Dali
- For the painter, see Salvador Dalí
Dali (大理) is a city in Yunnan province in the south of the People's Republic of China, located on a fertile plateau between the Cangshan mountains to the west and Erhai lake to the east. It has traditionally been settled by Bai and Yi minority.
History
Dali is the ancient capital of both the Bai kingdom Nanzhao, which flourished in the area during the 8th and 9th centuries, and the Kingdom of Dali, which reigned from 937-1253. Dali was also the center of the Panthay Rebellion from 1856 - 1863. Dali is also famous for the many types of marble it produces, which are used primarily in construction and for decorative objects. In fact, Dali is so famous for the stone that marble's name in Chinese is literally "Dali Stone" (Chinese 大理石 pinyin dali shi).
Tourism
Dali is one of Yunnan's most popular tourist destinations, both for its historic sites and its marijuana, which grows wild along the nearby mountains of Cangshan. Dali museum Chong Sheng Temple*Guanyin Palace of Copper Rain (rebuilt in 1999)*Jianji Great Bell of Nanzhao (recast in 1997)*Three Pagodas*Surrealist Group
See also Bai ethnic group Nanzhao
External link Dali map Photo Gallery
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