4-bed 20RMB (15RMB). En-suite Double-Room 80RMB. Member prices in brackets.
Entertainment
Shopping
The ideal location for shopping in Dali must be Foreigner Street in the Ancient City of Dali. This street exhibits an abundance of local specialties. In the dwelling area of the Bai minority group, characteristic handicraft articles of the Bai people can be purchased. Furthermore, supermarkets and shopping malls can also meet visitors' daily necessities.
What to buy
Owing to the climate and the soil condition of Dali, the pears which grow here are much sweeter in flavor, and have thinner skins and more tender flesh. The main growing area for Dali snow pears is on the eastern side of Erhai Lake. Every August and September in the harvest season, people come from all around to Erhai Lake to pick pears and celebrate the harvest.
A traditional food of the Bai people is made from dried green plums. These are engraved with various patterns and designs. The fruit can be eaten after months spent soaking in pickling juice made from salt, brown sugar and honey. Having the dual effects of promoting the production of bodily fluids and relieving thirst, as well as displaying artistry, the engraved green plum fruit is both a popular food and a delicate work of art.
- The Compressed Tea (Tuo Cha) of Xia Guan
Due to its resemblance to the shape of a fungus, the compressed tea of Xia Guan is called 'Tuo Cha'. It enjoys an excellent reputation for its fragrance and cleansing effects. Xiaguan can promote health by refreshing both body and mind and is also an excellent method used for weight-loss.
- Tie-dye
The tie-dye of the Bai Minority is usually made by stitching patterns on cotton cloth and impregnating them in plant dye. Traditional dyed fabrics have white patterns on a background of indigo and are used for tablecloths, door curtains, hats, clothes, and scarves as well as other items. In Zhoucheng Village, there are many family workshops which make dyed fabrics. Visitors can take minibuses and carriages to the village.
Besides the preserved fruits of Yunxing County, the Wood Carvings of Jianchuan County and the marble handicrafts of the Cangshan Mountain are all the local foods and souvenirs which display the best of the local Dali flavor.
Where to buy
Supermarkets
- Sifangjie (Square Street) Supermarket
Address: No.13, West Street, Xiaguan, Dali City
No.342, Fuxing Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
No.43-46, Zhenxing Street, Xiaguan, Dali City
- Minsheng Shopping Market
Address: Guangfa Mansion, Central Jianshe Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
Department Stores
-
Zhengyang Department Store
June 26, 2008 Bus: 10
-
Dali Jianshe Department Store
Address: No.1, East Jianshe Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
Bus: 8, 9, 12, 17
Wholesale Market
Visitors can find bazaars in Xingsheng Road and Fuxing Road in Dali City, where small commodities can be found easily. The No.6 city bus passes the vegetable wholesale market.
Nightlife
Dali has become a distinguished tourist destination attracting countless travelers yearning for something extraordinary. Today's Dali is an enthralling place mixed with modern and old fashions and is prosperous but also tranquil. The nightlife in Dali is always fascinating and colorful.
Nightlife entertainment of Dali City's New District (Xiaguan) mainly converges on the square before the bus station on Jianshe Road. Besides the Karaoke TV, cinemas, discos, the square is also a wonderful entertaining place to dance with people of many different cultural groups or to admire local operas. Getting close to the local people's daily life, the open-air squares like this can provide visitors with an intimate connection with Dali. More visitors may choose to spend a serene night in Dali's Ancient City. They could relax into light-hearted chat while drinking beer and the tranquil atmosphere of the ancient city can properly set the tone for timeless relaxation. Foreigner Street gathers many westerners in numerous cafes and pubs. That is the reason why this street gains its famous name, Foreigner Street.
Recreation Center
- Dali Cultural Recreation Center (Bowling, Karaoke TV, health club)
Address: Central Jianshe Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
Pubs
- Tangchao Pub
Address: No.87, Foreigner Street, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
- Taibailou
Three Course Tea ceremonies are performed here.
Address: No.52, Foreigner Street, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
- Sakura
Address: Central Square, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
Cafe
- Tibetan Cafe
Address: No.42, Foreigner Street, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
- Mali Cafe
Address: No.105, Boai Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
Internet Bar
- Qianzhu Internet Bar
Address: F3, No.52, Jichang Road, Xiaguan, Dali City
1
2
3
4
5
6
Lijiang Old Town
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Shangri-la
Lake Luguhu
Yak Meadow
Butterfly Spring
Dali Ancient City
Yufeng Lamastery
Dongba Valley
Weather
Transportation
Shopping
Travel
Other Hints
