Dali大理

The questions people ask first about Dali, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
• SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
• Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
• TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
• SafetyDali is a low-crime tourist town; the real risks are mountain weather, altitude on the Cangshan paths, scooter traffic on the lake road…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or tea in an old-town café¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
• Street or quick mealBowl of rice noodles (mixian)¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4)
• Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)E-taxi inside the old townDrivers often ask ¥10 for short hops.¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
• Museum or sight ticketThree Pagodas entryStudent ID has been listed at 50% off (check).¥75 (≈ US$11)
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥50 (≈ US$7)
• Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCN¥320 (≈ US$45)
• High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥450 (≈ US$65) · High CN¥900 (≈ US$130)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

DLU Dali Huangcaoba Airport (East of Xiaguan (new city), about 45 min by road to the old town; no airport bus, book a hotel pickup or take a taxi.) · KMG Kunming Changshui International (Main gateway; high-speed rail from Kunming to Dali station takes about 2 h.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

¥150–300 (≈ US$25–45) excl. bed

Mid

¥300–700 (≈ US$45–100) excl. bed

High

¥700 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed

• Old-town taxis and airport drivers may push a hotel that pays them commission: fix your address before you get in.
• Cangshan cable cars can close early or in bad weather; the Gantong cable car has been listed as closing around 17:00, so start down by 16:30.Cangshan cable cars can close early or in bad weather; the Gantong cable car has been listed as closing around 5:00 PM, so start down by 4:30 PM.
• Altitude on the mountain paths reaches about 2,500 m and higher: pace yourself and carry water.
• Summer is the wet season — July and August average around 200 mm of rain, so pack for afternoon downpours.
• Card and cash both work in the old town, but small village stalls and markets are cash-first.