China Explorer Day 9

Another short flight to us to Dali.This was a true taste of the Chinese countryside and was a real pleasure. This area is home to the Bai people, from which our local guide came from.

We made our way straight to the Cangshan Mountain where we took a cable car up the mountain. On route we had tremendous views of the Erhai Lake. The cable car takes you one of the many streams which tumble down the mountain. It was very beautiful and a real change from the hectic pace of the cities.

We returned to Dali and visited the Three Pagodas or San Ta. This was absolutely magical and very serene. The complex is made up of one large pagoda,the Qianxum, 230ft high, dating from AD 800, this is flanked by two smaller pagodas, 138ft high, built in the 11th Century. There are beautiful gardens surrounding the pagodas and a lake which reflects the structures wonderfully.

At the far side of the complex is a Buddhist temple housing impressive statues. As the ground rises up to the temple the view of the pagodas and lake beyond is just breathtaking. The fine sunny weather and fluffy clouds added to the charm and made the experience truly memorable.

After the pagodas we had time to have a stroll around Dali town. The old town is surrounded by the remains of the Ming City wall. It has a main cobbled street with grand gates at either end. The streets are lined with numerous shops selling all manner of goods, both for locals and tourists.

We returned in the evening for a great meal at one of the local restaurants and then wandered the streets again to see Dali at night. Like other towns and cities Dali is lit up with different coloured lights, which makes wandering around a rather pleasant experience.