Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was the capital of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, the political, economic and cultural center of Yunnan, and important gateway of cultural exchange and trading with southeastern Asian countries, and an important pass of the ancient 'Silk Route of the South'. It has long enjoyed the reputation of 'A Land of Letters'.

Lake Erhai, also known as Yeyu Pond, Xi'er River and Kunmi River in old times, is named after its shape and expanse. 'Er' in Chinese means a human ear and 'Hai' means a sea, hence its name Erhai. It is one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China and the largest highland lake next to Dianchi Lake (in Kunming). So it was called 'Plateau Pearl'. The dimension is 41.5 km. by 6.9 km. It starts from Jiangwei of Eryuan County in the north and ends at Xiaguan in the south. The total storage capacity is 3 billion cubic metres and its elevation 1,972 metres.

The Three Pagodas are located at the foot of Yingle Peak of Cangshan Mountain at the northwest suburb of Dali Ancient City. In the time of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, Chongsheng is the largest monastery in this area and the Three Pagodas were only a part of it. Now, the monastery has long disappeared and only the Three Pagodas remain.

Butterfly Spring is located 24km north of Dali, at the foot of Yunlong Peak of Cangshan Mountain. Riding along Yunnan-Tibetan highway towards the northwest, you'll see a stone statue of butterflies on the roadside denoting the site of the fountain. Turning westwards, you'll find a huge marble arch with a horizontal inscription of three Chinese characters Hu Die Quan, meaning Butterflies' Fountain

Dali Ancient City, also called Yeyu City, Forbidden City, Zhonghezhen, lies 3 kilometers north from Xiaguan, the capital of Dali Prefecture. Embracing Erhai Lake in the east and adjoining Cangshan Mountain in the west, Dali City was first established in the early period of the Ming Dynasty, and then an administrative organ called 'wei' was set up. The one who was in charge was granted the title 'Commanding Envoy of the Dali Wei'. Now in Dali, the place name 'the Gate of Wei' is still used among the people. In the Qing Dynasty, the military commander of Yunnan was stationed in Dali. Yixidao, Dalifu (Dali Prefecture) and Taihexian (Taihe County) were established. In the second year of the Republic of China, Dali was renamed Taihe County. Now it is called Zhonghe Town of Dali City.

Bai Tea Show, 'Three Courses of Tea' is very dainty; it's different from other Chinese tea. The first course smells a little bitter; the second course is a bit sweet (adding candy and walnut pieces in it); and the third course is memorable (with condiments in it). Maybe you have drunk black tea, green tea, jasmine tea or other kinds of Chinese tea, but 'three courses of tea' gives you a different feel. It's just like life, bitter first and sweet later. You must taste slowly.