Dali
Dali is the ancient capital of both the Bai kingdom Nanzhao, which flourished in the area during the 8th and 9th centuries, and the Kingdom of Dali, which reigned from 937-1253. Dali was also the center of the Panthay Rebellion from 1856 - 1863. Dali is also famous for the many types of marble it produces ( "Dali Stone", Chinese 大理石 pinyin dali shi) , used primarily in construction and for decorative objects. Temples dot Cangshan mountain (4000m) which towers over Dali and Er Hu (Lake Er Hu). Dali is one of Yunnan's most popular tourist destinations, home to the Bai people and the three pagodas. Some of the main tourist attractions in Dali are:


Dali museum
Chong Sheng Temple
Guanyin Palace of Copper Rain (rebuilt in 1999)
Jianji Great Bell of Nanzhao (recast in 1997)
Three Pagodas
Surrealist Group
Single Pagoda
Foreigner Street
San Yue Jie Market Street
Horse Trekking
Er Hai Boating Trips
Xi Zhou Market
Wase Market across Er Hai Lake
Er Yuan Geothermal Hot Spring Area
Black Dragon Pools (13,000ft)
Local Festivals