| Description: | Located in west Yunnan, Dali is 400 kilometers away from Kunming and it was once the capital of Nanzhao State, the political, cultural and economical center of Yunnan in ancient history. Dali boasts of one of the country's seven freshwater lakes-Erhai Lake and 19 mountain peaks and 18 streams.
Major Tourist Attractions
Three-Pagoda Temple: A Buddhist temple which is also known as Chongshengsi Temple and it is renowned for the majestic three pagodas which were built between 823 and 1108. Its main pagoda has 16-stories with close eaves and hollow inside and it stands 69.13 meters high, the other two octagonal flanking pagodas, one in the south and the other in the north, both of which are ten-story, each rising 42.19 meters high. The temple was the Buddhist center of Nanzhao State.
Old Town of Dali: An old town which is located at 13 kilometer south of new town-Xiaguan of Dali, at the foot of Cangshan Mountains in the west and it overlooks Erhai Lake in the east. The town was built in 1382 A.D. as the capital of the Dali State. The original city wall was 8 meters high and 6 kilometers long with four gates and towers in the east, the west, the south and the north. Presently, only the southern and northern gates remain. The layout of the town resembles a chessboard. Inside the town, there are typical houses of the Bai ethnic minority, the brooks from the Cangshan Mountain flow through the streets and lanes then finally into Erhai Lake and there are many historical relics and places of interest. The famous "Foreigners' Street" boasts of many tea houses, antique shops, Chinese and Western restaurants.
Erhai Lake & Cangshan Mountains: Erhai Lake is a highland freshwater lake which is 40 kilometers in length and 7 to 8 kilometers in width. With crystal clear waters and isles, a boat ride is worth your while; Cangshan Mountains is a mountain range which has 19 peaks extending 50 kilometers from the north to the south with 18 streams running into Erhai Lake. The mountains are known for the four spectacular views: "Clouds, Snow, Peaks and Streams".
Chicken Foot Mountain: A mountain which is 90 kilometers away from the new town of Dali and it is one of the five famous Buddhist mountains in China with a complex of temples remain there. The three peaks in the front and the ridge at the back resemble a chicken foot, hence the name - "Chicken Foot Mountain". From the second floor of the Lengyan Tower on the top of the hills, Cangshan Mountains, the three pagodas and Erhai Lake can be seen standing face to face to the west and the snowy Yulong Mountain of Lijiang to the north is visible too.
Other Attractions: "Tian Long Ba Bu" ("Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils") Film City, Butterfly Spring, Old Town of Shaxi, Shibaoshan Mountain, Weibaoshan Mountain etc. |