Dali Old Town 大理古城
Bai-style courtyards, lanes and local food.
- Plan around
- Half-day
- Combine with
- A nearby meal
All destinations
Southwest China
Dali travel guide
Explore Dali Old Town, the Three Pagodas, Bai villages and Erhai Lake. Choose one lakeshore area or a Cangshan mountain outing each day to keep travel distances manageable.
Include Dali in my trip ↗
What to see in Dali
Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.
Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple 崇圣寺三塔
A recognizable architectural landmark below the mountains.
- Plan around
- Half-day
- Combine with
- Dali Old Town
Erhai western shore 洱海西岸
Choose a lakeside stretch and village context.
- Plan around
- Half-day
- Combine with
- Xizhou or a nearby village
More places to consider in Dali
Xizhou 喜洲
Bai courtyard architecture and local food traditions.
· Half-day
Cangshan 苍山
A separate mountain landscape above the lake.
· Substantial mountain outing
Weishan Old Town 巍山古城
A distinct old-town extension beyond the lake circuit.
· Separate excursion
At the local table
What to eat in Dali
Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.
Rushan 乳扇
A local dairy sheet often grilled to order.
Xizhou baba 喜洲粑粑
Local bread offered in savory or sweet forms.
Bai three-course tea 白族三道茶
A three-part tea tradition.
Erhai-style fish stew 洱海鱼汤
A fish meal associated with the lake region.
For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.
Where to stay
Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Dali Old Town | Walkable evenings, food and a first stay | A separate transfer from the railway station |
| Western lakeshore villages | Lake atmosphere and quieter stays | More transport for old-town evenings |
| Xiaguan / modern Dali | Rail and urban logistics | A different atmosphere from the old town |
Getting there & around
Dali Railway Station is in the modern urban area, not inside the old town. Share the exact accommodation address when arranging pickup. Choose the shore and village before planning road journeys; lake-side paths and vehicle routes are not interchangeable.
Choose your time, then make it yours
How many days do you have?
Start with a day in Dali or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
A day in the destination
Dali’s old town and pagodas
A full sightseeing day starting from Dali, with time to pause between the main visits.
Make this my own 1-day trip ↗- Day 1
Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas as the day’s two main visits. Leave time for courtyards, a meal and rest instead of collecting more stops.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
A short stay
Three days between lake and mountain
Stay in one Dali base and choose a different focus each day.
Make this my own 3-day trip ↗- Day 1
Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas as the day’s two main visits. Leave time for courtyards, a meal and rest instead of collecting more stops.
- Day 2
Xizhou and one lakeshore stretch
Give Xizhou time for Bai courtyard architecture and a local lunch. Pair it with one nearby Erhai shore section, keeping the return unhurried and the route compact.
- Day 3
A chosen Cangshan route
Plan one Cangshan outing around the weather, available transport and walking level. Keep the afternoon flexible for rest or a gentle old-town return after the mountain.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Dali and Lijiang without rushing
A two-base journey, ending in Lijiang with room for transfers and quieter days.
Make this my own 7-day trip ↗- Day 1
Continue to Dali
Travel to Dali and settle into your chosen base. Spend the remaining afternoon in the old-town lanes, with an easy dinner rather than a lakeside circuit.
- Day 2
Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas as the day’s two main visits. Leave time for courtyards, a meal and rest instead of collecting more stops.
- Day 3
Xizhou and one lakeshore stretch
Give Xizhou time for Bai courtyard architecture and a local lunch. Pair it with one nearby Erhai shore section, keeping the return unhurried and the route compact.
- Day 4
A chosen Cangshan route
Plan one Cangshan outing around the weather, available transport and walking level. Keep the afternoon flexible for rest or a gentle old-town return after the mountain.
- Day 5
Continue to Lijiang
Travel to Lijiang and settle in before a light old-town walk. Keep the first evening gentle, with time to rest after the journey and a nearby meal.
- Day 6
Dayan lanes and Black Dragon Pool
Explore Dayan’s canals and lanes, then visit Black Dragon Pool for a different perspective. Pause over a Naxi-style meal and keep the later afternoon open.
- Day 7
Leave Lijiang at your pace
Allow time for breakfast and packing, then transfer to the correct airport or station. Add a final nearby walk only when it fits the actual connection.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Dali, Lijiang and a Kunming finish
Start in Dali, continue north to Lijiang, then reserve a travel day back to Kunming.
Make this my own 10-day trip ↗- Day 1
Continue to Dali
Travel to Dali and settle into your chosen base. Spend the remaining afternoon in the old-town lanes, with an easy dinner rather than a lakeside circuit.
- Day 2
Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas
Explore Dali Old Town and the Three Pagodas as the day’s two main visits. Leave time for courtyards, a meal and rest instead of collecting more stops.
- Day 3
Xizhou and one lakeshore stretch
Give Xizhou time for Bai courtyard architecture and a local lunch. Pair it with one nearby Erhai shore section, keeping the return unhurried and the route compact.
- Day 4
A separate outing to Weishan
Allow the day for Weishan’s old-town streets, gates and local food. Return to your Dali base with time to rest rather than adding a second countryside destination.
- Day 5
Continue to Lijiang
Travel to Lijiang and settle in before a light old-town walk. Keep the first evening gentle, with time to rest after the journey and a nearby meal.
- Day 6
Dayan lanes and Black Dragon Pool
Explore Dayan’s canals and lanes, then visit Black Dragon Pool for a different perspective. Pause over a Naxi-style meal and keep the later afternoon open.
- Day 7
Baisha at a slower pace
Give Baisha a substantial visit for its lanes, cultural context and mountain backdrop. Take time for lunch and conversation, with an easy return to your Lijiang base.
- Day 8
Travel to Kunming
Travel from Lijiang to Kunming and settle into your hotel. Keep the remaining day light, allowing for the station transfer and an easy meal near your base.
- Day 9
Green Lake and old Kunming
Walk around Green Lake, then explore nearby streets at a comfortable pace. Continue to the old-city lanes for lunch, with space for a café and browsing.
- Day 10
A final Kunming morning
Enjoy a short neighborhood walk or breakfast before transferring to your actual station or airport. Keep the last activity close enough to allow a comfortable departure.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
Make Dali part of your private journey.
Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.
Discuss my Dali plans ↗