Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Cangshan Mountaintop_1
    󰺂8.4
    15.9
    Dali.Cangshan Scenic Area16 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDali's colorful fall scenery | Oct 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    10 temples & 20 natural attractions
    󰋄Unique geological landscapes displayed
    󱨠Saved by 806 users󱨠3954 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Andrew小宇Andrew小宇

    Cangshan Mountain truly is the soul of Dali! From the summit, Erhai Lake resembles a sapphire nestled among the mountains, its ethereal beauty enhanced by the swirling mists. The mountains are rich in vegetation; hiking trails offer opportunities to encounter streams and wildflowers, and the air is so fresh you can't help but take a deep breath. The scenery at Ximatan is particularly stunning, with snow-capped peaks contrasting beautifully with verdant meadows. From the highest point, a panoramic view of Dali Old Town unfolds before you; every snapshot is wallpaper-worthy, making it well worth the trip!

  • The Chongsheng Temple And The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Areatop_2
    󰺂8.1
    8.93
    Dali.Dali Ancient City16.6 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDali Bai Autonomous Prefecture launches travel deals with a flight ticket | Sep 1, 2025-Aug 31, 2026
    trip best small logoNo. 7 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    Highlights:
    󰋄Three Pagodas Reflection Pond views
    󰀆Perfect spot for tower reflections
    󱨠Saved by 626 users󱨠5940 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    爱浮屠爱浮屠

    Chongsheng Three Pagodas, the only 5A scenic spot in Dali, is well worth a visit. There are free guided tours, and the electric shuttle bus service is not tiring. The cultural and creative products in the shop at the entrance are also very beautiful, and you can also get a stamp.

  • Erhai Laketop_3
    󰺂8.0
    Dali.Small Putuo Scenic Area of Wase Town22.7 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoErhai Lake's Metasequoia Trees at Their Peak | Nov 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    Highlights:
    󱓊Nearby towns with historical heritage
    󱨜National scenic area & lake
    󱨠Saved by 1148 users󱨠2873 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    M28***81M28***81

    The scenery around Erhai Lake in Dali is absolutely stunning. Choosing a sightseeing bus tour is the most economical option. I booked a one-day tour on Ctrip. Since time was limited, I recommend selecting a few attractions, such as the S-bend and Luoquan Island.

  • Dali Ancient City
    4
    󰺂7.6
    Dali.Dali Ancient City14.3 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoGinkgo Trees in Dali Turning Yellow | Nov 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Fuxing Road for culture & shopping
    󰀆Millennial Ethnic Festival Celebration
    󱨠Saved by 1242 users󱨠4486 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    不一样的风采778不一样的风采778

    Stepping into Dali Ancient City is like stepping into the Nanzhao Kingdom a thousand years ago. The ancient city walls, weathered and worn, their bricks and stones, eroded by wind and rain, still steadfastly guard the city, witnessing countless rises and falls. Touching these bricks, you can almost feel the hard work of the craftsmen and hear the rolling wheels of history. At the city gates, people come and go, bustling with activity, yet this noise cannot obscure the inherent tranquility and depth of the ancient city; instead, it adds a touch of life, making one yearn to explore further.

  • Shuanglang
    5
    󰺂7.2
    Dali.Shuanglang Scenic Area34.6 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Night Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    Highlights:
    󱓊Walk to Yujidao for sunset views
    󰀆Boat ride & Erhai scenery
    󱨠Saved by 438 users󱨠1144 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    M83***34M83***34

    Shuanglang, located on the eastern shore of Erhai Lake, is a major scenic area within the Cangshan-Erhai Scenic Area. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the lake on the other, it is known as the "Number One Town for Cangshan-Erhai Scenery." Yuji Island and Nanzhao Folk Island are nestled within its picturesque setting. Shuanglang was once an important naval base for the Nanzhao Kingdom and preserves historical sites such as the Yuji Temple and Kuixing Pavilion, as well as typical Bai ethnic minority dwellings. Strolling along the ancient streets, one can enjoy the stunning lake and mountain scenery and experience the rich Bai ethnic culture.

  • Dali Erhai Lake Tour Bus
    6
    󰺂6.8
    8.3
    Dali.Dali Ancient City13.2 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDirect bus to Xizhou around Erhai | Oct 2025-Nov 2025
    Highlights:
    󱓊Convenient hop-on-hop-off bus stops
    󰋄Sightseeing bus around Erhai
    󱨠Saved by 345 users󱨠163 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    TheEnlightenedTheEnlightened

    The bus is value for money if you book 3day ticket. Sit in the bus and enjoy nice scenery. Journey from west to east side (vice versa) of the lake takes about 2 hour each way. However you need to use wechat mini program 安心游大理to book the seats everytime u plan to board it .

  • Ancient Town Shaxi
    7
    󰺂6.8
    Jianchuan.Shaxi Ancient Town89.3 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe fall scenery in Shaxi is absolutely divine | Oct 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Night Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    󱨠Saved by 315 users󱨠260 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    环游记响环游记响

    Attraction Review: Rustic and uncommercialized, the red sand road and ancient stage exude a serene beauty. Highlights: Visit the Pioneer Bookstore, sample fresh mushrooms at the market, and experience Bai ethnic culture. Tips: Bring cash; a light jacket won't be enough for a trip to Shaxi Ancient Town in November. Temperatures here are currently between 3 and 21℃, with a significant difference between day and night temperatures. If you want to see the morning mist at Yujin Bridge, the temperature may be even lower, so a thick coat or light down jacket is recommended for warmth. A day and one night is ideal for a leisurely experience.

  • Zhang Jia Garden
    8
    󰺂6.8
    9.77
    Dali.Cangshan Scenic Area10.1 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄Sky pavilion for Cang-Er panoramic views
    6 courtyards show Bai architecture
    󱨠Saved by 227 users󱨠5410 positive reviews
    5.0/5
    会飞的小蝌蚪。会飞的小蝌蚪。

    Today I visited Zhang Family Garden. There were wonderful performances, and the architecture was exquisite. It was a lot of fun, and they even offered free "Four Courses of Tea" (a traditional Chinese tea ceremony) – delicious and very pleasant. I really enjoyed it; it's definitely worth a visit.

  • Jizu Mountain
    9
    󰺂6.8
    6.72
    Binchuan.Jizu Mountain Scenic Area40.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe magnificent sea of clouds in Yunnan's Ailao Mountains is like a fairytale wonderland | Nov 2025-Nov 2025
    trip best small logoNo. 11 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    󱨠1351 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Two or three days might be more suitable for visiting Jizu Mountain. One day would be too rushed. We at least went up and then walked down. Walking down is very tiring for the knees. It is recommended not to walk, but to take the cable car down.

  • Dali Luji Theme Park
    10
    󰺂6.7
    Dali.Main Urban Area of Dali2.1 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    Highlights:
    Cliff chapel's romantic sunset glow
    󰋄360-degree view of Erhai sunset
    󱨠Saved by 190 users󱨠197 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    痴胶花花痴胶花花

    I'd previously tried Sentosa Island in Singapore, and since I was in Dali this time and there was a go-kart racing event, I decided to check it out. They're two different experiences; Singapore focuses on thrills and excitement, while Dali's appeal lies in its beautiful scenery. Therefore, they can't be compared directly. However, Yunxiang Mountain truly offers unparalleled views. The entrance overlooking Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain, shrouded in mist, is like a fairyland. It seems like the best spot to watch the sunset, but unfortunately, the timing wasn't right, and I missed it. In summary, Yunxiang Mountain is a scenic spot that Dali has developed in the last two years, suitable for camping, watching the sunset, and go-karting. I hope it won't be overly commercialized and ruin this beautiful place.

What Best Things to Do are there in Dali Prefecture?
These are all Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture:Cangshan Mountain, The Chongsheng Temple And The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Area, Erhai Lake, Dali Ancient City, Shuanglang
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture include:Cangshan Mountain:4.5, The Chongsheng Temple And The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Area:4.7, Erhai Lake:4.6, Dali Ancient City:4.7, Shuanglang:4.6
At what locations in Dali Prefecture can Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture be found?
The Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture are mainly located in:Cangshan Mountain:Dali, The Chongsheng Temple And The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Area:Dali, Erhai Lake:Dali, Dali Ancient City:Dali, Shuanglang:Dali
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