Bring your ID card and other possible certificates (such as student ID card, senior citizen card, etc. to get corresponding discounts).
Clothes
The temperature difference in Dali throughout the year is not big, but it is cooler in the morning and evening, so you need to bring a long-sleeved coat. If you travel in summer, bring light and breathable clothes, sun-protective clothing, sun hats, etc.; in winter, bring a thicker coat.
Items
Daily toiletries, skin care products, sunscreen (a must, the ultraviolet rays are strong), sunglasses, umbrellas or raincoats, power banks, cameras and related accessories (if you like photography), etc.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane
Dali Huangcaoba Airport is about 13 kilometers away from the Dali urban area (Xiaguan), with flights to and from some major domestic cities. There are airport buses to Dali Ancient Town, Xiaguan, etc. at the airport, and you can also take a taxi to your destination.
Train
Dali Station is located in Xiaguan, with bullet trains and ordinary trains. You can take a bus, taxi, etc. from Dali Station to places like Dali Ancient Town.
Internal Transportation
Bus
There are bus routes connecting major areas such as Dali Ancient Town and Xiaguan. You can check the routes and real-time bus information through bus apps like “Chelaile”, but some routes stop running early.
Taxi/Online Car-hailing
It is relatively easy to get a taxi in the urban area and around the scenic spots, but you may need to wait during the peak tourist season.
Car Rental
If you want to visit the surrounding areas freely, you can choose to rent a car and drive by yourself. There are cars and electric vehicles (suitable for short-distance trips around, such as cycling around Erhai Lake) available for rent. Pay attention to traffic rules and parking regulations.
Food Recommendations
Special Dishes
Dali Sand Pot Fish
Fresh fish from Erhai Lake is selected and cooked slowly in a Xiangyun earthen pot with tender chicken slices, winter mushrooms and other delicious ingredients. The fish is tender and the soup is delicious.
Papaya Chicken
Papaya and chicken are stewed together. The fragrance of papaya is integrated into the chicken. The chicken is soft and the taste is unique and has a certain nourishing effect.
Carved Plum with Steamed Pork Belly
The pork belly is boiled until half-cooked, fried and then sliced, and steamed with carved plums. The steamed pork belly is fat but not greasy, and the carved plums are sweet and sour, very appetizing.
Special Snacks
Po Su Baba
There are sweet and salty flavors. The outer skin is crispy and the inside is soft with distinct layers. The Xizhou Po Su Baba is the most famous.
Milk Fan
Made from milk, it can be eaten raw or cooked. There are various ways to eat it, such as frying, roasting over a charcoal fire and then dipping in sugar, etc. It has a strong milk flavor.
Cold Chicken Rice Noodles
Made with cold shredded chicken and rice noodles, and added with special sauces, vinegar, chili oil and other seasonings. It is sour and spicy and refreshing, suitable for summer.
Scenic Spot Introductions
Dali Ancient Town
There are well-preserved traditional Bai ethnic buildings in the ancient town. You can stroll along Yangren Street, Fuxing Road and other streets, visit unique shops, taste various snacks, and also visit the ancient city wall, Wuhua Tower and other landmark buildings. The ancient town is brightly lit at night, and the bars and night markets are very lively.
Erhai Lake
You can choose to rent a car or ride a bike to cycle around Erhai Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains along the way. Xizhou Ancient Town, Shuanglang Ancient Town, Nanzhao Island and other places are around Erhai Lake. Xizhou Ancient Town has a typical Bai ethnic residential building complex; Shuanglang Ancient Town is built by the lake, and you can overlook Cangshan Mountain with beautiful scenery; Nanzhao Island condenses the essence of Nanzhao culture.
Cangshan Mountain
You can take a cable car up the mountain. There are Xima Pool Cable Car, Gantong Cable Car, etc. There are magnificent canyons, waterfalls, alpine meadows and other landscapes on the mountain. You can also visit Zhonghe Temple, Xima Pool and other scenic spots. There may be snow on the top of the mountain in winter, and you can enjoy the snow scenery of Cangshan Mountain.
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
It consists of one large pagoda and two small pagodas. The main pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, is 69.13 meters high and is in a typical architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. The environment in the scenic area is quiet, and you can appreciate the majestic ancient pagodas as well as exquisite Buddhist statues and murals.
Accommodation Suggestions
Inside Dali Ancient Town
It is convenient to travel and there are many delicious foods around. There are various characteristic homestays and inns to choose from, where you can experience the Bai ethnic customs.
By Erhai Lake
Such as Shuanglang, Caicun, etc. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Erhai Lake, but the price may be relatively high and you need to book in advance during the peak season.
Xiaguan Urban Area
There are many accommodation options with relatively affordable prices and convenient transportation, suitable for transit or tourists with a limited accommodation budget.
Travel Route Planning
Leisure Three-day Tour
Day 1
Morning: Arrive in Dali, check in at a homestay in Dali Ancient Town, take a short rest and then visit the ancient town, visit the ancient city wall, Wuhua Tower, etc.
Noon: Taste Dali’s special foods in the ancient town, such as cold chicken rice noodles, Po Su Baba, etc.
Afternoon: Continue to visit unique shops in the ancient town and experience the artistic atmosphere of the ancient town.
Evening: Experience the nightlife in the bars or night markets of the ancient town.
Day 2
Morning: Set off from Dali Ancient Town and go to Xizhou Ancient Town, admire the traditional Bai ethnic residential buildings, taste Xizhou Po Su Baba, visit Yanjia Courtyard, etc.
Noon: Have a meal in Xizhou Ancient Town and taste local special dishes like papaya chicken.
Afternoon: Go to Shuanglang Ancient Town, enjoy the scenery of Erhai Lake on the way. After arriving at Shuanglang, stroll in the ancient town, enjoy the beautiful scenery by the lake, and visit Nanzhao Island.
Evening: Have a meal at a lakeside restaurant in Shuanglang, enjoy the night view of Erhai Lake and then return to Dali Ancient Town for accommodation.
Day 3
Morning: Go to Cangshan Mountain, take the Xima Pool Cable Car up the mountain, visit the scenic spots of Cangshan Mountain and enjoy the natural scenery of alpine canyons, etc.
Noon: Have a meal at a restaurant near Cangshan Mountain.
Afternoon: After going down the mountain, you can arrange free activities according to the return time or go to the airport/station for the return trip.
Shopping Recommendations
Specialties
Marble Products
Such as marble paintings, marble ornaments, etc. They are exquisitely crafted and have certain artistic value and commemorative significance.
Bai Ethnic Tie-dye
Handmade with natural plant dyes, there are various clothing, accessories, home furnishings, etc. The colors are bright and environmentally friendly.
Xiaguan Tuo Tea
One of the famous Yunnan teas with a mellow taste. You can buy some as a souvenir.
Precautions
Some sections around Erhai Lake may be under renovation or construction. You can pay attention to relevant information before traveling and plan the route reasonably.
Respect the customs of the local Bai ethnic group and other ethnic minorities. For example, be polite in Bai ethnic residential buildings.
When cycling around Erhai Lake, pay attention to sun protection and safety, and arrange the itinerary and physical strength reasonably.
