dali2a.jpg (5435 bytes)

  Dali is an old cultural city. In the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.--A.D. 220), it was under the jurisdiction of Yizhou Prefecture; during the Tang (618--907) and Song (960--1279), it was under the administration of Nanzhao, a local regime then established; in the Yuan (1271--1368), it came under the jurisdiction of Dalilu; and in the Ming and Qing periods (1368--1911), Dali Prefecture was set up.

  Known to people as "Oriental Switzerland". Its main scenic sites include the Cangshan Mountains, Erhai Lake, Chicken Paw Mountain, Three-Pagoda Temple and Snake Bone Pagoda.
  "March Street" is marked by the Bai people each year as a traditional fair. During the festival, people of all nationalities come to the fair. The Dai nationality New Year falls on the 14th day of the 4th lunar month, with the gala Water Splashing Festival held. At the fair, men and women, old and young, all are dressed in holiday best and join in splashing water on each other and extending mutual good wishes for a happy New Year.

Back