20 hand-picked places in and around Dali, indexed by area and by theme. Swipe through the photos on each card, or tap one to see it full screen.
Spots guide
Filter by what you love, or scroll through by area — from the old town and the two shores of Erhai up onto Cangshan and out to the Tea Horse Road.
A thousand-year-old town at the foot of Cangshan and beside Erhai, and Dali's main hub. It's bustling and lively, with a fairly commercial feel — crowds fill Renmin Road and Foreigner Street and the lights stay on late. Come here for the buzz and energy rather than for peace and quiet.
Dali's most iconic landmark — three pagodas standing for over a thousand years, mirrored in a reflecting pool. A testament to the Buddhist golden age of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, and one of the most photogenic spots on any route.
The best single stop for understanding the history of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms and Bai culture. Indoor, and an ideal choice on a rainy day or when you want to dig deeper into local heritage.
Spanning the Xi'er River in the city, this bridge comes alive after dark — glowing lights along both banks and a lively night market below. A great evening spot to feel everyday local life in Xiaguan.
A gateway to Erhai on the western shore and a classic starting point for the lakeside cycling route. It's dotted with scenic, photogenic cafés and has become one of Dali's gathering spots for digital nomads — artistic in feel, and where many travellers first meet Erhai.
One of the most original, least commercialised Bai old towns around Erhai — more down-to-earth than Dali Old Town. The Yan Family Compound showcases the classic “three houses and a screen wall” architecture, set among golden rice fields and famous for its Xizhou baba flatbread — a hub of heritage, scenery and food.
The heartland of Bai tie-dye, where indigo-and-white cloth hangs in courtyards across the village. Try your hand at making a one-of-a-kind piece and take a little of Dali's blue home with you.
A slender peninsula reaching into Erhai, lined with trees, lawns and wide lake views. Perfect for a stroll, a picnic or a relaxed day with kids — gentle-paced.
A dock on Erhai's western shore facing east across the lake — a superb spot for sunrise. As first light breaks, the water glows and Cangshan slowly emerges: a favourite early-morning position for photographers.
A well-known town on Erhai's eastern shore, blessed with prime views straight across the lake to Cangshan. Packed with guesthouses, cafés and lakefront scenery — the liveliest base on the east side.
A small island in the middle of Erhai, reached by boat. Its gardens and sculptures evoke Nanzhao culture, all surrounded by open lake views — a distinctive stop.
A tiny islet in the waters off Erhai's eastern shore, crowned by a small Guanyin temple. One of Erhai's most classic and recognisable views.
A place of worship unique to the Bai people, where each village honours its own guardian deity (“Benzhu”). This is where you touch Dali's most local, living folk beliefs — a corner that mass tourism can't easily replicate.
A serene nunnery on the mid-slopes of Cangshan that burns no incense — the Buddha is offered flowers instead. Its courtyards of flowers and succulents, all tended on-site, make it a lovely spot for photos, reachable without a full climb. Don't miss the vegetarian set meal: affordable, fresh and generous, with free refills.
The towering wall of mountains west of Erhai. Ride the cable car up and follow the gentle Jade Belt Cloud-Traversing Path through mist and pine, with sweeping views over the whole lake and valley — stunning in every season.
A recently popular hilltop viewpoint offering panoramic views over the whole of Erhai — wide open and great for photos. Opening hours and fees are worth confirming before you go.
The best-preserved market town on the ancient Tea Horse Road, where Sideng Street's old theatre stage and quiet lanes hold on to a slower pace. Uncrowded and beloved by photographers and slow travellers.
An old stone bridge over the Heihui River beside Shaxi. At dusk, the bridge, the flowing water and the distant hills come together — Shaxi's classic golden-hour scene.
A thousand-year-old Bai village deep in the mountains, built on its ancient salt wells and famous for its ham. Old houses climb the hillside in layers, steeped in authentic local life — remote, but a uniquely rewarding stop.
The birthplace of the Nanzhao kingdom — an old town with an intact historic layout, low-key and unspoiled, and famous for its street food. An ideal finale for tracing Dali culture back to its roots.
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