Dali Travel Guide

Dali is one of the most popular travel spots in China, attracting visitors from home and abroad. Considered as the "Oriental Switzerland" or "Chinese Geneva", Dali is a ancient city with 4000-year history and is attractive for its natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere. It’s situated in the Bai Autonomous Region, at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and the banks of Erhai Lake, northwest of the Yunnan Province, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of Kunming. The literal translation of Dali is "a state of great order", aptly named for its marble structures, streets, and wells. This old town has been listed as the "backpackers paradise" in many guide books. 

Travellers visit the Dali Old Town for its traditional architecture, minority cultures and simply to relax. The greastest travel sight of Dali is definitely the highly acclaimed "Four Grand Scenes", which consists of Shangguan Flower, Xiaguan Wind, Cangshan Snow and Erhai Moon. Among them, Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake are praised as Dali's leading scenic areas. Most other travel attractions lie between the two landmarks, such as the Butterfly Spring, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple etc. Visitors can enjoy a romantic boat ride in the pristine Erhai Lake, admire the grandeur of the Cangshan Mountains. They can also experience the unique ethnic minorities culture.

Dali is a place where people from many different cultures and races lived, so food there is in a great variety, so travelers will have a chance to taste food of different minorities and places. There is a Foreigner Street in Dali, full of hand-craft stores, cafes and guesthouses where the traveler can enjoy the shopping or relax with a slow pace. Read more guide to Dali attractions below. Welcome to check out our other pages for more travel information about Dali. If you want to experience the pastoral life in this ancient city, we are always ready to help with professional advice, useful itinerary and excellent travel service.