Town in Yunnan, China
Dali
A lakeside old town below the Cangshan mountains and China's best-known nomad and slow-travel base. Cool, clean air and cheap rent; crowded in holidays and thin on formal coworking and English.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$819–1,340Comfortable, one person · ¥5,500–9,000Details
- Value for money87/100Better value than 86% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Sep–NovWarmest: Jun, 26°CDetails
- Air quality17.6 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · PollutedDetails
- Internet238 MbpsFixed broadband, China medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or boiled water; guesthouses supply kettles.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$4–45Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundDiDiVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereAlipay and WeChat Pay work almost everywhere, including market stalls; some village stalls and e-bike rentals prefer cash.Details
Where to stay in Dali
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Dali Old Town | First-timers: guesthouses, cafés, walls and gates, walkable |
| Xizhou | Quiet Bai village; slower long stays, local food |
| Shuanglang and Erhai east shore | Lake views, retreats and long stays; needs a bike |
| Xiaguan | The modern city: train station, hospitals, shops |
Apps that work in Dali
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Works in Xiaguan and Old Town; few cars around Erhai villages |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meituan | Covers Old Town and Xiaguan |
- Maps: Amap or Apple Maps (Google Maps is blocked and inaccurate)
- Messaging: WeChat
- Alipay: Payments, DiDi rides and metro QR codes
- WeChat Pay: Backup payments and mini-program bookings
- Trip.com: Train and hotel bookings in English
- Taxis: Black cars and horse carts quote high prices at the stations and gates; prefer DiDi or a hotel booking.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in China.
- Cards almost everywhere Alipay and WeChat Pay work almost everywhere, including market stalls; some village stalls and e-bike rentals prefer cash.
- Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY). US$1 ≈ ¥6.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC and other big-bank ATMs take Visa and Mastercard; per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary.
- Tipping: Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign Visa or Mastercard work almost everywhere; small fee on larger payments. Apple Pay rarely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
Plugs
Type A, C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in China
Going to Dali solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.