The “Tourism Capital of the World”

During this vacation, my family and I ventured to China’s DaLi(大理) to go on vacation. During this trip, I realized that it was a “must-go” if you live in China. Here are some things that make it special:

ErHai Lake

In Chinese, this lake is called an ocean due to its expansive shores. The waters are crystal clear; when looking down I could see about 2 meters down. DaLi’s culture is highly affected by this lake, as they are dependant upon it. For instance, as ErHai is a freshwater lake, the fish I ate there were all freshwater fish.

The Ancient Town(Shaxi)

ShaXi was once a trading town next to ErHai. When walking in the streets, it still feels that way. All around you, there are markets and shops for everything imaginable; from DaLi’s special food to designer clothing, the Ancient Town has it all. Furthermore, there are still remains of the ancient walls and buildings, adding more to the overall vibe of the place.

Cang Mountain

The Cang Mountain has many entrances, from a cable car to a 3-hour hike up a trail; both offer diverse scenic views, and when you reach the top, you can see even better views, such as ErHai and DaLi Ancient Town.  Although the air is thin, it feels devoid of pollutants and is a great cool down after a day of walking or doing other activities.

Rose Cookies

In the Ancient Town, there are countless amounts of shops that sell world-renowned DaLi rose cookies. Rose cookies are flaky on the outside, and inside, rose petals are mixed with syrup or honey. These cookies are usually sold for about 2 RMB each, although they are often handmade. Rose cookies can sweeten up your day after a tiring walk or adventure.

Hand Crafts

Traditionally, all men that grow up in DaLi have a “hand trade.” This can differ from handcrafting silverware to carving and sculpting metals and wood. Even on the streets, there are countless amounts of small shops or markets to sell these hand-crafts. They are highly detailed and cheap.

Conclusion

DaLi is a special city which has very interesting geographical landmarks, such as ErHai and Cang Mountain. Furthermore, it’s culture is unique, and full of diversity. DaLi is truly a place one should visit if they want to explore China.