Hotels in Dali

Dali: Ancient Bai Capital on the Edge of Erhai Lake

Dali sits in western Yunnan Province, China, at 1,900 m elevation between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. The walled Old Town (Dali Ancient City), rebuilt substantially during the Ming Dynasty, anchors the city with its north and south gates, flagstone lanes, and whitewashed Bai-style courtyard houses trimmed in blue and black. The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, dating to the 9th century Tang era, rise 70 m above rice paddies and remain the most-photographed landmark in the region.

Where to Stay in Dali

Most travelers base themselves inside or just outside the Old Town walls, where guesthouses and boutique hotels occupy converted Bai courtyard compounds. The Renmin Lu corridor offers higher-density options with easy access to the night market. Xizhou, 18 km north along Erhai Lake, draws visitors seeking quieter lakeside guesthouses and the preserved Bai merchant mansion Linden Centre.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Dali Fengyi Airport connects to Kunming (40-min flight); Kunming to Dali by high-speed rail takes approximately 2 hours.
• Climate: Cool evenings year-round at altitude — pack a light layer even in July.
• Local transport: Bicycles are the standard way to circle Erhai Lake (approximately 117 km full loop); e-bikes available for rent near the Old Town east gate.
• Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY); card acceptance limited outside larger hotels.