Dali is a historic city in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, set beside Erhai Lake. It is a place where the pace of a visit tends to slow down, and where the setting and the local culture give the days their character.
What to see
- The Three Pagodas, the city's best-known landmark, which stand in the north of the old town.
- Erhai Lake, a wide lake whose shoreline offers views across the water and a sense of the surrounding countryside.
- Ancient architecture, with traditional buildings that reflect the city's long history.
- Marble, a craft for which Dali is known, with stone pieces and workshops to see.
The local culture
Dali is closely associated with the Bai people, whose traditional culture remains part of daily life here. Visitors can notice it in the architecture, the crafts and the local ways of living around the old town and the lake.
The city suits a visit of a day or more, whether you come to walk the old streets, spend time by the water or look at the marble and the pagodas. If you are planning a trip to Yunnan, Dali is a natural stop to build around the lake and the historic centre.