Dali (Centro de Cultura Étnica Bai, 7 puntos escénicos)

Dali Ancient City

Once the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom, which ruled Yunnan for over 500 years (738–1253), Dali Ancient City is a well-preserved ancient walled town at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains and facing Erhai Lake. The city follows a chessboard layout with four main gates, and the ancient streets are paved with bluestone slabs, flanked by traditional Bai-style buildings with gray tiles, white walls, and exquisite wood carvings. The Foreigner’s Street and Renmin Road are bustling with shops, cafes, and local snack stalls, while the quieter back lanes retain the original residential charm. Historically, Dali was a key stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, welcoming merchants from China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, which led to a blend of cultures. The Bai people’s traditions are deeply embedded in the city’s daily life: visitors can taste Three-Course Tea, watch the Bai’s “Bawangbian” dance, and participate in the March Street Festival, one of the largest ethnic gatherings in Yunnan. Dali Ancient City is not just a historical site but a living town where the past and present coexist harmoniously.

Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas

A symbol of Dali’s millennial history, the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple were first built in the 9th century during the Nanzhao Kingdom, with subsequent expansions in the Dali Kingdom period, serving as the royal Buddhist temple. The main pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, stands 69.13 meters tall, a 16-story square brick structure modeled after the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an, reflecting the cultural exchange between Yunnan and the Central Plains. Flanking it are two smaller octagonal pagodas, each about 42 meters high. Despite numerous earthquakes over the centuries, the pagodas have remained intact, a testament to the advanced architectural skills of ancient Yunnan. The temple complex around the pagodas houses a wealth of cultural relics, including Buddhist statues, scriptures, and stone carvings, many of which showcase the unique style of Yunnan Buddhism, blending Han, Tibetan, and Southeast Asian influences. The Three Pagodas are not only a Buddhist cultural landmark but also a symbol of the Bai people’s wisdom and the long-standing cultural integration in Yunnan.

Cangshan Mountain

Stretching 40 kilometers from north to south, Cangshan Mountain (the Azure Mountains) consists of 19 peaks with an average altitude of over 3,000 meters, their snow-capped tops visible year-round, creating a stunning contrast with the green forests below. Between the peaks lie 18 streams that flow down to Erhai Lake, nurturing the surrounding farmlands and villages. Cangshan has been a sacred mountain for the Bai people since ancient times; in their mythology, it is the home of the gods, and many traditional festivals are related to the mountain, such as the worship of the God of Cangshan. Historically, the mountain was a natural barrier protecting Dali and a source of resources for the locals, providing timber, medicinal herbs, and mineral water. The Cangshan Scenic Area includes many attractions, such as the Jade Belt Road, a hiking trail that offers panoramic views of Erhai Lake and Dali city, and the Gantong Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple hidden in the forests. It is also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for hiking, bird watching, and alpine photography, while its cultural significance makes it an integral part of Dali’s heritage.

Erhai Lake

Shaped like an ear, Erhai Lake is the second-largest freshwater lake in Yunnan, covering about 250 square kilometers, nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Dali Ancient City. It has been the lifeline of the Bai people for millennia, providing water for irrigation, fishing resources, and a transportation route. The lake is surrounded by numerous historical and cultural sites, including the small Putuo Island with its ancient temple, the Shuanglang Ancient Town known for its fishing culture, and the Xizhou Ancient Town, a well-preserved Bai village. The Bai people have a deep reverence for Erhai, and many of their traditions are centered around the lake—for example, the custom of releasing lanterns on the lake during festivals to pray for good fortune. Historically, Erhai was part of the Ancient Tea Horse Road water route, with boats carrying tea, salt, and other goods between Dali and neighboring regions. Today, cycling around Erhai has become a popular activity for tourists, allowing them to enjoy the lake’s crystal-clear water, the surrounding green fields, and the traditional Bai villages along the way, while experiencing the peaceful and idyllic lifestyle of the local people.

Xizhou Ancient Town

A typical Bai ethnic town with a history of over 1,000 years, Xizhou is located on the northwest shore of Erhai Lake, famous for its well-preserved Bai-style residential complexes. The town’s architecture features a unique blend of Han and Bai styles, with grand courtyard houses, carved wooden doors and windows, and white walls decorated with calligraphy and paintings. The Zhang Family Mansion, built in the early 20th century, is a prime example, showcasing the wealth and artistic taste of the local merchant class at that time. Historically, Xizhou was a prosperous commercial town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, with merchants trading tea, silk, and other goods between Yunnan, Tibet, and Southeast Asia. The town has retained many traditional crafts, such as tie-dyeing, wood carving, and silverware making, and visitors can visit workshops to learn these skills from local artisans. The Bai people’s daily life here is full of cultural traditions—three-course tea ceremonies, folk dances, and seasonal festivals. Xizhou Ancient Town offers a rare glimpse into the authentic Bai culture and the historical prosperity brought by the Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Shuanglang Ancient Town

Once a quiet fishing village on the eastern shore of Erhai Lake, Shuanglang has evolved into a cultural and tourist destination while retaining its original charm. The town is built along the lake, with traditional Bai houses, narrow stone streets, and fishing boats docked at the pier. It is famous as the hometown of Yang Liping, China’s renowned peacock dancer, whose Sun Palace and Moon Palace are perched on the hillside, overlooking the lake. Historically, Shuanglang was an important fishing port and a stop on the Erhai water transportation route, and the local fishermen have preserved their traditional way of life for generations. The town’s cultural attractions include the Zhenhai Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple with a history of over 400 years, and the stone carvings on the nearby cliffs. Today, Shuanglang is known for its boutique guesthouses, art galleries, and cafes, attracting artists and travelers from all over the world. Visitors can take a boat tour on Erhai, taste fresh seafood, and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the lake, while also experiencing the peaceful coexistence of fishing traditions and modern art culture.

Butterfly Spring

Made famous by the classic Chinese film “Five Golden Flowers,” Butterfly Spring is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, about 25 kilometers from Dali Ancient City. It is a natural spring surrounded by lush forests, and every April and May, thousands of colorful butterflies gather here, dancing in the air and forming a spectacular “butterfly cluster” scene, which has become a symbol of love and romance in Bai culture. The spring has a deep connection with the Bai people’s traditions: according to local legends, the spring is named after two young lovers from the Bai and Yi ethnic groups who were separated by a cruel landlord and eventually turned into butterflies, vowing to be together forever. The Bai people hold a grand Butterfly Festival here every year, where young men and women sing folk songs, exchange gifts, and look for their soulmates. The Butterfly Spring Scenic Area also includes a butterfly museum, displaying various butterfly species from around the world, and a forest trail for hiking. It is not only a natural attraction but also a cultural site that embodies the Bai people’s pursuit of love and their reverence for nature.