Location: located between 99 58 - 100 27 east longitide and 25 25 - 25 58 north latitude, and in the northwest of Yunnan province

Neighboring Areas: Sichuan province and Guizhou Province; Tibet Autonomous Region and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Nationalities: Han, Hui, Bai, Yi and Tibetan

Population: 3.19 million.

Urban Population: 486,800

Area: 28,536 sq km

History: The capital of Nanzhao State; the political, cultural and economical center of Yunnan in the ancient history
Climatic Features: sub-tropical monsoon climate with annual frost-free of 230 days, and sunlight of 2276.6 hours, not much difference between 4 reasons

Average Temperature: 15.1 C

Rainfall: annual rainfall of 1078.9mm

Mountains: Western Hills Cangshan Mountain

Dali City is a famous historic cultural city of China, once the capital city of Nanzhao regime and Dali Regime in the ancient China, a city of picturesque scenery. With the verdant greenery Erhai Lake as its center, the scenic spot and place of historic site of Dali constitute one of the major places of historic interest and scenic beauty of China. Besides, there are also such scenic spots and historic sites as the three Dali Pagodas, Butterfly spring and others. Traditionally well-known local products and specialties are the Bowl-Shaped Compressed Mass of Tea Leaves, Cigar, Zha-dyed cloth, Bow Fish and snow pear.

Erhai Lake situats in Dali city of western Yunnan Province, It is gifted with green mountains, exquisite waters, and myriad scenic spots, plus uniquecustoms of the national minorities. Erhai lake measures 40 kilometers north to south, and 7 to 8 kilometers east to west on average. The vast blue lake is filled with crystal-clear waters and dotted with numerous white sails. When the wind rises, waves are whipped up breaking upon the shores. At night, the silvery moon sparkles on the rippling lake.

Cangshan Mountain 19 peaks extend 50 kilometers north to south in their column formation like a screen. The peaks, straight and magnificent, are overgrown with primeval forests, and 18 springs and streams filled with crystal-clear waters serpentine among them. Waterfalls and surging rivers emit thunderous roars. Malongfeng, the main peak, shoots up into the sky with its top clogged with dazzling snow all the year round. "Clouds, Snow, Peaks and Streams" are four spectacular views of Cangshan Mountain. In the vicinity, there are abundant growth of trees, mountain flowers are in full bloom, while birds are chirping merrily, and myriad types of colorful butterflies flutter in the air. Each year, the fourth month of the lunar calendar is the best time to enjoy the spectacle.

Jizu Mountain Touring in Binchuan County, Jizu Mountain is one of the five famous mountains of Buddhism in China. It was so named because the three peaks in the front and a ridge at the back resemble a chicken. It is said that Kasyapa once performed Buddhist rites there. The existing structures on the mountain include the Zhusheng, Jingding, and Fota temples, the Kasyapa Hall, Huashou Gate, and the Huideng and Muni convents. Jizu Mountain features a magnificent landscape and various animals an plants. It is a nature reserve in Yunnan Province.

Chongsheng Temple and Three pagodas built between 823 and 1108, the three pagodas at the Chongsheng Temple is 1.5 kilometers north of the ancient town of Dali. The main pagoda has 16-stories. It is a squarebrick structure with close eaves and hollow inside. It satands 69.13 meters. The other two octagonal pagodas flanking the maine pagda, one in the south and the other in the north, are ten-story stone and brick stuctures, each rising 42.19 meters above the ground. The Chongsheng Temple was the Buddhist center of Nanzhao State. The three pagodas have survived more than 30 strong earthquakes in the past 1,000 years and stand intactma marvela marvel of architecture.