Audio Guide of Universal Love Gate

The Ancient City is a "living museum" open 24 hours a day, although most shops are open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. You can easily get there by taxi or bus from Dali Railway Station (it is about 17 km from the New City, or Xiaguan).

Good news! At present, admission to walk through the streets of Dali Ancient City is free for individual visitors. You only need to pay if you decide to enter specific private attractions or museums within the walls.

I recommend setting aside 3 to 4 hours to explore its main streets, such as Fuxing Road and Renmin Road, at a relaxed pace. If you plan to eat there and visit the gate towers, you could easily enjoy a full half-day.

It was the glorious capital of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, and a crucial point on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Its traditional architecture of the Bai ethnic minority and its Ming dynasty walls make it a unique cultural gem.

Spring (March to May) is ideal thanks to the mild weather and the flowers in the surrounding area. To avoid tourist crowds and get the best photos, visit early in the morning (before 9:00 AM); for the nighttime atmosphere, go after 7:00 PM.

The terrain is mostly flat, but the streets are paved with stone slabs that can be uneven and may cause bumps in wheelchairs. It is manageable, but going with a companion and sticking to the wider main streets is recommended.

You are in a prime location: just a short distance away you will find the iconic Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple and the vast Erhai Lake, perfect for cycling around.

Wear very comfortable shoes or sneakers, as you will be walking a lot on stone surfaces. Do not leave without trying local Bai cuisine, especially Xizhou Baba pastries and stone pot fish.