Things to do in Dàlǐ
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Chongsheng Temple
Some travellers find the admission price for the Three Pagodas steep, given that you can't go inside the pagodas. However, the temple behind the pagodas, Chongsheng Temple, almost makes up for it. Laid out in the traditional Yúnnánese style there are three layers of buildings lined up with a sacred peak in the background. The temple has been restored and converted into a museum chronicling the history, construction and renovation of the pagodas.
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Yúnnán Café and Bar
Run by a friendly couple, this not too big, not too small space is a great place to wind things down at night or start things up in the morning. The Western and Chinese stick-to-your ribs breakfasts are terrific. The Tibetan breakfasts will have you set for the long bus rides to Kūnmíng and beyond.
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Tibet Café
Richly decorated and set up with imposing wooden tables, this café has terrific atmosphere and a great choice of Tibetan, Western and Chinese dishes. It also consistently attracts some of the more experienced travellers in town, so is a good place to eavesdrop or just ask around about what's new.
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Bamboo Café
If the Dálǐ street throngs are getting to you, there's no better place for a break than this dark, cosy restaurant. Meals like bai fish are a great introduction to the local cuisine and the English menu will give you a window to other local specialities.
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Qianxun Pagoda
The tallest of the three pagodas, Qianxun Pagoda, has 16 tiers that reach a height of 70m. It was originally erected in the mid-9th century by engineers from Xī'ān. It is flanked by two smaller 10-tiered pagodas, each of which is 42m high.
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Huguo Lu
This has become a smaller version of Bangkok's Khao San Rd in its profusion of clothes shops. Most shopkeepers can also make clothes to your specifications - which will come as a relief when you see some of the items of ready-made clothing on offer.
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Marley's Café
Marley's has always been a cornerstone of the town; now away from the Huguo Lu throngs, it's airier and more relaxing. Well-done food, great service, helpful advice. Check out the Bai banquet on Sunday nights (reserve early).
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Dàlǐ Museum
The museum houses a small collection of archaeological pieces relating to Bai history, including some fine figurines.
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Birdbar
An off-the-main-drag watering hole with a pool table. There are no regular opening hours - you can come here pretty much anytime of the day or night and have a good chance of finding it open.
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Mandarin Books & CDs
Useful maps can be picked up at Mandarin Books & CDs, along with a great selection of guidebooks and novels in Chinese, English and Dutch.
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Yī Rán Táng
An altruistic, Buddhist-inspired, all-vegetarian buffet where you pay Y5 for a bowl of rice and whatever dishes the cooks have come up with on the day.
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Tower Café
Comfortable, professionally run, three-storey place with a roof terrace that serves up solid Western comfort food and a selection of tasty Thai dishes. There's a good range of foreign beer and wine too.
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Sweet Tooth
- Dàlǐ, China
- Restaurants › Cafe
Owned and run by a culinary arts graduate, the homemade ice cream and desserts here are simply inspiring. There's also fine coffee and proper English tea. As an added bonus, the cafe benefits local deaf culture.
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Jim's Peace
- Dàlǐ, China
- Restaurants › Café
The Tibetan banquet (Y35; minimum four people) here is not to be missed, but there's also a wide range of Western and Chinese dishes on offer, including breakfasts.
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Catholic Church
Also worth checking is Dàlǐ's Catholic Church. It dates back to 1927 and is a unique mix of Bai-style architecture and classic European church design. Mass is held here at 9am every Sunday.
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Cāng Ěr Chūn
Surrounded by cookie-cutter Western-style eateries, this small, two-storey place is a local favourite. A great place for classic Bai dishes like Grandma's potato (lǎo nǎi yángyù) and Yunnan staples like táozá rǔbǐng. There's a limited English menu, but you can also point at anything that takes your fancy.
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Café de Jack
A capacious but cosy retreat with soft booth seating, a fireplace and splendid rooftop patio – this is now a Dàlǐ institution. Not all the dishes are equally good, but the lasagne and chocolate cake are standouts. Also has a limited but decent selection of Bai dishes.
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Three Pagodas
Absolutely the symbol of the town/region, these pagodas 2km north of the north gate are among the oldest standing structures in southwestern China.
The tallest of the three, Qiānxún Pagoda, has 16 tiers that reach a height of 70m. It was originally erected in the mid-9th century by engineers from Xī'ān. It is flanked by two smaller 10-tiered pagodas, each of which are 42m high. While the price is cheeky considering you can't go inside the pagodas, Chóngshèng Temple (Chóngshèng Sì) behind them has been restored and converted into a relatively worthy museum.
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