Dali: explore China’s Ancient City
Dali is a city that combines a long and winding history with all the modern conveniences needed for comfort. Neatly divided into two areas, the Ancient City and the New District (or Xiaguan) your guides will help you find the best spots to wine, dine and relax in Dali, and to explore its rich past as well.
Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), tours of the Ancient City are a highpoint of most visits to Dali. Here you will discover a variety of architecturally arresting ancient buildings within the remains of the ruined city walls and the deep moat that surrounds them. Foreigner Street, famed in the ancient city for attracting visitors of all types, still caters to modern tourists with its fascinating displays of handicrafts and the local culinary dishes that are here for sampling.
Xiaguan lies to the south of the Ancient City. In contrast to the high walls and deep moats, it has a plethora of modern hotels, open squares, restaurants and shopping centres. These infuse an otherwise ancient city with all the mainstays of the 21st century.