10 Days in Dali
Ten days gives the Erhai loop real rest days, overnights Shaxi's market square, adds the Eryuan lake day and one long rail run to Lijiang — everything stays in Dali's orbit.
Quick Answer
Is 10 days enough for Dali?
10 days lets you go beyond Dali's core into neighborhoods, food markets, and one or two day trips at a relaxed pace.
Source: NihaoVisit Dali guide
10-day Dali itinerary at a glance
Use our full Dali travel guide as the base and adapt it to 10 days. Keep the city's three signature attractions as the backbone; fill the rest with neighborhood walks, food markets, and an easy day trip.
Old Town & Three Pagodas
Walk the 1382 walls from the south gate, then the 69.13-m Qianxun Pagoda of the 9th-century complex and its reflection pond; entry runs CNY 75.
- Dali Ancient Town
- Three Pagodas of Dali and Reverse Reflection Park
Xizhou & Haishe Peninsula
About 18 km north, Xizhou's Ming-Qing courtyards include the Yan Family Compound (CNY 35); the Haishe spit pokes into the 1972-m-high Erhai a short ride on.
- Xizhou Bai Ethnic Ancient Town
- dali haishe peninsula
Cangshan Gondola & Tie-Dye
The range stacks 19 peaks and 18 streams; the gondola climbs to about 3900 m under 4122-m Malong Peak. Ride north first to Zhoucheng's indigo workshops.
- dali cangshan
- dali zhoucheng tie dye
Shuanglang & East Shore
Across the lake to the fishing village on the east shore — about an hour's run from the old town — with the Nanzhao Folk Island offshore at CNY 50 and the Cangshan wall across the water to the west.
- Shuanglang Fishing Village
Erhai Rest Day
Lakeside cycling on the west-shore lanes, tea-house hours and an early night before the Shaxi run.
- dali caicun dock
Shaxi Overnight
About 100 km north into Jianchuan County lies Sideng Square, the Tea Horse Road's living market flagged by the World Monuments Fund in 2001. Stay the night — the square quiets beautifully after the minibuses leave.
- dali shaxi sideng square
Cibi Lake & Return
The back road home runs through Eryuan County, where the Cibi lake mirrors the dairy meadows; arrive in Dali by dinner.
- dali cibi lake
Weishan — Nanzhao Birthplace
About 60 km south, Nanzhao rose here in the eighth century while the chessboard grid took shape in 1390; the town stays unhurried, with the source plateau of the Red River just beyond.
- Weishan Ancient City (Yunnan's First City)
Lijiang Rail Day
A long but honest neighbor day — the rail link takes about 2 hours each way to Lijiang's old town and Lion Hill views; start with the first train.
- lijiang
Butterfly Spring & Departure
The spring at the foot of Yunnong Peak owes its fame to the 1959 film Five Golden Flowers; a slow final morning before the airport run.
- dali butterfly spring
Budget for 10 days in Dali
| Tier | Per day | 10 days total |
|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | USD $50–$80 | USD $500–$800 |
| Mid-range | USD $100–$200 | USD $1,000–$2,000 |
| Luxury | USD $300+ | USD $3,000+ |
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Frequently asked questions
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See also: Dali travel guide, China visa 2026, China trip cost.