Dali is located in Yunnan Province in China. It is a captivating mix of ancient history, vibrant local culture and stunning natural scenery. As someone who lived in China for over three years, here are the best things to do in Dali – including popular tourist attractions along with some less talked about locations.
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Table Of Contents
- Dali Old Town
- Erhai Lake
- Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple
- Xizhou Ancient Town
- Dali Art Factory
- Hang out and make friends!
Dali Old Town
The Ancient City is a fantastic place to wander around without a plan and is definitely one of the best things to do in Dali. With a blend of old architecture and many modern cafes, you could spend hours exploring the streets and discovering craft stores, coffee shops and street art. I recommend finding a hotel in the Ancient Town to stay for the duration of your trip.
Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake is a stunning, expansive lake surrounded by small villages and mountains. The lake is not too far from the old town and it’s worth cycling or renting a scooter to get there. Once you arrive, cycling along the lakeside is a perfect way to take in the beautiful scenery. There are also many cafes to relax and enjoy the views.
Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple
The Three Pagodas are one of Dali’s most iconic landmarks. Standing tall against the Cangshan Mountains, these ancient pagodas date back over a thousand years. Behind the pagodas is Chongsheng Temple, a serene place to explore – when I visited we pretty much had the entire place to ourselves! I really enjoyed my time here and would absolutely say it’s one of the best things to do in Dali.
Xizhou Ancient Town
Escape the hustle and bustle of Dali and step back in time to Xizhou. This ancient town offers a quieter experience with local life on full display. Like much of Yunnan, this town is home to the Bai ethnic group and is a great place to experience the traditional folk technique of tie-dyeing.
Dali Art Factory
A cool, industrial style space where local artists showcase their work and is often overlooked by tourists visiting Dali. It is considered one of the key hubs for the creative arts in Western China, and here you can find exhibitions, murals, sculptures, as well as a few cafes and shops. This was actually one of my favourite things I did in Dali and it was not busy at all!
Hang Out and Make Friends!
Dali has a friendly, laid-back vibe, making it easy to connect with fellow travelers and locals alike. With its cosy cafes, live music spots and so much more, Dali is the perfect place to meet new people. When I visited, I was wandering around the night market and came across a group of people drinking together, so I joined in and had lots of fun!
Dali provides a unique blend of natural beauty, history and so much more. It’s the kind of place that you shouldn’t plan too much – explore the old town and you never know what you might find or what could happen with new friends!
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