Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture
left-leaf
trip-best

Top 20 Best Things to Do in Dali Prefecture

right-leaf
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.
2026 Global 100
2026 Global 100 image
Innovation Award
Innovation Award image
Contact Us
facebook icon
instagram icon
tiktok icon
󰴉
Theme filters
District
Theme filters
District
  • Cangshan Mountaintop_1
    󰺂8.4
    481482
    Dali.Cangshan Scenic Area16 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoCangshan Mountain cable car and hiking guides are popular
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    10 temples & 20 natural attractions
    󰋄Unique geological landscapes displayed
    󱨠Saved by 820 users󱨠3965 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    The place is beautiful.. before going to the cable car rides, there are stairs to climb. Next to it are souvenir shops.

  • The Chongsheng Temple And The Three-Pagoda Culture Tourist Areatop_2
    󰺂8.1
    270371
    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
    Highlights:
    󰋄Three Pagodas Reflection Pond views
    󰀆Perfect spot for tower reflections
    󱨠Saved by 629 users󱨠5947 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    It's definitely worth a visit. For individual travelers, I recommend buying a package ticket that includes the entrance fee and a round-trip tram ticket, just like I did. Enter from the main gate and tell the staff on your right that you bought a round-trip ticket. They'll let you rest for a bit while the guide, Jin Hua, arrives, and you can follow her directions. Of course, you can explore on your own if you don't want a guided tour; the whole place is lovely! However, I still recommend listening to the guided tour, and I hope everyone will respect local beliefs and customs.

  • Erhai Laketop_3
    󰺂7.9
    Dali.Small Putuo Scenic Area of Wase Town22.7 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoRed-Billed Gulls Return to Erhai Lake for the Winter | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    Highlights:
    󱓊Nearby towns with historical heritage
    󱨜National scenic area & lake
    󱨠Saved by 1158 users󱨠2872 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    芥子拾须弥芥子拾须弥

    Erhai Lake boasts breathtaking scenery that is truly captivating. It is the second largest freshwater lake on the Yunnan plateau, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the Cangshan Mountains to the west, creating a stunningly beautiful landscape where "Cangshan and Erhai are intertwined." In the mornings, a light mist hangs in the air; in the evenings, the setting sun paints the water golden; and on moonlit nights, the moon's reflection shines exceptionally brightly. The lake is rich in natural landscapes, including islands and karst caves, and every year, red-billed gulls come to roost here. Scattered around Erhai Lake are Bai ethnic villages, where traditional architecture blends harmoniously with the pastoral scenery, adding a unique charm to this landscape with its rich ethnic customs. It's suitable for all types of travelers: families, parents, children, couples, and individuals alike. It's suitable year-round: each season offers a different kind of beauty, such as the return of seagulls in winter.

  • Dali Ancient City
    4
    󰺂7.6
    Dali.Dali Ancient City14.3 km from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Fuxing Road for culture & shopping
    󰀆Millennial Ethnic Festival Celebration
    󱨠Saved by 1246 users󱨠4486 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    不一样的风采778不一样的风采778

    In early winter, the ginkgo trees in Dali Ancient City are quietly putting on a "gradient color feast." Golden yellow and emerald green intertwine on the branches, concealing the lingering charm of late autumn while revealing the brightness of winter, making the ginkgo viewing period seem even longer.

  • 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 440 users󱨠1142 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    M83***34M83***34

    Shuanglang Ancient Town is located in the northeastern part of Dali City, on the northeastern shore of Erhai Lake, bordering Jizu Mountain to the east. Named for its "two islands and two bends," it was an important military stronghold of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms. It gathers the essence of the Cangshan and Erhai scenery, featuring attractions such as Nanzhao Folk Island and Yuji Island. Yang Liping's Sun Palace and Moon Palace are also located here. The ancient town preserves historical and cultural blocks from the Ming and Qing dynasties and traditional Bai ethnic residences, exuding rich ethnic customs and earning it the reputation of "the No. 1 town for Cangshan and Erhai scenery."

  • Dali Erhai Lake Tour Bus
    6
    󰺂6.8
    251852
    Dali.Dali Ancient City13.2 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Convenient hop-on-hop-off bus stops
    󰋄Sightseeing bus around Erhai
    󱨠Saved by 352 users󱨠164 positive reviews
    4.3/5
    HorsescapeHorsescape

    You need to plan ahead whatever place would you like to visit. When you get the voucher, please play with the app , there’s an English version in WeChat , please see on my profile on how to do it. Or you can directly go to Dali Train Station, they will be the one to teach you, just an FYI download translate for you to be able to communicate with them. The young men in the photo was the one who explained to me everything. If you’ll visit Dali for 24hrs only please be reminded that there’s a timetable (time to get on the bus) You can book ahead before the actual date and you can cancel it also or reschedule if you think you can’t make it. Download WECHAT of else you won’t be able to use the voucher. I hope this help. Enjoy your trip 😊 As a solo traveller, this is highly recommended:) Just be patience on how to manuever the app 😊

  • Ancient Town Shaxi
    7
    󰺂6.8
    Jianchuan.Shaxi Ancient Town89.3 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Night Attractions in Dali Prefecture
    󱨠Saved by 317 users󱨠261 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    206***66206***66

    Shaxi Ancient Town is located in the southern part of Jianchuan County, Dali, Yunnan Province, between Dali and Lijiang. It is a national 4A-level scenic area. It is the only surviving ancient market town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, with a history dating back to the Yin and Shang Dynasties. It was once one of the birthplaces of Yunnan's Bronze Age culture. The ancient town features attractions such as Sideng Street, Xingjiao Temple, and an ancient stage. It boasts a rich ethnic culture, with the Bai people making up over 90% of the population, and still preserves folk festivals such as the Prince's Festival.

  • Zhang Jia Garden
    8
    󰺂6.8
    296297
    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󱨠5416 positive reviews
    5.0/5
    231***23231***23

    The architecture is unique and the cultural heritage is profound, which is wonderful. There are also many collections inside. Taking a guided tour allows you to learn a lot about the local culture and customs. You can also drink their specialty tea. From the rooftop, you can look up at the Cangshan Mountain and enjoy a panoramic view. Thumbs up!

  • Jizu Mountain
    9
    󰺂6.8
    203704
    Binchuan.Jizu Mountain Scenic Area40.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoBest time to see the winter sunrise at Jizu Mountain | Nov 2025-Dec 2025
    󱨠1359 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Jizu Mountain is a famous Buddhist holy site with beautiful scenery and many pilgrims. The entrance fee is reasonable, but the cable car and shuttle bus within the scenic area are expensive, and have even increased in price since then, making it not very cost-effective.

  • 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 195 users󱨠198 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
󰴉