How to Plan a Trip to Dali: Ultimate Dali Tour Planner

Written by Ivy Dong | Updated March 04,2025

Dali city in western Yunnan Province is a popular destination for those who are seeking to get away from the busy modern life. With ancient towns, ethnic villages, beautiful lakes and mountains, it’s the perfect place for a peaceful and fulfilling journey. If you’re traveling to Dali, here’s a comprehensive travel guide on how to plan a Dali trip.

The city of Dali is best known for its laidback lifestyle, serene natural beauty, and local Bai ethnic culture. This article will present you with the most popular Dali tourist attractions, travel itineraries of different length, best time for your trip, transportation tips, and accommodation options.

What to See and Do: Top Things to Do in Dali

Explore local heritage in Dali Ancient Town

Dali Ancient Town is one of the top ancient towns of Yunnan and even China. On the shore of Erhai Lake, it embodies the culture of Bai ethnic minority and the rich history of Dali. The town was once the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms and can be dated back to over 1,300 years ago. Visiting Dali Ancient Town is one of the top things to do in Yunnan for visitors.

Walking down the streets of the old town, you’ll see traditional Bai architecture with rich historic significance, including gates, towers, and former residences. Other streets are full of the daily scenes of life, lined with handicraft shops, restaurants, food stalls, bars, elegant gardens, and cafes. Many visitors like to stay in the area on their Dali trips, as it is busy and has convenient transportation.

Yunnan Dali Ancient Town — Dali Ancient Town

Visit the iconic Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake is the most famous landmark of Dali. It is the second largest lake in Yunnan with an area of 250 square kilometers (96.5 square miles), only after Dianchi Lake. It is shaped like an ear sitting in the center of Dali city. On its shores, there are traditional fishing villages, Bai villages, and the rich culture of Dali. Together with Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake has become the symbol of Dali.

There’re many ways to explore this iconic landmark on your trip to Dali. You can rent a bike and cycle around the lake. Dali weather is often clear and sunny. Feel the breeze in your face and the sun on your back. Stop along the way for coffees or tea. The laidback lifestyle is a signature of Dali. To get even closer to Erhai Lake, you can board a cruise and visit the islands.

Take a hike in Cangshan Mountain

Cangshan Mountain is another postcard landmark of Dali with 19 majestic peaks. The highest one, Malong Peak, has an altitude of 4,122 meters (13,523 feet). The magnificent mountain range is home to unique geology, landscapes, and abundant flora and fauna. Cangshan Mountain was listed as a UNESCO World Geopark in 2014, becoming the second World Geopark in Yunnan, after Kunming Stone Forest.

You can hike up Cangshan Mountain to see waterfalls, wildflowers, forests, many rare plants and animals, and ancient temples. The hike will certainly be rewarding, but you can also get around easily by taking a cable car. There are three cableways that can take you up and down Cangshan Mountain to different scenic spots.

How Many Days Should a Dali Trip Be: Recommended Itineraries

Most attractions in Dali are not far from each other, and the city is not large. Typically, a Dali tour can cover the city’s highlights in less than 3 days. With 3-5 days, you can explore the city in depth. You’ll have a chance to immerse yourself in the local minority culture and lifestyle.

If you have more time, it’s highly recommended that you extend your Dali trip to other cities in Yunnan or China. Different parts of the province offer different natural and cultural landscapes. Take the opportunity when you travel to Yunnan.

Here are some suggested Dali itineraries.

Less than 3 days

If you have less than 3 days in Dali, make sure you hit the highlights. We recommend:

Day 1: Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake (optional cruise experience)
Day 2: Cangshan Mountain (optional hike), Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
Day 3 (if time allows): Xizhou Townand/or Zhoucheng Village

Recommended Dali Highlight Tour: 3 Days Dali Tour Package with Memorable Experience

3-5 days

With 3-5 days, you can fully experience the charm of Dali. Your schedule can be a lot more flexible with a wide range of activities to do. We recommend spending a day on

Dali Ancient Town; cycle around Erhai Lake (optional cruise experience); visit a flower farm and taste the famous Yunnan snack, Flower Cake
Cangshan Mountain (optional hike); Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
Explore Bai minority culture in Xizhou Town; Try Bai traditional tie-dye art in Zhoucheng Village
Discover the historic Shaxi Ancient Town; marvel at the landscapes and grottoes of Shibao Mountain

Recommended Dali In-depth Tours:

5-7 days or more

Make the most of your time and budget by extending your Dali trip to other parts of Yunnan. The province is known as a paradise on earth for hiking and photography tours. Here’re some popular destinations to consider.

Cities & Destinations	Top Things to Do	Best Attractions	Distance from Dali
Lijiang	Explore ancient towns; enjoy the stunning natural scenery; challenge yourself to a hike; learn about the culture of Naxi people	Lijiang Old Town, Shuhe Ancient Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, First Bend of the Yangtze River, Tiger Leaping Gorge	190 km (118 miles) from Dali; easy to reach by train and long-distance bus
Shangri-La	Experience Tibetan life and Buddhism; amaze at the beauty of highlands; find some of the world’s best hiking destinations	Songzanlin Monastery, Dukezong Ancient Town, Pudacuo National Park, Meili Snow Mountain, Yubeng Village	300 km (186 miles) away from Dali; easy to reach by train
Kunming	Discover unique natural sights; experience local life and culture	Stone Forest, Dongchuan Red Land, Dianchi Lake, Dounan Flower Market, Kunming night markets, Yunnan Provincial Museum	330 km (205 miles) from Dali; easy to reach by flight, train, and long-distance bus

Recommended Yunnan Tours Including Dali:

Best Time for a Trip to Dali

Dali is suitable for visit all year round, but the best time for a trip to Dai is from March to May and September to November. During these months, the weather is ideal for exploring its ancient towns and outdoor activities. There’ll be plenty of sunshine, fresh air, and little rainfall.

Dali Weather in Four Seasons

In spring (March to May), Dali is mild and pleasant. The snow starts to melt on Cangshan Mountains, and the beautiful azaleas begin to blossom. There’ll be plenty of clear skies and blooming flowers around the city. Temperatures might differ greatly between day and night, so it’s a good idea to pack a jacket and dress in layers when you go out.

In summer (June to August), Dali sees its rainy season. There will be frequent and sometimes heavy showers. However, thanks to the high altitude, the temperature remains comfortable. Dali is therefore a popular destination for traveling to China in the summer. The rain makes the greeneries and flowers especially elegant. Remember to pack your rain gear.

In fall (September to November), Dali gets cooler with significantly less rainfall, so it is better for outdoor activities. The wind brings crisp air and rustling golden hues in the expansive wheat fields. The blue sky makes it perfect for sightseeing and photography. However, mind the daily temperature difference as it gets a little chilly in the morning and evening.

In winter (December to February), Dali is cool and dry. It might be chilly in the morning and at night, but it remains sunny during the day, so Dali rarely gets any snow. Due to the altitude, Cangshan Mountains become covered in white at the top. There’s minimal rainfall, so the afternoons are perfect for getting outdoors. However, there may be strong winds at times, so make sure you bring a jacket.

How to Get to Dali

By air

If you’re already in China or would like to make a transfer, you can travel to Dali by flight. Dali Huangcaoba Airport, or Dali Fengyi Airport, is the only airport in Dali. It is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the city center. It offers flights to and from many major Chinese cities. Here’re the flight durations from some major cities:

Shanghai- 4 hours and 45 minutes
Beijing- 4 hours
Guangzhou – 3 hours and 10 minutes
Shenzhen – 2 hours and 45 minutes
Xi’an- 2 hours and 30 minutes
Chengdu- 1 hour and 45 minutes

By train

If you’re traveling to Yunnan directly from your home country, your best option is to fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Yunnan. Then take a high-speed train to Dali; it is the most popular way of transportation in Dali. If you’re already in China, you can also take a train to Dali Railway Station from other cities in the country like:

Guilin- 9 hours
Chongqing- 7 hours
Guiyang- 5 hours
Kunming – 2 hours

Where to Stay on a Dali Trip

Depending on your budget, there’s a wide range of accommodation options for your trip to Dali. For your reference, here’re some popular areas visitors like to stay in.

Dali Ancient Townis the most popular area to stay in with convenient transportation to many tourist attractions as well as the airport. There are also the most options to choose from budget-wise, from 5-star luxury hotels to hostels.
Erhai Lakeis a cozier and quieter part to stay in. You can find somewhere with a lakeside view.
Xizhou Town allows you to fully immerse yourself in an old town. You’ll find accommodations in traditional Bai residences.

What to See and Do: Top Things to Do in Dali