Dali

See how the places connect before choosing days

A first Dali stay feels calmer once Old Town, Erhai Lake, Xizhou, and Cangshan are separated before you decide whether to slow down or continue north.

Explore by topic See itineraries

Scenery

Erhai and Cangshan

Culture

Bai courtyards

Food

Mushrooms and rubing cheese

Erhai Lake in Dali with Cangshan mountains and Bai villages

Explore by interest

Start with Dali by interest

Where things are

Separate Old Town, Erhai, Xizhou, and Cangshan

Dali is not just Old Town. Use Old Town for stays and evening walks, Erhai for a half or full day, Xizhou for Bai courtyards and markets, and Cangshan according to weather and stamina.

Where to stay

Use Old Town as a practical base

Old Town is practical for food, transfers, and evening walks, but the main streets do not need your whole day. Return morning or evening and use daylight for Erhai or villages.

Lakeside

Do not force the full Erhai loop

A full lake loop can become mostly transfer time. For a first stay, choose one lake segment and leave room for cycling, photos, and a tea pause.

Villages

Xizhou deserves slower attention than a generic old town

Xizhou's Bai courtyards, fields, and snacks work well as a half day. Do not stop at the commercial strip; the courtyards and fields are the real reason to go.

Continue from Dali through Yunnan

Trip FAQ

Questions before you go

Choose by time

Continue through Yunnan

The current source-backed route connects Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, and Lijiang. This Dali guide explains the city; the eight-day route explains the cross-city order.

Yunnan in 8 days through Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang

8 days / 7 nights

This first Yunnan route moves from Kunming through Dali and Shaxi to Lijiang, pairing stone forest, Erhai, Bai villages, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Open route

Custom extension

A slower Dali stay can start from the city guide

Kunming and Lijiang do not use invented city packages. Open the scenery, culture, and food guides first, then trim unwanted cross-city sections from the real eight-day Yunnan route.

Erhai and CangshanDali is best when the lake, mountain edge, villages, and Old Town are separated so the scenery has room to breathe.Bai courtyardsBai architecture, three-course tea, tie-dye, and village markets explain why Dali is a place to slow down.Mushrooms and rubing cheeseDali meals can stay relaxed: rubing cheese, mushrooms, clay-pot fish, flower pastries, and Bai home-style dishes.

Ask us to help choose

Still choosing between the options?

Tell us when you are going and who is traveling, and we will help you open the route that fits best.

Ask us to help choose

Ask an advisor

Not sure which order feels better?

Share your travel month, group, and must-see moments. We will shape the city experience into a smoother route.

Start planning

You can ask:

How many days feel right?Where should we stay?How to slow it for family?Should we add nearby stops?