Dali Travel Guide
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Dali's location between the Cangshan Mountain and the alpine lake-Erhai Lake, makes it one of the most beautiful and relaxing places in China. It is a great place to escape the congested traffic, stress, work and pollution. People in Dali seem to live in an ideologically isolated world and they keep their traditional way of lifestyle. They work from dawn to sunset, live in their traditional houses, celebrate their own festivals and never worry about being fired.
Many travelers like staying at Dali's ancient town to explore the small alleys, enjoy cheap beer, pizzas and cappuccinos. Others may prefer excursions to its stunningly beautiful surroundings or biking in the countryside to Xizhou to appreciate the ornate traditional Bai architecture or taking a boat on the gemstone-like Erhai Lake or enjoying a climb up the lofty Cangshan Mountain. Dali is also quietly gaining recognition for the plethora of outdoor activities it offers such as hiking, biking, kayaking, and even rock climbing.
Historically, Dali was the political and cultural center of Yunnan and is therefore endowed with many cultural sites and historical heritage. The ancient town itself and the Three Pagodas, a religious site dating back to China's ancient Tang Dynasty over 1,000 years ago, are great evidence of the city's historical importance over centuries. The reflection of the three pagodas in the nearby lake is considered to be a most beautiful scene for photographers. Do not miss it, if you have a chance to visit.
Dali is a region which the Bai ethnic people inhabit, and thus it has distinguishing features of the Bai people: profound Bai buildings, the unique tea ceremony "Three Cups of Tea" and their traditional shining dress.
Tel Code: 0872
Zip: 671000
Total Area: 29,500 square kilometers
Population: 3.33 million
Minorities: Han, Bai, Yi, Hui, Lisu, and so on
Administrative Regions: Dali City, Jianchuan County, Midu County, Yunlong County, Eryuan County, Heqing County, Xiangyun County, Binchuan County, Yongping County, the Autonomous County of Weishan for Yi and Hui people, the Autonomous County of Nanjian for Yi people, the Autonomous County of Yangbi for Yi people.
Tel for tourist complaint: 96927
Top Things To Do in Dali
Zhoucheng Town
Overview Zhoucheng is a town located in the Dali area of Yunnan, China. The most important feature is that Zhoucheng is the main town and has the largest percentage of Bai people in Dali. ... [ View Details ]
Butterfly Spring
The Butterfly Spring lies in green trees at the foot of Yunnong Peak of Cangshan Mountain. The spring is 24 kilometers away from the Ancient City of Dali. It is a square spring pond. The water in t... [ View Details ]
Cangshan Mountain
The Cangshan Mountain, also known as Dian Cang Mountain or Holy Golden Eagle Mountain, is situated northwest to the Dali City. It is a major summit of southern Yunlin Mountain. The Cangshan Mountain s... [ View Details ]
Average Rating:
Average
Dali, just like Lijiang, is a beautiful city with gorgeous architecture, but... it's way too touristic. At least as much as Praha or Venice, if not more. Every single house is a souvenir shop, cafe or restaurant - in the center of the town at least. Old ladies wearing traditional dress kept asking me in english if I wanted marijuana... Thanks tourism over-exploitation. If you can focus on the beauty of the city and forget this, you will like it. If you want to enjoy a real village, you might like to go to the outskirts of the city or any other village in the area.
The countryside around the old town is awesome.
Dali is the cleanest place I have ever been to.
It is a wonderful place to buy ethical product.
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What is the best way to travel from Kunming to Dali - bus, train ? When, from where ?
Taking train from Kunming to Dali is very convenient. There are three trains every day which start respectively at 08:54,21:45 and 23:00. The jaurney is about ten hours and a soft sleeper is just from US$16. You can book the ticket at China Travel website, the entry is http://www.chinatravel.com/china-travel-tools/china-trains/ Wish you a good trip!
You need find a map or a guide before climbing the mountain beacuse there are more than one way to enter and some of them are dangerous. In my opinion, you''d better rent a horse of local farmers. The farmers have experience and can bring you into the mountain safely.
Many tourists visit Butterfly Spring at the down of summer, especially on March fifteenth.
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