Cities > Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
Overview
Chinese Name: 大理白族自治州English Name: Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture
Airport: Dali Huangcaoba Airport
Train Station: Dali Train Station
Climatic Condition: low-latitude plateau monsoon climate
Background
Dali City is located in western Yunnan, approximately 250 km northwest of the provincial capital of Kunming. Dali is situated in the transition area bewteen the dramatic valleys of the Hengduan ranges on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the distincitive mountains of the western Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The county-level city surrounds Erhai Lake between the Cangshan Mountains to the west and jizu Mountain to the east. The county seat at Xiaguan is located at the outlet of the Cangshan Mountain Range and Erhai Lake. This plain has traditionally been settled by the Bai and Yi Minorities.Climate
Dali City has a North Subtropical Plateau Monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 14.9°C, annual sunshine hours of 2227.5 hours, and annual rainfall of 1051.1 mm. The area is known for its strong winds, earning it the nickname "Wind City." Located on a low-latitude plateau, Dali experiences a climate with small yearly temperature differences and not distinctly marked seasons. The saying goes, "The climate resembles early spring, with coolness halting the cold, and warmth halting the heat," as seasonal temperature variances are minor. Due to the complex topography and significant elevation differences, there are notable vertical climatic variations throughout the region. Temperatures decrease as altitude increases, while rainfall increases with elevation. The river valleys are warm, the basin areas are mild, the mountains are cool, and the highlands are cold, clearly displaying a three-dimensional climate.Historical and Cultural Aspects
Culinary Features
Dali's cuisine is quite distinctive. The city is backed by Cangshan Mountain, which provides rich varieties of local produces such as wild mushrooms, tree vegetables, and Matsutake mushrooms. Adjacent to Erhai Lake, the aquatic products are plentiful, featuring fish such as arrowhead fish and pond snails.Dali's snacks are also unique, including items like milk fan, rice cakes, pancakes, and cold chicken rice noodles. "Meizi Jing Tavern" on Renmin Road is a well-known traditional eatery in Dali.
Popular snacks in Dali include clay pot fish, Xizhou pancakes, three courses of tea, milk fan, carved plums, Dali hot and sour fish, Eryuan milk fan, and other local specialties such as fried pork, fried mushrooms with green vegetables, boiled live fish, frozen white tofu fish, and more.
Additionally, Dali features various local snacks made from thin rice noodles and rice, white millet cakes, layered pancakes, hot bean powder, tofu pudding, steamed cakes, and rice cakes.
Three Courses of Tea
When mentioning Dali, "Three Courses of Tea" and Eryuan milk fan are must-mention items. The three courses consist of bitter tea, sweet tea, and aftertaste tea. Bitter tea, locally known as "Thunder Tea," is often roasted and has a bitter taste; sweet tea includes walnut pieces and brown sugar, leaving a sweet aftertaste; the third course, known as aftertaste tea, includes honey and Sichuan pepper, sometimes with milk fan added. Authentic versions of these can be found at Wenxian Building in Dali Ancient City and in the Xizhou Yan family's courtyard, where cultural performances are also held.Architectural Features
Dali City is a predominantly Bai ethnic minority area, with the Bai people making up 65% of the population. Bai culture is colorful, and their customs reflect distinct local ethnic characteristics.Bai houses tend to be uniform, solemn, and elegant, built with white walls and blue tiles, showcasing a rustic charm. The homes are primarily constructed from stone, with stone foundations, doorways, windows, and beams. Roofs made of flat tiles and rounded tiles complete the structures. Inner courtyards often reflect the wealth of the households, generally categorized into four forms: one with “two rooms and one ear” (two perpendicular buildings with a small connecting room), another as “three rooms and a screen wall” (three buildings with a wall opposite the main building), and “four groups with five courtyards” (four buildings with connecting rooms at intersections). The “six united springs” form consists of two large courtyards and three linked buildings in each courtyard, allowing for unobstructed movement known as “zoushuijiao,” or corner-turning corridor buildings.
The Bai houses especially emphasize the construction of the entrance tower, typically styled as “one drop of water,” which is a simple sloping roof design. Another style, “three drops of water,” showcases a luxurious appearance with exquisite architecture, adorned with flying eaves and spectacular angles.
The screen walls of Bai residences reflect local characteristics, serving as decorative structures symbolizing good fortune, wealth, and health. Various screen walls represent the aspirations and wishes of the homeowners, thus being regarded as exquisite artworks of Bai architecture.
Religious Beliefs
The Bai people’s religious beliefs are demonstrated through ancestral worship. This religious practice formed during the Nanzhao period and has continually evolved with societal development, enriching its content.Ancestral worship is a form of polytheism, with each village having its own ancestral deity, and sometimes several villages may worship a single deity. These ancestral deities come in various forms, such as nature deities (like stones, water buffalo, monkeys), spiritual deities (like mountain, valley, sun gods), and heroic deities (like Du Chao-xuan and Duan Chicheng), as well as Buddhist and Taoist deities (like Guanyin and Li Jing).
The ancestral belief does not focus on Buddhist rebirth or Taoist immortality; instead, it expresses a hope for abundant harvests and harmonious weather. The guiding principle of ancestral worship is, "Those who toil for the dead are worshipped, those who stabilize the state are worshipped, those who can ward off great disasters are worshipped, and those who can eliminate great threats are worshipped." This form of worship is a reflection of the Bai people's yearning for a better life.
Ethnic Clothing
Bai clothing primarily features red and white colors, employing contrasting bright color blocks to enhance tonal harmony. Women’s attire is colorful yet simple, with more complex upper garments and headpieces, while lower garments tend to be simpler. Young women’s attire is usually more vibrant compared to the more restrained clothing of older women. Young girls often wear braids adorned with long strip-shaped headpieces, decorated with red cords entwining the braids, creating patterns that resemble a dragon's horns and phoenix tails, with a tassel hanging near the ear, fluttering in the wind. "Green Cangshan, blue Erhai, white moon, red camellia, winds swaying the willow branches, white snow reflecting the rosy clouds" beautifully encapsulates the essence of Bai clothing.Scenic Spots
Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake
Cangshan mountain and Erhai Lake are part of a national-level nature reserve. Cangshan Mountain serves as a green ecological barrier for Dali City and is a longitudinal extension of the Hengduan Mountains, consisting of 19 peaks aligned north to south, with an average elevation of 3782 meters and a total length of 48 kilometers. Erhai Lake is one of China’s renowned freshwater lakes and is known as the "Pearl of the Plateau." It stretches 40.5 kilometers from north to south and 3 to 9 kilometers from east to west, with a maximum depth of 20.7 meters and an average depth of 10.2 meters, holding a volume of 3 billion cubic meters.Dali Ancient Town
Dali Ancient Town is a well-preserved ensemble of Bai-style residential architecture and is one of the first batch of national historical and cultural cities. The town is backed by Cangshan Mountain and faces Erhai Lake. Streets within the ancient town are laid out in a chessboard pattern, with blue-tiled roofs and stone-paved paths reflecting Bai architectural style. The ancient town features homes, shops, temples, museums, churches, and schools while maintaining traditional folk customs, allowing visitors to feel the rich history and culture of the Bai people. Although it has undergone several renovations, the original layout remains intact. The ancient town preserves complete city towers on the north and south; the majestic south gate bears a plaque inscribed "Literary and Cultural Famous Place."Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple were once a symbol of Nanzhao and now serve as a landmark in Dali. Originally part of a significant collection of Buddhist buildings from the Nanzhao period, the other structures have been destroyed due to wars, leaving only the three pagodas as historical memorials. The main pagoda, also known as the Qianxun Pagoda, has an eastern screen wall inscribed with the words "Forever Stabilizing Mountains and Rivers." The Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple are among the first batch of national key cultural relics and protected sites.
