Dali is an ancient city with a history of over 2000 years. It was established as the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom in the Tang Dynasty (618AD-907AD). In the Song Dynasty (960-1279AD) it became the capital of the Dali Kingdom. Now Dali is the political, economic, and cultural center of the western part of Yunnan Province.
Dali has been a trading center since the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-25AD). The ancient trading route, the Southwest Silk Road, linked Dali with Southeast Asia counties including India.
The famous historical relics include the Three Pagoda Temple, the ruins of Taihe City, the Shizhongshan Cave, the Chongsheng Temple, the Butterfly Spring, and the Nanzhao steles.
The local specialties are Dali stone, straw hats, and Puer tea.
The main inhabitants of Dali are the Bai people. They have long-established roots in the region. The Bai people believe in Buddhism. Their main festivals are the Third Moon Fair (Sanyue Jie) and the Torch Festival.