Best Places to Visit in Dali: Dali City Area, Jianchuang County, Yunlong County, Heqing County

As one of the most popular destinations in Yunnan and China, Dali is rich in history and cultural beauty, offering a captivating charm that enchants every traveler.

The top popular places in Dali:

Dali City Area is a charming destination where history and culture come alive and Bai ethnic culture, you can see beauty Erhai Lake, and charm Cangshan Mountain, Xizhou Ancient Town etc. In Jianchuan County, highlights include Shaxi Ancient Town, which was an important trading hub on the Yunna-Tibet Tea Horse Road in ancient times, and the Shizhongshan Stone Caves. Yunlong County is a key location on the Tea Horse Road, historically significant for its salt industry in ancient times. Heqing County, you can explore Black Dragon Lake, Jiulong Waterfalls and Xinhua Village, which is famous for its silver. All those destinations offer their own incredible charm.

Dali city Area

Dali Ancient Town

As a tourist popular city of China, The Dali city area offers a perfect escape into the heart of Yunnan's culture and history. You can explore Dali Ancient Town, which is rich in history and Bai ethnic culture. Sightseeing around the beautiful Erhai Lake, and charm Cangshan Mountain, At Erhai Lake, you can go cycling to enjoy the scenic beauty. Start at Longkan Pier to watch the sunrise, admire the stunning S-shaped bay, and visit Haishe Park. With picturesque views and a refreshing lake breeze, you can ride all the way to the charming Xizhou Ancient Town. Xizhou Ancient Town is an important settlement for the Bai ethnic group, known for having the best- preserved traditional Bai residential architecture. You can visit Zhoucheng Village to experience tie-dyeing with the local Bai ethnic. Shuanglang Ancient Town, also like a pear line on the lake, with it shining, it is offering stunning view of the Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain.

Jianchuan County

Shaxi Ancient Town

Jianchuan County is located in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, bordering Lijiang to the north, the highlights include Shaxi Ancient Town, which was an important trading hub on the Yunna-Tibet Tea Horse Road in ancient times, and the Shizhongshan Stone Caves.The county is home to several major mountain ranges, including Shibao Mountain, Laojun Mountain, Jinhua Mountain, Yanlu Mountain, and Xueben Mountain. Jianchuan is an ancient county with a long history and rich tourism resources.

Notable attractions include Shaxi Ancient Town, is like a gem hidden within the city, the only surviving marketplace from the Tea Horse Road, as well as Sideng Street, the ancient opera stage, Xingjiao Temple, and Yujin Bridge. Shaxi town was added to the World Monuments’ list of 100 most endangered sites. If you want to explore the Tea Horse Road, Shaxi Ancient Town is the best place to visit. The village is not big, but every corner showcases beautiful views and historical charm, the canals running alongside the streets add vitality to the tranquil town. On Fridays, market day transforms the ancient road (Sideng street) into a lively hub where locals gather to sell a variety of goods. Shizhongshan Stone Caves (Shibao Mountain stone caves) is renowned for its grottoes and is considered one of the best and unique "mountains of a thousand stones" in the world.

Known as the 'hometown of woodcarving,' Jianchuan Ancient Town is famous for its exquisite wooden architecture and beautifully carved doors and gateways, this craftsmanship in Jianchuan was started in the Song dynasty. Most of the population here are Bai ethnic minority and you can spot stone and wood carvings almost on every ancient Bai-style housing, each showcasing timeless charm. The county is also famous for its variety of local delicacies, including chickpea jelly, stir-fried potatoes, matsutake and truffle fried rice, and small-pot rice noodles.

Yunlong County

Nuodeng Ancient Village

Generally, people visiting Dali will primarily explore the Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain, Xizhou Ancient Town, Shaxi Ancient town. However, other attractions within Heqing County and Yunlong County are also best places to visit.

Yunlong County is located in the western part of Yunnan Province. It is about a 2-hour drive from Dali and serves as a key location on the Tea Horse Road, historically significant for its ancient salt industry. Such as the Nuodeng village, has preserved a thousand years of culture and was once a key site on the Tea Horse Road. The salt industry was extremely important here in ancient times, making it a significant place in history, the village features over a hundred elegant residences built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. About 1 kilometer north of Yunlong's county seat, the river creates a natural S-shaped bend due to the unique terrain, forming a stunning natural "Taiji diagram." The area, known as Dalangba, features expansive meadows, streams, and forests, offering a serene and harmonious connection with nature. Visitors can also savor the famous Nuodeng ham, a local delicacy.

Heqing County

Heqing Silver

Driving north from Dali to Lijiang, you'll pass through Heqing, a hidden gem of a county. The drive takes about 2 hours from Dali to Heqing and about 1 hour from Heqing to Lijiang. Heqing is rich in tourism resources, boasting the vast Caohai Wetlands, the breathtaking Jiulong Waterfalls, and the serene Black Dragon Lake, where willow trees reflect beautifully on the water, creating a picturesque scene.

The ancient silverware town of Xinhua Village, with its thousand-year history, is another highlight, where every household crafts silver jewelry. The county also offers vibrant ethnic festivals and bustling markets. Every residence, stone bridge, and traditional detail is like stepping into a classic painting.

Heqing is also famous for its Featured cuisine, including Heqing ham, potato stew rice, Longtan fish, dairy products like rubing and rushan, and traditional dishes such as blood sausage, many of which have won the prestigious "Golden Flower Award."

Best places to watch the sunrise and sunset at Erhai Lake

Sunrise at Erhai Lake

Sunrise Viewing Spots

Longkan Wharf: This is the most popular spot for watching the sunrise over Erhai Lake. It's close to Dali Ancient Town but can get crowded. The best viewing time is between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, so it's recommended to arrive half an hour early to secure a good spot for photography.

Caicun Wharf: Located near Longkan Wharf, this is also a great place to watch the sunrise.

Erhai Moon Wetland Park: This is a favorite among locals, and it tends to be less crowded while still offering great views of the sunrise.

Nanyang Creek: Situated in the urban area, this is the starting point of an ecological corridor. It’s a quieter spot with beautiful scenery.

Haishe Park: Close to Xizhou Ancient Town, you can enjoy the sunrise here and then explore the area afterward.

Sunset Viewing Spots

Wenbi Village: Located in Haidong Town, this spot is known for its scenic road and offers excellent views for sunset watching.

Lixiangbang: While not a typical tourist attraction, the terrain here provides a great perspective for enjoying the sunset.

Xiaoputuo: The sunset here beautifully reflects off the small island and the seagulls, creating a stunning scene.

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