Dali, a city that rarely has an off-season, is favored by visitors all year round. It never fails to impress, always offering exciting experiences like a magical treasure box.
However, for those who have never been to Dali or have only visited once or twice, the information can be fragmented.
You might know that Xingsheng Bridge is a popular spot for internet celebrities, that the cherry blossoms are beautiful, or that Shaxi Ancient Town is the filming location for the movie “The Wind.” But you may be unclear about their exact locations and how to plan the most efficient itinerary.
I think it’s time to update the comprehensive Dali travel guide.
In this article, I will try to be as thorough as possible, aiming to provide a guide that both individual travelers and group tourists can follow.
Essential Pre-trip Knowledge for Visiting Dali
First, let’s discuss what areas Dali mainly includes.
Dali, short for Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, is one of the eight autonomous prefectures in Yunnan. It governs one county-level city, 11 counties, and 110 townships, making it quite vast.
The prefectural capital is Dali City, and the ancient towns along the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, such as Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou Ancient Town, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and Wase Town, are all under the jurisdiction of Dali City.
The county-level cities include Yangbi Yi Autonomous County, Xiangyun County, Binchuan County, Midu County, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Yongping County, Yunlong County, Eryuan County, Jianchuan County, and Heqing County.
Popular destinations in recent years, such as Shaxi, Weishan, and Jianchuan Ancient Town, are all located in Dali’s county-level cities.
How to Reach Dali?
Dali has an airport and a high-speed railway station, but it seems that there aren’t many flights to Dali. Many people choose to fly to Kunming or Lijiang and then take the high-speed train to Dali.
The latest news is that Dali Station has installed new elevators, so visitors no longer need to carry their luggage up the long stairs. Hallelujah!
Transportation in Dali
The most convenient way to explore Dali is by self-driving, which allows you to go anywhere easily.
For those without a car, don’t worry. Dali has a well-developed public transportation system. There are two bus stations in the urban area, which can take you to most parts of Dali.
✅ North Bus Station: Offers buses to towns along Erhai Lake, such as Shuanglang, Xizhou, and Wase.
✅ Dali Bus Station: Located opposite the train station, with more buses going to subordinate counties and surrounding areas of Dali.
Accommodation in Dali
For convenience in taking buses and dining, I usually stay in the main urban area. If you want to enjoy the scenery, you can also stay along Erhai Lake.
If you plan to visit more distant places like Weishan, Shaxi, or Jianchuan, you’ll need to stay overnight in those localities.
PS: The main urban area is not far from Dali Ancient Town, Cangshan Mountain, and Yangnanxi, the starting point of Erhai Lake’s west coast.
Of course, as one of the earliest popular travel destinations, blessed with Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Dali has gradually become one of the most suitable places for vacationing in China.
There are many excellent hotels in Dali, and finding a resort hotel to relax in is also a good way to enjoy Dali.
✅ Recommended Resort Hotels and Boutique Accommodations in Dali (Incomplete List)
Dali Ancient Town: Hainalyunshu, Anyu
Shuanglang Ancient Town: Moonlight in the Pines, Muxi Dali, Xishang Shuanglang
Haidong Town: Qianshanji, Liuyue, Liubai
Xizhou: Xilinyuan, Xingzheshangjv
Dali City: Indigo, The Bodhi Peermont
Shaxi Ancient Town: Xilinyuan, Jixiashan
Weishan Ancient Town: Weishan Yiheyunxi
How to Plan Your Dali Trip?
I think you can arrange your itinerary based on the proximity principle, which saves time.
❶ Xiaguan:
Places to visit include Longweiguan Ruins, Erhai Park, and Xingsheng Bridge. This area also has the most diverse food options.
❷ Dali Ancient Town and Surrounding Areas + Cangshan Mountain:
Dali Ancient Town and Cangshan Mountain are not far apart, so these two can be combined into one route.
❸ Zhemo Mountain/Yunxiang Mountain:
Dali’s version of La La Land. You can choose one to visit.
❹ Around Erhai Lake:
Both the east and west coasts allow you to travel along the “coastline” of Erhai Lake. It takes 2-3 days to complete the Erhai Lake tour.
❺ Xizhou + Erhai Lake:
Xizhou and Erhai Lake’s Haishe Park are close to each other, so they can be visited together.
❻ Jianchuan Ancient Town + Shaxi Ancient Town:
Both belong to Jianchuan County and can be arranged as one route.
Classic Dali Itinerary
- Day 1: Xiaguan – Longweiguan Ruins – Puji Temple – Dali Confucian Temple – Xier River – Xingsheng Bridge – Yunxiang Mountain
- Day 2: Dali Ancient Town North Gate Market – Cangshan Mountain (optional) – Gantong Temple – Jizhao Nunnery – Hongsheng Road
- Day 3: Erhai Lake West Coast (within Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor)
- Day 4: Erhai Lake East Coast
- Day 5: Haishe Park – Xizhou Ancient Town
Off-the-Beaten-Path Dali Itinerary ❶ Weishan: Weishan Ancient Town (Folk Museum – Nanzhao Museum – Confucian Temple – Wenhua Academy) – Weibao Mountain
Off-the-Beaten-Path Dali Itinerary ❷ Jianchuan: Jianchuan Ancient Town – Shibao Mountain – Shaxi Ancient Town
The above itineraries can be arranged and adjusted according to your own time and preferences.
How to Play in Dali Specifically
Xiaguan
I prefer staying in Xiaguan because it has the best food and is convenient for visiting Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake.
When touring Xiaguan, Longweiguan is a must-visit.
It was once the first pass during the Nanzhao Kingdom period and has now become a living neighborhood for Dali locals, with many cafes and snack shops, making it very pleasant to eat and drink.
Fengyang Village, located between Xiaguan and Dali Ancient Town, is also worth visiting. The Tea Horse Road passed through here, and the “Youfeng Courtyard” where Liu Yifei stayed in “Go Where the Wind Blows” is located here.
I also enjoy riding an electric scooter around Xiaguan, especially the moment when riding across Xingsheng Bridge during the blue hour. The cinematic feeling and atmosphere are incredible.
If time allows, you can also visit Erhai Park, where you can overlook Erhai Lake and the entire Dali city.
We previously found many delicious foods here, so let’s share the list with you 👇
Dali Delicacies (Incomplete List)
- 📍 Longwei Snacks: 1st floor, Gujing Xinquan Community, No. 4 Erhe North Road
- 📍 Xiaguan Li’s Roast & Braised: Opposite Shoukang Clinic, Zhongcheng Street
- 📍 Nanjian Flavor Snacks: No. 146 Zhongcheng Street
- 📍 HERE Cafe: No. 87 Longwei Street
- 📍 Yangbi Haiying Roll Noodles: Above Xiaguan Lupu Tiancheng Children’s Playground
- 📍 Yunze Du’s Tangyuan: Z3-11, Chaoyang Street, Zhengyang Times Square, Erhe North Road, Xiaguan Town
- 📍 Haowang Corner Bakery: No. 82 Renmin South Road, Southwest of Xiaguan Town
- 📍 Yinxiangju: Shuanfengsi shop in the parking lot of Suning Appliance Datong Water, Jianshe Road, Xiaguan
- 📍 Fengyi Grilled Meat: Shop Z1-6, Zhengyang Times Square, Xinwen Street
- 📍 Yingfeng Fresh Milk Shop: No. 8 Tai’an South Road, Dali City
- 📍 Auntie Er Xiao Dan’s Spicy Hot Pot: No. 39 Renmin Street, Dali City
Dali Ancient Town and Surrounding Areas + Cangshan Mountain
Apart from the North Gate Market, I don’t think Dali Ancient Town itself is very worth visiting, but the nearby Hongsheng Road and Cangshan Mountain are quite fun.
You can wake up early, first go to the morning market, eat and drink nearby, and then take a taxi to Cangshan Mountain.
For those who want to climb Cangshan Mountain, note that there are 3 cable cars in total, 1 can reach the top, and the other 2 go to mid-mountain.
✅ Recommended complete route to the top:
Ximatan Cable Car (first half) – Seven Maidens Pools – Ximatan Cable Car (second half) – Cable car return to mid-mountain – Yudai Road – Gantong Cable Car – Gantong Temple – Jizhao Nunnery
Exercise wimps like me can directly take a taxi to Gantong Cable Car, and just climbing to Gantong Temple and Jizhao Nunnery is enough. Even these two places require walking quite a few mountain paths.
In the evening, you can directly take a taxi from Gantong Cable Car to the intersection of Hongsheng Road and Canghai Avenue. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you can take pictures of the cherry blossoms, Cangshan Mountain, and Erhai Lake in the same frame, which is very beautiful.
After taking photos, walk directly to Hongsheng Road for dinner, where there are many choices.
Tips: If you want to go from Xiaguan to the Ancient Town, you can take the No. 8 bus or a taxi, which is very convenient.
Zhemo Mountain / Yunxiang Mountain
I’m sure many people have heard of these two places, which were once popular hidden gems in Dali and can be photographed to create a “La La Land” feel.
In terms of scenery, I think Zhemo Mountain > Yunxiang Mountain. But in terms of transportation convenience, Yunxiang Mountain > Zhemo Mountain.
After all, it only takes over 10 minutes to drive from Xiaguan to Yunxiang Mountain. But it takes about 1 hour to drive to Zhemo Mountain, and there is a difficult gravel road.
It is recommended to combine Zhemo Mountain / Yunxiang Mountain with Xiaguan city / Dali Ancient Town and surrounding areas.
Tips: Zhemo Mountain is closed from December to June of the following year.
Around Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake is divided into east and west routes, which generally take 2-3 days to complete.
D1: Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor Yangnanxi Service Station – Xindi Coffee – Longkan Pier – S Bay – Haishe Ecological Park – Corridor Bridge (Erhai Lake West Route)
D2: Shuanglang Ancient Town – Little Putuo – Wenbi Village – Ecological Corridor Bridge Yangnanxi Service Station (Erhai Lake East Route)
For touring the west route, it is recommended to stick close to the Erhai Lake Ecological Corridor, where you can see Erhai Lake at all times and the scenery is more beautiful.
In terms of transportation, you can rent official yellow bicycles for cycling or take scenic buses. There are many bicycle parking points in the corridor, basically available for rent and return at any time.
For the east route, self-driving or Erhai Lake buses are more recommended.
Wheat Field Cafe – Xizhou Ancient Town – Erhai Lake
Although the architecture and wheat fields are very beautiful, Xizhou is indeed a bit commercialized, with the ancient town always bustling with people.
When coming to Xizhou, it is recommended to stroll around the surroundings. The cafes and unmanned wheat fields around the ancient town are more worth visiting. For example, Keli Village has hidden gem cafes and wheat fields where the wind blowing through the wheat waves is very healing.
Xizhou is not far from Erhai Lake, so you can combine it with Erhai Lake.
Haishe Park near Xizhou has reopened this year but requires limited reservations.
Weishan
Weishan, a small county town that can be reached in 20 minutes by Dali high-speed rail. It was once the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom and is also the best-preserved Ming and Qing ancient architectural complex in China.
After visiting Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, why not explore Weishan?
The most recommended place in Weishan is Weishan Ancient Town. A north-south Risheng Street connects the ancient town, where you can do a city walk and then visit the small alleys of the ancient town.
Inside the ancient town, the Folk Museum is a must-visit. It is the residence of Miss Liang and contains treasures from two generations, as well as many ancient books, which are worth taking time to view.
Jianchuan Ancient Town + Shaxi Ancient Town
If you are a frequent visitor to Dali, it is highly recommended to visit Jianchuan.
Jianchuan, home to Shaxi Ancient Town, Jianchuan Ancient Town, and Shibao Mountain, holds the most hidden gem activities in Dali.
There are direct buses from Dali to Jianchuan Ancient Town and Shaxi Ancient Town. It is relatively recommended to stay in Shaxi, as this ancient town is so visually appealing for vacations.
In addition to the ancient town itself, you can also visit the surrounding villages. Many interesting small shops are located in the surrounding villages.
The focus of Shibao Mountain is the grottoes. The Shizhong Temple Grottoes hold the history of the Nanzhao Kingdom. It is recommended to come in the morning. After visiting the Shizhong Temple Grottoes, you can hike back to Shaxi.
Jianchuan Ancient Town, the last living ancient town in Dali, where modern life is completely integrated with the ancient town.
Take a stroll along Ximen Street, where the entire street is filled with ancient buildings and has zero commercialization, allowing for a leisurely walk.
There are also many delicious foods here. Wang’s Cold Rice Noodles and Double Lid Hat are must-tries.
Finally, it is recommended for friends coming to Dali to avoid holidays as much as possible for a much more comfortable experience.
If you have any hidden gems or lesser-known ways to play in Dali, feel free to recommend them in the comments section~
