Cang Shan (Cáng Shān 苍山), also know as Diancang Shan, provides a stunning backdrop to the west of Dali Old Town. A trip out to the mountain itself is rewarded with superb views of the surrounding countryside in addition to a number of hiking trails complete with picturesque temples, rushing streams and waterfalls that transport snow run-off to Lake Erhai far below. Consisting of 19 peaks (the highest of which is Malong Peak at 4,122 m or 13,524 ft), Cang Shan is lush with vegetation and is particularly well known for its flourishing azaleas. Designated an official Scenic Area in 1991, the park can be accessed via chairlift from the west of Dali Old Town (RMB 40 round trip, approximately 25 minutes), or for those with a bit more puff, by foot (1.5 hours). A new cableway, opened in September 2011 (RMB 100), spans a total of 5 km (3.1 mi) and sto... more >>

The Ancient City of Dali (Dàlǐ Gǔchéng, 大理古城) is another great example of ancient and modern fusing together in China. The architecture is indeed ancient with traditional Bai homes, shops and markets forming the core of the city, surrounded by a huge stone wall punctuated by four gate towers. Even the newer construction is modeled in the old-style and the result is a rather seamless combination of old and new. The small, walkable old town is a convenient base to explore the neighboring mountains (Cang Shan) and Erhai Lake, and is full of shopping opportunities. Whether you're seeking traditional Bai batik textiles, freshly caught fish or a cup of Yunnan-grown espresso, you'll find it in the street stalls, cafés and hip boutiques that line Dali's old paved roads. Book tours to Dali Old Town Yunnan guide | Dali guide | Dali attrac... more >>

One of China's largest freshwater lakes, the Chinese name for Erhai Lake (Erhǎi, 洱海) literally translates to "Ear Sea," a nod to its vast size (250 sq km or 96 sq mi) and long, narrow crescent shape, said to resemble an ear—though when you're looking at a map, you may need a bit of imagination. Sitting at 1,972 m (6,470 ft) above sea level, Erhai is an alpine fault lake, and its clear jade waters are bordered by stunning scenery, with the majestic peaks of Cang Shan rising up to the west. The lake shore is easily accessible from from Dali by a one hour walk or a 15-minute bike ride. Cycling is an excellent way to explore the area and the ride from Dali will take you through pretty villages, countryside and rice fields. On reaching the lake you can put your bike on a ferry and explore one of Erhai's islands, or its far side where a picturesque road skirts close to ... more >>

"To get a perfect life, pray at the Chongsheng Temple." Or so goes the ancient saying. Today, one might update "pray" with "pay." To gain entry to the official Chongsheng Temple and The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Area (Chóngshèng Sì Sān Tǎ, 崇圣寺三塔), you'll have to cough up a hefty RMB 120. And though a perfect life may elude you (whether you pay to pray or not), you can reasonably hope for at least a few perfect shots with the camera and a moment of peace in the midst of the touristic hubbub surrounding what are, in fact, three astonishing ancient pagodas and one nicely reconstructed temple turned museum. Over the centuries since the site's establishment around 850 AD, Dali's Three Pagodas have survived wars and earthquakes. Today they stand as some of the oldest pagodas in this part of the world. And stand they do: th... more >>

Butterfly Spring (Húdié Quán, 蝴蝶泉), situated about 30 km (18.5 miles) north of Dali, is a small, clear spring frequented by swarms of tourists... and, of course, butterflies. The latter are drawn to the spring's clear waters from the surrounding wooded countryside at the foot of Cang Shan, a mountain comprised of some sixteen peaks and famous for its diverse plant life. The former flock to see the spring, the butterflies, the costumed Bai women singing traditional songs and the nearby butterfly museum's 45,000-plus specimens. Spring—April through May specifically—is the best time to visit: butterflies cluster on overhanging flowering tree branches, sipping nectar and getting friendly like brightly dressed twenty-somethings in a Shanghai nightclub. Local Bai legend has it that a pair of star-crossed lovers took their lives at the spring, hoping to s... more >>

Erhai Park (ěrhǎi Gōngyuán, 洱海公园) sits on the southern tip of Erhai Lake on the slopes of Tuan Hill (Tuán Shān, 团山) just to the east of Xiaguan (Xiàguān, 下关—sometimes called Dali City or New Dali and not to be confused with Dali a few kilometers away). An attractive, landscaped green space featuring walkways, rockeries and shady pagodas, the Erhai Park is also home to an arboretum, playground, public swimming pool and even a zoo. Starting at the lake edge, it's a steady climb up with 270 stone steps leading to two viewing decks: the Observation Pavilion and Long Corridor where stunning lake vistas await. The Guanertai Pagoda is also a good place to head for some of the best views of Erhai's clear jade waters. Historically a deer reserve for the royalty of the Nanzhao Kingdom—a confederation of largely Tibeto-Burmese tribes whose descendents ... more >>

The major draw of the tiny little town of Xizhou (Xǐzhōu, 喜州), propped up between Erhai Lake and the Cang Shan mountains, are the beautiful homes of the Bai minority families that prospered here for centuries, trading in marble and tea and providing safe havens for fleeing Nationalist soldiers. Xizhou is just 30 km (18.6 mi) from Xiaguan (Xiàguān, 下关) and just down the lake from Dali Old Town. It long served as a fortress and commercial center for the Bai minority, from the reign of the Nanzhao Kingdom (730-902 AD) until today. The Bai merchants took advantage of Xizhou's location on the southern Silk Road that leads from India through Burma, across Yunnan and north to Chengdu and on to Xi'an, selling all manner of local products, taxing caravans and other business. The accumulated wealth looks to have been invested fully into Xizhou's homes, which are beautiful... more >>

Perched up on high in the Cang Shan mountain range, Zhonghe Temple (Zhōnghé Sì, 中和寺) is a modest temple with a panoramic view of Er Hai lake and the lowlands around it. A common stop for those hiking up Cang Shan, Zhonghe Temple is a good place to stop and get your bearings, plus there's a restaurant nearby to fuel up. It's also possible to stay the night in the temple. Yunnan guide | Dali guide | Dali attractions | Dali flights Dali hotels | Dali tours & activities | Dali on the China Travel Blog more >>