Dali
大理 · Dàlǐ
An old town between a mountain and a lake — the laid-back heartland of the Bai people on Erhai Lake.
Don't want to go alone? Post on the board and find a travel buddy.
Find a buddyOverview
Dali sits between the Cangshan mountains and the wide Erhai Lake in Yunnan: a walled old town of whitewashed Bai-minority architecture, the ancient Three Pagodas, lakeside villages and a famously relaxed traveller vibe. Cycling the shoreline of Erhai is a highlight in itself.
History
Dali was the capital of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms (8th–13th centuries) before the Yuan conquest, and has long been the cultural heart of the Bai people. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple date back to the Nanzhao era, over a thousand years ago.
Culture & religion
Dali is the homeland of the Bai people, known for their painted, whitewashed houses, tie-dye craft and the syncretic Buddhism of the old Dali Kingdom. The Cangshan-mountain-and-Erhai-lake setting is a classic Chinese landscape, and Dali has become a byword for an unhurried, bohemian life.
What to see
Dali Old Town & Bai architecture
Walkable lanes of whitewashed, painted Bai houses, cafés and craft shops below the mountains.
Three Pagodas (崇圣寺三塔)
Three graceful pagodas standing for over a thousand years, reflected in their temple pools.
Erhai Lake (洱海)
Cycle or scoot the shoreline, or take a boat — villages, reed beds and big skies.
Xizhou village & tie-dye (喜洲)
A handsome Bai market town famous for its tie-dye workshops and grand courtyard houses.
Visiting
Wander the old town, then cycle or scooter the Erhai shoreline and visit the Three Pagodas. Pair it with Shaxi or Lijiang. Allow about two days; altitude is ~2,000 m.
- Tickets
- The old town is free; the Three Pagodas ~¥75; the Cangshan cable car is extra (approximate — confirm officially).
- Opening hours
- The town is always open; ticketed sites run roughly 08:00–18:00.
- Suggested route
- Dali Old Town → Three Pagodas → cycle the Erhai shoreline to Xizhou village → Cangshan cable car. About two days.
Suggested routes
1. Old town + Erhai loop
About 2 daystown + lake rideOld town and Three Pagodas, then a cycle or scooter day around Erhai Lake via Xizhou.
Points of interest
- 1
Dali Old Town · 大理古城
Walled Bai old town.
- 2
Three Pagodas · 崇圣寺三塔
Thousand-year-old pagodas.
- 3
Erhai Lake · 洱海
Cycle/boat the shoreline.
- 4
Xizhou village · 喜洲古镇
Bai town & tie-dye.
Getting there
Dali has an airport and a high-speed-rail station; bikes, scooters and buses link the old town and Erhai.