Dali

Located between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, Dali is a famous Chinese historical and cultural city and a national scenic zone. A rich heritage dates back to the days when the city was the capital of the kingdoms of Nanzhao and Dali. Dali is a major habitat for the ethnic Bai people, whose folkways are at once time-honoured and distinctive.

This pretty area, concentrated around the ancient city of Dali and one of the most attractive scenic regions in Yunnan, is extremely rich in both natural beauty, and cultural heritage. As a result, the area is known as the "Pearl of the Yunnan Plateau".

One thing to bear in mind when traveling here, is that the Dali travelers arrive in from Kunming is not the same Dali renowned as a backpakers getaway. In fact, the bus from Kunming arrives in a town known as Dali City, a local administrative municipality that is officially known as Xiaguan. Therefore, our coverage of Dali includes both Xiaguan and the ancient city of Dali (known as Dali Gucheng), where most travelers head straight for.