Dali
East Asia · China
Did you know?
- Bai culture sits between Cangshan mountains and Erhai Lake.
- Local snacks include rǔshān fried cheese and bābā pancakes.
- A free WiFi network serves visitors in the old town.
See also
Lijiang
China26.87°N 100.23°E · 2,400 m
Overview
Dali combines a Ming-dynasty old town, Bai culture, Cangshan mountains, and Erhai Lake. Cheap accommodation and street food make it a useful base for nearby villages and temples.
Languages: Chinese
Overview
Dali is a popular tourist destination on the Yunnan tourist trail, famous for its Ming-dynasty old town, Bai culture, and beautiful setting between Cangshan mountains and Erhai Lake. It offers cheap accommodation, street food, and access to nearby villages and temples.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Bakery 88
This German-style bakery is easy to spot and has a great cake selection visible from the street. Run by a long term German resident, Karine, and is popular with both foreigners and locals.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Black Dragon Cafe
The best coffee, and generous, mouth-watering meals - the wraps (chicken, beef, smoked tofu) are a speciality. A good selection of books to borrow or buy.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Cafe de Jack
Dali's oldest Western cafe. Has a fireplace, great apple pie, pleasant atmosphere and a great rooftop garden. While the menu is a little tired, the breakfast is good, as well as the chocolate cake and the lasagne. Spread over three levels, Cafe de Jack is the largest and most successful of the backpacker cafe/bars in Dali. Very popular with locals and travellers alike. The owners, local brothers Jack and Tim, are often on hand to provide good travel advice.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Dali Cookery School
Why not try to cook several Chinese dishes? Great time and good food. Several courses available with four dishes in each. Visit the local market to buy all the fresh veggies. Can be booked direct or through several guesthouses in Dali.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Golden Local-Style Noodles
Noodle shop that specialized in Cross-the-Bridge Noodles, a local specialty where a bowl of hot broth is brought to the table, and then the rice noodles and a number of plates with small quantities of other foods is immediately added by the waiter. The menu is all in Chinese, but there are pictures displayed throughout, and ordering should be no problem.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Jim's Peace Cafe
Excellent Tibetan goulash, vegetarian or with yak meat. All-you-can-eat banquet for groups of four or more, ¥30 a head. Various other dishes. One of the town's oldest traveller hangouts.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
LP café
It's the sort of place every neighbourhood would be lucky to have. The staff are friendly, the food thoughtfully composed and prepared. Serves deli style sandwiches and snacks made with high quality ingredients. Has a good selection of imported wine and liquors.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
La Stella's Pizzeria
A well-run operation making generous portions of delicious woodfired pizzas, pastas, salads and Chinese dishes at good-value prices. They also have a wide selection of alcoholic beverages. The staff speak English, and there is a travel agent out the back of the three-storey restaurant. Worth a visit.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Free WiFi on 'DaliTravel' network in old town.
Food
Try Bai cuisine: rǔshān (fried cheese) and bābā (pancake).
Money
Cheapest accommodation in China: dorms from ¥15, meals from ¥10.
Safety
Beware of pickpockets and scams; avoid buying drugs from street vendors.
Transport
Bike rental ¥5-40/day; e-scooters ¥30-80; taxis ¥5-10 within old town.
Weather
Mild year-round; rainy in summer (June-August).