I accidentally passed by a historical building and interpreted the prosperous past; I encountered an inconspicuous door-facing hall and opened up the wonderful taste of the tip of my tongue; perhaps just the moment I looked up, the color of flowers and leaves reflected in the pure blue sky took my heart...

There are very convenient means of transportation for traveling in Dali. You can choose to rent a small electric car for yourself, or you can carpool and charter a car (the driver also works part-time photography, which is great), or choose the most convenient through train to the Qilin Scenic Area. The time is free and the itinerary is optional. It's worth it!

A capital of flowers and snow, 600 years of ancient times, the ancient city of Dali is by no means a hasty impression. When we start from streets and alleys, truly walk into it and discover it, only then can we meet too much beauty left behind.
01 Famous literature states

The ancient city of Dali was built in the 15th year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1382). The streets in the city have a typical checkerboard layout, leaving behind a large number of residential buildings and monuments from the Qing and Republic of China periods. The ancient city has a gate in the east, west, north and south, with a tower on it, both of which were rebuilt in modern times and surrounded by crisscrossing "nine streets and eighteen alleys."
The ancient city of Dali is located in the western part of Yunnan Province, also known as Ye Yucheng and Zicheng. The history of the ancient city can be traced back to the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty. Yangjumee City built by Nanzhao Wang Ge Luofeng was its new capital. The ancient city was built in the 15th year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1382) and covers an area of 3 square kilometers. Dali is one of the first batch of 24 historical and cultural cities in China announced by the State Council on February 8, 1982.
The ancient city of Dali was the political, economic and cultural center of Yunnan during its more than 500 years of history in the Tang and Song Dynasties. There are 14 key cultural relics protection units at or above the municipal level in the ancient city, carrying Dali's historical culture, religious culture, and ethnic culture. It is the core tourist area of Dali.

South Gate
Also known as Cheng 'en Tower, it is the symbol and symbol of the ancient city of Dali. It will definitely appear in all tourist scenery albums and video promotions about Dali. It was once open to climb the tower and overlook the entire ancient city. Founded in 1382, the 15th year of Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty is the oldest and majestic building in the ancient city and the symbol and symbol of the ancient city of Dali. The ancient city wall is about 1500 meters long, 6 meters high and 12 meters thick on all four sides. The word "Dali" on the city gate was personally mentioned by Guo Moruo when he visited Dali in 1961."Dali" is the national name, which means "governing Dali greatly, enriching the country and rejuvenating the country."

Transportation stops in the ancient city such as tourist centers and scenic spots are all near the south gate. It is also the area with the most concentrated inns.

North Gate
The city was originally named "Anyuan Tower" when it was built, and was renamed "Santa Gate" during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was built in 1382 and is one of the four gates of the ancient city. The roof of the tower adopts the higher-level double eaves and mountain style among Chinese palace buildings, retaining the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. Opposite the south gate. Three kilometers away from the city gate is the famous Three Towers of Chongsheng Temple.

The north gate is currently the only tower in the ancient city that is open to climb. Relying on the fence, you can overlook the scenery around you and think about the past for thousands of years.

Cangshan Gate
That is, the west gate, and the outside of the gate building is facing March Street, which is the "Millennium Street" at the foot of Cangshan Mountain.

Inside the gate is Yu 'er Road, the main traffic road in the ancient city. At the end of autumn every year, the ginkgo trees on both sides of Yuer Road are golden and dazzling.

Erhaimen
It is slightly different from Cangshan Gate and faces the prosperous and famous street-Renmin Road. In front of the gate, various gadgets and ethnic handicrafts are sold, and of course, rows of snacks are also indispensable. Especially at night, it is like a small night market.

Wuhualou
It was built during the Nanzhao Quanfengyou period (856 AD). It was the place where King Nanzhao hosted a banquet for the princes of Southwest Yi and other state guests. At that time, it was "five miles square, a hundred feet high, and could accommodate more than ten thousand people." When Kublai Khan conquered Dali, he once stationed in front of the military building. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, Wuhua Tower was burned down during the war. During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, when the ancient city of Dali was rebuilt, the Bell and Drum Tower was built on the former site of Wuhua Tower. Its scale and pattern were far inferior to that of Nanzhao's Wuhua Tower. Wuhua Building was burned several times and was later rebuilt in other places, witnessing thousands of vicissitudes.
The existing building was restored and rebuilt in 1999. It is located in the center of the ancient city. It is magnificent, solemn and exquisite. It has become the landmark building of the ancient city of Dali and the commanding height in the ancient city.

Looking up at Wuhua Tower, I imagine the glory and prosperity of the ancient country of Nanzhao. The sound of glasses and drinks and the sound of food bells sounded in my ears...

02 Walking in Time

Most of the street pavements in the ancient city of Dali are made of bluestone slabs. There are streams flowing from Cangshan Mountain next to the main streets. Coupled with the embellishment of flowers and trees, it is like a clear stream, small bridges, and flowing people.

Fuxing road

Connecting the north and south gate, it has a total length of 1500 meters. It is the main and most prosperous commercial street in the ancient city. Shops on both sides maintain the architectural style of the Qing and Republican periods, selling a variety of dizzying local specialties and handicrafts.

Many people think that commercial streets in various places are similar, and even complain that most ancient cities are not worth visiting. Maybe, when you pass by the tie-dye, wood carving, silverware, straw weaving, marble... you might as well stop to have a look and listen. Every craft is a commodity, an art, and a story about the Dali nation.

The milk fans, bait nuggets, carved plums, candied fruits that can be seen on the street... some cost as little as two or three yuan. If you are interested, you can try it. There are really too many good-looking things. Faced with all kinds of "dazzling", you need enough reason to "manage" your wallet.

Bo 'AI road
It is parallel to Fuxing Road and runs through the north and south. Relatively speaking, there are many fewer tourists, more niche and unique shops, and you can also go to the Wu Temple Fair Antique Market to search for Taobao.

Every December, winter cherry blossoms planted on both sides of the entire street bloom into a pink romance, becoming the most beautiful and moving scenery in the ancient city.

Honglongjing
It crosses Boai Road and ends at Fuxing Road. It is named after the legends of "Red Longjing" and "Jade Cabbage". It is a waterscape neighborhood that is completely different from other roads and an area where various bars are concentrated.

The stream flows down step by step through the stairs, with weeping willows on both sides. In the evening, under the illumination of the lit red lanterns and accompanied by the music from the bar, the night was outlined more dreamy and blurred.

Renmin road
This is the street most visited by tourists, and the accents from all over the world blend into the daily life of local residents. It blooms the most passionate freedom, spawns the most diverse culture, and also embodies the old dreams and stories of countless people.
Renmin Road is an east-west main road in the ancient city of Dali, with a total length of 1200 meters. It was called "Zhongzheng Road" in 1943. After the founding of New China in 1949, it was officially changed to "People's Road"

When you look at the withered grass swaying on the wall tiles; when you break into an inconspicuous old shop; when you hear a wanderer who looks like an artist singing affectionately; maybe you will understand this place.

foreign Street
Originally known as "Guguo Road", it was named to commemorate the people of Yunnan opposed Yuan Shikai's declaration of emperor in the early Republic of China and raised troops to protect the country. "Huguo Road" runs east (west), has a total length of 1200 meters and a width of 7 meters, and is paved with bluestone slabs. The most prosperous one is the middle section, with a total length of 185.6 meters. It is one of the earliest and most well-known foreign streets in China.

Although most of the foreigners and backpackers who originally gathered together have left, the Foreign Street is no longer "authentic" as it used to be, and you can still intuitively and deeply appreciate the harmonious symphony of local Bai characteristics and Western life.