What to see in Dali

Dali Bai Nationality Autonomous Prefecture has one city and 11 counties within its jurisdiction. Its prefectural capital is Dali City ( including Xiaguan city and Dali ancient city ). There are four scenic areas in the Dali region, including the Cangshan Mountains, Erhai Lake, Butterfly Spring and other historic relics ( in Dali City ), Jizu Mountain ( in Bingchuan County ), Shibao Mountain ( in Jianchuan County ) and Weibao Mountain ( in Weishan County ). Here are some of the attractions in Dali.



1. House of Bai People

One of the 25 or so minority groups in Yunnan province is the Bai people. The history of this small minority is very interesting. The little town of Xizhou (the name means "happy town") is a now a quiet town with a population of about 32,000 people. It is 18 kilometers north of the ancient city of Dali. Though now it is surrounded by rice paddies and is mainly known for the well preserved Bai traditional houses, many times it has been important in Chinese history. During this century, it was a haven for Chinese intellectuals and a leading university was located here, fleeing the Japanese invasion. Before 1949, Xizhou was the main center for Bai commerce, and many families were extremely rich. The best examples of Qing Dynasty era Bai architecture can be found here. Xizhou has about 200 national heritage listed private houses dating from the Qing Dynasty. The houses are among the best examples of traditional Qing architecture in China and are exquisitely detailed. By visiting this small town, you gain a better understanding of the history of this ingenious people and an appreciation of a culture that has been important in Chinese history.



2. Three Pagodas

The Three Pagodas of Dali are famous in China for their size, beauty, and antiquity, and for their preservation. The central one is more than 1,100 years old and is one of the tallest pagodas ever built in China. These pagodas are situated between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, about 1.5 kilometers (.9 of a mile) northwest from the ancient city of Dali, so a walk to the temple would be a good excursion. The Three Pagodas are a highlight of a trip to Dali.



3. Butterfly Spring

Butterfly Spring（Hudie Quan in Chinese）lies in a park at the foot of Yunlong Peak of Cangshan Mountain. This Butterfly Spring and a clear pool have been famous for centuries because every spring tens of thousands of butterflies of many species converge at this spot. The mate here and are attracted to silk trees, on which they rest, mate and drink the flower nectar. It is quite fascinating. The spring has been decorated, and there is an inscription by Guo Moruo. The site is about 20 kilometers north of the ancient sector of the city of Dali with the Three Pagodas. If you are there at the right time in April and May, the spectacle is a highlight of a visit to the Dali and the Xizhou area.



4. Cangshan Mountain

Cangshan Mountain is a high mountain rising above the city of Dali in the southern province of Yunnan that borders Vietnam. It is a scenic spot and a good hiking area where hikers may bring tents. There are 18 peaks on this mountain that are all over 3,500 meters in altitude, and the highest summit named Malong is 4,122 meters (13，524 feet) high. The mountain is next to a blue lake called Erhai. The mountain is noted for its very rich and diverse flora. The local government has designated it as a scenic area. Travel up the mountain is easy. There is cable car up the mountain, and a road connects various sites of interest. On Cangshan Mountain, the ecological zones are obvious. There are more than 3,000 kinds of plants on the mountain. The mountain is a highlight of the Dali area, with numerous springs, ponds and waterfalls, beautiful scenery, hiking trails, a range of ecological zones with thousands of plant species, and scenic views of lakes and the city of Dali.



Take a Dali tours to explore the colorful destination.