Savor 43 Dali Specialty Foods – Romance and Scenery Are Just the Beginning, with a 6-Day Itinerary Plan
After watching Huang Bo's "Breakup Buddies", I wanted to go to Dali.
After reading Mr. Lao She's "A Short Note on the Trip to Yunnan", I wanted to go to Dali.
After listening to Hao Yun's "Go to Dali", I wanted to go to Dali.
Perhaps there are countless reasons that make me want to go to Dali, but what actually made me take action was Dali's food.
Here you can not only enjoy Yunnan specialty dishes and Junzi hotpot, but also the most authentic Bai ethnic specialty cuisine in Dali. As always, I believe that when traveling, one must experience the diverse cuisines from all over the country to cultivate an inclusive heart, sparing no effort and living up to the prime of life.
1. Dali is accessible in all four seasons, but the most comfortable times are spring and late summer.
2. The UV rays here are very strong, so be sure to bring sun protection (sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.).
3. Sometimes there's a big temperature difference and it rains a lot, so long sleeves and pants are a must.
1. You can use Alipay for bus discounts.
2. For dining and accommodation, you can use group deals and coupons.
3. If traveling alone, try out youth hostels.
4. You can bargain for vehicle rental in Dali – electric scooters max at 50 yuan a day.
I mostly stayed in ancient towns and ancient city in Dali, and one night on the mountain opposite Erhai Lake—great scenery and a wonderful stay experience.
Everyone comes to Dali for its "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon", but I just want to feast my eyes on Yunnan's specialty foods, like: Yangbi rice rolls, shredded bait with braised pork, free-range chicken rice noodles, beef copper pot rice noodles, Cangshan azalea soup, Erhai water cabbage, banana leaf-wrapped roasted wild mushrooms, Yongping braised chicken with erkuai, Dali roast meat, wild mushroom hotpot, Bai copper pot banquet series, Cordyceps flower stewed chicken, lemongrass ribs, Pu'er tea chicken, Hakka tofu casserole, Bai stone grill, sizzling fish, Dehong barbecue, sauce-braised Erhai snail, sour and spicy Erhai fish, Xizhou crispy baba, and more.
From Kunming to Dali, I recommend the high-speed train. There are many trips a day, priced at 145 yuan, but there's one trip daily at 80 yuan. If you're willing to get up early or stay up late, this can save you quite a bit.
To eat delicious and authentic food, I chose to stay one night in Xiaguan, near the Kunming Department Store area, and the next day I came to this legendary shop.
Walnut and peanut sauce rice rolls at 8 yuan per portion, the texture is soft, bouncy, and chewy, the flavor is incredibly fragrant, fully showcasing the charm of walnut and peanut sauce.
It's a small shop in what looks like a small market; following navigation makes it easy to find. The aunt is very deft at rolling the rice rolls. It would be better if she wore a mask during operation. Group buying offers even better deals!
I stayed in Xiaguan just for this shop, and after eating, I left Xiaguan for Dali Ancient Town. I suggest everyone also stay inside Dali Ancient Town, as it's very convenient.
If you come to Dali, you must stay in Dali Ancient Town. After much hesitation, I found this lovely guesthouse; the name alone sounds ancient: Ziyun Courtyard!
Indeed, the courtyard landscaping is exquisite, full of Dali courtyard characteristics—stone paths, bamboo scenery. Especially at night, under the lights, the courtyard is especially quiet. The rooms are elegant and simple, very comfortable to stay in!
On the first floor, you can drink tea and read, and on the third floor there's a viewing platform where you can see Cangshan Mountain and Dali Ancient Town. If you're lucky, you can even see the sunset glow!
The host is a handsome young man from Guangdong who loves tea. Coincidentally, I love tea too, so we sat down and chatted for a while. He's a great guy, thoughtful and attentive, and shared many food recommendations and vehicle rental tips for Dali Ancient Town—very helpful!
No. 76 Fuan Lane, Lower Section of Renmin Road, Dali Ancient Town, Ziyun Courtyard; recommend using navigation to find it.
Though it's inside Dali Ancient Town and not too far from the main street, it's really quiet here—tranquil amidst the hustle and bustle, very comfortable to stay!
🔥Recommendation: ❤️❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
When you visit Dali during mushroom season, the unmissable thing is wild mushroom hotpot. I searched all the shops inside and outside Dali Ancient Town, and after a comprehensive comparison, I chose this one!
Because their broth is a stew of Wuliang Mountain black chicken and Cordyceps flower mushrooms; even without adding extra mushrooms, a sip is extremely delicious. After adding mushrooms, the rich mushroom soup flavor is absolutely praiseworthy!
And the mushrooms are all fresh wild ones, each with a different texture. Black truffle's texture is quite interesting—even after long stewing, it remains crunchy with a hard layer on the surface, and it's quite nutritious, though pricey!
Common mushrooms like matsutake, chicken fir, jian shou qing, and porcini are affordable and have great texture!
Cangshan Tree Bark and Tree Flower
A specialty available only at the foot of Cangshan, very fresh. The tree bark is quite chewy, the tree flower is crisp and refreshing, and the flavor is the unique local sweet, sour, and spicy blend—very delicious, don't miss it!
Erhai Water Cabbage
The name alone makes you want to eat it. It grows in Erhai Lake, said to thrive only where water quality is good. Stewed in the black chicken mushroom soup, it absorbs the soup's freshness. The texture is soft, tender, and a bit sticky—very distinctive, worth trying!
Don't miss their rose wine and carved plum wine; the slightly tipsy feeling is so wonderful!
It's worth mentioning that their service is top-notch. The overall environment features wooden structures decorated with plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and greenery—great for photos and check-ins!
Moreover, before 10 p.m., you can enjoy wild mushroom hotpot while watching Bai ethnic performances of traditional songs and dances by Bai sisters and brothers!
If you don't order black truffle, 80 yuan per person is enough.
On the outskirts of Dali Ancient Town, recommend navigation search: Bamuxuan Wild Mushroom Hotpot
🔥Recommendation: ❤️❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
In the morning, I got up, packed my luggage, left it with the inn, and casually grabbed some breakfast—beef copper pot rice noodles.
Then I went to the east gate of Dali Ancient Town to rent an electric scooter. There are many rental places here; we rented a pink electric scooter with a range of over 200 km, 50 yuan a day, 500 yuan deposit.
1. The max is 50 yuan a day; any higher is a rip-off.
2. Some vendors will ask to keep your ID card; I suggest keeping the deposit as cash—never casually leave your ID card.
3. When renting, you'll get a receipt; read the receipt carefully.
4. If renting for multiple days, remember to bring the charger.
5. I recommend recording the rental process on video, including the vendor's face, just in case.
6. As soon as you get the vehicle, take photos and videos from all angles for evidence.
After renting, we set off. The first stop was Xizhou Ancient Town, which I was most interested in. The scenery along the way was average; near Xizhou, we saw many rice paddies, then we checked into our guesthouse in Xizhou.
Inside Xizhou Ancient Town, it's a nearly century-old traditional Bai courtyard house, with a Bai screen wall, and many succulents and green plants. The room has white walls and wooden ceiling, mostly accented with light blue, with a main bamboo rattan light and wooden furniture—the decorative effect is great.
It's very quiet at night; falling asleep to the chirping of crickets is quite a pleasant courtyard experience!
The host is a Xizhou local who grew up in Kunming. He speaks softly and is very gentle and refined. He loves tea and cycling. In your free time, you can drink tea and chat with him; even in a foreign place, there's a touch of human warmth!
Inside Xizhou Ancient Town, recommend directly navigating to Yunmei Courtyard, very close to the main street of Xizhou Ancient Town!
The mattress has good resilience, the shower has thermostatic function, most toiletries are Adolph, clean slippers—a very comfortable stay experience!
This guesthouse has a kitchen and breakfast, with eggs, baozi, and the specialty Xizhou baba—pretty good!
❤️❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
After checking in, it started raining, and after about 3+ hours, the rain stopped. It was time to go out for food—Dehong barbecue, here we come.
On the outskirts of Xizhou Ancient Town, we found a small shop specializing in Dehong-style barbecue, looking just like the kind locals frequent. The shop's decor isn't fancy, but simplicity is its virtue!
We ordered roasted black chicken, roasted pork belly, clay pot stewed fish, "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon" beer, and tamarind juice!
We ordered half a chicken; the boss said it would be enough. The ingredient is black chicken, with black skin. Though it doesn't look impressive, the flavor is absolutely amazing. When we asked the boss why it's so fragrant, he said: the chicken was marinated for a day and is already fully flavored; it's delicious even without dipping. The black chicken's meat is very tender, falling off the bone, and more fragrant than regular chicken—highly recommended!
The pork belly is roasted to a charred crispness, its aroma alone making your mouth water. Usually, you wrap a bit in a lettuce leaf, dip in sour and spicy sauce, and pop it in—flavor well-balanced and not greasy at all!
The fish is tilapia, with few bones, and the texture is quite soft and tender, full of soy-braised flavor; it goes perfectly with rice!
How can you have barbecue without alcohol? Try Dali's exclusive beer, "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon". If you can't drink alcohol, you can also try the local tamarind juice—sweet and sour, my favorite!
There are three different dipping sauces; I most recommend their pickled vegetable dipping sauce, sour and spicy with a hint of fish mint aroma, very typical of Dehong!
The shop owner looks honest and simple; he warmly told us how to eat it the most authentic way!
About 60 yuan, economical and affordable!
( Xizhou ) 221 Provincial Road, Xizhou Ancient Town, Dehong-style barbecue; recommend direct navigation.
🔥Recommendation: ❤️❤️❤️
After eating barbecue, you'll understand the sense of satisfaction. By then it was dark, most shops had closed, and with few pedestrians under the dim lights, walking along such tranquil streets calms your heart.
Guzidi Garden Restaurant—a name that fits perfectly. Stepping into the Bai-style courtyard, the whole garden restaurant unfolds before your eyes, with many green plants and flowers, and a large persimmon tree. Every step reveals a new view—truly a quiet and exquisite restaurant!
We ordered Yunnan ham Tibetan chicken, stone silver fish eggs, palm beef, and stewed radish; the first three are part of the Bai copper pot series.
"Yunnan Ham Tibetan Chicken"
The Tibetan chicken is from Shangri-La, and the Yunnan ham is from Heqing. Slow-stewed, the two ingredients blend perfectly. One word: fragrant. The chicken is not dry at all, just right. When eating this dish, try drinking the soup first—it's very fresh!
"Palm Beef"
Also from the copper pot series, this beef is more flavorful: spicy and fragrant. The mild spiciness enhances the overall aroma. The beef is stewed until tender and soft, and the brisket part is especially tender—absolutely delicious, definitely a favorite for those who love bold flavors.
"Stone Silver Fish Eggs"
Inside the copper pot are scalding hot stones. Beat silver fish and eggs together, then slowly pour along the bowl's edge to spread evenly on the hot stones. With a sizzling sound, the dish is ready. When first tasted, the texture is quite soft and tender; the egg enhances the umami of the silver fish—quite good!
The radish stew is light and mild, slightly sweet, and the radish is stewed very soft—definitely a dish suitable for all ages.
Around 80 yuan to eat well and fill up!
( Xizhou ) 037 Township Road, No. 105, Chengbei Village, Xizhou Town; recommend navigation search (Guzidi Garden Restaurant)
This is the cooperative restaurant from the show "Viva La Romance", and the Bai copper pot banquet in the show is from here.
❤️❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
After the delicious Bai copper pot banquet, we rode our little electric scooter and found a large rice paddy outside Xizhou Ancient Town. It was incredibly beautiful—blue sky, white clouds, rice paddies—truly like a scene from a Miyazaki cartoon. Ladies, you must come here for photos; idyllic, fresh photos are absolutely achievable here.
This is a tea house right by the rice paddies. It gave me a very pure feeling; the wood and white color combination is very clean, making the heart quietly settle. It's also very well-designed; every window is worth savoring. Looking through the glass, the rice paddies, Cangshan, and the road all come into view—absolutely stunning!
We ordered Cangshan black tea, iced latte, and matcha mousse. Normally tea is paired with tea snacks, but unfortunately, they were sold out!
Cangshan black tea is not as strong as what I've had before; instead, it has a delicate fragrance, a sweet aftertaste, with a very subtle, barely noticeable sweetness—quite nice!
The coffee and dessert were not stunning, but of good quality. However, since it's a tea house, you must not miss their tea. The tea here is all picked from Cangshan and processed by themselves. The owner even offers courses that take you tea-picking on Cangshan and teach you to make your own tea—a novel experience. Unfortunately, when we went, the owner was already up on Cangshan, so we missed out. If you want to try this, you need to book in advance!
About 30-40 yuan.
( Xizhou ) No. 68 Beixingdeng Village, Yongxing Village Committee, 221 Provincial Road, Xizhou Town; recommend navigation search (Mo Cui Tea House)
Great for photos; the top floor has an open-air balcony, with Cangshan in the background and rice paddies beside!
❤️❤️❤️
After tea, I felt it was time to truly explore Xizhou Ancient Town.
Mr. Lao She described Xizhou Ancient Town like this:
"Xizhou town is truly a marvel. I can't recall seeing such a respectable town in any remote part of the country. Entering the town feels like arriving in Cambridge, England—live water flows everywhere along the streets; as soon as you step out, you can wash vegetables and laundry, and the dirt is immediately carried away. The streets are very orderly, with many shops. There is a library, with a marble archway in front, the characters gilded! There is a police station, and deep, palatial residences with carved beams and painted rafters. There are many ancestral halls, all resplendent. Less than a mile away is Erhai Lake. Less than five or six miles are high mountains. To have such a town between mountains and water—it's truly an otherworldly paradise."
—Lao She, "A Short Note on the Trip to Yunnan" (1942)
It is precisely because of this passage that I was filled with hope and determination for Xizhou Ancient Town.
When I arrived, I truly felt its charm. Not only does it match Mr. Lao She's description—orderly streets, a forest of shops, deep courtyard mansions, carved beams—but it also has a peace and tranquility that sets it apart from Dali Ancient Town. Staying in Xizhou Ancient Town, you don't feel the strong commercial atmosphere of Dali and Shuanglang.
Of course, the most famous thing in Xizhou Ancient Town is Xizhou baba. Baba means flatbread, a traditional specialty here. There are sweet and savory versions; the outer skin is a bit crispy, the inside very soft and fluffy. The texture and flavor are quite good, though I think 10 yuan each is a bit pricey.
"Pu'er Tea Chicken"
This is my second time eating a dish made with tea. The Pu'er tea and chicken flavors blend perfectly. The chicken is fairly tight, slightly dry, and the Pu'er tea leaves are also edible—crispy and crunchy with a strong Pu'er aroma. Overall, not bad!
"Lemongrass Ribs"
Lemongrass wraps around the ribs, which are cut into small pieces. Deep-fried until very crispy, but there are many bones, so the texture is average. However, the unique lemongrass flavor is quite novel, and with Thai sweet chili sauce, the taste becomes richer.
"Dai-style Shredded Chicken"
Authentic Dai flavor should be intensely sour, spicy, and sweet, but I found this shredded chicken a bit salty. With a little improvement, it could be excellent!
"Hakka Tofu Casserole"
Tofu and minced meat mixed together, the sauce is savory and slightly sweet, thick and rich. Tofu casserole is always a perfect accompaniment to rice; a spoonful of soft, tender tofu with rice is simply delicious!
"Cordyceps Flower Stewed Chicken"
A very rich chicken soup flavor, extremely fresh. The texture of Cordyceps flower is especially wonderful—crisp and tender, and very nutritious!
On the way from Xizhou to Wase in Haidong, you pass through Shuanglang Ancient Town. Shuanglang Ancient Town sits right by Erhai Lake, with a distant view of Cangshan, known for the saying "The beauty of Dali lies in Cangshan and Erhai, and the beauty of Cangshan and Erhai lies in Shuanglang." However, due to its overly strong commercial atmosphere, we only chose to stop at noon to experience the fresh flavors of Erhai.
"Sour and Spicy Erhai Fish (Bai Style)"
An authentic Bai specialty. We ordered bowfish, which has relatively fewer bones. The rich red sour soup is very distinctive, a unique sourness from the Yunnan-Guizhou region. The fish is firm, and there are side ingredients like potato and tofu that absorb the sour and spicy flavor—absolutely amazing!
"Colorful Chicken Shreds and Cold Rice Noodles"
The cold rice noodles can serve as the main dish—a super large portion with chives, chicken shreds, purple cabbage, etc., offering a variety of textures. It's sweet, sour, and slightly spicy.
"Sauce-braised Erhai Snail"
The snail is stir-fried with chives. The sauce-braising method completely removes any fishiness, leaving a rich, savory, and spicy flavor. The snail meat is very chewy and bouncy.
"Stir-fried Water Cabbage"
I think Erhai water cabbage is best simply stir-fried—light and mild, soft and tender, even with a slight stickiness, especially delicious.
After lunch, we continued riding our little electric scooter. Along the way, the scenery was truly pleasant—blowing in the sea breeze, gazing at the Bai villages at the foot of Cangshan, it was extremely relaxing.
Riding along, we saw many man-made Instagram-worthy photo spots, but I had no desire to stop. As expected, I prefer original, natural things. At a leisurely pace, we soon arrived at our guesthouse.
Staying on the big mountain opposite Erhai Lake, enjoying the lake view and sunset, life is so comfortable.
A sea-view guesthouse on the mountain, with Bai-style architecture: grey tiles, white walls. A large courtyard with many succulents, rockery landscapes, and lounge chairs—a very tasteful little courtyard!
Less than 50 meters from the door, you can enjoy the sea view. In the afternoon, while strolling in the mountains, we found a slope with some small wild fruits—we didn't know if they were edible, so we didn't dare try, but you can also view Erhai Lake from here, and it's nice for photos!
The overall feel is fresh and woody, understated yet luxurious, far from the madding crowd. The room is spacious and bright, with a large balcony. Sitting on the balcony with tea, looking at the Erhai scenery, it's really quite nice!
The host is a Bai elder sister who loves life and making friends. If you don't want to go out to eat, you can join her for some home-cooked Bai dishes—reasonably priced and authentic!
Group 5, Qingshan Village, Shuanglang Town; recommend navigation search (Yunshui Youyou Inn)
Enjoy specialty food and a panoramic view of Erhai Lake. We even discovered a little hidden spot in the village while riding our electric scooter—great for beautiful photos. The inn also offers free pick-up and drop-off service.
❤️❤️❤️
In the morning, after breakfast at the inn, we continued cycling around Erhai Lake. Although the scenery along this stretch was nice, it became repetitive. We passed many scenic spots, but none caught my attention. Speeding along, we soon arrived at Dali Ancient Town.
After completing our full Erhai loop, we stayed again in Dali Ancient Town. This inn is in Fuan Lane, Dali Ancient Town, over 500 meters from the main street, facing Cangshan, with fresh air.
Standing on the third-floor terrace, you can see the beautiful scenery of Cangshan and overlook the Bai architecture of Dali Ancient Town.
The moment you enter the courtyard, from the entrance to the depths, from the tea area to the bar area, the abundant greenery makes the entire courtyard exceptionally fresh and elegant.
Entering the room, the pale yellow walls are very cozy. If I'm not mistaken, the room's decor includes some Tibetan elements. The room has two large windows that let in plenty of sunlight. The TV cabinet and sofa corner cabinet look quite old; I wonder where the owner found them—they really have character.
Staying in such a Bai-style little courtyard in Dali Ancient Town, you can wander around the ancient town during the day and feel its romance, bustle, and excitement.
At night, back at the inn, in the quiet of the evening, you can calm your restless heart, brew a pot of Cangshan black tea in the lounge area, and chat with the owner—truly relaxing.
The owner can be called a living map of Dali Ancient Town; he knows all the best food and fun spots. He also has his own compiled written guide, which he kindly shared with me.
Late at night, back in my room, on the comfortable big bed, I closed my eyes and concentrated, listening to the crickets chirping and the occasional dog barking from outside the courtyard—it felt like staying deep in the mountains, away from the hustle and bustle.
On such a quiet night, I'm sure to have a good dream. Good night, stranger.
Fuan Lane, Renmin Road, Dali Ancient Town; recommend navigation search (Jiabao's Homestay)
❤️❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
After dropping off our backpacks at the homestay, we went to the east gate to return the scooter. Make sure you return it to the same person you rented from that day, and check the receipt they're holding to ensure everything is in order.
The restaurant is very bright; just looking at the entrance makes you want to go in. The interior decoration also has strong local character. As soon as you enter, there's a small bridge over a stream. At mealtime, it was quite crowded—no wonder it's recommended by Dali locals, really reliable!
🐔 Yongping Braised Chicken with Erkuai
This is also a specialty from Yunnan. The flavor is braised, savory, with a slight spiciness. The chicken is very chewy and well-marinated. The erkuai is springy and chewy—quite unique!
🥩 Dali Roast Meat
Although it looks mostly fatty, it really isn't greasy at all. Dipped in chili powder, it's very fragrant. Paired with the local fruit and flower wines, it's definitely a great dish for drinking.
The presentation is outstanding—truly lives up to the word "splendid." It tastes smooth and tender, and the vegetables inside are super crispy, offering a very rich texture!
🥗 Banana Leaf-Wrapped Roasted Wild Mushrooms
Wild mushrooms wrapped in Yunnan's unique banana leaves—the flavor is the natural taste of the mushrooms, very aromatic. And because different mushrooms have different textures, this dish never feels monotonous.
🍲 Azalea and Rice Bean Soup
The name of this soup caught my eye. The waiter said it's made with azaleas from Cangshan. It appeared white and bland-looking, but after tasting it, I found that while the broth is light, it's very flavorful. The azalea petals have a crunchy texture—worth trying.
Last time we ordered rose wine and carved plum wine; this time we ordered bayberry wine and sweet rice wine. The bayberry wine is less sour than carved plum wine and sweeter, very nice. The sweet rice wine is also good, but slightly inferior to Dali's fruit and flower wines.
The servers here are all young men and women dressed in Bai ethnic attire. The service was very attentive and prompt; very satisfied.
No. 82 Wenxian Road, Dali; recommend navigation search (Bamuxuan Xunwei Dali Bai Ethnic Folk Restaurant)
❤️❤️❤️
The interior is especially bright, with extensive use of floor-to-ceiling windows and solid wood furnishings. Someone might think it's a café—it's that comfortable!
I ordered the old hen soup rice noodles, group-buy price 18 yuan, which also came with a Dai-style chicken shreds side dish. The broth is incredibly delicious—savory and aromatic, rich and full of chicken flavor. The rice noodles have a good texture, and the side dish is authentically Dai-style!
No. 58 Guangwu Road, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
Dali Ancient Town lies at the foot of Cangshan. Walking up the street, you feel as if you're walking into the mountains. Dali Ancient Town is large, with many streets and shops. Main streets include Renmin Road, Fuxing Road, and Yangren Street. Typical tourists buy specialty souvenirs.
But I prefer to visit a bookstore, read, or sit in a café with a cup of coffee for an afternoon, savoring Dali's slow pace.
Bookstore recommendation: Dafang Bookstore.
It truly lives up to its name as an ancient-style tavern. Upon entering, you feel a strong ancient ambiance—exquisite wooden windows, peach blossom decorations, and even a guzheng you can try playing. The music is also ancient-style tunes; they've put effort into creating the atmosphere!
"Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon"
This isn't the beer, but two flasks—one peach blossom wine, one rose wine. They're quite high in alcohol; after drinking, I felt a bit overly tipsy, but they're still delicious.
"Erkuai Spicy Chicken"
The spicy chicken is crispy and easily comes off the bone, slightly spicy but more fragrant than spicy, with a slight numbing sensation toward the end. Erkuai, another Yunnan specialty, is deep-fried, so the outer layer is crispy while the inside is quite chewy.
"Jade Rouge Snowflake Fish"
The fish is incredibly soft and tender, very flavorful, with the sauce coating the flesh.
Side ingredients include okra, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and water cabbage—soft and tender with a crisp texture. The flavor is a bit sour, a bit sweet, with a refreshing rice wine note. Truly their signature dish—recommended.
"Bitter Melon and Cured Pork Potato Mash"
Cured pork and bitter melon complement each other, balancing their properties. Mixed into the mashed potato, sometimes you get a crunchy bite, sometimes chewy—a rich texture.
The servers, both young men and women, are dressed in ancient-style clothing. The service is very attentive, and they patiently explain the dishes' special features. Kudos!
70-100 yuan; recommend group buying.
No. 420 Lower Section of Renmin Road; recommend navigation search (Taohong Xiaoguan)
❤️❤️❤️
As someone who loves to enjoy slow-paced moments, I always seek out a café in every place. Indeed, in Dali Ancient Town, I found Tang Café!
Reputedly the hottest café in Dali Ancient Town, I ordered a latte and a milkshake. To be honest, the quality was just average, but I found something that surpasses their coffee!
A cat and the slow pace of Dali Ancient Town
Entering Tang Café, you suddenly feel removed from the hustle and bustle of Dali Ancient Town.
You enter another world, quiet and peaceful, sipping coffee, thinking your thoughts—quite relaxing.
There's a viewing platform on the fourth floor where you can overlook Dali Ancient Town and gaze at Cangshan; this is perhaps its biggest highlight.
After returning the scooter, we came to try the Bai stone grill. Honestly, it wasn't spectacular, just average.
We ordered the 2-3 person premium stone grill set, which included beef, crunchy chicken gizzards, cartilage, squid, pork belly, chicken wings, signature eggplant, potatoes, zucchini, wrapped tofu, stinky tofu, enoki mushrooms, chives, lettuce, rice, dipping sauce, and a pot of Bai specialty flower tea.
The biggest feature of the Bai stone grill is the stone slab itself—you place the ingredients on it and grill them.
I think the best ones were the beef, pork belly, and squid. Be careful with the heat when grilling: chicken wings take longer, but beef shouldn't be cooked too long or it becomes tough. Pork belly must be eaten wrapped in lettuce leaves—that way it's not greasy, but rather fragrant.
Grill both sides of the wrapped tofu and stinky tofu until golden brown; the texture is crispy.
A bit over 80 yuan, acceptable.
❤️❤️ (3 stars full)
After eating, it was evening. You can stroll through Dali Ancient Town to see the night scenery, passing a bar street. Looking into the bars from outside, the "Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon" of Dali is right here—but, as expected, it's not for me.
Dali is truly a charming place. Whether it's the culture, scenery, food, or climate, it's all worth a visit. This trip focused on food. If you're a little foodie like me who loves to seek out specialty cuisines on your journeys and you plan to come to Dali, I hope this travelogue helps. See you in the next city!
Travelogue Contents
1. Start of Main Text
2. Precautions
3. Money-Saving Tips
4. Accommodation Guide
5. Dali Cuisine
6. Day 1: Xiaguan ~ Dali Ancient Town
7. Yangbi Haiying Rice Rolls
8. Ziyun Courtyard
9. Bamuxuan Wild Mushroom Hotpot
10. Day 2: Dali Ancient Town ~ Xizhou Ancient Town
11. Ancient Town Scooter Rental
12. Yunmei Courtyard
13. Dehong-style Barbecue
14. Day 3: A Day in Xizhou Ancient Town
15. Guzidi Garden Restaurant
16. Xizhou Rice Paddies
17. Mo Cui Tea House
18. Xizhou Ancient Town
19. Jianghu Restaurant – Yunnan Cuisine
20. Day 4: Xizhou Ancient Town ~ Haidong
21. Shuanglang – Fresh Flavors from Erhai
22. Yunshui Youyou Inn
23. Day 5: Haidong ~ Dali Ancient Town
24. Yunzai Inn
25. Returning the Scooter in Dali Ancient Town
26. Bamuxuan Xunwei Dali Bai Ethnic Folk Restaurant
27. Day 6: A Day in Dali Ancient Town
28. Second Brother Rice Noodles
29. Dali Ancient Town
30. Taohong Xiaoguan
31. Café in Dali Ancient Town
32. Bai Stone Grill
33. Conclusion
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