1-Day Dali Discovery: Ancient City to Erhai Lake

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by Ethan

May 7, 2024 · 1 min read

Dali Prefecture 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day journey through the enchanting Dali Prefecture, where history and natural beauty intertwine. Begin your adventure at the Dali Ancient City, an ancient town that has stood the test of time, offering a full day's immersion into its rich cultural tapestry. Roam the cobblestone streets, marvel at the traditional architecture, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic gem. As the day unfolds, make your way to the tranquil shores of Erhai Lake. This 'small town' by the lake is the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on the day's experiences. With a full day to explore each attraction, you'll have ample time to appreciate the unique features and create unforgettable memories in Dali Prefecture.

Top 6 Hotels in Dali Prefecture
TOP 1
Binchuan chicken foot mountain sit forget one courtyard
Binchuan chicken foot mountain sit forget one courtyard
hotelStar
3/5
85 reviews
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TOP 2
Chaoshan Lingjing Homestay
Chaoshan Lingjing Homestay
hotelStar
2/5
201 reviews
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TOP 3
Xinyuge Hotel
Xinyuge Hotel
hotelStar
2/5
87 reviews
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Yuanfangdejia Guesthouse
Yuanfangdejia Guesthouse
hotelStar
3/5
126 reviews
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Linden Centre·Shaxi
Linden Centre·Shaxi
hotelStar
4/5
210 reviews
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Wazhu Chaofeng Courtyard Zen Culture Theme Hostel Jizu Mountain
Wazhu Chaofeng Courtyard Zen Culture Theme Hostel Jizu Mountain
hotelStar
3/5
104 reviews
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Itinerary at a Glance
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1 Day in Dali Prefecture Itinerary: Day 1

1

Dali Ancient City

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Kickstart your Dali adventure by stepping into the past at the Dali Ancient City. As the first stop in your itinerary, this historical gem promises a full day of exploration amidst age-old architecture and cobbled streets. Nestled at No. 42, Yita Road, the ancient town is a living museum, boasting traditional Bai houses and enchanting cultural experiences. Meander through the bustling marketplaces, marvel at the intricate carvings on ancient buildings, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere that has charmed travelers for centuries.

Attraction Info

  • No. 42, Yita Road, Dali Ancient City, Gucheng District, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 1/1-12/31

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Wozai Dali Dengni
Wozai Dali Dengni
5/5 · 1566 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
Ruoshui 3000 Restaurant
Ruoshui 3000 Restaurant
4/5 · 16 reviews
2.1 km from attraction
段公子·神雕侠侣店
段公子·神雕侠侣店
5/5 · 1873 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
山海汇·老字号·特色白族菜(人民路店)
山海汇·老字号·特色白族菜(人民路店)
5/5 · 4814 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
松梅园食坊(文献楼店)
松梅园食坊(文献楼店)
4.5/5 · 32 reviews
1.9 km from attraction
Fly Me To The Moon
Fly Me To The Moon
4.5/5 · 57 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
1 h 18 min,39.48 km
2

Erhai Lake

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After immersing yourself in the historical wonders of Dali Ancient City, continue your journey to the tranquil shores of Erhai Lake. Located at No. 1 Henan Road, this natural beauty is the perfect counterpoint to the morning's cultural escapade. Spend your afternoon basking in the serene ambiance of the lake, which is cradled by rolling hills and dotted with quaint fishing villages. Whether you choose to take a leisurely boat ride or simply stroll along the waterfront, Erhai Lake offers a peaceful retreat to reflect on the day's adventures.

Attraction Info

  • No. 1 Henan Road, Xiaguan, Dali
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 days
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Green Field Kitchen
Green Field Kitchen
4.7/5 · 13 reviews
2.9 km from attraction
凤翔饭庄·洱海畔的味道
凤翔饭庄·洱海畔的味道
4.3/5 · 8 reviews
3.9 km from attraction
大理悦湾·VILLA半山海景酒店·咖啡厅
大理悦湾·VILLA半山海景酒店·咖啡厅
/5 · 7 reviews
2.3 km from attraction
XIAO XI SI FANG CAI YOU TAI DU DE CHUAN TONG BAI ZU CAI
XIAO XI SI FANG CAI YOU TAI DU DE CHUAN TONG BAI ZU CAI
4.9/5 · 8 reviews
2.4 km from attraction
玥玥小厨·特色大理菜
玥玥小厨·特色大理菜
1/5 · 4 reviews
3.8 km from attraction
绿也·野生菌牛肉汤锅·屋顶花园餐厅
绿也·野生菌牛肉汤锅·屋顶花园餐厅
/5 · 16 reviews
2.4 km from attraction

Where to Stay Tonight

4.7/555 Reviews
4.7/5Outstanding55 Reviews
Haidong Town/Ideal City
Dali
|2.09km from city center
4.8/5360 Reviews
4.8/5Outstanding360 Reviews
Haidong Town/Ideal City
Dali
|2.11km from city center

Top Things to Do in Dali Prefecture-2024

TOP 1
Dali Ancient City
Dali Ancient City
4.6/5 · 10,300 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 876 review
Highlights:
Located at the foot of the beautiful Cangshan Mountain, Dali Ancient City is the capital of ancient Nanzhao and Dali countries. With a slow pace lifestyle, a relatively warm climate and beautiful natural surroundings, it is a very conducive place for living. Combing the ancient city for artsy shops and hipster cafes is a very therapeutic and thrilling experience. The third and fourth month of the lunar calendar is filled with a lot of local festivals. The famous San Yue Jie or "Third Month Street", is the biggest festival of the year for local Bai people. Merchants come from far and wide to set up street markets and sell their interesting array of goods. There's also horse racing, archery and other competitions throughout the day. Join in the fun if you happen to be there!
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TOP 2
Cangshan Mountain
Cangshan Mountain
4.5/5 · 5,839 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 335 review
Highlights:
Cangshan Mountain, also called Diancangshan Mountain, is located on the west side of the Erhai Lake in Dali. It's scenery is spectacular and it is one of the four scenic spots of Dali. The main peak of the mountain is snowy all year round and the mountain is often shrouded in clouds. You can take the cablecar up the mountain or walk up the mountain. After ascending the Cangshan Mountain, you can overlook the beautiful Erhai Lake and Dali Ancient City.
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TOP 3
Erhai Lake
Erhai Lake
4.7/5 · 8,972 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 556 review
Highlights:
Erhai Lake is located on the eastern side of the ancient city of Dali at the foot of Mount Cangshan. Nominated as one of the four famous views in Dali, it is a destination you must not miss! The scenery there is spectacular. With good weather and lighting most of the year, it is an ideal location for landscape photographers. Every village surrounding the lake has its own unique style and highlights. One of the common ways of touring Erhai is to rent an electric scooter or car. There are also boat rides available if you want to visit the several islands and islets at the lake. Or, you can just simply find a seaview hotel next to Erhai and chill there for the day.
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TOP 4
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple Cultural Tourism Area
Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple Cultural Tourism Area
4.7/5 · 10,506 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 518 review
Highlights:

Chongsheng Temple is located 1.5 kilometers north of the ancient city of Dali. It was a royal temple during the Dali Kingdom period. It faces Erhai Lake to the east and Yingle Peak of Cangshan Mountain to the west, and the scenery is very beautiful. The three towers were originally part of Chongsheng Temple. The temple you see today is a reconstruction, and the three towers are relics with a history of thousands of years, which is also a big attraction here. The tour route enters the Attraction and enters the gate. You can see the three towers on the steps of the central axis of the Attraction. The big tower in the middle of the front is called Qianxun Tower, which is in a tripod with the two small towers in the north and south, which is quite grand. The shape of the three towers is similar to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. The best place to take pictures of the three towers is the "Three Towers Gathering Pool" in the Three Towers Reflection Park behind it. Here you can take pictures of the three towers and the reflections in the pool. Many tourists take pictures here. Go around the three towers and walk along the central axis. Along the way, you can see the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom cultural relics unearthed during the maintenance of the three towers in the Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall, the Nanzhao Jianji Bell weighing 16 tons in the bell tower, and the Rain Bronze Guanyin in the Rain Bronze Guanyin Hall. Finally, you can come to the Chongsheng Temple. The Chongsheng Temple today was rebuilt in 2005. It is large in scale and you can feel the grandeur of the royal temples in the Nanzhao and Dali periods. There are more than 10,000 dragons of various kinds in the temple, which is the temple with the most dragons in the country. In addition, there is also a nationally largest cowhide drum in the temple, with a diameter of 3.1 meters, made of a whole piece of cowhide, which is worth seeing.

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TOP 5
Shuanglang
Shuanglang
4.3/5 · 3,137 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 52 review
Highlights:
Shuanglang is a small town in Wuyuan County of Dali, famous for its beautiful scenery. Shuanglang is located on the northeastern coast of the Bohai Sea and overlooks Cangshan Mountain. It has combined the essence of the scenery of Cangshan and Bohai. Yuji Island and Nanzhang Fengqing Island are within the regions of Shuanglang and are the main scenic attractions. Whether you take a stroll along Shuanglang, take a boat or ride a bike, these are all excellent choices. The town has many special buildings, such as the "Sun Palace" of the dancer Yang Liping, the "Moon Palace" and the "Green Bar" of painter Zhao Qing. They are all worth seeing.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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Dali Prefecture 1 Day Itinerary