Discover Dali’s vibrant culture and stunning sights — from ancient towns and colourful markets to breathtaking lakes and mountain views!

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Our top picks for culture in Dali — ancient towns, colourful markets, lakes, and mountain views. A vetted shortlist of the best ways to see more of Dali.

Culture in Dali: Our Top Picks for Old Towns, Markets and Lakes

Culture in Dali

Discover Dali’s vibrant culture and stunning sights — from ancient towns and colourful markets to breathtaking lakes and mountain views!

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

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.

Stepping into the Linden Center in Xizhou was like stepping into a literal fairytale world of beautiful traditional chinese architecture, luxurious rooms, and simply excellent hospitality. The staff (most of them speak English) is so nice and happy to help make your stay perfect, and our room was always clean and cozy by the end of the day to return to. A special treat was the complimentary fresh fruit and water that was always replenished in the room every day!

Some highlights of my stay included sitting on the private terrace watching clouds roll over the beautiful mountains, spending time in their library picking out a new book, and riding around the countryside on the bikes provided by the Center. The town of Xizhou was an absolute treat to explore as well. I am most certainly coming back to the Linden Center if i’m ever fortunate enough to visit China again!

Stepping into the Linden Center in Xizhou was like stepping into a literal fairytale world of beautiful traditional chinese architecture, luxurious rooms, and simply excellent hospitality. The staff (most of them speak English) is so nice and happy to help make your stay perfect, and our room was always clean and cozy by the end of the day to return to. A special treat was the complimentary fresh fruit and water that was always replenished in the room every day!

Some highlights of my stay included sitting on the private terrace watching clouds roll over the beautiful mountains, spending time in their library picking out a new book, and riding around the countryside on the bikes provided by the Center. The town of Xizhou was an absolute treat to explore as well. I am most certainly coming back to the Linden Center if i’m ever fortunate enough to visit China again!

Best place to stay in Xizhou. I love the way they pay respect to the original courtyard home while renovating it to provide a comfortable stay. The property is gorgeous and peaceful. Such a sense of place and the local culture. Great local tours. Excellent location in the middle of Xizhou, which is much more interesting and less touristy than the old Dali town. I really need to commend the staff they are top notch all around. Smiles and efficient and warm and kind. They even went out of their way to make a birthday cake during my stay there. We lived in China for a number of years and this place was such a great place to reconnect with the country and its lovely culture and people.

Best place to stay in Xizhou. I love the way they pay respect to the original courtyard home while renovating it to provide a comfortable stay. The property is gorgeous and peaceful. Such a sense of place and the local culture. Great local tours. Excellent location in the middle of Xizhou, which is much more interesting and less touristy than the old Dali town. I really need to commend the staff they are top notch all around. Smiles and efficient and warm and kind. They even went out of their way to make a birthday cake during my stay there. We lived in China for a number of years and this place was such a great place to reconnect with the country and its lovely culture and people.

My friends and I recently spent two delightful nights in Xi Zhou 喜洲. This charming guesthouse, converted from an ancient mansion, carefully preserves the elegance of traditional Chinese architecture.
 What truly made our stay special were the wonderful owners, Brian and Jeanee. They were incredibly friendly and took the time to chat with us about their philosophy, their life in China, and their commitment to supporting underprivileged children in the community.
 We also enjoyed wonderful dinners two nights in a row at one of Brian and Jeanee’s nearby guesthouses, 宝成府. The food was delicious and light, is the best meal I had during my week in Yunnan.
 If you have a passion for the classic style of Chinese houses, this place is an absolute gem!

My friends and I recently spent two delightful nights in Xi Zhou 喜洲. This charming guesthouse, converted from an ancient mansion, carefully preserves the elegance of traditional Chinese architecture.
What truly made our stay special were the wonderful owners, Brian and Jeanee. They were incredibly friendly and took the time to chat with us about their philosophy, their life in China, and their commitment to supporting underprivileged children in the community.
We also enjoyed wonderful dinners two nights in a row at one of Brian and Jeanee’s nearby guesthouses, 宝成府. The food was delicious and light, is the best meal I had during my week in Yunnan.
If you have a passion for the classic style of Chinese houses, this place is an absolute gem!

The accommodations in a restored courtyard home are comfortable and spacious. The amenities are thoughtful: fresh fruit in the room, toiletries, closet space, water kettle and tea. Arrangements for walking the market, cooking class, a Bai tea presentation, Bai tie-dye and visiting Lake Er Hai can be made. There is a cafe/bar, courtyard and terrace space, a library and manicured gardens. The Lindens support the local Xizhou people through employment, shopping locally, and promoting cultural activities.

The accommodations in a restored courtyard home are comfortable and spacious. The amenities are thoughtful: fresh fruit in the room, toiletries, closet space, water kettle and tea. Arrangements for walking the market, cooking class, a Bai tea presentation, Bai tie-dye and visiting Lake Er Hai can be made. There is a cafe/bar, courtyard and terrace space, a library and manicured gardens. The Lindens support the local Xizhou people through employment, shopping locally, and promoting cultural activities.

The hotel is beautiful and very comfortable, with three courtyards and fantastic architecture. The rooms are great with huge comfortable beds and lovingly appointed with teas and snacks, and everything you can imagine you would ever need is in the room. Everywhere you wander in the area of the hotel is fascinating. The care and attention they have given to this beautiful hotel shows in more ways than I probably appreciated. The food was consistently absolutely delicious - fresh greens, stir fry dishes, fresh fruits - they have truly gifted chefs. I cannot wait to come back here for another visit.

The hotel is beautiful and very comfortable, with three courtyards and fantastic architecture. The rooms are great with huge comfortable beds and lovingly appointed with teas and snacks, and everything you can imagine you would ever need is in the room. Everywhere you wander in the area of the hotel is fascinating. The care and attention they have given to this beautiful hotel shows in more ways than I probably appreciated. The food was consistently absolutely delicious - fresh greens, stir fry dishes, fresh fruits - they have truly gifted chefs. I cannot wait to come back here for another visit.