Dali Ancient City

The existing city layout was constructed in the 15th year of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty (1382), adopting a neat chessboard-style pattern of nine main streets and eighteen alleys, well-preserved Ming Dynasty city walls and classic Bai ethnic courtyard buildings. As the cultural core of Dali’s famous scenery of Wind, Flowers, Snow and Moon, it perfectly combines profound historical heritage, Bai folk customs, literary and artistic vibes, and bustling commercial nightlife. Different from quiet rural ancient towns like Xizhou and Shuanglang, it is the transportation hub of Dali’s core scenic areas. Core highlights include the iconic South Gate (Chengen Gate) with the inscribed calligraphy of “Dali” by Guo Moruo, Wuhua Tower as the highest overlook of the old town, bustling Fuxing Road, literary Renmin Road, laid-back Foreigner Street, tranquil Honglongjing Water Lane and the Bed Sheet Factory Art Zone. It is the starting point for trips to Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, Cangshan cable car stations and Erhai Lake cycling routes.