Lijiang vs Dali is always a topic of conversation amongst travellers and those planning trips to China. “Should I visit Dali or Lijiang?” is the inevitable question, your China itinerary could be so full that you can only visit one and deciding can be tough! This is our comparison and honest opinion on which is better.
Lijiang or Dali: Quick Answer (If You’re Short on Time)
If we are getting straight to the point then we would choose Lijiang if you want iconic scenery and perfect postcard views. It may also be better if it is your first time in China as it is a smaller town and easier to walk around.
We would choose Dali if you want a bigger city to explore, where the ancient towns are further away and you would need to drive yourself or take longer Didi-maybe easier if you have been to China before. If you prefer a slightly less ‘done’ style of town.
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Overview of Lijiang vs Dali
Both Lijiang and Dali are located in the Yunnan province of China, in fact they are only 200km/2.5 hours apart. They both share similar cultures with the Yunnan being the largest area of ethnic groups in China. The foods are similar and so to is the architecture. The vibes are a little different though with Lijiang feeling more polished and Dali a little more laid back.
Atmosphere & Vibe: Which Feels Better?
Lijiang has a busy, vibrant and photogenic vibe. It really is super pretty and the atmosphere is upbeat and slightly touristy yet not overwhelmingly so. It feels done, as though it has been prettied up for tourists yet the tourists seem to mostly be Chinese people so it still felt very natural to us. The vibe is still quite relaxed and gentle. We really liked it.
Dali is far larger, between the spacious town and lake area it leaves more room for the authentic nature to shine through. Long term travellers seem to love it here as they can stay for longer periods at the lake, town or move between the two. The vibe here is a little more on relaxed side and the atmosphere a little more local.
Our preference – We loved the vibe at Lijiang, it was upbeat and vibrant.
Old Town Comparison: Which One Is More Beautiful?
Both towns are beautiful in their own way but here we are just comparing the Old Town area of both this means it does not include either lake or surrounding towns.
Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Old Town is very charming, it is full of cobblestone streets, canals and cute little stores. There are beautiful views of the dramatic snow capped ‘Snow Jade Dragon Mountain’ from town too. The architecture is quaint and in good condition with light coloured wood. It is highly scenic but a little more crowded due to its smaller size. There are tons of cute cafes and restaurants here.
Dali Ancient Town
In Dali Old Town you will get wider streets and a larger area meaning that it is less crowded. There are about 3 main streets to walk and they are a little bit of a walk between them. The architecture is lovely, in a darker wood and the streets are full of stores, snacks and souvenirs. There is a stronger artistic vein here and you can find an art market. There are loads of restaurants but most are located along another main road, so walking between these areas is a must.
Our Preference: Lijiang is more visually stunning, a little smaller and a little quainter. Dali is more enjoyable to explore due to its larger and calmer size. Lijiang Old Town just pips it though as the charm is undeniable.
Things to Do: Lijiang vs Dali
Lijiang and Dali are full of things to do, these are the top picks. You will have to decide this one based on what you prefer to do.
Top Things in Lijiang
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Day Trip
- Black Dragon Pool
- Shuhe Ancient Town
- Baisha Ancient Town
- Tiger Leaping Gorge Hike or Day Trip
Top Things in Dali
- Erhai Lake & cycling around the lake
- Cangshan Mountain Cableway
- The Three Pagodas
- Zhoucheng Village
- Xizhou
Our Preference: We felt like Lijiang has more “must-see” attractions and Dali was better for slow experiences.
Crowds: Which Destination Is Less Touristy?
As Lijiang is smaller there will be more visitors here and it will feel more crowded. This is particularly evident around midday. There is always somewhere to escape the crowd of course but you will notice it.
Dali feels quieter and less busy due to its expansive size. The things to do are more spread out and Erhai Lake is really massive so you will feel like it is not as busy and less crowded even in the streets as they are rather wide.
Our Preference: Dali wins for fewer crowds
Scenery: Mountains vs Lake Views
Both Lijiang and Dali have great natural scenery and there is a lake and mountains at both.
Lijiang has a dramatic mountain back drop in Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and it can be seen from the town as well as at the Black Dragon Pool. The surrounding area has other lakes and wetlands also to explore and a day trip to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain also offers blue pools and scenic meadows.
Dali has a massive lake and it is also borderd by mountains which you can take a cable car up to. While it doesn’t have the dramatic mountain views from town the views are still gorgeous you just have to go to the location (eg lake or mountains) to get them.
Our Preference: We prefer Lijiang as there is no denying that the views over Black Dragon Pool are stunning!
Food & Café Scene: Which Is Better?
There is a strong cafe culture at both Lijiang and Dali as well as loads of restaurants at both. We felt that the restaurants as Lijiang may feel a little more touristic than those in Dali. You will find the uniquitous crossing the bridge noodles at both towns as well as the rose flower cakes. Restaurants will serve similar dishes but those in Dali felt a little more ‘real’.
Our Preference: Dali is better for food variety however we were able to find local restaurants at Lijiang and a great snack market…this one is a tie.
Cost Comparison: Is Lijiang or Dali Cheaper?
We found the costs in Dali to be just slightly cheaper than those in Lijiang but honestly not by enough to worry about. The margin was so slight that it was barely an issue at all. As Dali is larger there will always be a little bit of a cheaper option available.
Our Preference: While we would normally choose the cheaper option this was barely evident and therefore is a tie.
Lijiang or Dali for Different Travel Styles
Lijiang and Dali are really similar but can suit different travel styles as well. If you are visiting China for the first time, have a short trip or are travelling as a couple you may find Lijiang to be more manageable as it is smaller and a little more romantic as it is super pretty.
If your travel style is more backpacker or slow traveller vibes the less crowded streets and bigger space of Dali will appeal to your sense of having to make an effort to get to the locations around it. The towns to visit nearby will feel a little more authentic and local in Dali.
Our Preference: We prefer the more discoverable places, the ones where you can slow down, if time allows! For this we prefer Dali’s chilled out and spacious atmosphere as it appealed more to our travel style.
The Perfect Yunnan Route: Do You Need to Choose?
The perfect Yunnan Route will absolutely include both Dali and Lijiang. The travel time between them is around 2.5 hours which is not long at all especially on the trains. By visiting both you will get to experience both the local feel of Dali and the beauty of Lijiang. For a Yunnan route we woudl suggest:
Kunming → Dali → Lijiang → Shangri-La
If you have some extra time and are keen for a side quest then add in Shaxi which lies between Dali and Lijiang, and is a little harder to get to.
How Many Days Do You Need in Each?
You could do each town in as short as a day if you only have that available and are happy to see the highlights. However in general try to keep 2-3 days for Lijiang and 2-4 days for Dali. Alternatively you can just put all your time in to one location, based on your preferences if that is better for your schedule. Personally I would want to see both even if I couldn’t see it all so I could make up my own mind but having done both I would allocate more time for Lijiang.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing between Lijiang or Dali
There are a couple of mistakes people make when choosing between these towns or when allocating time for them. Don’t book time in Lijiang and expect there to be no crowds, people will always want to see this pretty town. I also wouldn’t expect Lijiang to feel undiscovered or raw.
Don’t skip Dali if you are looking for a slower pace, this is the town you will find it. However also be aware that you will have to travel to the locations, for example Erhai Lake is about 7km from the centre of Dali – it is not walkable, nor are the ancient towns you will want to visit. Everything is driving distance from each other.
I also wouldn’t rush either destination if we didn’t have to. Both are worth a few days (if possible) to really see them and feel the uniqueness of what each offers.
FAQ: Lijiang vs Dali
Is Lijiang or Dali better?
→ This highly depends on travel style and personal preference. I fell for Lijiang more and loved it but I also really enjoyed exploring Dali. For me if I am brutally honest I liked Lijiang a little better.
Is Dali less touristy than Lijiang?
→ Yes, Dali has a less touristy vibe than Lijiang but this is due to its larger size and less ‘done’ look. The darker architecture and grittier city feel makes it seem more authentic but there are loads of tourists in both…they are mostly Chinese so it feels like you are just travelling with locals and we loved that.
Can you visit both Lijiang and Dali?
→ You can easily visit both Lijiang and Dali they are only 200km / 2.5 hours apart and well connected by train.
Which is more scenic?
→ Both are beautiful, Lijiang has dramatic mountainous scenery and Dali for its massive Erhai Lake.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit Lijiang or Dali?
Our final verdict for the question “should I go to Dali or Lijiang, which is better?” is going to depend on your preferences but in essence, if I could only choose one then I would choose: Lijiang for a short trip and Dali for a slower trip. The best option here would be to visit both if you have time.
If you are interested in adding the Yunnan province to your China trip (and we highly recommend it) then check out our Yunnan Itinerary for the best route!
Dali ad Lijiang are the home of some of the most interesting minorities and culture in China, pair this with their ancient towns and gorgeous nature and they are experiences you wont forget. They really are both worth visiting if you have the time!
Plan your trip:
👉 Read next: Lijiang – the prettiest town in China?
👉 Plan your trip: 2-Week China Itinerary or our 4-Week China Itinerary
👉 Don’t miss: Is Dali worth visiting?
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