Dali

Ancient Charm by Erhai Lake

Dali in Yunnan Province showcases ancient Bai culture alongside mist covered mountains and turquoise lakes. The old town features wooden houses with white walls, small bridges over canals and stone pathways worn smooth by centuries of footsteps. Local markets sell fresh tea leaves, handmade crafts and regional snacks like cross border noodles. Nearby Erhai Lake reflects sky and hills in calm mornings while afternoon breezes carry sounds from street musicians. Dali balances quiet tradition with modern life without losing its distinctive character.

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Town in China

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.4

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

While English is not widely spoken, hotel staff and some young locals may know basic English. Having a translation app or learning a few Mandarin phrases can be very helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Dali Summary

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Strong in traditional towns and mountain scenery. Walk historic old streets, cycle around Erhai Lake, visit temples and enjoy views of surrounding mountains.

Place score

6.7

Best at:

Walkable

Local cuisine

Street food

Historic sites

Natural sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

💻 8

Digital Nomads

🥗 8

Vegetarian

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Dali, China

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🌤️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Aug. - Sep.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rainy season June to September, mountain views often hidden by cloud, but summer is cool and comfortable

Chinese public holidays are very crowded: Spring Festival, May Day and Golden Week in early October

Third Month Fair (Sanyuejie), usually around late March to April, is Dali's main traditional Bai festival

Don't miss

🏘️ Explore the charming streets of Dali Ancient Town
🛕 Visit the iconic Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
🚴‍♂️ Cycle around scenic Erhai Lake and its villages
🥾 Hike the breathtaking trails of Cangshan Mountain
🏯 Discover traditional Bai architecture in Xizhou Town

You've been here?

Why travel to Dali?

Dali is perfect for those who love history, nature and a bohemian atmosphere. The Old Town is full of charming architecture, traditional Bai culture and lively markets. The Cangshan Mountains offer fantastic hiking, while Erhai Lake is great for cycling and boat rides. The weather is mild year-round, but be prepared for occasional rainy spells, especially during the monsoon season.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Weishan Donkey Meat
2 Dali Museum
3 Visitor Center of XiZhou Ancient Town
4 Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple

🎡Places for activities

1 Dali Catholic Church

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Erhai Lake
2 Butterfly Spring
3 Chicken Foot Mountain
4 Donglianhua

🛍️Shopping

1 Xinhua Bookstore
2 Zhoucheng Bai Tie-Dye Museum

🎈Events

Dali March Fair (Sanyuejie)
Butterfly Festival (April)
Torch Festival (July)
Cangshan Hiking Festival
Erhai Lake Fishing Festival
Dali Folk Song Festival
Tea and Horse Caravan Festival
Dali Art and Culture Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrations
Spring Flower Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Plan to explore Dali Ancient Town on foot, start early to beat crowds.
Bring cash for markets; some vendors still prefer cash over mobile payments.
Expect cooler air in the mornings; layer clothing for mountain breezes near Cangshan.
Visit Xizhou and the Three Pagodas area for Bai culture and scenic photo opportunities.

How to travel to Dali

Dali Airport (DLU) connects with major Chinese cities. You can also take a train or bus from Kunming, which is around 5 hours away. High-speed trains from Kunming to Dali offer a quick and scenic option.

Access summary

From Dali Airport (DLU): Shuttle bus or taxi to Old Town, 30–60 min.
From Kunming: High-speed train about 2–2.5 hours; long-distance bus 4–6 hours.
From Lijiang: High-speed train 1.5–2.5 hours or bus/private car about 3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Dali

Dali offers a range of accommodations, from traditional guesthouses in the Old Town to modern hotels near Erhai Lake. Boutique inns with Bai architecture are particularly charming.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

China Old Story Inns Dali Ancient Town

8.6

Hilton Dali Resort & Spa

8.7

Dali Five Elements Hostel

8.2

Dali Shijing Homestay

9.8

Hilton Garden Inn Dali Ancient City

Dali Old Courtyard Boutique Inn

9.2

SIXI GOLDEN SUNRISE SOUND SLEEP HOTEL

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Dali

Dali is best explored on foot, by bike or with local buses. Bikes and e-scooters are popular around Erhai Lake. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also available. Avoid peak holiday periods when it can get crowded.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-70 %

Daily expenses in Dali are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£25	£54	£144
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£12	£21	£62
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£7

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.20
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.46
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£3.80
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£17
🤧 Cold medication	£3.90
💇 Basic haircut	£2.90

Safety information overview

General safety

Dali is generally safe, with low crime rates. Be mindful of your belongings in crowded markets and avoid unmarked taxis. Petty theft is rare but possible.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Dali are basic but adequate for minor issues. For serious medical care, Kunming has better-equipped hospitals. Bring any necessary medication with you.

Accessibility

The Old Town's cobblestone streets and stairs may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Newer hotels and areas around Erhai Lake are more accessible.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available or use a water purifier. Bring a reusable bottle if possible.