Where to stay in Dali — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Dali is Yunnan's most laid-back lakeside ancient town — the old Bai-minority town, the Three Pagodas, the vast Erhai Lake you can cycle or drive around, and the Cangshan mountains as a backdrop. The mood is relaxed and easy, perfect for unwinding.
Why stay in Dali
Three Pagodas
The pagodas of Chongsheng Temple reflected in the pond — Dali's symbol.
Erhai Lake
A large lake you can drive or cycle around, passing waterside villages.
Bai-minority old town
Stone lanes, city gates, cafes, and Bai-minority life.
Cangshan mountains
Take the cable car up for views of the town and the lake.
Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Dali
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Dali hotel for you
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Local dishes to try in Dali
- 1🐟
Erhai Lake fish
Fresh fish from the lake, boiled or grilled — a signature dish.
📍 Lakeside - 2🥧
Xizhou baba
A baked flatbread with sweet or savoury filling, made by the Bai.
📍 Xizhou - 3🍶
Bai three-course tea
A tea ceremony of three flavours — bitter, sweet, and aftertaste — of the Bai people.
📍 Local - 4🍄
Wild mushrooms & pickles
Yunnan wild mushrooms and local pickled vegetables.
📍 Citywide
- 1🏯
Three Pagodas
Three ancient pagodas reflected in a pond — the classic photo spot.
📍 Outskirts - 2🏮
Old Town
Stone lanes, the South Gate, cafes, and Bai-minority craft shops.
📍 Town centre - 3🏞️
Erhai Lake
Drive or cycle around the lake, visiting Xizhou village and the photo spots.
📍 Lakeside - 4⛰️
Cangshan
Take the cable car up for cloud walkways, waterfalls, and lake views.
📍 Above the town - 5🏘️
Xizhou
An ancient Bai village known for its rammed-earth houses and the famous Xizhou baba pancake.
📍 Lakeside
Things to do in Dali
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Dali — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Dali hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.4Upper-midCourtyard Hotel Dali Ancient City
#2 courtyard hotel · traditional Chinese style
★ 9.4Upper-midRonglu Hotel
#3 4-star hotel · Chinese-meets-modern design 1.5 km from the Old Town
★ 9.3Valueโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในDali
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Dali Qingxin Garden Courtyard Hotel
#7 courtyard guesthouse · 100-year-old Bai home
Loft Travelling Hotel
#1 loft-style stay · inside Dali Old Town
Hotel Indigo Dali Erhai
#1 lakeside luxury · 5-star IHG with Erhai views
The Linden Centre Xizhou
#3 boutique · 200-year-old Bai courtyard at Xizhou
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Dali dates
🚆 Getting around Dali
High-speed rail
Dali connects easily to Kunming and Lijiang.
Cycle or drive Erhai
Rent a bike, scooter, or tour car to loop the lake.
Walk the old town
The whole ancient town is walkable.
Lakeside buses
Local buses link the villages around Erhai.
Where to go next near Dali
BeijingChina's capital, blending ancient palaces, the Great Wall, and a modern metropolis all in one place.
See this city's guide →
ShanghaiA world-class commercial metropolis where futuristic skyscrapers stand face to face with colonial buildings across the river.
See this city's guide →
Xi'anA former ancient capital at the start of the Silk Road, home to the Terracotta Army.
See this city's guide →
ChengduSichuan's capital, famous for giant pandas, fiery hotpot, and laid-back days in the teahouses.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Dali
How many days do you need in Dali?+
2 days for the old town and Three Pagodas, plus a day cycling or driving around Erhai Lake.
Can you visit Dali and Lijiang together?+
Yes — they're close together in Yunnan, about 2 hours apart by high-speed rail, and popular to do as a pair.
What is Dali known for?+
Its relaxed lakeside atmosphere, Bai-minority culture, and mountain views — perfect for an easy break.
Ready to book your Dali stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking