Dali

I loved Dali. Not nearly as crowded as Lijiang, and the old town feel was just as strong. The curved rooftops, intricate woodwork, and brightly coloured eaves create a very unique architecture. As you wander the alleyways you can see the older Bai minority women in their traditional blue smock dresses. There is a rich sense of history and culture pervading the streets.

The old towns of Xizhou and Zhoucheng are only a bike ride away. These show the type of town Dali was before the tourists arrived. Perhaps the best way to explore the Erhai Lake is to hire a bike for the day. Catch a ferry over to Wase then cycle back to Dali via the old towns. If you're lucky you can even catch a local market on the way.

Cruising on Erhai in the late afternoon and seeing the sun set over Cangshan (Dali's mountain) is also a great experience.