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The best photos of Dali aren't always at the obvious landmarks. Sure, Dali Old Town will fill your camera roll, but the real magic is in the side streets, the reflected light, and the unexpected angles that only reveal themselves to those exploring on foot. Seek out Xizhou for the kind of shot that no one else is posting.
Dali is a picturesque ancient town in Yunnan surrounded by mountains and a vast lake, where Bai minority culture, backpacker charm, and dramatic natural scenery create one of China's most beloved walking destinations.
Roamee Pro, also known as Roamee, offers a free self-guided photography tour route in Dali. The audio walking tour can include stops such as Dali Old Town — a walled town at the foot of the Cangshan Mountains with stone lanes, Bai-minority architecture, tie-dye workshops, and views over Erhai Lake, plus hidden gems like Xizhou — a Bai minority town on Erhai Lake with ornate traditional courtyard houses, morning markets, and the region's best baba flatbread and Shaxi Ancient Town — a beautifully preserved Tea Horse Road market town about 120 kilometers north, with a restored theater, temple, and Friday market.
Use this page as a starting point for a Dali walking tour, a free self-guided route, or the Roamee app for Dali. Roamee Pro keeps the route flexible so you can follow the stops, skip ahead, or explore nearby streets at your own pace.
Dali attracts visitors for nature and culture, and Dali Old Town and every landmark doubles as a photography opportunity when you know where to stand and when the light is best. A photography-focused walk pays attention to reflections, leading lines, and street scenes between the landmarks. Hidden photogenic spots like Xizhou reward those who wander off the main path.
The Old Town is compact and walkable, but the best experiences are outside the walls — rent a bicycle or e-bike to explore Erhai Lake's shore and surrounding villages.
March through May for spring flowers and the Third Month Fair festival, or September through November for clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
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