1. Dali, a legendary place of flowers, snow, and moon
Dali, an ancient city located in Yunnan, is famous for its unique four wonders of flowers, snow, and moon
"Xiaguan Wind", Xiaguan in Dali is a mountain pass, where the length of the wind period and the strength of the wind are rare. The wind is like an tireless artist, blowing through fields, forests, and Erhai Lake, bringing the coolness of Cangshan and the wetness of Erhai Lake, making people feel the tenderness and power of nature
"Shangguan Flower", Shangguan is an open grassland. Every spring, flowers bloom in a colorful and vibrant manner, with bowl sized flowers hanging from the top of the tree to the roots, like colorful balls, exuding immense joy
"Cangshan Snow": Cangshan rises high into the clouds, and in winter, the top of the mountain is covered in white snow, like a silver pyramid. The snow that never melts all year round contrasts with the verdant mountainside in summer
"Erhai Moon", Erhai Lake is clear and transparent. Whenever night falls, the bright moon rises, and the moonlight shines on the water surface, shimmering and reflecting with the snow light of Cangshan, creating a dreamlike scene
Dali, known as the "City of Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon", has been a popular destination for literati and scholars since ancient times. The beautiful scenery here is not only a masterpiece of nature, but also a spiritual outlet for people, allowing them to feel the magical charm of nature and the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature
2. Top Ten Tourist Attractions in Dali
(1)Cangshan
Cangshan, also known as Diancang Mountain, is a branch of the Hengduan Mountains and has a good natural environment and rich cultural relics. Ximatan is one of the famous scenic spots in Cangshan, with clear water and magnificent scenery around it. The Cangshan Shrine enshrines the Cangshan God and was built in the early period of the Nanzhao Kingdom, full of historical significance. Temples such as Gantong Temple and Zhonghe Temple have also added a strong cultural atmosphere to Cangshan Erhai Lake, also known as Yeyuze or Kunming Lake, belongs to the Lancang River Basin. The lake water is blue and magnificent, named after its resemblance to human ears and the vast waves like the sea. Surrounding the area are attractions such as Three Pagodas Reflection, Sea Tongue Park, Chise Town, Zhoucheng Village, Wenbi Village, Erhai Park, etc. Each place has its own unique scenery Dali Old City, also known as Yeyu City and Zicheng City, was once the capital of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom, with profound history. The ancient city is square in shape, with four gates, a city tower built on top and a guard city below. The streets and alleys are crisscrossed, and the residential buildings are scattered. The main buildings include the Literature Building, Wuhua Building, Xiyun Academy, Dali Prefecture Examination Institute, Catholic Church, etc Chongsheng Temple is famous for its famous three pagodas and is an important temple in southwestern China. The Three Towers consist of a main tower and two small towers, standing in a three legged configuration. The Qianxun Pagoda, the main tower, was first built in the Tang Dynasty. The four characters "Yongzhen Shanchuan" are engraved in front of the tower base; The South and North Two Small Pagodas were built in the Song Dynasty and are octagonal hollow brick pagodas with dense eaves Jizu Mountain is famous for its magnificence, wonder, beauty, danger, and tranquility, and is a famous holy land in South Asia and Southeast Asia. On the mountain, there are eight large temples, thirty small temples, four small temples, sixty monasteries, and more than 170 quiet rooms. The whole mountain is crisscrossed with forests and springs, and strange peaks are embedded in temples. It is famous for one bird, two teas, three dragons, four temples, five cedars, six treasures, seven beasts, and eight scenic spots Butterfly Spring, formerly known as Wuditan, is located at the foot of Yunnong Peak, one of the nineteen peaks of Cangshan. The scenic spot has beautiful scenery and green trees. The main scenic spots are Butterfly Spring, Stone memorial archway, Five Dragon Pool, Lover Lake, Sea Watching Pavilion, Butterfly World, Butterfly Museum, etc Xizhou Ancient Town is the hometown of the movie "Five Golden Flowers", with ancient simplicity and ethnic characteristics. In spring, there will be golden wheat waves and a hundred year old banyan tree with tears flowing from the red beans. The well preserved Bai ethnic dwellings and ancient streets in the ancient town create a strong historical atmosphere Shuanglang Ancient Town offers a picturesque view of Erhai Lake and a rich Bai ethnic culture. You can take a boat to Nanzhao Fengqing Island across the way and overlook Yang Liping Sun Palace. There are many unique small shops and cafes in the ancient town, allowing you to enjoy leisurely time while admiring the beautiful scenery Shaxi Ancient Town is well preserved, with a long history and unique culture. Here, you can experience the millennium mark of the Tea Horse Ancient Road, visit ancient temples and buildings, and experience the local folk customs Weishan Ancient City is the hometown of Zhao Ling'er and also the filming location of The Legend of Sword and Fairy. There is a unique noodle dish here, which tastes super delicious and is also very cheap. The ancient city is full of the historical charm of Nanzhao Kingdom. You can visit ancient buildings and learn about the history and culture of Nanzhao Kingdom Frozen white tofu fish is a premium dish used by the Bai people in Dali to entertain distinguished guests. This dish perfectly blends fresh and tender fish meat with soft tofu, and after being frozen, it has a unique taste. The Bai people carefully select local fresh fish and high-quality tofu, process them carefully and freeze them, and use unique seasonings and techniques in cooking to make them more delicious while maintaining their original flavor. In the cold winter, this dish is highly praised, and every bite can make people feel the delicacy of tofu and the freshness of fish jumping on their tongues, as if they can taste the four seasons of Dali Carved Plum is a traditional specialty food of the Bai ethnic group in Dali, Yunnan. It is not only a feast for taste, but also a visual and cultural feast. The process of making carved plums can be called art. Each plum undergoes multiple processes such as careful selection, cleaning, drying, carving, and pickling, embodying the wisdom and craftsmanship of the Bai people. After removing the sour taste of plum with salt, soak it in a sand jar with high-quality brown sugar and honey for several months. When the plum cake turns a tempting golden color, it becomes a delicious dish. It is not only sweet and delicious in taste, but also rich in nutrients and cultural heritage, making it an indispensable part of the Bai people's dining table and daily life Midu rolling hooves are highly favored by local people of all ethnic groups due to their bright color, mellow taste, diverse ways of consumption, and easy preservation. Its color is like the rising morning glow, reflecting the rich ethnic customs; The taste is like a gift from nature, leaving an endless aftertaste. Whether it's cold dishes, frying, or stewing, they can all showcase different flavors and meet the taste needs of different people. Midu rolled hooves are easy to store and are the best choice for local festivals, banquets, and friends. They are also a must try delicacy for tourists Dali clay pot fish can be regarded as a shining pearl of Dali cuisine, gathering more than ten selected fresh wax ingredients such as tender chicken slices and winter mushrooms, as well as the unique bow fish or carp of Erhai Lake. After careful stewing, the soup is rich and the fish meat is tender and delicious. Tourists tasting this delicacy on a cruise ship can feel the spiritual charm of Cangshan and Erhai Lake dancing on their tongues; This famous dish is also highly favored by diners in major restaurants in Xiaguan or Dali. Whether it's a gathering with family and friends or a business banquet, Dali clay pot fish can add a touch of brightness to the dining table Heqing liver blowing is a beloved dish of pig liver among various ethnic groups in northwest Yunnan, including the Bai, Yi, Naxi, etc. The people of Heqing, Dali cleverly inflate fresh pork liver with a wheat rod, steam it slowly over low heat in a steamer, let it mature, then cool it and slice it. They then mix it with coriander, soy sauce, vinegar, chili, monosodium glutamate, salt and other seasonings to create a delicious dish with excellent color, aroma and taste. It originates from the wisdom of various ethnic groups in northwest Yunnan, reflecting unique cooking techniques and rich ethnic customs Haishao Fish originates from the Binchuan Haishao in Dali, and is revered for its delicious meat in the local waters of Binchuan. The production process is exquisite, and each step embodies the hard work and wisdom of the craftsmen. The fish meat is fresh and tender, with a tempting color and a faint fragrance, making it unforgettable to taste. Tasting the sea fish feels like being immersed in the green mountains and waters of Binchuan, experiencing the gifts of nature Bai ethnic sour and spicy fish is one of the treasures of Dali cuisine, loved by diners for its moderate sour and spicy taste, as well as its excellent color, aroma, and taste. The fish meat is tender and juicy, melting in the mouth; The soup is moderately sour and spicy, both appetizing and relieving greasiness. The Bai people carefully select fresh fish from the Erhai Lake, match it with special sour and hot seasonings, and carefully cook it, which perfectly combines the delicious fish with the mellow sour and hot soup, showing the wisdom and ingenuity of the Bai people Weishan Roast Meat Bait Silk is a famous Yunnan snack, which not only has a mellow taste, but also has medicinal effects of warming the middle and tonifying qi, strengthening the spleen and stomach. The perfect combination of grilled meat and bait thread is like a carefully prepared Tonic Diet, which makes people feel the gift of nature while enjoying delicious food. The bait is white in color, delicate in texture, and has bones and tendons. After boiling in water, it does not become mushy or rotten. Paired with the unique "fiery meat", it makes people salivate Mud Loach and Diamond Tofu is a famous dish with unique flavor among the Bai ethnic group in Dali. It is mainly made of tofu and mud loach, and is full of protein. It is a delicious food that is suitable for all seasons. The perfect fusion of the two is mouth watering, while also containing rich nutritional value Dali Shengpi is a traditional dish of the Bai ethnic group, known as the "Bai ethnic roasted pig". The taste is tender and nutritious, without any fishy smell. Whether the raw skin tastes good or not depends on the dipping water. The preparation of dipping water requires a balance of sour and sweet flavors, including stewed plum, aged vinegar, soy sauce, white sugar, Sichuan pepper noodles, chili noodles, minced garlic, ginger and other seasonings. The taste of dipping water determines the popularity of raw hides Torch FestivalIn the earliest Chinese literature, it is called "Xinghui Festival", which is a transliteration of the Bai language "xil (wood) huix (fire) jia". There are three types of names in modern Bai language, one is "xinlhuixjia", another is "fvnguavd" (pronounced as "fu wang wu", meaning "June madness"), and the third is "zulolyind" (making flower boats). The Torch Festival has a wide influence among the southwestern ethnic groups, and its origin is an important aspect of historical research on the southwestern ethnic groups. In Dali, Torch Festival is a grand festival for the Bai people. On this day, people light torches, symbolizing the expulsion of evil, praying for peace and a bountiful harvest Every year from July 27th to 29th in the lunar calendar, young men and women of the Bai ethnic group from Jianchuan, Dali, Eryuan, Yunlong, Heqing, Lanping, and even Lijiang gather at Shibaoshan to sing and search for their beloved. Baoxiang Temple and Shizhong Temple set up a stage for singing, with singers competing on stage. Young men and women who were interested in finding their soulmate spontaneously sang songs in the woods, by the fire pit, and by the stream, with hot and bold lyrics, expressing their feelings for each other to their heart's content In the Dali area, friends and family will tell each other who has given birth, and make plans to visit each other with rice, eggs, baby clothes, etc. In difficult times of life, doing so can help families with children overcome difficulties. This custom has continued until now, and the emerging rule is to not bring anything but prepare a red envelope to visit, so that families who have children can buy things according to their own needs Receiving Qi is the most humane end-of-life care ritual for the elderly among the Bai ethnic group. When the elderly are critically ill, younger generations should guard by their side, take turns taking care of them, and meet their final demands. When an elderly person is dying, their children should hold them in their arms and let them die in their arms. This is more important than inheriting the wealth of their ancestors. It not only means inheriting their blood and qi, but also their temperament and morality Before building a house, choose a good day to use the edge wood. When using the edge wood, cut a small piece of round wood from the bottom of the column, write the word "Wood God" on the round surface, and place a high table in the middle of the new house foundation against the wall for a incense burner and a lifting bucket. Install meters in the lifting bucket and insert a scale. The master used fruits, pastries, wine and vegetables, as well as the rooster that the carpenter had killed, to entertain the two earth generals, also known as "fruit wine" in folk culture, and to bless the smooth construction of the house. The geographer recognizes the umbrella at a predetermined time, which means lifting the pillar to the appropriate position. The carpenter uses a wooden mallet to strike the pillar three times, and the recognition ceremony is completed When children from Yi families reach adulthood and get married, the first thing to do is to choose an auspicious day and time. On the wedding day, besides relatives and friends who come to help, people from the village will also come to help kill chickens and pigs, prepare meals, and set up a "happy tent" in the courtyard. If the groom's family comes to pick up the bride, they need to bring 18 kilograms of meat, 8 kilograms of wine, a spring box, a section of lamb neck, a cooked chicken, a lump of bitter buckwheat flour, and "feeding money" inside. The groom is accompanied by friends as companions, and some even choose 4 or 6 young and middle-aged couples to accompany them, along with invited flag bearers, drummers, drummers, and dowry bearers, to go to the bride's house to marry. At the entrance, the groom is welcomed by the bride's brother or younger brother. Before entering the hall, the groom is handed bitter tea to drink, followed by sweet tea, and finally the wine is passed on. The groom handed over the spring box to his maternal uncle, the feeding money to his mother-in-law, and then the bride's family banquet invited the groom and his entourage<284. This ceremony has been passed down from generation to generation and has become a tradition When entering the groom's house, the groom and bride will sing to each other. The groom asks the bride questions and answers, and both men and women answer each question. After singing to each other, they can enter the door. The bride is introduced into the front door by a young woman of the groom's family, and when entering, she must step over the brazier prepared in front of the threshold. In front of the reception hall, the groom and bride both kneel down to pay their respects. At the same time as the bride enters the door, a sieve plate is sent out from the groom's home. When meeting the groom and bride, they immediately spray the bowl with clean water, which is like a rain shower. The bride is drenched in the rain, and the sieve plate is put in and out. Then, the sieve plate is quickly sent out of the door until it reaches the intersection of the road, which is the direction of the wedding. It is called "Sending off the White Tiger" Divine trees are found in various Yi villages in Dali, known as the "Mi Ku" Divine Trees. On the eighth day of the second lunar month every year, every village goes to the "Mi Ku" divine tree in their own village to kill chickens, pigs, and cook, to sacrifice the legendary ancestor of "Mi Ku" and bless the village with a prosperous population and good weather. After the festival, everyone eats together under the tree and is called the "Struggle Team" There are Earth Lord Temples in various villages of the Yi ethnic group. Some temples worship the Earth Lord Nanzhao Wang, while others worship "Guanyin Dad". The Yi people here believe in male Guanyin Dad who eats meat. On the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, the slaughtered roosters and pig heads are brought to the temple of the Earth Lord to offer sacrifices to Guanyin, the Earth Lord, and the ancestors of all generations. In the past, we added more people, gave birth to children, and prepared pig heads and roosters. We went to the temple of the local lord on a separate day to seek good luck and peace Yi people pay attention to safety when going on long journeys. Married girls who return to their parents' home or from their parents' home to their in laws' home, children who go out to school or serve in the military, men who go out to do business, etc., all pay attention to the days of travel, that is, they cannot go out on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, and they cannot go out on a single day. Only even numbers can go out. For those who have been away from home for a long time, they have to kill chickens and cook meat before leaving. The gods of heaven and earth and their ancestors(II)Erhai Lake
(III)Dali Old City
(IV)Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
(V)Jizu Mountain
(VI)Butterfly Spring
(7)Xizhou Ancient Town
(8)Shuanglang Ancient Town
(9)Shaxi Ancient Town
(10)Weishan Ancient City
III. Dali cuisine and snacks
(1) Frozen white tofu fish
(II) Carved Plum
(III) Rolling hooves
(4) Dali clay pot fish
(V) Heqing liver blowing
(VI) Haishao Fish
(7) Bai ethnic sour and spicy fish
(8) Weishan Roast Meat Bait Silk
(9) Mud Loach and Diamond Tofu
(10) Dali Shengpi
Fourth, Dali Folk Customs
(1) The Bai ethnic group revolves around the three spirits, which is called "Guanshanglan" by the Bai ethnic group. It has been passed down in the Bai villages around Cangshan and Erhai in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province for more than a thousand years. Every year from the 23rd to the 25th of the fourth lunar month, before the busy farming season for rice cultivation, the weather is warm and the mountains and rivers are beautiful. The Bai ethnic people living in hundreds of villages around Cangshan and Erhai Lake, regardless of gender, decorate flowers and wear festive costumes. They went to the "Buddha Capital" - Chongsheng Temple, the "God Capital" - Five Hundred Divine Kings Temple, and the "Immortal Capital" - Erhe Temple in villages, with dozens to hundreds of people. During this process, people hold willow branches praying for rain, beat money sticks and octagonal drums symbolizing the 24 seasonal festivals of the year, sing the "Big Ben Song" that tells the happiness and joy of life, and play the "Cave Classic Ancient Music" that admires our master, Buddha, and Taoist gods. In every village, on rural roads, in temples, in forests and by small rivers, groups of tens or even thousands of people sing folk songs and dance classical dances with the pictographic symbol of "hooked feet, back-to-back" depicting male and female sexual intercourse. The opposite sex who wander around the Three Spirits spend three days and three nights, day and night, staying at temples and nearby riverbanks. The ancient tradition of "the moon in mid spring brings men and women together. Therefore, those who run around cannot help but" has persisted in the Three Spirits. Dating "Lao Xiang Hao" during festivals is the most impactful custom of the Bai ethnic group's "entertaining people and gods", which is recognized by their folk customs
(II) Bai Torch Festival
(III) Shibaoshan Song Festival
(IV) Rice Wishing Ceremony
(V) Receiving Qi Ceremony
(VI) Building Etiquette and Customs
(VII) Wedding Etiquette and Customs
(9) Wedding "Duel Song" Etiquette and Customs
(10) Ritual and Customs for Sacrificing Divine Trees
(XI) Worshiping the Earth Lord Rites and Customs
(12) Travel Etiquette and Customs