Nicknamed "Dalifornia", Dali is Yunnan's creative soul where artists, makers, entrepreneurs come to slow down.

Dali_Ciel-1.jpg

Skip the old town crowds. Cycle Erhai Lake, hike Cangshan, try Bai tie-dye workshops and village stays with handpicked local hosts.

Seriously Cool: Things to Do in Dali, Not Just Old Town

Dali

Yunnan Road Trip with English-Speaking Driver

Private and customisable, so you can explore Northern Yunnan at your pace.

Discover Dali’s Hidden 600-Year-Old Pottery Village

Meet families keeping a 600-year-old craft alive in everyday village life.

2D1N Bai Heritage Experience in Xizhou

A gorgeous retreat where you’ll actually come away understanding Bai culture

2D1N Shaxi Eco-Retreat | Ancient Town & Mountain Retreat

Stay in an eco-retreat, explore the Tea Horse Road & ancient grottoes

It was a wonderful experience. We were all immersed in digging in the clay and sculpting pottery. The day flew by. Many thanks to Mr. Wang, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, for his patient guidance.

It was a wonderful experience. We were all immersed in digging in the clay and sculpting pottery. The day flew by. Many thanks to Mr. Wang, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, for his patient guidance.

(You can make cats, but also cups or vases, anything you want!) Our trip to the Jingtiancun village was absolutely amazing. We were met at the entrance of the village by one of the hosts, and he took us deep inside the old village along beautiful old houses, small temples, and pottery manufacturing houses. The pottery making itself was super fun, and Master Zhao helped us with a lot of patience. He's a true master and it was incredible to meet him and his friends and family. You pay for the pottery experience, but what made this experience worth remembering was the hospitality, the sweet people, and the master craftmanship. Highly highly recommended!

(You can make cats, but also cups or vases, anything you want!) Our trip to the Jingtiancun village was absolutely amazing. We were met at the entrance of the village by one of the hosts, and he took us deep inside the old village along beautiful old houses, small temples, and pottery manufacturing houses. The pottery making itself was super fun, and Master Zhao helped us with a lot of patience. He's a true master and it was incredible to meet him and his friends and family. You pay for the pottery experience, but what made this experience worth remembering was the hospitality, the sweet people, and the master craftmanship. Highly highly recommended!

From Malaysia: Although it's a 45-minute drive from town, it's absolutely worth the trip! ✨♥️ The host was warm and welcoming, gave me a tour of the village, and even prepared dinner. The pottery master was patient and passionate, making this a truly unique and authentic experience. I can't wait to receive my finished pottery piece by mail! 😻 Although it's about a 45-minute drive from the city, it's definitely worth a visit! ✨ You can experience traditional pottery making and immerse yourself in the village's cultural atmosphere. The host was very enthusiastic, showing me around the village and even preparing dinner. The pottery master was very patient, carefully sharing his skills. Looking forward to receiving my finished pottery piece by mail! 😻

From Malaysia: Although it's a 45-minute drive from town, it's absolutely worth the trip! ✨♥️ The host was warm and welcoming, gave me a tour of the village, and even prepared dinner. The pottery master was patient and passionate, making this a truly unique and authentic experience. I can't wait to receive my finished pottery piece by mail! 😻 Although it's about a 45-minute drive from the city, it's definitely worth a visit! ✨ You can experience traditional pottery making and immerse yourself in the village's cultural atmosphere. The host was very enthusiastic, showing me around the village and even preparing dinner. The pottery master was very patient, carefully sharing his skills. Looking forward to receiving my finished pottery piece by mail! 😻

Our family of four booked the Pottery Village online the night before. It was an authentic experience. We visited the centuries-old dragon kiln, made our own tile cats, and enjoyed the simple, traditional craftsmanship. We also had lunch in theowner's courtyard. The other travellers were very friendly. Highly recommended!

Our family of four booked the Pottery Village online the night before. It was an authentic experience. We visited the centuries-old dragon kiln, made our own tile cats, and enjoyed the simple, traditional craftsmanship. We also had lunch in theowner's courtyard. The other travellers were very friendly. Highly recommended!

Vivian and Yan were incredibly professional in helping me plan my 6 day Yunnan trip for my husband’s birthday. Their choices of accommodation was very on point to what I wanted to experience. They provided an excellent driver, Chen, who was knowledgeable, great at driving, and very bubbly. It was such a memorable trip, and when we had a flight cancellation hiccup at the end, the travel team was very helpful and resourceful in ensuring we got home. I appreciate all the hard work and highly recommend them for any future trips you will make to China.

Vivian and Yan were incredibly professional in helping me plan my 6 day Yunnan trip for my husband’s birthday. Their choices of accommodation was very on point to what I wanted to experience. They provided an excellent driver, Chen, who was knowledgeable, great at driving, and very bubbly. It was such a memorable trip, and when we had a flight cancellation hiccup at the end, the travel team was very helpful and resourceful in ensuring we got home. I appreciate all the hard work and highly recommend them for any future trips you will make to China.

Sincere hospitality in a rustic and elegant locale. Brian and Jeanee are such warm and wonderful hosts they feel like family. They were amazing with our 4 kids and formed a connection in just a few hours with them. They also have such a great wealth of knowledge about the surrounding locale and even the community which speaks to their sincere passion about building an authentic experience for visitors to Dali/Xizhou. The team and Kayla especially (the receptionist) were so incredibly kind and even went out of their way to get us halal food. Brian even personally walked us out to a Halal restaurant! We can’t recommend this place enough. We’ll definitely visit when time permits.

Sincere hospitality in a rustic and elegant locale. Brian and Jeanee are such warm and wonderful hosts they feel like family. They were amazing with our 4 kids and formed a connection in just a few hours with them. They also have such a great wealth of knowledge about the surrounding locale and even the community which speaks to their sincere passion about building an authentic experience for visitors to Dali/Xizhou. The team and Kayla especially (the receptionist) were so incredibly kind and even went out of their way to get us halal food. Brian even personally walked us out to a Halal restaurant! We can’t recommend this place enough. We’ll definitely visit when time permits.

I could not imagine a more pleasant stay than the one I had in Shaxi. Everything was right-the facilities are superb, the staff and meals delightful, the setting is serene, and the nearby villages are fascinating. Highly recommend!!

I could not imagine a more pleasant stay than the one I had in Shaxi. Everything was right-the facilities are superb, the staff and meals delightful, the setting is serene, and the nearby villages are fascinating. Highly recommend!!

This is another stunning boutique hotel. It snuggles into a hillside overlooking the beautiful Shillong Reservoir. The hotel has won the American Architecture Award for its environmentally sensitive design, local materials, and low impact on the natural views of the area. The rooms are luxuriously comfortable with radiant tile heat, natural color palette, upgraded bathroom fixtures, robes and slippers, thick towels, and spa-quality soaps, shampoos, and lotions. A nightly snack was provided, though it went uneaten as the meals were so outstanding and filling. A gourmet chef provided a variety of meat and vegetable dishes that were freshly sourced from the local market.

Short bus rides took our group to the historic Buddhist grotto carvings and the historic district of Shaxi. Both were well worth the visit.

This is another stunning boutique hotel. It snuggles into a hillside overlooking the beautiful Shillong Reservoir. The hotel has won the American Architecture Award for its environmentally sensitive design, local materials, and low impact on the natural views of the area. The rooms are luxuriously comfortable with radiant tile heat, natural color palette, upgraded bathroom fixtures, robes and slippers, thick towels, and spa-quality soaps, shampoos, and lotions. A nightly snack was provided, though it went uneaten as the meals were so outstanding and filling. A gourmet chef provided a variety of meat and vegetable dishes that were freshly sourced from the local market.

Short bus rides took our group to the historic Buddhist grotto carvings and the historic district of Shaxi. Both were well worth the visit.

Dali

Explore more of Dali