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Dali
An ancient city immersed in culture and flowers
Renowned as the city of ancient literature, Dali has a long history of over 1200 years. Emperor Wudi of the West Han dynasty (206 BC - 25 AD) had annexed Dali and made it part of his territory, naming it Yeyu. Then the kingdom of Nanzhao in the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD) reconstructed the town from 764 onward and moved its capital here in 799. This comprises the original section of ancient Dali. It was the political, economic, and cultural center through the Tang and the Song (960-1279 AD), and continued right down to the Yuan (1206-1368) in this area. After this, the town was restructured into a square form in 1382, with gate towers built on the four sides, corner towers placed between the sides, and the Wuhua Building built in the center of the town.
At present, generally speaking, Dali is a replica of what could be seen in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD) with regard to its architectural style. In the city some substantial sections of the Ming walls shed some light on its historical significance in the glow of sunset.
Dali serves us the best of the culture and local customs of the Bai People the whole of the ancient city is built on the diversified network of the Qing (1616-1911 AD) and the Ming style, and is composed of 9 streets and 18 lanes. One street, which runs from north to south, is lined with blue-tiled, stone-built shops and eating houses selling marble products, batik, and souvenirs woven from straw. This kind of antique and elegant building typical of the Bai minority is found row upon row, extending from the west to the east.
Listed as one of the three unique things in the city, the stone-built wall that stands firmly against the rain and wind dates back as far as the Nanzhao architectural style in the Tang dynasty. The historical records show that some of the stone-built private houses of that time stood as high as 13 ft (4m), and the houses extended a long way from the centre of the town. In Central China the main house in the courtyard is built to face south, but the main house of the Bai is built in an east-west direction. Therefore, the gate is usually found in the northeast of the courtyard, blocked by a screening wall on which one popular Chinese character, the one denoting happiness, is carved.
All the buildings are decorated with fine sculpture and paintings. Latticed doors, beams, and pillars are engraved with such symbolic patterns as curling straws, flying dragons, watchful bats, and jade rabbits. Some vivid and interesting compositions to be seen include the Golden Lion biting the Embroidered Ball and the Unicorn watching the Banana Tree. Bai sculptors of are expert at a kind of local engraving called "Hollowed Carving, made of three to four layers. Their sculptures- featuring mountains, rivers, figures, flowers, birds, insects, and fish - are lifelike and very impressive.
Poor or rich, the Bai have valued flowers since ancient times. As a result, every household boasts a garden of some size, where such precious plants as the Dali camellia, sweet osmanthus, and pomegranate are grown. Clusters of buds and thick foliage struggle over courtyard walls. They form a long lane adorned with overgrown blossoms, linking one house to another, creeping along the creeks from one street to the next. It is a really fascinating scene.
The group of three pagodas, situated about half a mile (l km) away in the north of Dali, is another historical attraction. Together with the Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei province and the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, valued as examples of rare ancient architecture, this group is listed as a key cultural relic and is under the state-level protection of the State Council.
Location
The town is situated in the central part of the Dali Bai Minority Autonomous Prefecture, in the northwest of Yunnan province.
Climate
The city’s climate follows the plateau monsoon pattern at the lower latitude. Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake work together to produce the obvious changes in the climate. Whatever the time of year, it is pleasant enough to tour in this area.
Of Special Interest
The city is representative of the unique history, culture, and customs of the Bai people.
Main Attractions
Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas at the Changsheng Temple, and the Butterfly Spring.
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