Dali

Ancient Kingdom beneath the Cangshan · 大理

Dali was the capital of the Bai kingdom of Nanzhao and Dali, and its Old Town still runs on that scale: one stone-paved spine, marble lanes, and the Three Pagodas standing watch beneath the 4,000-metre Cangshan range. Erhai Lake, a high-altitude inland sea, wraps around it all.

Best time to visit: March–May and September–November

Visas: Australian passport holders currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — an arrangement scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, so confirm the rules for your travel dates.