Historic city on Lake Erhai
Between the Cangshan Mountains and Lake Erhai lies the ancient city of Dali (2,030 m above sea level). It was a historic crossroads of trade routes leading to Tibet, Burma and native China. The Bai national minority lives here. The historic center is nicely preserved and surrounded by massive gates. Count on the fact that there is extreme local traffic and the city more or less lives from tourism.
Road to Old Dali
If you want to get to Old Dali, there is no completely direct route waiting for you. Long-distance bus lines have a terminal in Xiaguan (also known as Dali new city), which lies more than 10 km south. Here you will definitely be grabbed by a hotel bus and will help you with local public transport to some accommodation near the old center. From the city there are beautiful views of the Cangshan Mountains from almost everywhere
South entrance gate to the city
The city has four entrance gates, but the one on the south side is the most important, because around it the original city walls have been preserved to this day.
The main street in Dali - Fu Xing Lu
Fu Xing Lu, the city's main city street, runs almost 1.5 km long between the north and south gates. This is where the biggest tourist traffic accumulates
Wu Hua Tower
The very center of the city is the beautiful pagoda-shaped tower of Wu Hua
Picturesque corners of Dali
Even in this touristy city you will find quiet nooks
A walk along the walls in Dali
Don't miss a stroll along the ramparts with traditional mountain views
View of historic houses in Dali
From the walls is a nice view of the main street in the city
Restaurants in Dali
Local restaurants have their ingredients displayed right in front of the restaurant, so you can show what you want to make your food and the chef will probably come up with a recipe accordingly :-)
Traditional crafts in Dali
Of course, the local Bai minority has a popular tourist destination here, so a lot of women in traditional costumes go here to take pictures for a fee or to show traditional crafts to lure them into a shop.
Traditional Chinese toilet
Public toilets are traditionally quite ecclesiastical in China and without much privacy