Traveling to Dali Ancient City in Yunnan: Don't Do These 6 Things, or It's Like You Didn't Come
When it comes to dream travel destinations, many people's hearts are drawn to a place called 'Yunnan'. With four seasons of spring, it's perfect for romance, relaxation, and spiritual awakening. As one of the world's top 10 most beautiful tourist destinations, it has entered the dreams of all travelers, probably because of its passionate and pure beauty.
If you were to describe Yunnan as a painting, then Dali is undoubtedly the most captivating hue. It's the freshness of ten blooming flowers, the serenity of Erhai Lake, and the simplicity of Bai villages… It's impossible to tell and impossible to fully describe. Let's start with one – Dali Ancient City.
Dali Ancient City has been the political, economic, and cultural center of Yunnan for over 500 years during the Tang and Song dynasties. The city boasts numerous historical sites and monuments, and its city layout is largely preserved. Its name needs no further introduction. People are constantly dreaming and planning trips to Dali, and this ancient city. So, what should you do here? Let's start with these six things to help you truly experience Dali Ancient City, feeling the influence of Cangshan Mountain and the shores of Erhai Lake, a journey uniquely yours!
Visit the ancient city twice, both day and night. Why visit twice when once is enough? The ancient city stretches north-south with three main streets and east-west with five or six smaller lanes. Despite being the same place, the daytime and nighttime appearances are completely different. During the day, the ancient city is bustling but also carries a touch of local life, allowing you to see the daily routines of the residents. As evening falls, the city transforms into a charming young woman, graceful and alluring, captivating and endearing. Music, wine, flowers, and beauty all become more alluring.
Stay in a guesthouse near Dali Ancient City. There are countless guesthouses near Dali Ancient City, overwhelming in number. The signs on the guesthouses are filled with fresh, literary words related to the sun, flowers, and the sea, and they are slightly cheaper than those within the ancient city. If you travel during the off-season, the value for money is particularly high, with prices costing less than 100 yuan for a comfortable stay.
Staying in a guesthouse near Dali Ancient City not only allows you to spend plenty of time experiencing the daily life of the ancient city but also helps you achieve the goal of visiting the ancient city 'both day and night'!
Eat a piece of milk fan. Milk fan is a local snack from Dali, sold at small stalls along the streets. It's grilled and sold, and it may seem plain at first, but it tastes incredible when you try it. Typically, it's 10 yuan for three pieces, dipped in rose sauce and milk fragrance, which completely fascinated me. I bought several large bags when I left Dali.
Experience a milk dyeing workshop. Milk dyeing is one of China's traditional dyeing techniques, alongside wax dyeing and carved stamp printing. When you visit Dali Ancient City, you can have the opportunity to experience milk dyeing and create your own artwork, preserving the imprint and your intentions of Dali.
Walk through a Bai village. When you're in Dali, you shouldn't miss the Bai villages! Entering the village, you'll see white walls and gray roofs. Traditional houses have water-ink patterns decorated at the corners of the walls, elegant and sophisticated. In the evening, under the setting sun, farmers were seated in the fields; you'll forget about time.
Eat Bai people's rice. I believe that our taste buds have memories. During your travels, letting our taste buds help us remember a city or a place is the most direct and effective method. When walking through the streets, enter a farmhouse restaurant, order local dishes, and drink a cup of brewed plum wine, Dali Ancient City will have its unique flavor.
And you? If you're traveling to Dali, what do you want to do most?
