Dali, a beautiful city, is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. It is famous for its magnificent natural scenery, rich history and culture and unique folk customs. However, many people have some doubts about the administrative divisions of Dali, especially whether Dali and Dali Prefecture are the same. This article will unravel this mystery for you and take you through Dali’s history, administrative divisions and how to plan your travel route.

1. History and Culture of Dali

Dali has a long history. As early as 279 BC, Dali was an ancient country around Dian Lake. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Dali became the capital of Nanzhao and the political, economic and cultural center of the southwest region at that time. Dali was also the capital of Nanzhao, Dali Kingdom, Dali Kingdom and Dianchi Prefecture in history. This period of history has made Dali rich in historical relics and cultural heritage, attracting many tourists and scholars to explore.

2. Administrative division of Dali

The administrative division of Dali is a relatively complex issue. Dali City is a municipality under the jurisdiction of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and the seat of the Dali Prefecture Government. However, Dali Prefecture not only includes Dali City, but also includes some counties and autonomous counties surrounding Dali City, such as Eryuan County, Binchuan County, Midu County, etc. Therefore, Dali City is part of Dali Prefecture, but Dali Prefecture is not the same as Dali City.

3. Tourist Attractions in Dali City

Dali City is one of the most important tourist cities in Dali Prefecture and has many famous tourist attractions. The most famous of them are Dali Ancient City and Erhai Lake. Dali Ancient City is an iconic attraction in Dali City and one of the most well-preserved Bai ancient cities in China. Here, you can appreciate the unique architectural style of the ancient city, the folk culture and traditional handicrafts of the Bai people. Erhai Lake is one of the largest plateau lakes in China and is known as the "Geneva of the East". Here, you can take a boat trip to the small islands on the lake, enjoy the scenery of the lake and mountains, and experience the tranquility and beauty of nature.

4. How to plan your trip to Dali

If you plan to travel to Dali, here are some suggestions to help you plan a perfect trip:

1. Visit Dali Ancient Town: Dali Ancient Town is a must-visit attraction in Dali City, where you can stroll through the ancient streets and alleys and taste local food and specialty snacks.

2. Visit Erhai Lake: Take a boat trip to Erhai Lake, enjoy the lakes and mountains, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature.

3. Explore Cangshan Mountain: Cangshan Mountain is the background mountain range of Dali City. You can take the cable car to the top of the mountain and overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire Dali City.

4. Taste Dali food: Dali has a rich food culture, and you can taste a variety of delicious Bai dishes and local snacks.

5. Summary

Through the introduction of this article, we can draw the conclusion: Dali and Dali Prefecture are not exactly the same, Dali is a part of Dali Prefecture. Dali has a long history and rich culture, making it a desirable tourist destination. If you plan to travel to Dali, rememberYou have to visit the ancient city of Dali, Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain, taste the local food, and you will definitely have an unforgettable vacation. I wish you a pleasant journey!