Hugging the shores of Erhai Lake and surrounded by the Cangshan Mountains, Dali welcomes every tourist with its breathtaking scenery. Whatās more, the unique Bai culture, abundant historical sites and immersive hands-on experiences await you. To enjoy an unforgettable Dali travel, the core principle is to slow down your pace and lose yourself in its peaceful vibe.
In this guide, we will share the top things to do in Dali and recommended itineraries, as well as practical information about transportation and accommodation, helping you plan a smooth Dali tour.
š At a Glance: Planning Your Dali Trip
- Top Attractions: Erhai Lake, Dali Old Town, Cangshan Mountain, Xizhou Ancient Town, Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.
- Recommended Duration: 2 to 4 days (3 days is ideal for first-timers).
- Sea Level & Altitude: ~1,970 meters (6,463 ft) for Dali Old Town; Cangshan peaks reach up to 4,295 meters (14,091 ft).
- Best Time to Visit: March ā May & September ā November.
šļø Bai Architecture
šØ Ethnic Tie-Dye
ā°ļø Mountain Views
š Content Preview
Top Things to Do & Attractions in Dali, Yunnan
1. Cycle Erhai Lake (Top Dali Attraction)
Cycling around Erhai Lake is one of the top things to do in Dali to truly experience the charm of the city. Spanning around 120-130 kilometers, this cycling route leads you into a peaceful haven, with stunning views of the shimmering lake, distant Cangshan Mountain, and the scattered ancient villages along the lake shore.
For most travelers, it is more recommended to cycle along the popular sections of West-Shore Ecological Corridor, as a full loop takes about 8 – 10 hours and is really exhausting. During the ride, take your time to visit ethnic villages, experience the local life and savor local cuisine. Also, you can pause at any spot to capture the breathtaking landscapes.
Longkan Wharf ā Caicun Village ā Panxi Stream S-Bend
Distance: 10 – 13 km | Time needed: 2.5 – 4 hours
Panxi Stream S-Bend ā Haishe Park ā Xizhou Ancient Town
Distance: 10 – 16 km | Time needed: 4 – 6 hours
Tips: Motor vehicles and electric bikes from outside are prohibited in the West-Shore Ecological Corridor. You can rent a bike inside the scenic area.
2. Leisurely Stroll Dali Old Town (Day & Night)
Dali Old Town is dominated by lines of traditional Bai architecture, historical buildings and temples, and shops offering various handicrafts and delicacies, which all breathe soul and history into the city. Take a stroll through the townās bluestone paved streets, youāll find that each of these antique streets hosts its own treasures.
The ancient town comes alive at night, being teemed with local foods, handmade crafts, and vibrant Bai ethnic song and dance performances.
3. Hike Cangshan Mountain & Cableway Guide
Cangshan Mountain is a stunning backdrop of Erhai Lake, the snow of Cangshan Mountain is one of the four famous landscapes in Dali, contrasting beautifully with Erhai Lake. The stunning natural landscapes and diverse flora and fauna make it a hiking paradise. It also serves as a carrier of local cultural inheritance, housing many ancient temples.
To make the most of your visit, it is recommended to take the cable car uphill first and then enjoy a relaxing hiking along the Jade Belt Road halfway up the mountain. There are three cable cars available. For most travelers, Gantong Cableway is more recommended.
Cableway Option |
Elevation / Endpoint |
Highlights & Best For |
|---|---|---|
Gantong Cableway |
Mid-mountain |
Scenic line with views of Dali Old Town & Erhai Lake. Recommended for most visitors. |
Ximatan Cableway |
Peak (3,920m) |
Glacial relics & fir forests. High elevation; risk of cold and altitude sickness. |
Zhonghe Cableway |
Mid-mountain |
Open chairlift offering wide panorama views. Ideal for outdoor adventurers. |
4. Experience Cultural Tie-Dye in Zhoucheng Village
As one of the largest Bai ethnic villages in China, Zhoucheng Village is famous as the āHome of Bai Tie-Dye Artā. This ancient technique has been deeply rooted in its culture, resulting in the various time-honored workshops here.
Experiencing tie-dye here is one of the top things to do in Dali. Typically, visitors will follow the guidance of a local artisan, learn to use tools like ropes, or cotton threads to fold or twist the fabric into different shapes and dip it into natural plant-based dyes. It is a great chance to truly appreciate the beauty of a time-honored craft. You can make a scarf, a canvas bag or a T-shirt, which will be an exclusive souvenir for yourself.
- Recommended workshop: Puzhen Tie-Dye Workshop
- Estimated cost: CNY 30ā80 for handkerchiefs, CNY 70ā180 for scarves, CNY 150+ for clothing
5. Explore Bai Ethnic Architecture in Xizhou Ancient Town
Unlike the bustling Dali Old Town, Xizhou Ancient Town treats you with a tranquil experience of rural life in Dali. It is home to over 15,000 Bai courtyards from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, earning it the title “Museum of Bai Residential Architecture”. So, one of the top things to do here is to wander along the alleys to observe the screen walls, flying eaves, wooden and brick carvings of the anceint residences.
Another highlight is the rice field. From March to October, you can feasts your eyes on the yellow rapeseed flowers, green rice seedlings, lush green rice waves and golden rice fields. Besides, You will take in picturesque views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake.
6. Walk the Tea-Horse Road in Shaxi Ancient Town
Boasting a history of over 2,400 years, Shaxi Ancient Town is the only surviving ancient market on the Tea Horse Road. Till now, numerous ancient theaters, bridges, temples, old shops, and Bai ethnic residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties are well-preserved here.
Stepping on the dedicated lane for horse caravans in ancient China on Sideng Street and strolling around to discover the ancient theater, Xingjiao Temple and Ouyang Courtyard, you will feel as if you are travelling back in time.
If your Dali trip to Shaxi is on a Friday, do not miss the local market, where villagers wearing traditional costumes and selling wild vegetables and mountain products. It is the best time to experince authentic local life.
7. Visit the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (Iconic Landmark)
Chongsheng Temple is the imperial temple of ancient Dali Kingdom with the magnificent architecture complex are built against mountains. The Three Pagodas is a distinctive landmark, which consists of one large pagoda flanked by two smaller ones, in an equilateral triangle layout.
The large pagoda is one of the tallest pagodas in Yunnan, showing the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, and the two smaller ones show a Song Dynasty style. Now, visitors can not ascend the pagodas, but you can walk clockwise around them and observe the detailes up close. Also, near the entrance lies a Juying Pool, where the breathtaking reflection of three pagodas can be captured on sunny days.
8. Savor Authentic Bai Ethnic Cuisine
Besides visual feasts and cultural immersion experiences, Dali will also entertain visitors with a feast for taste buds given its diverse Bai cuisine. Any hidden alley in the ancient town hosts great Bai restaurants serving signature dishes of the Bai ethnic group.
- What to eat: Sour and Spicy Fish, Claypot Fish, Slices of Pork Belly with Plums, Stir-fried Wild Vegetables with Yunan Ham, Grilled Rushan (a type of grilled cheese), Xizhou Baba (a kind of pancake)
- Where to eat: Look for restaurants transformed from old courtyards in Renmin Road and Yuer Road inside Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou Ancient Town, the downtown Xiaguan District.
9. Experience Diverse Local Festivals
Taking part in characteristic ethnic festival is also a top thing to do in Dali to gain an insight into the culture of the Bai ethnic group. Here are some major festivals, showcasing not only their traditional customs but also religious beliefs. Plan your trip to Dali according to their dates if you are interested in these festivals.
Festivals |
Date |
Highlights |
Top Places to Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
San Yue Jie (March Street Festival) |
Lunar: Mar 15ā21 Solar: Late AprāEarly May |
The grandest Bai festival. Horse racing, dragon boat racing, and grand street markets. |
Outside West Gate of Dali Old Town (Sanyue Street) |
Torch Festival |
Lunar: June 25 Solar: Late JulyāEarly Aug |
Locals light torches at gates and village squares, dancing around bonfires for good health. |
Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou Ancient Town, Caicun Village |
Rao San Ling |
Lunar: April 23ā25 Solar: Late MayāEarly June |
Sacrificial procession in traditional attire featuring joyful folk singing and ceremonial dances. |
Near Qingdong Village and Shengyuan Temple |
Tips: As the Rao San Ling is a sacrificial ceremony, visitors cannot join the team, but they can view it from the sidelines.
How to Plan a Dali Tour: Itineraries & Tour Packages
When planning a trip to Dali, it is generally recommended to plan for 3 to 4 days to explore the city at a relaxed pace. This period allows you to cover its iconic sights and include hands-on experience, like tie-dying. If you are short of time, a 2-day trip is relatively intense, but it is still enough to visit major attractions.
šļø Recommended Itinerary Options
Relaxing 3-Day Tour Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival in Dali – Check-in & Explore Dali Old Town
- Day 2: Cangshan Mountain Cableway – Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple – Erhai Lake Coastal Walk
- Day 3: Xizhou Ancient Town – Experience Tie Dying in Zhoucheng – Former Mansion of Yan’s Family – Departure
2-Day Essence Tour Itinerary:
- Day 1: Cycling along Erhai Lake – Xizhou Ancient Town – Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple – Dali Old Town Nightlife
- Day 2: Cangshan Mountain Cableway – Tie Dying in Zhoucheng – Departure
Recommended Tour Package:
A 3-day Dali tour featuring cable car ascent of Cangshan Mountain, Erhai lakeside relaxation, ancient town exploration, and Bai minority traditional houses in Xizhou.
Indeed, most travelers donāt seek Dali as a standalone destination but intend to combine their Yunnan travel with more destinations, such as Kunming, Lijiang, and Shangri-La. In this way, about 7 – 10 days are needed.
Recommended Tour Package:
An 8-day leisurely Yunnan journey through Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La with cable cars, ancient towns and Tibetan culture.
Useful Travel Information (Weather & Transportation)
Weather & Best Time to Visit Dali
Climate: Low-latitude plateau monsoon climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
Feature: The weather in Dali is mild year-round with annual average temperature ranging around 15-17Ā°C and small seasonal temperature differences. But it also has a distinct wet season (late May to September) and a dry season (October to April).
The best time to visit Dali is from March to May and September to November when the weather provides an ideal setting to discover its ancient towns and is perfect for outdoor activities.
March to May is pleasant with blooming blossoms and is the time to host several ethnic festivals, like San Yue Jie.
September to November is the time when the cityās autumn colors start to appear. The golden fields and colorful leaves among Cangshan Mountain together create a beautiful visual spectacle.
Transportation: How to Get to and Travel Around Dali
How to Get to Dali?
By High-Speed Train: Dali Railway Station is the main train station serving the city, located ~18 km from Dali Old Town. It offers direct bullet trains to Kunming (2 hrs), Chengdu, and Chongqing.
By Air: Dali Fengyi Airport (DLU) is ~30 km from Dali Old Town, with direct flights from major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Many international travelers fly into Kunming Airport first and transfer to Dali via high-speed train.
Destination from Dali Old Town |
Estimated Travel Time |
Taxi / Didi Fare |
|---|---|---|
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple |
10 mins |
CNY 10 ā 15 |
Caicun Village (Erhai Lake) |
15 ā 20 mins |
CNY 15 ā 25 |
Xizhou Ancient Town |
30 ā 40 mins |
CNY 40 ā 65 |
Zhoucheng Village |
35 ā 45 mins |
CNY 50 ā 80 |
Where to Stay in Dali
- Dali Ancient Town: Best for first-time visitors, nightlife, and historic guesthouses.
- Xiaguan (New City Area): Best for high-end business hotels and close proximity to the train station.
- Erhai Lake Shore (Caicun / Longkan): Best for scenic sea views, sunrise photos, and boutique lakefront stays.
Practical Travel Tips
- Altitude & Sun Protection: Dali Old Town sits at ~2,000m altitude. Bring a jacket and altitude medication if taking the Cangshan peak cableway (3,920m). UV rays are high year-roundāsunscreen and hats are required.
- Luggage in Ancient Town: Ancient town streets are paved with stone slabs. Book accommodation near the main entrance gates to avoid dragging heavy bags over cobblestones.
- Respect Local Rules: Do not step into rice fields in Xizhou for photo ops to prevent crop damage fines. Swimming in Erhai Lake is strictly forbidden to protect the city’s drinking water source.
- Payment: While WeChat Pay and Alipay are accepted everywhere, carry CNY 200ā400 in cash for rural markets in Shaxi or street stalls.
Enjoy a Dali Trip with China Xian Tour
If you are planning to travel to Dali but have no idea about how to craft an itinerary with these top things to do, it is better to join a guided tour to save time and energy. With 20+ years of experience, weāve been tailor-making China tours to Yunnan, including for couples, families, and other different types of clients year after year.
Let China Xian Tour create a Dali tour with the best highlights, hidden gems, cultural experiences, and soft adventures. Beside, you will enjoy hand-picked hotels & restaurants that truly fit your interest and travel style. Just contact us now.
FAQs about Dali Travel
Is Dali worth visiting?
Yes, Dali is widely considered one of Yunnan’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations. Combining breathtaking landscapes between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake with unique Bai ethnic traditions, ancient architecture, and relaxed slow-paced living, Dali is a must-visit destination for foreign tourists in China.
How many days should I spend in Dali?
2 to 4 days is optimal for most travelers. A 3-day trip allows you to explore Dali Old Town, hike Cangshan Mountain, cycle along Erhai Lake, visit Xizhou Ancient Town, and experience hands-on Bai tie-dye crafting without rushing.
What is the sea level / elevation of Dali?
Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake sit at an average altitude of approximately 1,970 meters (6,463 feet) above sea level, where altitude sickness is rare. However, peaks in the surrounding Cangshan Mountain reach up to 4,295 meters (14,091 feet).
What should I pay attention to when wandering around to take photos in Dali?
Ask for permission if you want to take photos of the locals. It is ok to capture the characteristic local residences from the outside, but do not enter the courtyard, which is private space.
Is it allowed to swim in Erhai Lake?
No, it is not allowed. As Erhai Lake is the drinking water source protection zone, swimming is strictly prohibited.
