4 must-see attractions and 5 total things to do.
Dali's beauty is best experienced outdoors. 4 attractions are absolute must-sees among 5 on my curated list — from iconic landmarks to hidden corners most visitors miss.
I recommend at least 2–3 days in Dali. You can comfortably cover the 4 must-sees in 2 days, then explore at leisure.
大理古城
A 600-year-old walled town with Bai architecture, lively streets, and a relaxed traveller atmosphere.
洱海
One of Yunnan's most beautiful lakes — cycle the 120km lakeside path for stunning mountain and water views.
崇圣寺三塔
Three Tang Dynasty pagodas (over 1,200 years old) — the most iconic symbol of Dali.
喜洲古镇
A Bai village with well-preserved courtyard houses and the best traditional architecture in the region.
苍山索道
A cable car ride up the Cangshan Mountains with panoramic views of Erhai Lake and the Dali basin.
In Dali, the food is an adventure in itself. Here are my picks for what to eat — if you skip these, you haven't really been.
喜洲粑粑 · ¥5–15
A crispy layered flatbread from Xizhou village — sweet with brown sugar or savoury with scallions and meat.
where Street stalls in Xizhou village
大理乳饼 · ¥15–25
Fresh goat's milk 'fan' — grilled or fried, served as a savoury snack with chilli salt.
where Local Bai restaurants in the old town
过桥米线 · ¥20–50
Yunnan's iconic noodle dish — the Dali version often includes local mushrooms.
where Any Yunnan restaurant in the old town
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