Dali City, formerly known as Tali, is located in the northwestern Yunnan province of China. The region served as a medieval capital to the Bai kingdom Nanzhao and the Kingdom of Dali, which was later conquered by China’s Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. The city was rebuilt by the Ming Dynasty in the late 14th century and was severely damaged during an earthquake in 1925.
The city is divided into two areas, the modern industrial city called Xiaguan and the old town, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan. The old town is known for its natural scenery, historical and cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife. Industrial development is restricted to areas such as Xiaguan, while building codes mandate new construction in the old town and surrounding countryside to conform to traditional Chinese style.
Dali is located on a fertile plateau between the Cangshan Range and Erhai lake and has traditionally been settled by the Bai and Yi minorities. The city is the capital of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and is one of Yunnan’s most popular tourist destinations.
Sights in Dali include the Dali museum, Chong Sheng Temple, Guanyin Palace of Copper Rain, Jianji Great Bell of Nanzhao, Three Pagodas, Butterfly Spring, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils film city, and Xizhou, a historical town known for its architecture and woodwork. Shaxi, a historical town on the ancient tea route, and Shuang lang, a high-class tourist destination, are also popular attractions.
The local economy centers around tourism and services catering to travelers. Dali historically controlled some of the trade between India and China and was famed for the woodworkers of Xizhou and its high-quality marble used in construction and decorative objects. Local transportation includes buses, taxis, bicycles, and boats on Erhai Lake.
Dali Airport is a domestic airport about 13 km east of Xiaguan, and Dali is connected to Kunming and points east by the Hangrui Expressway. The city has rail connections to Kunming via the Guangtong-Dali Railway and Lijiang via the Dali-Lijiang Railway. Dali has a mild subtropical highland climate with short, mild, dry winters and warm, rainy summers.
In summary, Dali City is a historically and culturally rich tourist destination located in Yunnan Province, China. The city is divided into a modern industrial area called Xiaguan and the popular old town known for its natural scenery, historical and cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife. The local economy centers around tourism and services catering to travelers, and transportation options include buses, taxis, bicycles, boats on Erhai Lake, an airport, and rail connections.
Posted by Manfred Sommer (348 Mio. Views) on 2014-06-29 18:01:34