Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州)

1. Introduction

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (Bai language: Dallit Baifcuf zilzilzou), abbreviated as Dali Prefecture (Bai language: Dallit zou), is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the central-western part of Yunnan Province. The prefecture borders Chuxiong Prefecture to the east, Pu'er City and Lincang City to the south, Baoshan City and Nujiang Prefecture to the west, and Lijiang City to the north. Situated in the transitional zone between the Hengduan Mountains and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, at the southern foot of the Yunling Mountains, the terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with an average elevation of 2,090 meters. The Lancang River flows through the western part, the Jinsha River lies to the northeast, and Erhai Lake is located in the central part of the prefecture. The prefecture covers an area of 28,302 square kilometers, with a total population of 3.3376 million. The Han ethnic group accounts for about 50% of the population, while the Bai ethnic group makes up about 32%. The prefecture's capital is Dali City. Dali is one of the first national historical and cultural cities in China, boasting profound historical culture and rich tourism resources. Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake, and the Ancient City of Dali are all famous scenic areas.

2. Etymology

The name "Dali" of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture originates from its geographical environment and historical background. According to historical records, the name Dali can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, due to its strategically important location, the Dali region became a significant military stronghold and economic center. The name "Dali" is composed of the two characters "Da" (大) and "Li" (理), symbolizing the "principle of great governance."

3. History

In the second year of the Yuanguang era of the Western Han Dynasty (109 BCE), Emperor Wu of Han expanded into the southwestern Yi regions, sending troops to attack the Dian Kingdom, leading to the surrender of the King of Dian. The Han Dynasty established counties such as Yeyu, Yunnan, Xielong, and Bisu in the Dali area, which were under the jurisdiction of Yizhou Commandery. In the twelfth year of the Yongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (69 CE), the Ailao Kingdom submitted to Han authority, leading to the division of the western part of Yizhou Commandery to establish Yongchang Commandery. It was initially administered from Suitang County (in present-day Yunlong County) and later moved to Buwei County (present-day Baoshan City). In the third year of the Jianxing era of the Shu Han state during the Three Kingdoms period (225 CE), Chancellor Zhuge Liang pacified the various commanderies in the southern regions. He divided Jianning, Yuexi, and Yongchang commanderies to establish Yunnan Commandery, administered from Yunnan County (present-day Yunnan Yi Town, Xiangyun County). The eastern part of present-day Dali Prefecture belonged to Yunnan Commandery, while the western part belonged to Yongchang Commandery, both under the supervision of the Laixiang Military Governor. In the seventh year of the Taishi era of the Western Jin Dynasty (271 CE), the Laixiang Military Governor's territory was renamed Ningzhou. In the fifth year of the Yongjia era (313 CE), Heyang Commandery was established by dividing parts of Yongchang and Yunnan commanderies, administered from Heyang County (present-day Fengyi Town, Dali City). In the eighth year of the Xiankang era (342 CE), Xiheyang Commandery was established by further division, and Heyang Commandery was renamed Dongheyang Commandery. During the Southern Qi Dynasty, the present-day prefecture area was divided among Dongheyang, Xiheyang, Xihe, and Yunnan commanderies. During the Sui Dynasty, it belonged to the Nanningzhou Governor's Office.

During the Yuan Dynasty, the political center of Yunnan shifted east to Kunming. The Dali area established the Upper Dali and Lower Dali Myriarchies, as well as the Yunlong Dian Military-Civilian Prefecture (administered from present-day Yunlong County). In the third year of Emperor Xianzong's reign (1253 CE), the Moutong Prefecture was reorganized into Hezhou (administered from present-day Heqing County). In the fourth year of Emperor Xianzong's reign (1254 CE), the Yidu Qianhu (Thousand-Household District) was established (administered from the west bank of Jianchuan Lake, present-day Jianchuan County). In the seventh year of Emperor Xianzong's reign (1257 CE), the Pindian Qianhu Office was established (administered from present-day Xiangyun County). In the seventh year of the Zhiyuan era (1270 CE), the myriarchies were reorganized into Dali Route (administered from present-day Dali City). In the eleventh year of the Zhiyuan era (1274 CE), Menghua Prefecture was established (administered from present-day Weishan County); Shengxiang Commandery was renamed Yongping County, belonging to Dali Route; the Pindian Qianhu Office was renamed Yunnan Zhou (subprefecture), belonging to Dali Route; the Yidu Qianhu was renamed Jianchuan County, belonging to Hezhou; Jianning County was established at Baiya Dan (administered from present-day Hongyan Town, Midu County), belonging to Zhao Zhou; Dengchuan Zhou was established at Deyuan City (administered from Deyuan City, Dengchuan Town, Eryuan County); Langqiong Qianhu was renamed Langqiong County (administered from present-day Eryuan County), belonging to Dengchuan Zhou. In the fourteenth year of the Zhiyuan era (1277 CE), Menghua Prefecture was renamed Menghua Route. In the twentieth year of the Zhiyuan era (1283 CE), Menghua Route was downgraded to Menghua Zhou, belonging to Dali Route. In the twenty-third year of the Zhiyuan era (1286 CE), Hezhou was elevated to Heqing Route. In the twenty-fourth year of the Zhiyuan era (1287 CE), Nanjian County was renamed Dingbian County, belonging to Zhennan Zhou of Chuchu Route, but was later abolished. In the twenty-fifth year of the Zhiyuan era (1288 CE), Jianning County was abolished and merged into Dali Route. In the twenty-sixth year of the Zhiyuan era (1289 CE), Taihe County was established (administered from present-day Dali City). Before the Taiding era, the Yunlong Dian Military-Civilian Prefecture was renamed Yunlong Zhou (administered from present-day Jiuzhou Town, Yunlong County), belonging to Dali Prefecture.

In the fifteenth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1382 CE), Dali Route was renamed Dali Prefecture; Heqing Route was renamed Heqing Prefecture; Yunnan Zhou was downgraded to Yunnan County, subordinate to Dali Prefecture; Fengyu County was established (administered from present-day Fengyu Town, Eryuan County), belonging to Dengchuan Zhou, but was later merged into Langqiong County. In the sixteenth year of the Hongwu era (1383 CE), the Midushi Inspection Office was established, subordinate to Zhao Zhou; Dingbian County was re-established, belonging to Chuxiong Prefecture. In the seventeenth year of the Hongwu era (1384 CE), Yunnan County was transferred to Zhao Zhou; Jianchuan County was elevated to Jianchuan Zhou (administered from present-day Jinhua Town, Jianchuan County), belonging to Heqing Prefecture. In the thirteenth year of the Zhengtong era (1448 CE), Menghua Prefecture was re-established. In the sixth year of the Hongzhi era (1493 CE), nine li from Haidong of Taihe County, two li from Yunnan County, and one li from Zhao Zhou were carved out to establish Binchuan Zhou (based in present-day Zhoucheng Town, Binchuan County), belonging to Dali Prefecture. In the twenty-eighth year of the Wanli era (1600 CE), the seat of Dengchuan Zhou was moved to present-day Jiuzhou, Dengchuan Town, Eryuan County. In the second year of the Chongzhen era (1629 CE), the seat of Yunlong Zhou was moved to Luomajing (present-day Baofeng Township, Yunlong County). In the thirteenth year of the Chongzhen era (1640 CE), the seat of Dengchuan Zhou was moved to present-day Xinzhou, Dengchuan Town.

In the seventh year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1729 CE), Dingbian County was abolished and merged into Menghua Prefecture. In the eighth year of the Yongzheng era (1730 CE), the Dali Superintendent Assistant was stationed in Midu City. In the thirty-fifth year of the Qianlong era (1770 CE), Menghua Prefecture was renamed Menghua Directly Administered Subprefecture, with an inspection office stationed in Nanjian, the former Dingbian City; Jianchuan Zhou was transferred to Lijiang Prefecture; Heqing Prefecture was downgraded to Heqing Zhou, belonging to Lijiang Prefecture.

In the first year of the Republic of China (1912 CE), Yangbi County was established by carving out the Yangbi River Inspection Office of Menghua Subprefecture and enclaves from Yunlong Zhou, Yongping County, and Langqiong County (administered from present-day Xiajie, Cangshan West Town). In the second year of the Republic of China (1913 CE), Midu County was established by carving out enclaves from Zhao, Xiangyun, Binchuan, and Menghua counties (administered from present-day Micheng Town); Langqiong County was renamed Eryuan County, meaning "source of Erhai Lake"; in the same year, prefectures, subprefectures, and directly administered subprefectures were abolished, retaining only counties. These included Dali, Yunnan, Eryuan, Zhaoxian, Dengchuan, Binchuan, Yunlong, Midu, Heqing, Jianchuan, Yongping, Menghua, Yangbi, etc., all belonging to Dianxi Circuit (renamed Tengyue Circuit the following year). In 1914, Zhaoxian was renamed Fengyi County. In 1915, the seat of Yangbi County was moved to its present location. In 1918, Yunnan County was renamed Xiangyun County because it shared the same name as Yunnan Province, taking one character each from the old names "Xiang Zhou" and "Yunnan". In the eighteenth year of the Republic of China (1929 CE), the circuit system was abolished, and counties were directly under Yunnan Province. In the thirty-first year of the Republic of China (1942 CE), Menghua County was transferred to the Fifth Administrative Inspection District of Yunnan Province, while Heqing and Jianchuan counties were transferred to the Seventh Administrative Inspection District. In the thirty-fifth year of the Republic of China (1946 CE), Heqing, Eryuan, Binchuan, and Jianchuan belonged to the Tenth District, while Dali, Yongping, Fengyi, Dengchuan, Yunlong, Midu, Menghua, and Yangbi belonged to the Eleventh District.

Deputy Commissioner Yang Yongxin of the Dali Special District delivered the opening speech at the first session of the First People's Congress of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, November 17, 1956. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Dali Special District was established in 1950, with the Commissioner's Office stationed in Xiaguan (present-day Xiaguan Subdistrict, Dali City). It administered 14 counties: Dali, Fengyi, Yangbi, Yongping, Menghua, Midu, Yunlong, Xiangyun, Binchuan, Shunning, Mianning, Yunxian, Eryuan, and Dengchuan. In 1951, Xiaguan City was established by carving out Yu'er Township of Dali County and Zhuhai Township of Fengyi County. In 1952, Mianning County was transferred to Mianning Special District. In 1954, Menghua County was renamed Weishan County, and Shunning County was renamed Fengqing County. On November 16, 1956, the establishment of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture was approved, officially established on November 22. Heqing and Jianchuan counties from the former Lijiang Special District were incorporated into Dali Prefecture; Fengqing and Yunxian were transferred to Lincang Special District; Weishan County was divided into Weishan Yi Autonomous County and Yongjian Hui Autonomous County (based in present-day Yongjian Town, Weishan County). In 1958, the seat of Binchuan County was moved to Jinniu Town. In 1960, Xiaguan City and the three counties of Dali, Fengyi, and Yangbi were abolished and merged into Dali City; Eryuan and Dengchuan counties were merged into Jianchuan County; Binchuan and Midu counties were merged into Xiangyun County; Weishan and Yongjian counties were merged into Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County. In 1962, Dali City was abolished, and Xiaguan City, Dali County, and Yangbi County were restored; Eryuan, Midu, and Binchuan counties were restored. In 1963, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County was established by carving out part of Weishan County. In 1983, Dali County and Xiaguan City were abolished and merged to establish Dali City. In June 1985, Yangbi County was reorganized into Yangbi Yi Autonomous County.

4. Geography

Location and Area

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the central-western part of Yunnan Province. It borders Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture to the east, Pu'er City and Lincang City to the south, Baoshan City and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture to the west, and Lijiang City to the north. Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture lies between 98°52′ and 101°03′ east longitude and 24°41′ and 26°42′ north latitude. The urban area of Dali City, the prefectural capital, is 336 kilometers by road from the center of Kunming City.

According to the second national land survey, the total area of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is 28,299 square kilometers, while the area recorded in the Concise Handbook of Administrative Divisions of the People's Republic of China is 29,459 square kilometers.

5. Administrative Divisions

Dali Prefecture administers 1 county-level city, 8 counties, and 3 autonomous counties.

County-level City: Dali City Counties: Xiangyun County, Binchuan County, Midu County, Yongping County, Yunlong County, Eryuan County, Jianchuan County, Heqing County Autonomous Counties: Yangbi Yi Autonomous County, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County Administrative Division Map of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture | Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|---------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 532900 | Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture | Dàlǐ Báizú Zìzhìzhōu | 28,302 | 3,337,559 | Dali City | 671000 | 3 | 69 | 40 | 11 | | 532901 | Dali City | Dàlǐ Shì | 1,739 | 771,128 | Haidong Town | 671000 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 1 | | 532922 | Yangbi Yi Autonomous County | Yàngbì Yízú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,874 | 97,610 | Cangshan West Town | 672500 | | 4 | 5 | | | 532923 | Xiangyun County | Xiángyún Xiàn | 2,433 | 406,642 | Xiangcheng Town | 672100 | | 8 | 2 | 1 | | 532924 | Binchuan County | Bīnchuān Xiàn | 2,534 | 341,319 | Jinniu Town | 671600 | | 8 | 2 | 2 | | 532925 | Midu County | Mídù Xiàn | 1,525 | 261,205 | Micheng Town | 675600 | | 6 | 2 | 1 | | 532926 | Nanjian Yi Autonomous County | Nánjiàn Yízú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,739 | 192,942 | Nanjian Town | 675700 | | 5 | 3 | | | 532927 | Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County | Wēishān Yízú Huízú Zìzhìxiàn | 2,181 | 267,474 | Nanzhao Town | 672400 | | 4 | 6 | | | 532928 | Yongping County | Yǒngpíng Xiàn | 2,789 | 164,613 | Bonan Town | 672600 | | 3 | 4 | 3 | | 532929 | Yunlong County | Yúnlóng Xiàn | 4,370 | 182,977 | Nuodeng Town | 672700 | | 4 | 7 | 2 | | 532930 | Eryuan County | Ěryuán Xiàn | 2,515 | 248,147 | Cibihu Town | 671200 | | 6 | 3 | | | 532931 | Jianchuan County | Jiànchuān Xiàn | 2,238 | 160,471 | Jinhua Town | 671300 | | 5 | 3 | | | 532932 | Heqing County | Hèqìng Xiàn | 2,366 | 243,031 | Yunhe Town | 671500 | | 7 | 2 | 1 |

6. Economy

According to 2020 statistics, Dali Prefecture's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 148.404 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2%. The added values of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were 33.896 billion yuan, 40.594 billion yuan, and 73.914 billion yuan, respectively, with the industrial structure ratio being 22.8 : 27.4 : 49.8. The per capita GDP was 44,346 yuan, lower than the average in Yunnan Province (51,975 yuan). The per capita disposable income of urban permanent residents was 38,435 yuan, while that of rural permanent residents was 13,645 yuan. The average annual wage of employees was 98,600 yuan. The total fixed asset investment in the prefecture amounted to 85.85 billion yuan. The annual local general public budget revenue was 10.848 billion yuan, with a per capita figure of 3,242 yuan, while the local general public budget expenditure was 39.119 billion yuan, with a per capita figure of 11,690 yuan.

8. Transportation

8.1 Overview

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is located in the western part of Yunnan Province and is a multi-ethnic area primarily inhabited by the Bai people. Dali boasts a well-developed transportation network, encompassing various modes such as highways, railways, and aviation, providing robust transportation support for the region's economic and social development.

8.2 Highways

The highway network in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is highly developed, with major roads including:

• Expressways: Dali has several expressways, such as the G56 Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway and the G5611 Dali-Lijiang Expressway, connecting key cities like Kunming, Lijiang, and Baoshan.
• National and Provincial Highways: Dali is traversed by multiple national and provincial highways, such as National Highway G214 and Provincial Highway S221, linking various counties and cities within the prefecture.

8.3 Railways

The railway network in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is continuously improving, with major railways including:

• Dali-Lijiang Railway: The Dali-Lijiang Railway passes through Dali, connecting Dali and Lijiang.
• Guangtong-Dali Railway: The Guangtong-Dali Railway passes through Dali, connecting Kunming and Dali.

8.4 Aviation

Aviation transportation in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture primarily relies on Dali Huangcaoba Airport, located approximately 13 kilometers from downtown Dali, with a travel time of about 20 minutes by car. Dali Huangcaoba Airport is one of the major aviation hubs in Yunnan Province, offering multiple domestic and international flight routes.

8.5 Urban Transportation

Urban transportation in downtown Dali mainly consists of buses and taxis. Bus routes cover major areas of the city, while taxis provide convenient and fast travel. Additionally, urban rail transit is planned for Dali, which will further enhance the city's transportation capacity in the future.

8.6 Transportation Policies

The government of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture places high importance on transportation development, actively promoting the improvement and upgrading of transportation infrastructure. Through measures such as increasing transportation investment, optimizing the transportation network, and enhancing service quality, the government continuously improves transportation capacity to foster economic and social development.

9. Education

9.1 Overview

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is located in the western part of Yunnan Province and is a multi-ethnic area primarily inhabited by the Bai people. Dali has a well-developed education system covering all stages from preschool to higher education, providing strong talent support for the economic and social development of Dali.

9.2 Preschool Education

Preschool education in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture has developed rapidly in recent years, with main forms including:

• Kindergartens: Dali has numerous public and private kindergartens that provide high-quality preschool education services for children of appropriate age.

9.3 Basic Education

The basic education system in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is well-established, mainly including:

• Primary Schools: The enrollment rate in Dali's primary education is high, and teaching quality is continuously improving.
• Junior High Schools: Junior high school education in Dali focuses on the all-round development of students, with steadily improving teaching quality.
• Senior High Schools: Senior high school education in Dali is oriented towards further education, with teaching quality ranking among the top in the province.

9.4 Vocational Education

Vocational education in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture aims to cultivate practical talents, with main forms including:

• Secondary Vocational Schools: Dali has several secondary vocational schools offering various practical majors such as tourism services, hotel management, and mechanical processing.
• Higher Vocational Colleges: Higher vocational colleges in Dali aim to cultivate high-quality technical and skilled talents, offering various applied majors.

9.5 Higher Education

Higher education in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture has developed rapidly in recent years, with main forms including:

• Undergraduate Institutions: Dali has several undergraduate institutions, such as Dali University, providing a large number of high-quality talents for the economic and social development of Dali.
• Specialized Colleges: Specialized colleges in Dali aim to cultivate applied talents, offering various practical majors.

9.6 Education Policies

The government of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture attaches great importance to education and actively promotes educational reform and development. By increasing investment in education, improving educational facilities, and enhancing teacher benefits, the government continuously improves education quality and promotes educational equity.

10. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census of 2020, the permanent resident population of the prefecture was 3,337,559. Compared with the 3,456,323 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a total decrease of 118,764 people over the ten years, a decline of 3.44%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.35%. Among them, males accounted for 1,693,368 people, representing 50.74% of the total population; females accounted for 1,644,191 people, representing 49.26% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 102.99. The population aged 0–14 was 557,626 people, accounting for 16.71% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,212,105 people, accounting for 66.28% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 567,828 people, accounting for 17.01% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 418,121 people, accounting for 12.53% of the total population. The urban population was 1,431,062 people, accounting for 42.88% of the total population; the rural population was 1,906,497 people, accounting for 57.12% of the total population.

According to statistics at the end of 2020, the registered population of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture was 3,643,641, of which the urban population was 1.4311 million, the rural population was 1.9065 million, and the urbanization rate was 42.88%; the natural population growth rate was 1.33‰.

10.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population of the prefecture, the Han population was 1,667,013, accounting for 49.95%; the total population of ethnic minorities was 1,670,546, accounting for 50.05%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 84,866 people, a decline of 4.84%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.74 percentage points; the total population of ethnic minorities decreased by 33,898 people, a decline of 1.99%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.74 percentage points. Among them, the Bai population decreased by 35,106 people, a decline of 3.16%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.09 percentage points; the Yi population decreased by 9,750 people, a decline of 2.17%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.17 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (2020 Seventh National Population Census) | Ethnic Group | Han | Bai | Yi | Hui | Lisu | Miao | Dai | Naxi | Zhuang | Hani | Other Ethnic Groups | |--------------|-----------|-----------|---------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------| | Population | 1,667,013 | 1,077,363 | 440,199 | 68,086 | 36,593 | 13,561 | 5,058 | 4,984 | 3,521 | 3,135 | 18,046 | | Percentage of Total Population (%) | 49.95 | 32.28 | 13.19 | 2.04 | 1.1 | 0.41 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 0.09 | 0.54 | | Percentage of Minority Population (%) | － | 64.49 | 26.35 | 4.08 | 2.19 | 0.81 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.21 | 0.19 | 1.08 |

11. Religion

11.1 Overview

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, located in western Yunnan Province, is a multi-ethnic region primarily inhabited by the Bai people. Dali boasts a diverse religious culture, with Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam being the main religions. Each religion has a certain base of followers and places of worship in Dali, forming a unique religious and cultural landscape.

11.2 Buddhism

Buddhism has a long history and widespread influence in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. There are several famous Buddhist temples in the prefecture, such as:

• Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas: Located in Dali city proper, it is one of the famous Buddhist holy sites in Dali Prefecture.
• Jizu Mountain: Located in Binchuan County, it is a historically significant Buddhist mountain in Dali Prefecture.

11.3 Taoism

Taoism also holds a certain influence in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. There are several Taoist temples in the prefecture, such as:

• Dali Taihe Palace: Located in Dali city proper, it is one of the famous Taoist holy sites in Dali Prefecture.

11.4 Christianity

The spread of Christianity in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is relatively recent, but it has developed rapidly in recent years. There are several Christian churches in the prefecture, such as:

• Dali Christian Church: Located in Dali city proper, it is one of the main Christian activity venues in Dali Prefecture.

11.5 Islam

Islam has a relatively smaller number of followers in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, but there are still places for religious activities. There is one mosque in the prefecture, such as:

• Dali Mosque: Located in Dali city proper, it is the main religious activity venue for Muslims in Dali Prefecture.

11.6 Religious Activities

Religious activities in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture are rich and diverse. Various religious groups regularly hold ceremonies and events, such as Buddhist Dharma assemblies, Taoist rituals, Christian worship services, and Islamic prayers. These activities not only meet the religious needs of followers but also enrich the cultural life of Dali.

11.7 Religious Policy

The government of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture respects and protects the freedom of religious belief, manages religious affairs in accordance with the law, and supports religious groups in carrying out activities legally. At the same time, the government actively guides religions to adapt to the socialist society, promoting religious harmony and social stability.

12. Culture

12.1 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas
Site of Taihe City (including the Dehua Stele of Nanzhao)
Ancient Architectural Complex of the Bai Ethnic Group in Xizhou
Stele of Kublai Khan Pacifying Yunnan
Fotu Temple Pagoda
Site of Yinsuo Island
Hong Sheng Temple Pagoda
Former Site of the Yunnan Governor's Office
Dali Catholic Church
Shuimu Temple Pagoda
Ancient Architectural Complex of Yunnan Yi
Site of Dabona
Ancient Architectural Complex of Tianfeng Mountain
Site of Baiyang Village
Confucian Temple and Martial Temple in Zhoucheng
Nanzhao Iron Pillar
Midu Wutai Temple
Shundang Cremation Tombs
Nuodeng Bai Ethnic Vernacular Architectural Complex
Ancient Bridges of the Bijiang River
Site of Deyuan Ancient City
Shizhong Mountain Grottoes
Ancient Architectural Complex of Ximen Street
Xingjiao Temple in Shaxi
Site of Haimenkou
Ancient Architectural Complex of Jingfeng Pavilion
Site of Longyutu Mountain City
Changchun Cave
Dengjue Temple
Ancient Architectural Complex of Nanzhao Town

12.2 Tourism

In 2021, Dali Prefecture received a total of 44.518 million tourists, an increase of 13.5%, including 9,000 overseas tourists, a decrease of 80.2%. The total tourism revenue reached 53.95 billion yuan, a decrease of 11.0%, with tourism foreign exchange income amounting to 4.245 million US dollars, a decrease of 86.4%.

13. Friendly Regions

Australia Mildura Malaysia Kuching North City Hall Cambodia Siem Reap China Taizhou City

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Dali City

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