Enchanting Dali
Dali, a small town in the province of Yunnan, China, is noted for its snowcapped
Chang mountain (Changshan) and the massive Erhai lake.There are four things here
that are considered legendary:"feng, hua, xue, yue" - wind, flower, snow, moon.
The wind in Xiaguan (the industrial twin city of Dali) bone-chilling;
the flowers in Shangguan spectacular; The snow of Changshan soothing and the moon
over Erhai becalming ("Shangguan hua; Xiaguan feng; Changshan xue; Erhai yue" in Putonghua).
Dali is often described as the Geneva of China which I think is befitting judging
from its pleasant climate, breathtaking countryside and unpolluted environment.
There is a maze of small and narrow cobblestone streets in Dali which lead to many quaint houses. If you are an architecture buff, Dali will mesmerise you.
Notice the unique stonewall in this photo?
The south gate of Dali 1995- a fotress like structure built 1000 years ago.
Siew Thai, my wife, took this photo in front of the south gate of Dali in 1996.
The two Chinese chacters -Dali- over the entrance to the gate
were written by Guo Muoruo, a noted Chinese poet.
Li Chang relaxing at the courtyard of Siji Hotel(siji means four seasons),Dali.
Intimate and spacious, the traditional Bai architecture of the
hotel blends very well with the environment of Dali.
