Dali

Dali is a walled old town on the shore of Erhai Lake, with the Cangshan peaks rising behind it.

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Dali is a city in western Yunnan Province, in southwest China, set between Erhai Lake and the Cangshan range. The walled old town has stone-paved lanes, guesthouses, cafés and shops that sell local crafts. Bai people make up a large part of the local population, and their architecture and markets are part of daily life around the lake. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple stand at the foot of the mountains, a short ride from the old town.

Dali suits a few relaxed days without a fixed schedule, and it works well as part of a longer Yunnan route. Stay in the old town for lanes and cafés, or by the lake for quieter nights with lake views. Set aside one day for the mountains or the lakeside villages, and plan at least three nights. Spring and autumn bring clearer weather, so aim for those months.

Dali in five

Choose between the old town and the lakeshoreThe old town has restaurants, shops and transport, while the lakeshore villages are quieter, with views across Erhai. Pick by evening plans and how much you want to cycle.
Cycle a section of the Erhai shoreCycle paths run along parts of the lake, and bike or e-bike rental is common near the villages. Pick a section for a half day rather than the whole loop, and check rental terms.
Pair Dali with Lijiang by railDali and Lijiang sit on the same western Yunnan rail route, so most itineraries visit both. Book the train on 12306 with your passport.Lijiang
Carry some cash for the lakeshoreLakeshore villages and bike-rental stalls sit outside the big-city card zone, so keep cash and a payment app ready. The money guide has the details.Money and costs
Start from Kunming by rail or airMost visitors reach Dali from Kunming by high-speed rail or a short flight. Spend a night in Kunming if you arrive late.Kunming

Things to do in Dali

See all attractions in Dali

Church · DaliDali Catholic Church

Temple · DaliThree Pagodas

Sight · DaliDali Confucian Temple

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to DaliPut the places you like in Dali on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Dali (DLU), with rail and bus links to the old town
Getting there: High-speed rail from Kunming and Lijiang; flights
Getting around: Local buses, taxis and bicycles; cycling around the lake
Best base: Old town for services, lakeshore villages for quiet
Time needed: 2 to 3 days; 4 with Shaxi

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Mild, dry
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh16°Low5°Mild, sunny
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low8°Warm, spring
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh23°Low11°Warm, clear
MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Rains start
JuneRain18 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Rainy
JulyRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low16°Rainy
AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Rainy
SeptemberRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low15°Mild, wet
OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Clear, mild
NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Dry, clear
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Cool, sunny

Average daily high and low in Dali, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Dali

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 98%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 45%

Dali

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today22°14°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 45%.
Wed23°13°4%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 4%.
Thu23°13°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri23°13°2%Friday: Clear. High 23°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat22°14°33%Saturday: Clear. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 33%.
Sun22°13°34%Sunday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 34%.

Updated 02:00 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Lijiangby railA UNESCO-listed old town beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.Read the guide
Xizhoushort ride from DaliA Bai village with courtyard houses and local snacks.
Shaxiroad trip from DaliA small old town on the former Tea Horse Road, best with a night.

Before you go to Dali

Dali, Erhai and village toursGuided lake and village daysCompare tours

Stays by the old town and lakeCourtyard and lakeshore basesCheck availability

eSIM for DaliMaps and bike-rental appsRead the guide

Insurance for DaliCover for cycling and mountain walksRead the guide

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Rules for Dali, checked

Check whether your nationality qualifies for visa-free entry or needs a visa on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa pages before you book.Source
Hotels register foreign guests on arrival and need your passport to do it. Carry your passport when you go out.
Ask before photographing people at markets, in villages and at temples, including those in traditional dress.
Declare cash and goods above the limits on your arrival form. Check the General Administration of Customs site for current limits.Source
Drones need permission to fly in China. Check local rules before you bring one.

Plan around Dali

All of China

Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities

Read the guide Lijiang

UNESCO old town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Read the guide Kunming

Yunnan's capital and Shilin gateway

Read the guide Xishuangbanna

Tropical south Yunnan, beyond Kunming

Read the guide China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide Money and costs in China

Cashless payments and backup cash

Read the guide Shangri-la

Tibetan culture north along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway

Read the guide

Dali FAQ

How many days do you need in Dali?

Two to three days cover the old town, a lake cycle and a village such as Xizhou. Add a fourth for Shaxi. One day only works as a rail stop between Kunming and Lijiang.

Should I stay in Dali Old Town or by Erhai Lake?

Stay in the old town for restaurants and transport, or by the lake for quiet and views. Many travelers split time between both. The lakeshore needs a bike or taxi for dinner.

When is the best time to visit Dali?

March, April, October and November. Spring and autumn are mild and clear, summer is rainy, and winter is dry and sunny, with cool mornings. Check forecasts for lake and mountain days.

Is Dali better than Lijiang?

They suit different styles. Dali is slower and lake-centered, while Lijiang's UNESCO-listed old town is more compact and busier. Most itineraries include both, with a night in each.

How do I get from Dali to Lijiang?

By rail or road. Both are on the same western Yunnan route, and trains run frequently. Book early for national holidays and check the station for your ticket.