Dali Prefecture

Dali Prefecture Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions, Local Food & Travel Tips | Trip.com

About Dali Prefecture

Recommended trip: 2–5 day(s)

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Trip.Best: Dali Prefecture

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Popular Destinations

More popular destinations

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Dali City

Dali City

Eryuan

Eryuan

Weishan

Weishan

Xiangyun

Xiangyun

Heqing

Heqing

Binchuan

Binchuan

Yongping

Yongping

Midu

Midu

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Plan Your Dali Prefecture Trip

What to do

Looking for things to do in Dali Prefecture? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.

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Where to stay

Discover the most popular places to stay in Dali Prefecture, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers

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What to eat

Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Dali Prefecture dishes and foodie spots.

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Dali Prefecture Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

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Reborn as an artisan in Dali, by the side of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake

Reborn as an artisan in Dali, by the side of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake

RejuvenatingJourneys

RejuvenatingJourneys

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I dreamed of visiting Dali when I was a child, and now that I'm grown up, I finally had the chance to come~
The Cangshan Mountains are like dark green ink, and the Erhai Lake sparkles—it's as beautiful as an oil painting!
Flocks of seagulls, cruise ships, the endless Erhai Lake, and rice paddies—these are views you just can't find in a big city!
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📸Photo spots👇🏻
p1 Longkan Pier
p2 Fuguangli Coffee, Wenbi Village, Haidong
p3 Xizhou Ancient Town rice paddies
p4 Banshan Yue Travel Photography Garden
p5 Qizhi Coffee, Yuhu Village
p6–7 Lixiang Garden
p8 Qianxun Pagoda, Chongsheng Temple
p9 Gate of Erhai Lake, Xiajiyi
p10–11 Yunxiang Mountain
p12 Xiajiyi Village
p13 Lakeside behind Xiajia Village
p14 Erhai Lake
p15 Xindi Coffee, Sansheng Island
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🗺️Itinerary:
✅ West Erhai Route: Longkan Pier ➡️ Qianxun Pagoda, Chongsheng Temple ➡️ Gate of Erhai Lake, Xiajiyi ➡️ Xiajiyi Village ➡️ Lakeside behind Xiajia Village ➡️ Xindi Coffee, Sansheng Island ➡️ Xizhou Ancient Town rice paddies ➡️ Banshan Yue Travel Photography Garden
✅ North Cangshan Route: Qizhi Coffee, Yuhu Village
✅ East Erhai Route: Fuguangli Coffee, Wenbi Village, Haidong ➡️ Lixiang Garden ➡️ Erhai Lake (East Route scenery) ➡️ Yunxiang Mountain (sunset)
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【My food recommendations】
P16 Shannanji: Come to Dali for Yunnan-style stir-fry cooked in small pots. The signature "Red Three-Chopped" (minced pork with tomatoes and chilies) is tangy, spicy, and rich. The minced meat paired with fresh chilies is so fragrant—I ate a whole bowl mixed with rice. The environment, service, and food quality were all incredibly pleasant.
P18 Jiuniang Chickpea Porridge: The porridge has a smooth, soft texture without being too thick. It's topped with plenty of crushed peanuts, giving it a great crunch—so delicious! You can ask for a little less chili; I recommend dipping fried dough sticks in it.
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💡Dali tips
▪️Choose Longkan for sunrise, and save Haidong for sunset
▪️Cars cannot enter the West Erhai corridor; if driving, park on the outskirts
▪️The UV rays on the plateau are intense, so don't be lazy with sunscreen
▪️There's a large temperature difference between day and night, so carry a light jacket with you
▪️I don't recommend riding an e-scooter for the entire loop around the lake; know your limits

I dreamed of visiting Dali when I was a child, and now that I'm grown up, I finally had the chance to come~ The Cangshan Mountains are like dark green ink, and the Erhai Lake sparkles—it's as beautiful as an oil painting! Flocks of seagulls, cruise ships, the endless Erhai Lake, and rice paddies—these are views you just can't find in a big city! · 📸Photo spots👇🏻 p1 Longkan Pier p2 Fuguangli Coffee, Wenbi Village, Haidong p3 Xizhou Ancient Town rice paddies p4 Banshan Yue Travel Photography Garden p5 Qizhi Coffee, Yuhu Village p6–7 Lixiang Garden p8 Qianxun Pagoda, Chongsheng Temple p9 Gate of Erhai Lake, Xiajiyi p10–11 Yunxiang Mountain p12 Xiajiyi Village p13 Lakeside behind Xiajia Village p14 Erhai Lake p15 Xindi Coffee, Sansheng Island · 🗺️Itinerary: ✅ West Erhai Route: Longkan Pier ➡️ Qianxun Pagoda, Chongsheng Temple ➡️ Gate of Erhai Lake, Xiajiyi ➡️ Xiajiyi Village ➡️ Lakeside behind Xiajia Village ➡️ Xindi Coffee, Sansheng Island ➡️ Xizhou Ancient Town rice paddies ➡️ Banshan Yue Travel Photography Garden ✅ North Cangshan Route: Qizhi Coffee, Yuhu Village ✅ East Erhai Route: Fuguangli Coffee, Wenbi Village, Haidong ➡️ Lixiang Garden ➡️ Erhai Lake (East Route scenery) ➡️ Yunxiang Mountain (sunset) · 【My food recommendations】 P16 Shannanji: Come to Dali for Yunnan-style stir-fry cooked in small pots. The signature "Red Three-Chopped" (minced pork with tomatoes and chilies) is tangy, spicy, and rich. The minced meat paired with fresh chilies is so fragrant—I ate a whole bowl mixed with rice. The environment, service, and food quality were all incredibly pleasant. P18 Jiuniang Chickpea Porridge: The porridge has a smooth, soft texture without being too thick. It's topped with plenty of crushed peanuts, giving it a great crunch—so delicious! You can ask for a little less chili; I recommend dipping fried dough sticks in it. · 💡Dali tips ▪️Choose Longkan for sunrise, and save Haidong for sunset ▪️Cars cannot enter the West Erhai corridor; if driving, park on the outskirts ▪️The UV rays on the plateau are intense, so don't be lazy with sunscreen ▪️There's a large temperature difference between day and night, so carry a light jacket with you ▪️I don't recommend riding an e-scooter for the entire loop around the lake; know your limits

_TI***cg

_TI***cg

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A slow stay with private hot springs in Eryuan: Discover wild mountain springs at Xiangnan

A slow stay with private hot springs in Eryuan: Discover wild mountain springs at Xiangnan

Shine_Hazel_68

Shine_Hazel_68

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Quiet Corner in Dali Ancient Town

dali

Quiet Corner in Dali Ancient Town

O-RIA

O-RIA

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Recommended sea-view homestay in Lixiangbang, Dali | The top choice for sunsets

Recommended sea-view homestay in Lixiangbang, Dali | The top choice for sunsets

JASON HARMON

JASON HARMON

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Dali was made for lovers ☁️✨| Wenbi Village

yunnan

Dali was made for lovers ☁️✨| Wenbi Village

CorianderLover

CorianderLover

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Hide away in a hillside courtyard, quietly taking in the mountain and sea views.

Hide away in a hillside courtyard, quietly taking in the mountain and sea views.

Benjamin99 Hayes.

Benjamin99 Hayes.

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Weishan Ancient City really isn't heavily commercialized, but is this necessary?

Weishan Ancient City really isn't heavily commercialized, but is this necessary?

_TI***kt

_TI***kt

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Best of Dali Prefecture

Top 10 Gourmet Hotels in Dali Prefecture

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Top 10 Ancient Town Hotels in Dali Prefecture

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Top 20 Premium Hotels in Dali Prefecture

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Top 20 4-Star Select Hotels in Dali Prefecture

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Popular Best Things to Do Near Dali Prefecture

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Popular Family-friendly Attractions Near Dali Prefecture

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Popular Fall Viewing Attractions Near Dali Prefecture

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Popular Hot Springs Attractions Near Dali Prefecture

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Popular Luxury Hotels Near Dali Prefecture

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Popular Scenic Hotels Near Dali Prefecture

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Other recommended cities

Hangzhou

Hangzhou

Shanghai

Shanghai

Chengdu

Chengdu

Xiamen

Xiamen

Popular Types of Attractions in Dali Prefecture

Popular Ranked Lists

Popular Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Enshi City | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Guangzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Dalian | Popular Premium Hotels Near Plovdiv Province | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Wuxi | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Yangzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Wuxi | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Fuzhou | Top 10 Local Restaurants in Lushan National Park | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Shijiazhuang | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Haikou | Popular Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Wuyishan | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Urumqi | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Xi'an | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Qingyuan | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Huzhou | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Shenzhen | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Jingdezhen | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Lhasa | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Shangri-La | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Jiuzhaigou | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Jinghong | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Shangrao | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Shanghai | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Lingshui | Popular Luxury Hotels in Tegernsee Lake | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Quanzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Zhengzhou | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Shangri-La | Popular Premium Hotels Near Aquitaine

Popular Restaurants in Dali Prefecture

青寂溪谷半山酒店·枫见餐厅 | Jinshan GuYuan Restaurant | 大理悦莲庄青石海景度假酒店·青石音乐餐吧 | Cuilu Wild · Bai‑Style Courtyard Private Cuisine | 大理海洋酒店·海梦轩中餐厅 | 大理松云悬崖酒店·松云悬崖海景餐厅 | HAI DONG QIE ZI | 大理十二云彩别墅海景酒店（洱海店）·Cliff · 悬崖海景餐厅 | MeiZi Jing Restaurant | 海东茄子烧烤(北区店) | 大理云里小坐·花音南洋海景酒店(双廊店)·云里小坐·花音南洋海景餐厅 | March Restaurant | 海东茄子烧烤滇纺店 | Bai people Haidong Qiezi Barbecue（Dali Ancient City Branch） | 青寂溪谷半山酒店·海景花园餐厅 | FENG HUA XIAO YUAN | Hua Yi Jian | Yun Qin | 大理双廊湖山云隐海景度假民宿·英式花园海景咖啡厅 | chunsheng | Yunnan Specialty wild mushroom hot pot fire pond bbq and Bar | Fly Me To The Moon | 青寂日光海景餐厅·滇味法餐 | Ark fat kitchen | Master Duan's Restaurant | FORTEN | HAN LIN CAN TING | JUN SHAN FU | 傣家姑娘·西双版纳碳烤手抓饭 | CHUN TANG

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Popular Trip Moments

Escaping the noise: Finding absolute magic on Dali’s Cangshan Mountain 🏔️ | 2 days in Dali | Low-energy solo trip to Lijiang: 72-hour diary 📘 | 🍂 Dali Ancient Tea Horse Road | A corridor that has traversed a thousand years of history | Strolling through Dali Tianxi Garden and Jixiang Street | Leaving time in Dali | Different cities - same season... | Discovering Yunnan: My Smooth Kunming Custom Trip | A romantic night in Dali: listen to music, stroll around, and enjoy the slow pace of life! | A meal of Yunnan cuisine leads you into the world of Jin Yong's novels. | Lijiang 2-day trip guide | Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 4,680m summit reached ✌ | Xishuangbanna | Beyond the Starlight Night Market, These Small Shops Are Worth Slowly Eating | ‼️Budget-friendly 🚗 tried-and-tested 7-day, 6-night off-the-beaten-path road trip route in Dali and Lijiang | The Forgotten Horse Road: Discovering Shaxi's Timeless Valley | Xizhou Ancient Town | The perfect choice for a relaxing and enjoyable trip to Dali – a private chartered car day tour experience. | A leisurely pace of travel in ancient towns | leisurely cycling along Erhai Lake | Dali Ancient City: A Foodie's Paradise | First time playing this, so embarrassing. | The chrysanthemum exhibition at Lijiang Old Town is stunning! | Visited Zhiyun Temple in Lijiang, and the verdict is | Yunnan | Heqing | The life I yearn for—my fifth visit to Lijiang during my mid-life gap | Stay at the poetic manor at the foot of Cangshan Mountain 🌸 | Who gets it! Shanxi Dali at night feels like falling into a galaxy of stars | 6 places to take your parents for a National Day trip | I was completely captivated by Fengshen Inn in Dali after just one stay! You really don't need to search randomly for accommodation in Dali Old Town!! I discovered a truly magical inn, a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle, and experienced... | October reverse travel, budget-friendly, low-cost trips to 5 hidden gem cities

More Things To Do in Dali Prefecture

Dali Cangshan Mountain cable car ► Erhai Lake cruise ► Xizhou Shuanglang Ancient Town | Optional small group | Song and dance performance with three-course tea | Dali 360° Erhai Lake private charter | Attraction optional + door-to-door pickup + 1-on-1 exclusive service | Dali Lisong Banquet · Imperial Dining Show in Dali, Yunnan|Panoramic ancient-style immersive palace banquet [Lunch/Dinner + Complimentary Tianxiyuan Garden admission ticket + Optional costume experience] | Lijiang to Dali ancient city + 7-9 seater private charter rideshare + departure from Lijiang/Dali + choose your starting point | Private chartered tour · Dali · Erhai Lake · ancient town · private driver · door-to-door pickup · admission ticket not included | Lijiang departure Dali [0 promotion + Erhai Lake + Shuanglang Ancient Town + Santorini + Internet-famous S Bay] 1-day tour | Dali 360° Erhai Lake Private Charter 1-day Tour [Pure Fun Private Charter + One Booking per Group + Optional Attractions] | Intangible cultural heritage experience at Bai Family Traditional Tie-Dye Workshop in Xizhou, Dali, Yunnan [Professional guidance + Finished product can be taken home] | Lijiang + Dali + Erhai Lake 1-day tour [Option to disband in Dali (free transfer to Lijiang Airport) Pure play] | Dali (private charter) 360° lakeside 1-day tour [licensed vehicle + attraction options + pure play] | Dali private charter + 360° Erhai Lake 1-day tour [5-seater/7-seater/9-seater + 1 booking 1 group] | Dali ◆ Shaxi Ancient Town 1-day tour [pure play • check in at the internet-famous drama Meet Yourself location with business small group] | Dali 360° Erhai Lake private charter [from 1-person booking + attraction options + reliable pure play fleet] | Yunnan Dali Ancient Courtyard Clay Pottery and Tile Cat Handicraft Experience | Lijiang ancient town to Dali ancient city + 5/7/9-seater business rideshare + optional departure or return route | Dali Morning Market Food experience and Mt.Cangshan by cable car view | 1-day tour to Dali Erhai Lake, Shuanglang ancient town, Xizhou, Little Putuo Island and Zhoucheng Village tie-dye experience [Independent group formation] | Departure from Dali: Nuodeng Old Village + Yunlong Taiji Diagram 1-day tour | Jianshui Travel Photoshoot[Family Portraits, Parent-Child Photos, Wedding Photography, Aerial Shots, Street Photography, Candid Shots, Photo Sessions, Wedding & Portrait Photography, Videography, Translation Services] | Highlight Dali Cangshan view by Cable Car and er'hai lake cruiser by hotel transfer | Departure from Dali: Fengyangyi Old Village + Tian Long Ba Bu Movie City + Cai Village private charter 1-day tour | Yunnan Dali Ancient City + Erhai Lake + Xizhou Island + Cangshan Mountain + Three Pagodas [English and Chinese Guided Tour Service] | Lijiang departure - Dali Shaxi Ancient Town 1-day tour [No shopping + all-inclusive] | Dali One-Day Tour to Jizu Mountain: Ticket+Private Car[Buddhist Holy Land/Late Departure] | Lijiang-Dali 1-day tour + 360° Erhai Lake + optional end in Dali [meals included, no shopping] | [Dali] lisongyan royal banquet (Immersive Court Banquet Experience + Tianxiyuan Garden Royal Attraction + Tang & Song Dynasty Imperial Cuisine + Bai Ethnic Culture + Optional Ancient Costume Experience) | Dali Ancient City + Erhai Lake Park + Sansheng Island + Chongyi Village + The Dream Land 1-day tour with Chinese and English services | Dali 1-day tour [360° Erhai Lake + Shuanglang Ancient Town + Xizhou + The Dream Land + small group of 2-8 people] | 1-day tour of Gantong ropeway, Xizhou ancient town and Erhai Lake cruise in Dali | Dali Trip Moments[One-on-One Following Shots, Street Photography, Aerial Photography, Candid Shots, Wedding Photography/Multilingual Translator Photographer/Photography & Videography]