Lost on Purpose: Wandering Through Dali Old Town

#discoverchina #dali #yunnan #ancientown Some places aren’t meant to be “seen”—they’re meant to be wandered. That’s exactly what I did in Dali Old Town, no plan, no must-visits—just feet on cobblestones and a heart wide open. The air was cool, carrying whispers of mountain wind and the scent of roasted barley. Every turn led to something: a weathered wooden doorway, a quiet tea shop, a cat asleep on a windowsill painted in sunlight. Time doesn’t rush here. The white walls and grey-tile rooftops of Bai architecture wrap around you like a dream, while shopfronts hum with slow music, incense, and laughter. No filters needed—just that moment when you suddenly realize you’re smiling for no reason. There were no grand sights that day. But there was a stillness that stuck with me, the kind you carry long after the road ends. Getting there: Take a high-speed train or bus from Kunming to Dali Station, then a short taxi or local bus ride to Dali Old Town. Walk in—don’t rush out.