Dali – History meets Hipsters in the Highlands

3 days in and around Dali, the ancient kingdom at the edge of Erhai Lake in Yunnan, China. Exploring traditional markets, historic towns, ancient temples, rice fields, hiking trails, and hipster cafes, no less.

After reading so much about Dali from Chinese novels (or rather, from watching period dramas inspired by these novels), it was great to finally be able to see Dali in real life. Sure, parts of Dali were tuned to cash in on the tourist dollar, but its old world charm and simple way of life still remains largely intact, a nice change of pace from Kunming. It’s little wonder that people from around China (and around the world) chose to settle down in Dali for a slower pace of life and to seek inspiration.

Planning a 3 day itinerary to Dali, in Yunnan, China.
Unfortunately, no sign of Salvador here.

Day 0: Bus from Kunming to Dali (via Lufeng Dinosaur Valley)

Continuing on my overland trip from Singapore to Moscow, the bus from Kunming arrived in Dali New City, or Xiaguan, somewhat late at night, and after another transfer by local bus to Dali Old Town, I found my hostel with the help of friends I made along the way. Bed was great, perfect for an end to a long day at Lufeng Dinosaur Valley.

Day 1: Shaping Monday Farmers’ Market, Erhai Lake, Xizhou Village

The next morning, together with a French guy I met on the intercity bus the day before, I took a short bus ride up the western shore of the romantic Erhai Lake and found myself at Shaping village, where there was to be a farmers’ market every Monday (and it was a Monday, of course). Local markets have always fascinated me so I had to make the trip to check it out.

Shaping village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Between where the bus stopped and the farmers’ market.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Local produce. I’ve no idea.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Who are these aliens?

Shaping Monday Farmers’ Market

Locals were clearly amused by our presence. Despite the proximity to tourist hotspot Dali, there were hardly any tourists (both Chinese and foreigners) here.

Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
An explosion of colours, flavours, scents and action.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Ethnic minorities in China are the majority here (as with most of Yunnan).
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Big juicy tomatoes.

We were getting a little hungry by then, and grabbed some buns and cold noodles at the market.

Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Some bun with some sweet stuff.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Delicious cold noodles at a food stall in the market.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
More colours and flavours.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Straw ain’t breaking my back.
Shaping farmers' market. Dali, Yunnan, China.
The candy shop.

Erhai Lake

After that sensory overdosed morning, we made our way down south along the lake towards Xizhou, a well preserved village known for its Bai architecture. It was about a 1 – 2 hour stroll between the two villages (from Shaping), with amazing scenery of rice fields backdropped by the Cangshan mountain range on one side, and lined by the poetic Erhai on the other.

Around Erhai Lake. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Farming villages.

I didn’t realise this at first, but upon closer inspection, realised those are actually birds on the boat. I think that is supposed to be cormorant fishing, a traditional form of fishing with birds but where modern ‘fishermen’ charge tourists good money to see them perform their ‘art’.

Around Erhai Lake. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Erhai Lake.
Around Erhai Lake. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Rice fields set against the perfect backdrop.
Around Erhai Lake. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Nice stroll along the highway.
Fields around Erhai Lake. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Lunch break.

It looked like really hard work. Nonetheless, the farmers, like the locals at the market, seemed amused that tourists would pop by, and stood up to wave to us as we walked past.

Fields around Erhai Lake. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Backbreaking.
Nearing Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Nearing Xizhou village. Nice traditional architecture.

There were a couple of lovely cafes in the villages which made for good rest stops.

Nearing Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Coffee stop.
Nearing Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Some sort of traditional pancake.

Xizhou Village

Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Entering Xizhou village.

Definitely more tourists at Xizhou than the places visited earlier in the day. It was a nice stroll around the village, curiously peeking into traditional shops and houses.

Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Right out of a Chinese novel.
Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
“Innovation”.

I thought this cold noodle dish with some sort of cheese like thingy was quite good, and I only saw it in/ near Dali. Would recommend trying it out if you see it around!

Cold noodles dish at Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
More delicious cold noodles. Not sure what this is called but I only saw it in Dali.
Cold dessert at Xizhou village. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Some traditional dessert.

On long trips such as this (would end up travelling for 52 days straight this time, probably the longest in a long while, since it was my grad trip), I try to pace myself out a bit. I spent the rest of the day taking a break in the hostel, and joined in a communal steamboat for dinner. A Chinese friend I met in Kunming also arrived later that day. It seemed like a really popular route for Chinese tourists from other cities to complete Yunnan from bottom (Kunming) to top (Shangri-la), and for the really adventurous, to continue their tour into Tibet and beyond.

Day 2: Hiking up Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller’s Path, and Dali Old Town

Cangshan is a mountain range lining Dali city, and hikes along the top (suitable for beginners) offer views of Dali, Erhai, and the surrounding area. I decided to make my way up Cangshan along the Cloud Traveller’s Path, along with a few guys from other parts of China I met at the hostel. There’s an entrance fee involved and lighters have to be surrendered at the entrance.

Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Not very spectacular, but sufficient for an adventure.

Cloud Traveler’s Path (Cangshan)

Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
This little fella followed us all the way from the foot of the mountains to the top and later back down again before we lost him in a crowd of people.

I think cable cars also take people to the top, but we didn’t check it out, and did a satisfying climb up the never ending flight of stairs.

Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
It’s the climb.

The views were decent, but didn’t have too many wide open areas for landscape shots. Nevertheless great to experience in person,

Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
View from the top, overlooking Erhai Lake.
Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
A little too cloudy.

It was a great walk along the top, and not too long after, time to get back down.

Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Donkeys ready for the worn and weary. It could be costly.
Hiking in Cangshan, along the Cloud Traveller's Path. Dali, Yunnan, China.
The long winding slippery road back down to town.

The trail led nicely out back towards Dali Old City, passing through some local markets on the way.

Dali Old Town, Yunnan, China.
Open air market selling everything and anything.

Dali Old City

Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Into the walled ancient city.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Some grilled cheese. Yum.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Really crowded in Dali Old Town.

A big bowl of noodles is a good way to end of a half day hike.

Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Claypot rice noodles. Rice noodles are really popular in Yunnan.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Sour plum tea.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Similar to the pancake seen in the previous day, but less fancy.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Sunlight streaming in from the mountains to the town centre.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
The usual tourist fare.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Old shops, new stuffs.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Fruits and tourists.
Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
Looking for a shave.

Dali after dark

Dali Old City, Yunnan, China.
City gates at night.

Met up with a few other friends I made in Kunming for dinner. I think having dinner with locals is a great way to learn more about a country’s culture, although these guys were not from Yunnan or anywhere near so I’m not sure if they qualify as locals. China is just so huge and diverse sometimes people from different cities appear to be from different countries/ continents.

Dinner in Dali, Yunnan, China.
“Wind flower snow moon” I remember that someone told me some story/poem behind this but I’ve forgotten about it.
Dinner in Dali Old Town, Yunnan, China.
Yunnan dish? Lol ate too many stuff I can’t remember all that I ate.
Dinner in Dali Old Town, Yunnan, China.
Fried Chinese sausages.
Dinner in Dali Old Town, Yunnan, China.
Mushroom soup. I’m so un-romanticising all of their local dishes.
Dali Old City at night. Yunnan, China.
Town centre at night.

That wrapped up another awesome day in Dali.

Day 3: Congsheng Temple (Three Pagodas Temple)

With half a day left in Dali, I decided to visit what is probably the most iconic attraction in Dali, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple.

Roadside breakfast in Dali, Yunnan, China.
Breakfast.
Roadside breakfast in Dali, Yunnan, China.
Sausage in a rice flour wrap.

Congsheng Temple (Three Pagodas Temple)

The temple was a short walk away from the town center. Buses are available for the short commute too.

Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Third one behind the trees.

The weather was perfect for taking photos so I helped myself to a spammage of shots. The temple grounds were huge and it takes probably at least 2 hours to cover the different levels and layers of the temple. Although large parts of the temple looked refurbished, it was still an interesting and eye opening experience exploring the temple grounds.

Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Temple in the clouds.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
With Erhai Lake in the distance.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Certain areas were more frequented by tour groups as they dropped off at various points on buses, and walking alone allows for some space in between without the crush of the crowds.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Temple grounds ascend steadily as it extends into Cangshan, so turning back every now and then allows great vistas overlooking Erhai Lake. Although this is not one of them.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Chinese lion.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Not sure which is fiercer.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Behind every door a new story.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Beautiful works of art.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Door behind door behind door. The never ending chain of temples.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Huge Buddha statue.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Overlooking rice fields and the villages lining the lake.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Wall of enlightenment. Actually I’m not sure what it says.
Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
The three pagodas ever so prominent.

There was a temple museum just behind the three pagodas but I didn’t manage to visit it as it was closed for lunch when I passed and I had to rush off for my bus to Lijiang. Hopeful that there might be couple of interesting artefacts inside, given the long and illustrious history of the temple. Some members of the royal family of an ancient kingdom are also supposedly buried on the temple grounds.

Three Pagodas Temple/ Chongsheng Temple. Dali, Yunnan, China.
Three pagodas and Cangshan.

Off to Lijiang

With the temple done it was time to go. I quickly grabbed a bowl of noodles before getting to the bus station for the bus from Dali to Lijiang, the next stop of my trip.

Some noodles for lunch in Dali, Yunnan, China.
Some noodles.
The bus from Dali to Lijiang.
The bus to Lijiang.

And that concluded a very interesting visit to the city of Dali. Next up, Lijiang!

Dali (Yunnan, China) Itinerary

  • Day 1
    • Shaping Monday Farmers’ Market
    • Erhai Lake
    • Xizhou Village
  • Day 2
    • Cloud Traveller’s Path
    • Dali Old Town
  • Day 3
    • Congsheng Temple (Three Pagodas Temple)

Budget

Actual travel dates: 18 May 2015 – 20 May 2015 (3 days)
Accommodation: ¥54 (~S$12 for 3 nights)
Attractions: ¥82 (~S$18)
Food: ¥212 (~S$47)
Transport (excl bus to Lijiang): ¥10 (~S$2)
Bus from Dali to Lijiang: ¥75 (~S$17)
Total:  ¥433 (~S$96)

2 thoughts on “Dali – History meets Hipsters in the Highlands”

    1. Haha I remember spotting marijuana growing in small plots while walking along the rice fields with my French friend. Didn’t see the ladies selling hash though, maybe I was at the wrong (or right?) place.

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