Why Trust This Article?
- • Author: Hesham Al-Daaja (based in China since 2019)
- • Last updated: September 24, 2026
- • Based on direct field experience with Arab travelers and buyers
I'm Hesham, and This Is My Complete Guide to Dali — One of China's Calmest Cities
Dali is a small city in Yunnan that's completely different from the China most visitors picture — a wide lake, surrounding mountains, and an old town that moves at a slower pace. It's a traditional home of the Bai ethnic group, and also has a real Hui Muslim community that's been there for centuries. This guide covers the key sights, how to get there from Kunming, and the halal food available.
Quick Answer
Dali is about 2 hours from Kunming by high-speed train (around ¥150). Plan 2-4 days: one day for the Old Town, one day for Erhai Lake (bike or e-bike along the west-shore path), and an optional day for the Three Pagodas and Cangshan Mountain.
Erhai Lake — Dali's Heart
Erhai Lake covers about 250 km² and sits directly east of Dali. The best way to explore it is the west-shore Ecological Corridor — a flat, paved, 50km car-free path you can walk or rent an e-bike for. There are also boat trips to Jinsuo Island and Nanzhao Fengqing Island, and lakeside old towns like Xizhou and Shuanglang worth a stop.
The Old Town — Free to Enter
Entry to the Old Town itself is free (some individual sites inside charge separately). Its stone streets and traditional Bai-style houses feel completely different from any other Chinese city I've visited. Go early morning or evening to avoid the midday crowds.
The Three Pagodas (Chongsheng Temple)
Dali's most iconic landmark — three ancient pagodas set against Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Entry is ¥75 (¥37 for students), open 7am-6:30pm.
Getting There from Kunming
- High-speed rail: trains run roughly every half hour throughout the day from Kunming, taking about 2 hours, with tickets around ¥150.
- From the station to the Old Town: Dali's train station is about 18km from the Old Town, in the modern Xiaguan district. A taxi or Didi costs ¥50-60 and takes 30-35 minutes, or Bus Line 8 has a flat ¥3 fare and takes 50-70 minutes to the West Gate.
Halal Food in Dali
Yunnan has a large, historic Hui Muslim community, and nearby Weishan County specifically is known for its Hui-run halal beef restaurants. Look for the "清真" sign (meaning halal/Hui) when choosing a restaurant — don't assume a regular Chinese restaurant has halal options.
FAQ
Q: How many days do I need in Dali?
A: 2 days minimum, 3-4 if you want a relaxed pace for the lake and Old Town.
Q: Can I visit Dali and Lijiang on the same trip?
A: Absolutely — it's the most common route. See my complete Lijiang guide for how to connect the two.
Planning Your Yunnan Trip?
I'm Hesham, living in China since 2019. Contact me on WhatsApp to arrange your route between Dali, Lijiang, and Kunming, or visit the custom trip planning page.
