Dali Yunnan Travel

December 14, 2012 - Yunnan - Tagged: Dali travel, Yunnan travel - no comments

Yunnan Dali is located at the northwest of Yunnan Province. Dali city is 300 kilo-meters (about 186 miles) from Kunming. It is the economic and cultural center of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Dali is famous for its old town, Bad Monkey Bar, and handicrafts. Yunnan Dali is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and south, with the Erhai Lake in its center. Dali has 25 ethnic minorities, which have created its unique cultural heritage in China.

Dali is the capital city of the prefecture of the same name. Yunnan Dali consists of Dali New City (also known as New District or widely known as Xiaguan in Chinese.) and Dali Old Town (also known as Dali Ancient City). Many travellers prefer to visit the Dali Old Town for its traditional architecture, minority cultures.

Yunnan Dali tour

The Ancient City is centered around the ancient city of Dali, first built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ancient buildings, city walls and the old city moat are the sites most frequented by visitors. The famous Foreigner Street in the Ancient City attracts visitors with its handicrafts, and local culinary delicacies. Xiaguan, located to the south of the Ancient City, home to the government of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Here hotels, public squares, and shopping centers add modernity to the otherwise historical city.

Erhai Lake, Butterfly Spring, and the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are the most famous tourism attractions in Yunnan Dali.

Yunnan Dali attraction

Ethnic minorities have inhabited in Dali and area around for generations. Bai Minority is the biggest group which makes up the majority of its population (about 65%). The customs of the ethnic minorities bring charm to daily life. Each spring, celebrations and festivals bring the city to life. Celebrations such as the March Street Festival and Butterfly Fest provide excellent opportunities to learn about local folk customs.

Yunnan Dali has become a world famous tourist destination nowadays. It has convenient transportation and public facilities, making it accessible for visitors from home and abroad.

Yunnan Dali travel

How to get to Dali?

Buses from Kunming West Bus Station take about 4,5 hours and cost 100 yuan for an ordinary bus and around 130 yuan for an express luxury bus, and will bring you to Xiaguan (Dali New City).

There are several night trains from Kunming to Dali Train Station (in Dali New City) leaving 8PM-11PM, and arriving from six to eight hours later. There are now 3 trains to Dali from Lijiang each day.

For planes, Dali has an airport located to the east of Dali New City, about 45 minutes drive to Dali old town.