大理古城
A relaxed Bai minority walled town on Erhai Lake — the antidote to Lijiang's crowds.
Dali Old Town is Yunnan's most liveable old town for travellers — a walled Bai minority city of marble-paved streets, traditional blue-and-white architecture, and a café culture that has made it a favourite of long-term travellers and digital nomads. The surrounding area is equally compelling: cycling around Erhai Lake, visiting Bai villages, and the Three Pagodas overlooking the mountains. Less polished than Lijiang but all the more authentic for it.
Fly to Dali Airport (DLU) from Kunming (50 min), or take the high-speed train Kunming to Dali (2 hrs). From the train station, take a DiDi to the old town (20 min, ¥30). The old town itself is compact and fully walkable. Rent a bicycle (¥30/day at multiple shops) for Erhai Lake cycling. No entrance fee for the old town.
Opening Hours
Old town: always open. Three Pagodas: 8:00am – 6:00pm.
Entry Fee
Free to walk around the old town. Three Pagodas: ¥120.
Address
Dali Old Town, Dali City, Yunnan Province
云南省大理市大理古城
Show these to locals — large Chinese text designed to be read at arm's length.
Show this to locals:
师傅您好，请送我去大理古城，大理市大理古城南门。谢谢！
Hello, please take me to Dali Old Town, South Gate, Dali City. Thank you!
For your eyes only:
The South Gate (南门) of the old town is the most accessible and photogenic entrance. The driver will know it well.
Show this to locals:
您好，我想租一辆自行车，骑到洱海，请问多少钱一天？
Hello, I would like to rent a bicycle to cycle to Erhai Lake. How much for one day?
For your eyes only:
Bicycle rental shops are abundant in Dali Old Town. Standard bikes rent for ¥20–30/day; electric bikes for ¥50–80/day.
Follow these guides to navigate each part of your visit.
Arrive by train or flight and take a DiDi to the old town (20–30 min from station/airport)
Walk the Renmin Road (人民路) — the main east-west street with cafés and craft shops
Visit the Three Pagodas (三塔) on the first morning — best photographed from the reflection pool, with mountains behind
Rent a bicycle on day 2 and cycle along Erhai Lake (洱海) — the lakeside path is 100km around but 15–20km is the classic half-day route
Visit a Bai minority village along the lakeside — Xizhou village has well-preserved architecture
Return to the old town for the famous Dali tie-dye (扎染) craft market on Fuxing Road
Evening: choose from the many rooftop cafés on Yangren Street for views over the old town toward the mountains
Dali is the antidote to Lijiang's commercialism — it is quieter, more relaxed, and better for extended stays.
Rent a bicycle and cycle 15km along the Erhai lakeside — one of Yunnan's best half-day activities.
The Three Pagodas are best photographed from the south reflection pool early in the morning before tourist crowds.
The Bai minority craft markets (扎染 tie-dye, marble products) on Fuxing Road are significantly cheaper and more authentic than anything in Lijiang.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
玉龙雪山
A 5,596m glacier massif above Lijiang — take the highest cable car in China to 4,506m.
Explore →Lijiang Old Town
丽江古城
A UNESCO-listed Naxi minority town of cobblestone canals and wooden architecture — best before 9am.
Explore →Tiger Leaping Gorge
虎跳峡
One of the world's deepest gorges — a 2-day hiking trail along clifftops above the Yangtze.
Explore →Save all your travel cards, action guides, and reservations in one place — accessible offline anywhere in China.