Dali Prefecture

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

About Dali Prefecture

Recommended trip: 2–5 day(s)

19°C

View local experiences on map

View more

Trip.Best: Dali Prefecture

Popular Destinations

More popular destinations



Dali City

Eryuan

Weishan

Xiangyun

Heqing

Binchuan

Midu

Yongping

https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/1qf4h12000c9128ovFD31.png

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.

Where to stay

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

What to eat

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

Dali Prefecture Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

Post

#Recommended

#dali

#yunnan

#chinatravel

Stop 17 | Dali has such a lasting charm, Wenbi Village is the real hidden gem for family trips

Harris Benjamin19Benjamin



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

4



大理秋色

Dali has always been known for its freedom, healing atmosphere, and pastoral charm, and autumn in Xizhou, Erhai Lake, and Cangshan Mountain brings this elegance to its fullest. Golden waves of rice sway between Cangshan and Erhai Lake in autumn, under a blue sky and white clouds, the air filled with the fragrance of the fields—perfect for those seeking a slower pace and a healing travel experience. Recommended Itinerary: Xizhou – Erhai Lake Cycling – Cangshan Mountain Hiking, connecting three of Dali's most characteristic autumn attractions, allowing you to immerse yourself in the most idyllic autumn scenery. First Stop: Xizhou (18 km north of Dali Old Town, open all day) Xizhou Old Town preserves a large number of Bai ethnic minority houses and pastoral scenery. In autumn, the rice paddies turn golden, vast fields reflecting the blue sky. Walking along the village paths, every step is a reflection of slow living. Renting a bicycle here is highly recommended; ride slowly along the paddy field ridges, admiring the waves of rice and taking photos. Along the way, you can try the local Xizhou Baba (a type of pancake) and Bai ethnic plum wine to experience authentic local cuisine. Photo spots: Rice paddies near Xilin Garden, village alleys, and the gates of ancient houses. Second stop: Erhai Lake (No. 1 Erhai South Road, Xiaguan, Dali City, open all day) Erhai Lake is a must-see blue pearl in Dali, and the most recommended way to experience it is by cycling around the lake. In autumn, the lakeside scenery is refreshing and pleasant, with the lake surface shimmering with golden light, and the surrounding villages are peaceful and serene. You can choose to stop at Shuanglang and Xiaoputuo along the way to take some photos of the lake and sky blending into one, with fishing boats and water birds in the frame. Photo spots: Haishi Park, Shuanglang Wharf, and the lakeside bike path along Erhai Lake. Third stop: Cangshan Mountain (West Yinxian Road, Dali Ancient City, open 08:00-17:00, ticket sales stop at 15:00) Cangshan Mountain, nestled against Dali Ancient City, rises above 4000 meters and is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. In autumn, the leaves on Cangshan Mountain gradually change color, and the weather is cool, making it ideal for light hiking or taking the cable car up the mountain. From the summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of Erhai Lake and look back at the golden rice paddies and white-walled, blue-tiled houses—a truly breathtaking sight. Remember to allocate half a day to slowly savor the cool high-altitude air and magnificent scenery. Must-see route: Gantong Temple Cableway – Qingbixi – Qilongnv Pool – Xima Pool; on clear days, you can capture enchanting scenes of swirling clouds and sunlight filtering through the forest. Travel Tips: 1. Autumn brings large temperature differences between day and night; remember to bring a jacket, as it can be chilly in the mountains in the mornings and evenings. 2. Cycling is recommended along the Xizhou and Erhai Lake areas; it's advisable to book bikes in advance for a safer ride. 3. Remember to bring water and food when hiking in Cangshan. Some trails are remote; please do not venture into deep mountain areas alone. 4. If you choose to cycle around Erhai Lake, the entire route is quite long, and it is not recommended to complete it. Choose key sections to cycle along. 5. Plan your cable car trip in advance and be sure not to miss the last cable car. Important Notes: · Many attractions in Xizhou and around Erhai Lake are widely distributed; driving is more convenient. Public transportation has frequent services, but queues may occur during peak season. · Tickets are required for entry to Cangshan. Some popular routes (such as Ximatan) are crowded on holidays; it is recommended to avoid visiting during holidays. Topics: #DaliAutumnColors #GoldenRicePaddyWaves #ErhaiCycling #XizhouSlowLife #CangshanCloudSea

VisualStorytellingThroughPhotography

1



underratedspots

Why Xizhou Old Town Is Perfect for an Explorer Like Me

Travelwith.et

14



Dali Prefecture! Lower section of the Erhai Ecological Corridor! Detached lake-view courtyard house! It was so great I didn't want to check out!

JamesonBrennan



dali

Quiet Corner in Dali Ancient Town

O-RIA

8



A countryside scenic stay you can't miss for National Day

Elijah McKay68



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

_TI***kt

1



View more

Dali Prefecture: FAQ

What's the most popular attractions in Dali?

Here are the best places to visit in Dali, including: Erhai Lake,Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple Cultural Tourism Area,Cangshan Mountain

How to get to Dali from Foshan?

From Foshan by subway to Guangzhou, from Guangzhou to Kunming or by train to Kunming, from Kunming by train or by car to Dali.

How to get to Xishuangbanna from Dali?

The most convenient way to fly. Banna doesn't have a train, and the road is far away. It takes about 15 hours from Dali to Banna. You can also go to Lijiang to fly to Banna.

How to get to Dali from Wenzhou?

There is no direct train to Wenzhou in the direction of Yunnan, and the transfer is not very convenient. It is recommended to take the plane. Wenzhou does not fly directly to Dali, it is recommended to fly to Kunming, Kunming to Dali every day there are countless trains.

How to get to Dali from Kunming?

The earliest car is K9612, 09:39 departure, 16:07 to Dali, hard seat 64, hard sleeper 112.5 yuan, the latest car is K9626, 23:31 departure, 06:42 to Dali, hard sleep 112.5 yuan do not know that you arrived in Kunming Can you catch up with the latest car? If you can't catch up, I suggest you play Kunming the next morning, such as Cuihu Park, Jindian Park, Yuhua Temple, Dianchi Lake, these are very good, now Kunming's flowers are open. Very good, then take the K9692 at night, start at 23:18, and arrive at Dali at 07:35.

How to get to Dali from Lijiang Airport?

1, Lijiang train to Dali, Dali station to take the 8th road to the passenger North Station, the majority of the North Station car passed Xizhou. The other 8 roads can go to the ancient city of Dali. After the tour, any passenger car on the Da Li line outside the east gate of the ancient city passes through Xizhou. 2, Lijiang Bus Terminal, take the passenger car on the west bank of the Bohai Sea to Xizhou. The West Bank is not a high speed. The car that goes that way should have more stations and slower. 3, Lijiang Bus Terminal, the whole journey to Dali Passenger Transport North Station. North Station by car to Xizhou. . If you help, please adopt



