# Dali

Dali sits at 1,980 m in Yunnan, between the **Cangshan mountains** and **Erhai Lake**. It mixes Bai villages, lakeside cafés and an old walled town, with flat lanes that are easy to wander on foot or by bike.

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| Altitude | 1,980 m |
| Best time | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Suggested stay | 2–3 days |

## Best way to see it

- Bike or electric cart along the lake path
- Stay one night with a lake view

## Sights

- **Lakeside fishing town:** cafés right on the water. Flat lanes, 1–2 h.

## Good to know

- Lake-view rooms sell out early in spring; book ahead.
- Strong sun at this altitude: hats and sunscreen.

## Our trips that visit Dali

- [Northwest Yunnan Grand Loop: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake & Shangri-La](https://unclepandatravel.com/tours/yunnan-11d) — private trip. Max sleep 3,300 m · gentle day ≤6k steps · longest drive ~4 h · from ¥7,888 per person, based on 6 guests, twin share.

## Related travel tips

- [How to pay in China: Alipay & WeChat Pay for visitors](https://unclepandatravel.com/travel-tips/pay-in-china)
- [Altitude in Yunnan: what families should know](https://unclepandatravel.com/travel-tips/altitude-yunnan)
- [Eating in China: ordering, spice levels and dietary needs](https://unclepandatravel.com/travel-tips/food-etiquette)

More destinations: [Cities & sights](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations). Licence and payment details: [Licence & payment](https://unclepandatravel.com/licence-payment).

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- Source page: https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/dali
- Language: English · Updated: 2026-10-22
- Operator: Hunan Panda International Travel Service Co., Ltd. (Uncle Panda Travel), licensed China travel agency, licence L-HUN-304745
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