Top Dali Private Sightseeing Tours

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.

Meet guide in the hotel lobby at 8:30am, start day trip to Cangshan Mountain , you will take Gantong cable car to the Mountain and visit streams , chessboard, waterfalls, then you will start your hiking tour at Jade belt road, it includes 19 peaks and 18 streams with the highest Malong peak is 4122 meter above sea level, today you will do the hiking and trekking about 9.8 kilometers, it’s a good way to hug nature and take deep breath in the green Mountains with plenty of oxygen, pls wear good walking shoes and take water with you meanwhile I advise you take some snacks as not many shops in the Mountain, after the hiking way you will take chairlift down to the Mountain, take private transfer to Dali old town and we will arrange your food at the local restaurant, after lunch you will visit the Dali old town.

Escape the bustle of the city and discover the ancient Tea Horse Road Town at Shaxi outside of Dali on this double-duty, full-day excursion. After the convenient hotel pick up, hop on your private air-conditioned vehicle, discover the ancient buildings, stone bridges, ancients roads and streets at Shaxi Ancient Town. Learn its history and background from your tour guide, and experience the quaint lives of local Bai People. This private tour including entrance fee, lunch and door-to-door hotel transfers. You can choose to end your tour in Shaxi, Lijiang or return Dali.

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.

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.

Meet guide in the lobby at 8:30 am and transfer to Xizhou old town in this old town you will see the traditional buildings and Ethnic minority Bai people who has their own clothes then you will visit Xizhou market to see locals are doing business, also you will enjoy cruise at Erhai lake about 2hours , it the second biggest lake in Yunan province which is the biggest one in Dali, it’s clear water and with beautiful Mountain in it’s surrounding, the cruise Ferry will stop at a village and you will visit Tianjingge Pavilion about 30minutes then board cruise again to Dali, the last one is three Pagodas which is built in Tang dynasty with the history of more than 1800 years, it’s the symbol of Dali. Transfer to hotel in Dali city.

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.

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.

Explore Dali Old Town like a local on this 4-hour walking and food tour! Stroll through ancient streets, colorful markets, and hidden gems, taste delicious Yunnan snacks at three stops。 If you need, you can also get professional photos of your adventure along the way. Perfect for first-time visitors who want to see, taste, and capture the real Dali.

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 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.

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)

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).

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

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 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!

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