All Dali Tours & Excursions in 2026

Explore the cultural, historical, and scenic highlights of Dali with a private guide. Its history stretches back to the kingdom of Nanzhao in the 8th century. The walled old city, from the Ming dynasty, contains traditional homes and towers from the Bai ethnic minority. Beyond the old city rise the Three Pagodas of Chong Sheng Temple, dating back to the 9th century. Meet your guide at your hotel or meeting location of your choice to bring you on the private tour based on your customized itinerary. Let your guide know what you like and receive suggestions. Learn about the city's history and culture from your guide as you explore.

While traveling this tour with us, you can visit some important villages on the ancient Tea Horse Road and you will immerse into the diversity of Yunnan. Indeed, we will vary between the famous highlights, some of the must-see places, and remote sites which will give you a unique experience and insight of Yunnan.

Our fluent English-speaking guides Young and Lily will take you beyond the usual tourist spots to discover the best local food and most authentic corners of Dali Old Town. We are one of the most-booked English Speaking Tour in Dali. Professional, friendly, and ideal for travelers who love exploring authentic local culture.

Visit highlights of Dali including Dali ancient city, Xizhou village, Erhai lake and Three pagodas park with this private day tour from Dali. You will be picked up and dropped off at the Dali hotel/train station.

Explore Dali at your own pace with a private vehicle and personal driver. Visit highlights such as Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Xizhou Ancient Town, the Three Pagodas, or the scenic Cangshan area. Your driver will pick you up from your confirmed Dali hotel and take you between destinations on your customized itinerary. When booking, choose between private driver service or private driver service with a professional English-speaking guide. Enjoy a flexible day tailored to your interests, pace, weather, and available time. Private vehicle. Flexible itinerary. Your day, your Dali.

All drivers are Chinese- Language and can communicate with mobile phone translation software to provide you with quality service. Start your journey when you wake up, no need to get up early, and control your time freely

This tour covers some distinctive scenic spots of Dali and Lijiang with included reliable transportation during the entirety of your trip from one destination to another. You will visit Xizhou and Zhoucheng, both near Dali, to witness authentic ethnic minority customs and daily life, in addition to a wonderful Erhai lake cruise. In Lijiang, Naxi culture is an enduring part of life in the region that you simply cannot miss. You will go to Yunhu Village, famous for its unique architecture and culture seen nowhere else. You’re going to love it! Day 1: Dali, Xizhou Village, Zhoucheng village, traditional Tie- Dye factory, Er’hai lake cruise Day2: Dali – Lijiang: Zhongyi Morning Market, Black Dragon Pool, Jade Lake Village, Dongba Museum, Lijiang Old Town

Take a in-depth stroll through Dali Ancient City on this half-day tour. Explore the ancient charm of Bai ethnic architecture, climb the Wuhua Tower overlooking the beauty of the ancient city, savor the blend of Chinese and Western cultures on Foreigners' Street, and enjoy the classic Bai ethnic cuisine to please your taste buds. Arrive at the Wuhua Tower. Climb up the stairs, and you can have a panoramic view of the entire ancient city. Step into the Foreigners' Street that is full of exotic flavors. European-style buildings stand along the street, and the aroma of coffee fills the air. Follow the aroma and walk into a restaurant in the ancient city. A plate of roasted milk fan is served. The milk fan turns slightly golden under the charcoal fire. Take a bite, and the milky fragrance spreads instantly. Paired with sweet dipping sauce, the softness and crispness collide, and your taste buds will be immersed in the unique flavor of Dali.

Pre-book a private pick-up transfer from Dali hotel/train station to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and enjoy a smooth start to your trip. On the way, we can stop at Shaxi old town and you walk around the Shaxi Old Town, Shaxi River, Xinjiao Temple, stage in the quare and some ancient coutyards with local people. Shaxi once played an important role as a bustling trade station on the Tea and Horse Caravan Road, an important branch of the Silk Road.

This Dali tour blends Bai folk culture, handicraft and nature. Enjoy Three‑Course Tea in Xizhou, hands‑on tie‑dye in Zhoucheng, plus leisurely cycling along Erhai Ecological Corridor. More real local experience than standard sightseeing. ‑ Authentic Bai culture ‑ Hands‑on tie‑dye craft ‑ Relaxed lakeside cycling

Dali City, located in the western part of Yunnan Province, is the prefecture-level administrative capital of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Dali City is located in the Erhai Plain, the foot of Cangshan Mountain and the shore of Erhai Lake on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It is the capital of Nanzhao and Dali in ancient times. As the political, economic and cultural center of ancient Yunnan, it lasted for more than 500 years. The average temperature is 14degrees it’s a sunshine city but it’s also called windy city, while in summer not hot and winter not cold and all the year is pleasant. During the two days we will arrange your trip to hike at Cangshan Mountain along with the Dali old town, which is a really fantastic day, also we will arrange a day trip to Xizhou market, Erhai lake cruise, and three Pagodas which is another beautiful day, hope you will enjoy the 2 days trip in Dali.

The architectural style of the ancient town is unique. Most of the buildings are traditional Bai ethnic group residences. There are various specialty stores on both sides of the street, selling exquisite handicrafts, traditional costumes, and local snacks. Many Bai ethnic group residents live in the ancient town. They are warm and hospitable and still retain their traditional lifestyles and customs. You can see Bai ethnic women wearing brightly colored ethnic costumes, busily doing handicrafts in front of their homes. The temples and Taoist temples in the ancient town are also a major feature. Among them, the most famous one is Xingjiao Temple, which is one of the relatively well-preserved ancient Bai ethnic group temples in China at present. In Shaxi Ancient Town, the food is also a highlight. There are a wide variety of local specialty foods that make people's mouths water. There are many teahouses in the ancient town. You can taste the authentic Yunnan Pu'er tea.

The Bai minority are the driving force behind the Dali region's unique culture. Escape the touristy side of Dali Old Town and immerse deeply into their world on this private door-to-door tour, with a guide to translate. Tour a morning market in Xizhou Town; watch Bai women tie-dying fabric and try it for yourself in Zhoucheng Village; and cruise to a fishing village on Erhai (Lake Er).

You can take your handmade piece home as a unique souvenir, Jingtian Village is a place where you can touch history with your hands and feel the warmth of traditional craftsmanship. It's a very special choice if you're looking for a more authentic and immersive pottery experience and cooking class in Dali.

Have only a limited amount of time in Dali? Enhance your sightseeing experience of Dali by designing your own itinerary on this private, full-day tour. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, travel by private air-conditioned vehicle, customize your day according to your interests. Choose to visit some of the city’s historical highlights such as Chongsheng Three Pagodas, Experience the convenient cable car to Cangshan Mountain; Take the boat cruise from Er Lake to Golden Shuttle Island, get to know Bai Minority's culture and lifestyle; Finish in the lively neighborhood of Xizhou Ancient Town. This private tour including English speaking tour guide, entrance fee, cable car round trip, lunch, and door to door transfer.

This activity focuses on meditational hiking which can promote health and wellness at the same time, is recreational. Travelers will be taught proper breathing to match with paces. I also offer private photos of the activity upon the guest's request. In addition, after the hike, you will be spending time at my home. You can play with my white cat, DUMBLEDORE, while waiting for the delectable organic dinner. If you still have energy,we will go for walking after dinner and search for the most interesting tea house or cafe or cocktail bars in Dali ancient town.What a way to end a fantastic day!

We provides convenient private transfer service between Dali hotel/train station and your hotel in the downtown of Lijiang or Shuhe or Lijiang Sanyi airport(LJG). We offer many choices of vehicles and all our drivers are professional and know every corners of this area quite well. All the clean, tidy air-con vehicles we use are licensed with insurance. The vehicles will be just for you, your family or your group.

Start from the foot of the mountain. As the altitude continues to rise, several simple and elegant temples appears. The first one that catches your eye is Huating Temple. Near mid-mountain area, there are some small restaurants with unique flavors scattered around. After having enough food and drink, continue to climb bravely towards the top of the mountain to the Golden Summit. Walking into the temple on the Golden Summit, a magnificent golden Buddha statue comes into view. After fully enjoying the beauty on the Golden Summit, start the return journey going down the mountain. On the way down, take a different path and explore the mysterious corners hidden deep in the mountain forest. Walking along these secluded paths, be pleasantly surprised to find some small shrines. There is also the natural spring water gushing out from the cracks in the mountains. At this time, walk down the mountain path slowly towards the foot of the mountain.

Visit the Puzhen Bai Ethnic Group Tie-dyeing Museum in Zhoucheng. Under the guidance of professional staff, have an in-depth understanding of the historical origin of Bai ethnic group's tie-dyeing. From the ancient origin legends to the modern inheritance and development, admire the exquisite tie-dyeing works and feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage art. Try the hands-on tie-dyeing experience session. Under the guidance of the staff, try to design and make simple tie-dyed handkerchiefs or scarves, and leave with a unique travel souvenir. Walk into the traditional alleys in Zhoucheng and look for a restaurant run by local families to taste one or two dishes from the characteristic "Eight Local Dishes", such as Hongqu Pork, and experience the flavor of traditional Bai ethnic group banquet dishes as well as the connotation of folk culture.

The length and the itinerary of the tour can be adjusted upon request. For extended sustainable tours in different regions of Yunnan, feel free to get in touch with us.On our tours, our guide will share with you our plastic-free lifestyle. We will help you to refuse all single-use plastic disposables from all venues we visit and provide you with a reusable food container, chopsticks, a spoon, and a reusable water bottle, etc. It’s our mission to encourage and take people to places which they wouldn’t have found on their own. We provide cultural immersion tours, that help people have an in-depth Yunnan experience whilst promoting local sustainable businesses and traditions, keeping the local communities prosperous and alive!

Explore the rich cultural heritage of Dali on this private Muslim tour, visiting Donglianhua (East Lotus) and the picturesque Wuli Bridge Hui Village. Customize your itinerary to suit your interests while enjoying the comfort of a private vehicle. Discover the historical significance of the Du Wenxiu Mansion and Tomb, while receiving insights tailored for Muslim travelers. This experience caters to those seeking a personal touch and flexibility during their journey. - Duration of 10 hours with personalized itineraries - Private vehicle and optional professional tour guide available - Tailored for Muslim travelers with cultural insights - Flexible departure and pick-up options to suit your schedule

Experience the best of Dali in one day! Begin at the iconic Three Pagodas, marveling at their ancient Tang Dynasty. Then dive into a vibrant flower field photoshoot with a vintage jeep. Finally, hop on a bike for a scenic Lake cycling adventure around Erhai, gliding past traditional Bai villages, lakeside cafes, and artsy towns like Shuanglang, with breathtaking views at every turn. This perfect blend of culture, nature, and adventure ensures a day packed with photo ops, history, and the serene beauty of Dali—all in one seamless journey! - Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple - Flower Fields Photo Spot - Cycle Around Lake Erhai (if you cannot join, please contact us to customize your tour)

Enjoy morning or afternoon departure as per your travel schedule, follow a private tour guide with personalized commentary, you will explore the highlights of Lijiang on this 4-hour guided trip, wander around the Lijiang Old Town, learn the brilliant culture of ethnic minorities, admire the very precious sample of the research on the old-time architecture, visit the crystal lake of Black Dragon Pool, and discover rich Naxi culture at Dongba Culture Research Center.