Main Tourism Spots Around Dali

Dali Ancient City, also called Yeyu City, Forbidden City, Zhonghezhen, lies 3 kilometers north from Xiaguan, the capital of Dali Prefecture. Embracing Erhai Lake in the east and adjoining Cangshan Mountain in the west, Dali City was first established in the early period of the Ming Dynasty, and then an administrative organ called "wei" was set up. The one who was in charge was granted the title "Commanding Envoy of the Dali Wei". Now in dali, the place name "the Gate of Wei" is still used among the people. In the Qing Dynasty, the military commander of Yunnan was stationed in Dali. Yixidao, Dalifu (Dali Prefecture) and Taihexian (Taihe County) were established. In the second year of the Republic of China, Dali was renamed Taihe County. Now it is called Zhonghe Town of Dali City.

　

The circumference of Dali Ancient City was 6 kilometers long. The City Wall is 8 meters high and 7 meters thick. The interior of the wall was filled with rocks and the surface was bricked over smoothly. The four gate towers in the east, south, west and north are named Chen En, Tong Hai, Cangshan and An Yuan respectively. There are also 45 battlements and 1560 crenels on the walls. A defensive river was surrounding the city. The streets and avenues in the city now are crisscrossing each other, typical of chessboard pattern. The buildings are all covered with dark blue tiles and pebble-staked walls. All look very pristine and delicate. The residents like to plant trees and flowers. There are gardens in every house. The famous Dali camellia, azalea and orchids are competing to show their beauty, blooming against snow on Cangshan Mountain. Red flowers and green grass are coming out from wall, making up flowers streets. Streams from Cangshan mountain come into the city, going across the streets and visiting every family with their happy sound and sweet taste, running eastwards into Erhai lake.

　

In the city, historical relics such as the headquarters of Du Wenxiu, leader of a peasant uprising, and relevant stone steles still remain. The headquarters is virtually a city within the town of Dali, called the "Forbidden City". The south and north gate-towers, some sections of the wall and some parts of Du Wenxiu's headquarters can still be seen today. The magnificent towers, elegant streets, small and exquisite courtyards, colorful flowers blooming in profusion give a feeling of antiquity, serenity and elegance.

Erhai Lake, also known as Yeyu Pond, Xi'er River and Kunmi Pond in old times, is named after its shape and expanse. "Er" in Chinese means a human ear and "Hai" means a sea, Erhai Lake has two narrow ends, a broad and some curving middle part, just in shape of a human ear or a crescent, hence it¨s named Erhai. The scenery around lake is nice and enchanting, with altitude of 1,972 meters, it¨s reputed as "Plateau Pearl". Erhai Lake is one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China and the second largest plateau lake next to Dianchi Lake (in Kunming), stretching from Jiangwei of Eryuan County in the north to Xiaguan in the south, has a length of 41.5 kilometers and a width of 3-9 kilometers, perimeter of which measures 116 kilometers and surface is totaled at 251 square kilometers. The capacity of lake hits 3 billion cubic meters, average depth is 11 meters, deepest point can be over 20 meters.

　

Erhai Lake originates in Heigushan Mountain of Er'yuan, lake water is mainly from the Miju River and Luoshi River in Er'yuan County, 18 brooks flowing down Cangshan Mountain in the west, and the Boluo River in southeast. Lake water is drained out through Xier River, finally inpours in Lancang River after converging with Yangbi River. On the boundless expanse of the lake, boats, flying birds, Islets and graceful pavilions on the bank, plus Bai girls in bright-colored costumes on the shore or in fishing boats singing happily, with their reflections in the placid water, form the typical scene of Dali. The white snow on top of the green Cangshan Mountain and the limpid water of Erhai Lake have earned Dali the fame of "Jade Erhai and Silver Cangshan." During a clear night, the moon is mirrored in the lake and people call it the "Erhai Moon", which is one of the four best scenes of Dali. It¨s a very relaxing experience to have a boat ride in the lake, when you might be confused if you are a visitor or an original part of picturesque scenery.

The Cangshan Mountain is located at the southern end of the Yunling Mountains and forms a trailing section of the Hengduan (transversely faulted) Mountains. Cangshan is always jade-green, hence the name. Cangshan Mountain stretches from Shangguan (Upper Pass) in the north to Xiaguan (Lower Pass) in the south, and touches the limpid water of Erhai Lake in the east and reaches the turbulent Heihuijiang River in the west. It measures 42 km. from south to north and 20 km. from east to west. The mountain range comprises 19 peaks and 18 brooks.

　

The names of the peaks are as follows: Yunlong Peak, Canglang Peak, Wutai Peak, Lianhua Peak, Baiyun Peak, Heyun Peak, Sanyang Peak, Lanfeng Peak, Xueren Peak, Yingyue Peak, Xiaocen Peak, Zhonghe Peak, Longquan Peak, YujuPeak, Malong Peak, Shengying Peak, Foding Peak, Ma'er Peak and Xieyang Peak. Malong Peak is the highest, measuring 4,122 meters above sea level, while the rest of the peaks average over 3,500 meters in elevation, and are covered with snow throughout the year. There are 18 brooks among the peaks. They rush down torrentially into Erhai Lake. From north to south, the 18 brooks are respectively named the Xiayi, Wanhua, Yang, Mangyong, Jing, Lingquan, Baishi, Shuangynan, Yinxian, Mei, Tao, Zhong, Luyu, Long, Qingbi, Mocan, Tingming and Yuangnan Brooks.

　

The vegetation over Cangshan Mountain has a distinctive distribution and it is a treasure house of more than 3,000 species of plants, mainly consisting of evergreen coniferous trees, shrubs and grasses. In spring and summer, azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons bloom in profusion over an infinite expanse.

　

Cangshan Mountain is famous for eight scenic wonders named in the Qing Dynasty: Painted Screens at Rosy Dawn, Spring Snow on Cangshan, the Belt of Clouds across Autumnal Cangshan, the Radiance of Phoenixes' Eyes, Multistage Falls of Limpid water, Clouds Hovering over Yuju Peak, Clear Streams Running over the Pebble Bed in Early Winter, and Rosy Clouds at Sunset.

The Three Pagodas are located at the foot of Yingle Peak of Cangshan Mountain at the northwest suburb of Dali Ancient City. In the time of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, Chongshengsi was the largest monastery in locality and the Three Pagodas were only a part of it. Now, the monastery has long disappeared and only the Three Pagodas remain.

　

Between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, the Three Pagodas stand like the legs of a huge tripod. Qianxun Pagoda, the main one, is square-shaped with closed eaves similar to Xiaoyan Pagoda in Xi'an. It has 16 tiers with a total height of 69.13 metres, and is in a typical architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. At the basement of the pagoda are engraved four Chinese Characters "YONG ZHEN SHAN CHUAN" (meaning everlasting sovereignty and peace) in the handwriting of Mu Shijie, grandson of Mu Ying, the Senior Duke of Qian of the Ming Dynasty. It was first built in the era of Fengyou Emperor of Nanzhao Kingdoms about the same time of the Tang Dynasty. On the south and north sides of the main pagoda stand two smaller ones of octagonal shape with dosed eaves. Each one has 10 tiers with a height of 43 metres. On the top of each pagoda, there are three copper-made calabashes, each connected with an umbrella shaped bronze bell. They were constructed during the period of the Five Dynasty (907-906), some later than the main one. The cover of Qianxun Pagoda is white-washed. On each story, there are four shines. There are Buddhist sculpture on the east and west shrines. The other two shrines are the windows for the pagoda. There are wood beams inside the pagoda. Along stairs inside, one can reach the top. There are four corners on the summit. Each corner hangs a golden wing bird cast with copper. Legend has it that these birds have spell on the demons in Erhai Lake. On the summit of the pagoda, there are also metal pagoda top, pagoda cover, pagoda peak and a golden cock. On the base of the pagoda, there is an epigraph: The Ruler of Mountains and Rivers. There are pillars at very corner and platform on each story.

　

During the renovation in 1979, more than 600 pieces of cultural relics were discovered, including hand-written Buddhist scriptures, books, engraved bronze plates, bronze mirrors, statues of Buddha made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, porcelain, jade, quartz, and medicinal herbs. Up to now, they constitute the largest store of relics of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms ever found, providing sure proofs of the influence of the Han culture upon minority nationalities in the border areas. Weathering through the storms and earthquakes in the past to 10 centuries and more, the Three Pagodas still elegantly stand there. They are the symbols of outstanding architectural technology, the wisdom of the ancient labouring people and the brilliant culture of Dali.

　

Jizu Mountain, nicknamed Nine Strata Cliffs, is situated in Liandong District of Binchuan County, 20km. west of the county seat and 90km. from Dali. With three mountain ranges in front and one branch at the back, it looks like a cock's foot, hence its name.

　

The mountain ranges stretch to several hundred li and Tianzhu Peak is the highest, measuring 3,240 metres in elevation. Ascending the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the splendid view of sunrise and have a glance at the plain of the county, Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the east, south, west and north respectively. The mountain is covered with dense forests and bamboo groves. During the period of Shu Kingdom of the Three Kingdoms, small nunneries were first constructed and later expanded in the Tang Dynasty, and the most flourishing period followed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There were more than one hundred monasteries of different sizes and the noted ones were Xitang Temple, Shizhong Temple and Huayan Temple constructed in the Ming Dynasty and Jinding Temple (Golden Top) which had been moved from Kunming to the mountain. Later, many temples fell into ruins, and now, only Zhushengsi Temple, the gate tower of Jinding Temple and Lengyan Pagoda are kept in the original shape. Jizushan Mountain is one of the most famous Buddhist Mountains in China.
　

Weibao Mountain is located in the south of Weishan County about 70 km. north of Dali. The mountain looks like a crouching lion who turns its head back and looks at the county seat and the belt-like Guajiang River in the mist. The highest peak is 2509 meters above sea level.

　

As early as Han Dynasty, Taoism was introduced to Weibao Mountain, since Tang Dynasty, Taoists began to build Taoism Monasteries in locality, in Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, more Taoists from Sichuang and Hubei moved in, Taoism came into its own, till the end of Qing Dynasty, Taoism temples were scattered everywhere over the mountain. It became an important Taoist mountain in Yunnan, even throughout country. Besides Taoism temples, there are also some Buddhism monasteries on Weibao Mountain, different religions used to clash, but more of what happened was influence on each other and crasis, in addition, indigenous animism also coexist on the mountain.

　

Weibao Mountain was the place where Xinuluo, the head of Mengshe Zhao during the early Nanzhao period, rose to power, so it's been regarded as the cradle of Nanzhao Kingdom.
　

Xizhou Town lies 33 km from Xiaguan, by the side of Erhai Lake and the Wanhua Brook. Historically, it was a military fortress of Nanzhao Kingdom and a temporary palace of the King. Because of its favorable geographical situation, the town used to be a commercial centre before 1949 and there were more than 140 national capitalist families among whom the Yan's, the Dong's, the Yin's and the Yang's were the biggest ones in capital. Their houses are of the typical Bai design known as "Sanfang Yizhaobi" (a courtyard rooms on three sides and a screen wall on the remaining side) and "Sihe Wutianjing" (one big courtyard with four smaller ones at the four corners of the main one). Xizhou Town is composed of more than 88 compounds of this kind. Some have several yards and some have yards within yards. In short, the houses here show the unique Bai national characteristics in their painted roofs and pillars, upturned eaves, and "dougong" systems (double bow-shaped brackets on columns supporting upturned eaves).

　

In recent years, streets and roads have been widened, new markets have been opened and a scene of prosperity prevails throughout the area. In 1988, one of the compounds of the Yang's was opened to foreign visitors with the name of "Xizhou Tianzhuang" (Countryside Villa at Xizhou) by the Tourist Bureau of Dali Prefecture. To learn about Dali, to see the traditional dwelling houses and find out the authentic life of of Bai people, Xizhou is the right shop.
　

Located 25 km southwest of Jianchuan County, the Shibao (Stone Treasure) Hills scenic region consists of Fuding (Buddha Top) Hill, Shisan (Stone Umbrella) Hill and Shizhong (Stone Bell) Hill, is an area where quite many historic sites are scattered, among which Shizhong Hill Grottos and Baoxiang Temple are the most famous. One hundred and thirty-nine statues of Buddha in 16 grottoes are scattered throughout Shizhong Temple, Shiziguan and Shadengqing of the Shizhong Temple section. The Baoxiang Temple has a reputation as the "Suspended Temple ", thousands of stone steps ascend to the cascade, stone tower, sky ladder, ancient bridge, halls and pavilions.

　

Shizhong Hill Grottos are national specially-protected cultural relic, 16 grottos altogether and 139 statues in total, are embodiments of the sculpturing art in Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom Eras more than 1000 years ago. They are the cultural treasure of Bai people, as well the biggest and most well-protected grotto group of Yunnan. Those statues were carved skillfully and vividly, mostly are Buddhism figures, Kwan-yin, Buddha, or Disciples of Buddha, some depict the scene that Kings of Nanzhao had inspecting tour around their country, besides, statues of foreigners can be found, too, it reflects the prosperity of trade and culture exchange between ancient Dali and Mid-east or India. Shizhong Hill Grottos are of not only high value of art and history, but also a candid mirroring of people¨s life, religion, and society 10 centuries ago.

　

The optimal season to visit the Shibao Hills is the end of the 7th month and the beginning of the 8th month of the lunar calendar, when there would is a traditional singing and dancing jamboree to be held, which has always been an attractive occasion to visitors.
　

Xin Hua Village of Bai people is with long history, it used to be a stop on former Ancient Tea Caravan Way, as well on the way from Lijiang to Dali today, belonging to Heqing County of Dali Prefecture, but closer to Lijiang, of which the distance is only around 40 kilometers. What makes Xin Hua Village really famous is the production of silver handicrafts that has been reputed for more than 500 years. As early as in Ming Dynasty 500 years ago, county annuals of Heqing recorded the local production of ornaments with silver, gold, copper or iron.

　

Most craftsmen in Xin Hua Village run their own workshops at homes, but there are also some that prefer living peregrine life, they leave home and move from one place to another, where their work and products are needed, where they would go and settle down, Sichuan, Qinghai, Tibet, Xinjiang, Gansu, Mongolia or somewhere else. With simple tools, with sedulity, with pristine feeling for art and laborer¨s wisdom, these craftsmen produced exquisite handicrafts and gained their village great reputation.

　

In Xin Hua Villager there are 1280 handicraftsmen or women, some young, some old, some male and some female, different people specialize in different things, traditional bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pots, basins, bowls, Buddhism articles, assorted ornaments, etc.. Silverware from Xin Hua Village are especially popular in ethnic areas of Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai, Tibet, Xinjiang, Gansu, Mongolia, Nixia, Guizhou and Hunan, some are even exported to India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal or Japan. Xin Hua Village of today has become a tourism spot, mainly for tourists to purchase silverware souvenirs, to see the real family workshop production, or to find out the real life style of this famous village behind tourism row-de-dow, go beyond silver souvenir stands lined along the street and explore in peaceful village lanes, it¨s worth try.

　

Sha Xi Town is situated in the southeast of Jianchuan County, Dali, around 130 kilometers from Dali and 110 kilometers from Lijiang, close to Shi Bao Hills Scenic Region. It¨s a small and a peaceful countryside town lying in a basin surrounded by green mountains, with pleasant climate, fertile land and refreshing scenery. Area is administratively totaled at 287 square kilometers, basin area measures 26 square kilometers, local residents consist of Han, Yi and Lishu.

　

Sha Xi is an old town reputed for long history, which can be dated back to 2400 years ago, tumulus and copper mine site in vicinity tell that as early as 400 B.C., Sha Xi was already a metallurgical center of Yunnan, local people were especially good at smelting bronze.

　

In Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty, as an important stopover on Ancient Tea Caravan Way, Sha Xi boomed quickly because of busy tea trade and prosperous cultural exchange between Dali Kingdom, Nanzho Kingdom and Tibet. It became a regional merchandise distribution center. After Tang Dynasty, salt industry in Yunnan began to develop, four big salt producing areas came into being around Sha Xi, this spurred Sha Xi to go forward even faster, being the closest market to four salt producing areas, its position turned so protruding on Ancient Tea Caravan Way, after tea and horse, salt became another important merchandise, for very long period Sha Xi was the guarantee of salt consumption in northwest of Yunnan and Tibet. Trade of tea, horse and salt rose Sha Xi to a high level in agriculture, industry, commerce and transport, made it the most prosperous town on Ancient Tea Caravan Way, jointly, economic growth brought about flourish of culture, turned Sha Xi into the Buddhism center of area around Erhai Lake as well eventually.

　

Like other famous ancient towns, Sha Xi also experienced periods of silence, growth, flourish, heyday and wane, finally passed into silence again. In today¨s Sha Xi, a lot of old things still remain well. Square market in the middle of town is the soul of Sha Xi, it¨s called Shi Deng Square Market, where businessmen from both south and north used to gather and undertake trade in bygone days, local market occasion is still going on traditional way at regular intervals today, Shi Deng Market got reputed as the Only Surviving Market on Ancient Tea Caravan Way. The ancient countryside opera stage is the landmark of Sha Xi, it lies at the edge of square market in a graceful shape, once was the place where villagers got their favorite amusement, local saying goes on, ＾Sha Xi people who didn¨t perform on this stage wouldn¨t be regarded as real Sha Xi people ￣, from which it can be known how highly local people think about it. Besides, serried traditional buildings, deep and serene lanes, polished street stones and broken old-style shops are also telling visitors about Sha Xi¨s former splendor.

　

Ancient Weishan Town is around 60 kilometers from Dali, used to be called Menghua, was the origin of Nanzhao Kingdom and the capital of its earlier period. The ancient town of Weishan measures 3 square kilometers, is totally surrounded by the expanded county seat of Weishan, residents in town is totaled at around 15000. Ancient town is famous for big number of well-kept Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, in 1994, it¨s listed as National Historical City.

　

The construction of ancient Weishan Town started around 600 year ago in Yuan Dynasty, during Ming Dynasty was expanded to be Menghua County. With a grand city gate building as center, 4 main streets in east, south, west and north, on both sides of which numerous lanes crossing each other, the arrangement of whole town is in shape of a chess board. The chess-board-like town arrangement has been remaining original since it was built the earliest, most dwelling houses from Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty along main streets are still maintained well, local people live traditional way, simple and pristine, these formed the main attraction of this small town.

　

During past centuries, for times old town suffered from war, many buildings were ruined in chaos. Among extant constructions in town today, Gong Chen Loft and Wen Bi Loft were the most famous. Gong Chen Loft originally was built in 1389, with 3 stories, in 1650 was modified to be with only 2 stories, it was timberwork built on top of 6-meter-high brick city gate in the north of town, 23 meters high, 42 meters long and 25 meters wide, loft was supported by 28 big wood columns, looking grand and spectacular. Wen Bi Loft was built in similar period as Gong Chen Loft, but was destroyed in the war, what we can see today was the reconstruction around 150 years ago, reposing on a grand brick crisscross city gate, it¨s the center of Weishan Town. Besides, Confucius Temple, Guan Emperor Temple, Mammon Temple and other Min or Qing Dynasty buildings are also kept well in town, mirroring the prosperity of Weishan in old times.