Dali Food Tour: Artisanal Eats and Traditional Drinks

First Stop: Dali, Yunnan Province

Yunnan Province — whose name literally means “South of the Clouds” due to its location just south of the Tibetan Plateau — is home to some of the most diverse cultures, ecology, and terrain in China. Verdant valleys, snow-capped mountains, rustic towns, and a lively mix of ethnic minority communities have long inspired poets and travelers alike.

Tucked between Cang Mountain and Erhai Lake, Dali is a Ming-era town that has preserved much of its historical character. Once the chief city of Yunnan and the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom — an empire that, at its peak, stood up to the imperial Chinese armies — it remains deeply connected to its roots. The Bai ethnic minority, who formed the backbone of the Nanzhao Kingdom, still make up the majority of Dali’s population and those of the surrounding villages.

Your Journey Begins

Today is the day, the start of your WildChina adventure. Step off the plane in Dali and meet your local WildChina guide in the airport arrivals hall. They’ll be waiting to welcome you and will have your private vehicle on standby, ready to whisk you off to your hotel for check in.

Welcome Dinner in Dali

Join your fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner. During dinner, you’ll get to know each other, your WildChina guide, and learn more about the journey ahead. Your guide will give a short lecture on the history of Dali and introduce you to the local cultures and customs that we’ll see throughout the trip.

Meals included: dinner

Sunrise at Erhai Lake

Nestled between mountains at 2,000 meters above sea level, the shimmering expanse of Erhai Lake is so vast it is known in Chinese as a “sea.” A vital source of fish for the Bai people — who still practice cormorant fishing — Erhai is especially enchanting at sunrise, when the first rays of light turn its reflective waters into a palette of rich, shifting hues. Begin the day early and watch as life stirs along the lakeshore.

Flower Cake Lesson

At an organic rose plantation tucked beneath the protective slopes of Mount Cangshan, learn the art of making Dali’s signature flower cakes. From May to November, the fields are in full bloom, and you can pick petals straight from the stems; at other times of year, explore how Dali’s unique climate nurtures its roses. Then, under expert guidance, transform the petals into fragrant cakes — shaping, baking, and tasting your creation in a hands-on, two-hour masterclass.

Bai Tea Ceremony

Step into the world of the Bai Tea Ceremony, a time-honored ritual performed at weddings and festivals, guided by strict etiquette. Water is boiled and tea steeped in a clay pot before you, then served in three distinct brews — bitter, sour, and sweet — a symbolic journey through life’s stages from hardship to happiness.

Zhoucheng Village

At the base of Cangshan Mountain lies Zhoucheng, a vibrant artisan village renowned for its intricate Bai tie-dye. Here, work alongside local craftspeople, using indigo dyes, wooden sticks, and rubber bands to create striking patterns on white cotton — the same techniques passed down for generations.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Drive to Weishan

The ride from Dali to Weishan will take around 2 hours.

On the Way: Donglianhua Muslim Village

While Islamic culture is often associated with China’s arid northwest, the fertile valleys of western Yunnan are home to a beautifully preserved Muslim village. Its residents descend from soldiers who settled here after the Mongol army conquered the region over 700 years ago. Stroll the lanes, meet traditionally dressed locals, and visit Yunnan’s largest mosque, where warm welcomes are extended to the village’s rare international guests.

Weishan Old Town

Amid the rapid development seen in much of Yunnan, Weishan Old Town retains its authentic charm. Once a cozy outpost along the ancient Tea and Horse Road, its architecture and artisan traditions remain much as they were centuries ago.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Visit Weishan’s Famous Pickle Empire

For decades, Yin Family Pickles has ruled the roost when it comes to pickled vegetables. From daikon radish and black beans in winter to broad beans and string beans in summer, the family business has a recipe for every season. Go behind the scenes to discover what it takes to keep the pickle venture booming, gazing upon rows of jars working their magic and family members busily snipping away at colorful vegetables (and, of course, tasting). You may even be lucky enough to happen upon the pickle empress herself: the entrepreneurial octogenarian Madame Chen.

One Noodle Soup

Today you’ll get a taste of the town’s history by learning the process of making “one noodle soup”, and then devour your very own bowl.

Meditate on Weibao Mountain

Step back in time on Weibaoshan, a sacred mountain dotted with ancient Taoist temples, just 70 kilometers from Dali and virtually untouched by modern tourism. Enjoy a moderate hike up the picturesque mountain (2 – 2.5 hrs) before finding tranquility at a temple atop the mountain. Here, sip green tea with a Taoist master as he unveils the mysteries of his religion, before finding out how to balance your yin and yang with a round of tai chi in the spiritual grounds of a temple hidden deep within the forest. Hike the 45 minutes back to your private transport or, for the hiking enthusiasts who want to immerse further in the area’s pristine nature, complete the five-hour return journey to the summit and back.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Drive to Shaxi

The ride from Weishan to Shaxi will take around 3 hours.

Next Stop: Shaxi

Shaxi is a beautifully preserved market town set in the tranquil countryside between Lijiang and Dali. Once a bustling outpost on the Tea and Horse Road, it was a key stop where horses, tea, and other goods were traded en route to Burma and Tibet. Today, its Buddhist grottoes, lively weekend markets, and simple yet flavorful rural cuisine — sourced straight from surrounding farms — offer a rich blend of cultural heritage and pastoral charm.

Make Authentic Shaxi Cheese

Step into the home of a local cheesemaker and discover how the region developed its own cheese-making tradition, a legacy of earlier Mongolian influence. Watch as milk is steamed over a wood-fired stove before the curds are separated from the whey, then cool and shape your own snack. As you wait, enjoy a conversation with your host and learn about daily life in Shaxi.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

haxi Market

Friday is market day in Shaxi. Each week, Yi, Bai, Lisu, Naxi, Hui, and Tibetan communities from the surrounding mountains gather to buy and sell produce, livestock, and handicrafts. Many arrive in traditional, brightly colored clothing, carrying large baskets or leading pack horses and mules through the narrow lanes toward the town’s central square.

Hike Through Shibaoshan

The 1,300-year-old Shibaoshan Grottoes feature remarkable rock carvings that illustrate the spread of Mahayana Buddhism along the Tea and Horse Caravan Trail from Tibet into Yunnan. On a 90-minute hike, explore each of the five grottoes, discovering new statues at every stop. The route ends at the Stone Bell Temple, its curved roofs and red walls dramatically perched against the mountainside.

Stone Dragon Village

In Stone Dragon Village, “Those who can walk, dance; and those who can talk, sing.” Meet the region’s Folk Music King and enjoy a captivating performance — a blend of longing, passion, and exuberance that reflects the village’s spirited traditions.

Bai Feast

Bai cuisine blends Buddhist and Han influences, balancing spicy, sour, and sweet flavors with hearty stews, peppered ham, and sizzling hot pots. Gather for a traditional meal while learning about Bai customs and their cultural connections to the Tea and Horse Road.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Drive to Dali Airport

The ride from Shaxi to Dali airport will take around 2 hours.

Your Flight Back Home

Your WildChina guide will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Meals included: breakfast