Dali--An Ancient City with Lingering Charm

Dali	Dali

Dali City is an ancient city with lingering charm. It is also the location of the Dali Bai Nationality Autonomous Prefecture and is situated in the northwest of Yunnan Province. There are 25 different ethnic groups in Dali, the largest of which is the Bai. This ethnic diversity coupled with an authentic flavor of 'old' China and numerous cultural attractions makes Dali City a favorite with travelers looking for a taste of ancient China.

There are so many reasons to go to Dali. The weather is warm and sunny, offering you the chance to visit this pleasant city all year round. Viewed as the cultural cradle of the southwestern China frontier, Dali was the capital of Nanzhao State in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and Dali State in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), which left many historic sites like the Three Pagodas. Dali's natural beauty should also not be missed, don't leave without discovering the Xiaguan Wind (at the far end of the southern Dali City), the Shangguan Flowers (at the far end of the northern Dali City), the Snowcapped Cangshan Mountain and the Moon over Erhai Lake. Just walk along the ancient city wall, touch it softly and let your thoughts wander back to a time when the city was flourishing and resplendent or experience the unique customs of the local Bai: their festivals, clothes and food.
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With natural picture - like veins, marble of the Cangshan Mountains is of the best quality among all marbles in the world and therefore makes the ideal souvenir.
Dali is 370 kilometers from Kunming. To get there, visitors can find day or night coaches at any big bus station in Kunming or just take a flight from kunming. The travel agencies in Kunming also arrange " two nights and one day tour from Kunming to Dali " service.