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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#yunnan

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Skip the National Day crowds! 3 cozy small cities for a relaxing 2–3 day family getaway

Skip the National Day crowds! 3 cozy small cities for a relaxing 2–3 day family getaway

MichaelCampbell#56

MichaelCampbell#56

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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

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_TI***cg

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Dali Yasheng, holding the energy that invites you to walk inward

Dali Yasheng, holding the energy that invites you to walk inward

aidenlighthouse

aidenlighthouse

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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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Dali Shuanglang | Stay at Sanse Yunhe and bring Erhai Lake into your room

Dali Shuanglang | Stay at Sanse Yunhe and bring Erhai Lake into your room

DreamyVoyager39

DreamyVoyager39

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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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The Gentle Charm of Dali | Hidden in the Light of a Courtyard

The Gentle Charm of Dali | Hidden in the Light of a Courtyard

_JD***jk

_JD***jk

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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?

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_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 Attractions in Dali Prefecture

Xiashankou Putuo Spring Spa Resort | Nuodeng Temple | Wuwei Temple | Taoist Priest Platform | Bailongtan | Weishan Ancient City - Gongchen Tower | Longquan Park - Jiangjun Cave | Nanzhao Jianji Large Bell | Tongjing Ancient Bridge | Liyuan Village | Tianshengying Mountain | Taiji Diagram | Tianjing Pavilion | Dali West Lake | Qigu Hot Spring | Xiaohetangshui Sceneic Area | Puzhenjiuran Museum | Ancestral Hall of Jiang Zonghan | Bell and Drum Tower | Tianlong Babu Film City - Xixia Palace | Chongsheng Temple-Main Shrine Hall | Caifeng Bridge | Yinjia Village | Haishe Ecological Park | Ximen Street Ancient Buildings | Three Pagodas Gate | Yinguang Temple | Luohe Forest Park | 4+2 Fun Ride around Erhai Lake | Sansheng Island

Popular Ranked Lists

Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Harbin | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Beijing | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Lingshui | Top 20 Luxury Hotels in Beijing | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Zhangzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Wanning | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Anji | Top 20 Premium Hotels in Zhoushan | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Weihai | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Quanzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Nanjing | Top 20 Premium Hotels in Fuzhou | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Hohhot | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Lanzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Shijiazhuang | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Shenzhen | Top 50 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Qingyuan | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Fuzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Suzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Jingdezhen | Top 20 Premium Hotels in Yangzhou | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Hohhot | Top 20 Premium Hotels in Lhasa | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Qingdao | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Wuhan | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Changchun | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Hotels in Foshan | Top 20 Global Traveller-Picked Restaurants in Zhengzhou | Top 20 Premium Hotels in Yinchuan | Top 10 Global Traveller-Picked Attractions in Kaifeng

Popular Restaurants in Dali Prefecture

Jinshan GuYuan Restaurant | Cuilu Wild · Bai‑Style Courtyard Private Cuisine | 大理松云悬崖酒店·松云悬崖海景餐厅 | 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 | chunsheng | ANJOY | ZAI HUI SHOU | HAI DONG QIE ZI | DREAM ISLAND | THE ONE | 大理澜庭海景度假酒店·世内桃源·落日海景餐厅(双廊店) | YUNHEYI MANOR | Yunnan · Braised Free‑Range Chicken Rice‑Noodles (Dali Main Store) | 六阅·海东方悬崖海景酒店(大理洱海旗舰店)·海东方悬崖海景餐厅 | 留白LIUBAI·菡萏驿海景度假酒店·留白Villa·菡萏驿海景餐厅(双廊店) | DIANSHIFU | Wase Caixiangyuan (Dali Branch) | ARCADIA SEAVIEW DESIGN HOTEL·Seaview Restaurant | Linden Centre | YUXI – CHINESE RESTAURANT | ZAI HUI SHOU | DREAM ISLAND | East Village Lounge | 海东茄子烧烤滇纺店 | Pangding In Dali · Rose Cottage | ba mu xuan | 大理悦山海度假酒店(大理古城店)·白尼餐厅 | IN MY HEART | 大吉酒店·喜塘餐厅 | 三哥·思茅菜馆(昆百大泰业城店)

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Popular Trip Moments

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 🌸 | 🏔️ Lijiang vs Dali 🇨🇳 Yunnan Ancient Town: Which one to choose? | 🌿 Kunming vs Dali 🇨🇳 Yunnan Which city is better? | A Hidden Café with Breathtaking Views in Dali | Dali Looks Like Santorini in China — Here’s How to Get There From Kunming | The Most Stunning Infinity Pool in Dali: China’s Best Hidden Gem | This Private Pool Suite Looks Like Santorini in China | Review of a 4-day, 3-night trip to Dali 🏔️ | 🇨🇳 RM630 Return KL-Yunnan?! I’m Packing 🧳 | ✨ Dali City — A timeless charm nestled amidst mountains and lakes ✨ | Dali Accommodation | A Wabi-sabi style courtyard guesthouse near the ancient city 🤎 | Don't be a sucker! Tour Erhai Lake by e-bike for 50–60 yuan | Yunnan road trip for National Day: A real 11-day itinerary | Don't miss this ultimate guide for your National Day trip to Dali | The Gentle Charm of Dali | Hidden in the Light of a Courtyard | Dali garden handmade tie-dye and patchwork day is just so healing | West Coast of Erhai Lake | Taoyuan Village, Xizhou, a Bai ethnic village between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake | Just back from Dali, and I really don't recommend going—you'll suffer! | The long weekend is the perfect time to visit Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and Lijiang! | Spent 3 days cycling around Erhai Lake, where the wind pushed the clouds along for miles. | Stop crowding Dali. Kunming's Haiyan Village is the ultimate sunset spot—breathtakingly beautiful | Stay in an English garden by Erhai Lake, open the window to see Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake—I don't want to check out. | A hidden gem favored by National Geographic | Dali Shuihua Manor Guide | I'm still not over Erhai Lake! Spent 3 days chilling in Dali, and I've already navigated all the pitfalls for you

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 Lisong Banquet · Imperial Dining Show in Dali, Yunnan|Panoramic ancient-style immersive palace banquet [Lunch/Dinner + Complimentary Tianxiyuan Garden admission ticket + Optional costume experience] | Dali 360° Erhai Lake private charter | Attraction optional + door-to-door pickup + 1-on-1 exclusive service | Dali [Erhai Lake + Shuanglang Ancient Town + Santorini + S-bend] pure-play 1-day tour (special offer for mid-autumn festival and national day) | Dali 360° Erhai Lake Private Charter 1-day Tour [Pure Fun Private Charter + One Booking per Group + Optional Attractions] | 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 | 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 360° Erhai Lake private charter [from 1-person booking + attraction options + reliable pure play fleet] | Dali Erhai Lake 1-day tour in Yunnan, China [explore and stroll around Erhai Lake, Xizhou, Zhoucheng, Shuanglang Ancient Town] | Yunnan Dali Ancient Courtyard Clay Pottery and Tile Cat Handicraft Experience | Dali ◆ Shaxi Ancient Town 1-day tour [pure play • check in at the internet-famous drama Meet Yourself location with business small group] | Departure from Dali: Nuodeng Old Village + Yunlong Taiji Diagram 1-day tour | 1-Day Dali tour from Kunming by Round-way Bullet Train | A one-day tour of Dali Cangshan Mountain, Gantong Cableway, Xizhou, Shuanglang, Nanzhao Folk Island, and Erhai Lake. | Yunnan Dali | [Erhai Lake + The Dream Land + Dali Ancient City] Lakeside tour | Dali Shuanglang + Xizhou + Little Putuo + Featured Tie-dye Experience Private 1-Day Tour | Dali Lisong Banquet - Dinner [Performance + Meal + Complimentary Tianxiyuan Garden Ticket] | Yongping Trip Moments[Yongping Waterfall/Yongle Park/Photographer Services (Following/Appointment/Street Photography)/Translation/Customization] | Dali, Yunnan - Historical and Cultural Tour with Live Guide|Guide/local guide/translator | Dali Cycling & Bai Culture Day Tour with Three Pagodas & Xizhou | Lijiang ancient town to Dali ancient city + 5/7/9-seater business rideshare + optional departure or return route | A Romantic Group Day Tour in Dali: Cangshan's Dreamy Views & Erhai Cruise's Poetic Sail | Departure from Dali: Jizhao Nunnery + Gantong Cableway + Cangshan Mountain Qingbi Stream 1-day tour | Dali Cangshan Mountain (Gantong Ropeway)+Erhai Lake Cruise+Shuanglang+Xizhou Day Tour[Private Car] | 1-day tour to ancient town Shaxi from Dali [optional departure from Lijiang or Dali] | Dali Panxi Village S-bend Internet-famous Wheat Field + Xizhou Ancient Town + Wenbi Village 1-day tour with Chinese and English service