Bar Street in Dali

大理酒吧街

Dali's bar street is compact and a relaxing place. The bar is small, but the layout is very special. Almost every bar has resident singers with different styles. It's great.

Attractions Location: Dali Ancient Town (southwest corner), Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Opening hours:
All day (Monday to Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)

Transportation:
Take bus No. 21 to the State Party School stop and walk to the

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Bar Street in Dali tours

1-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Dali Bar Street along with a taste of the ancient town’s charm in a single day.

  • Morning: Arrive at Dali Ancient Town. Walk from your accommodation to Dali Bar Street (located in the south of the Ancient Town, ~5–10 minutes on foot). Explore local shops and cafes.
  • Lunch: Eat at a nearby restaurant offering Bai ethnic specialties such as “Crossing-the-bridge noodles” or “Erkuai” (rice cakes).
  • Afternoon: Visit Dali Ancient City Wall (~10-minute walk), and stroll through Foreigner Street for boutique shopping and coffee shops.
  • Evening: Return to Dali Bar Street for vibrant nightlife, live music, and local craft beers.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in guesthouses or boutique hotels within Dali Ancient Town for easy access. Dinner options include local barbecue, Bai cuisine, and international dishes.

Souvenirs: Bai minority silver jewelry, handcrafted batik textiles, local teas, and Dali-style pottery.


2-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Extend your stay with a cultural visit to the Three Pagodas and Cangshan Mountain for scenic nature.

  • Day 1: Follow the 1-day itinerary centered on Dali Bar Street and Ancient Town.
  • Day 2 Morning: Taxi or local bus (Bus No. 4, ~30 min) from Dali Ancient Town to Three Pagodas Scenic Area. Spend 2–3 hours exploring this iconic landmark.
  • Day 2 Afternoon: Take a taxi or shuttle bus (~15–20 minutes) to the Cangshan Mountain cable car station. Ride up and enjoy short hikes or scenic spots.
  • Evening: Return to Dali Ancient Town and relax at a cafe or Bar Street venue.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town; try local snacks like “Bai grilled fish,” mushroom dishes, and herbal teas.

Souvenirs: Miniature pagoda replicas, mountain herbs, locally made incense, and Bai embroidery.


3-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Include Erhai Lake exploration and traditional villages for an immersive local experience.

  • Days 1–2: As above.
  • Day 3 Morning: Rent a bike or take a taxi (~15 min) to Erhai Lake. Cycle or drive part of the scenic lakeside route visiting small villages such as Xizhou or Zhoucheng.
  • Day 3 Afternoon: Explore local markets, Bai architecture, and taste homemade dairy products and local coffee.
  • Evening: Return to Dali Ancient Town and enjoy dinner near Bar Street.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town or lakeside guesthouses. Sample Bai yogurt, handmade noodles, and grilled lake fish.

Souvenirs: Bai dairy products, handmade paper umbrellas, ethnic jewelry, and local spices.


4-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Add a cultural visit to Shaxi Ancient Town and nearby temples for history and art.

  • Days 1–3: As above.
  • Day 4 Morning: Taxi or bus (~1.5 hours) from Dali to Shaxi Ancient Town, a well-preserved trading town on the old Tea Horse Road. Explore temples, old streets, and craft shops.
  • Day 4 Afternoon: Visit the Sideng Market or local artisan workshops. Return to Dali in the late afternoon.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town. Try Shaxi specialties like roasted pork and steamed buns.

Souvenirs: Traditional tea sets, wooden carvings, ancient map prints, and handwoven fabrics.


5-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Combine nature and spirituality with visits to Butterfly Spring and Chongsheng Temple.

  • Days 1–4: As above.
  • Day 5 Morning: Taxi or bus (~30 minutes) to Butterfly Spring Scenic Area, stroll among blooming flowers and clear water pools.
  • Day 5 Afternoon: Visit Chongsheng Temple and the Three Pagodas area for history and peaceful gardens.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town; savor flower-infused teas and Bai-style hotpot.

Souvenirs: Flower teas, Buddhist prayer beads, temple-themed crafts, herbal remedies.


6-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: Add day trips to nearby ethnic minority villages for cultural exchange and handicrafts.

  • Days 1–5: As above.
  • Day 6 Morning: Hire a taxi or join a local tour (~1 hour) to villages like Naxi or Bai ethnic minority settlements. Participate in handicraft making or traditional dance demonstrations.
  • Day 6 Afternoon: Enjoy home-cooked meals with host families and return to Dali in the evening.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town. Enjoy fresh, homemade ethnic dishes like potato cakes and smoked ham.

Souvenirs: Handwoven baskets, embroidered clothing, ethnic musical instruments, local spices.


7-Day Itinerary

Brief intro: A relaxed week combining all highlights around Dali Bar Street, nature, culture, and minority experiences.

  • Days 1–6: As above.
  • Day 7 Morning: Leisurely revisit favorite spots in Dali Ancient Town or Erhai lakeside.
  • Day 7 Afternoon: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a Bar Street restaurant with live music and Bai-Tibetan fusion cuisine.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dali Ancient Town or lakeside guesthouse. Dine on grilled yak, flower cakes, butter tea, and fresh lake fish.

Souvenirs: Ethnic jewelry, pottery, local teas, hand-painted fans, and musical instruments.


User Reviews

By pufferfish |

Dali Bar Street is the heart of the ancient city's nightlife. Under the veil of night, the lights of Foreigner Street flicker, and folk music and electronic music flow through the air. Recommended spots include Bad Monkey for craft beer and live jazz, or Piaoxiang Tavern for a resident singer rendition of Yunnan folk songs. Lanterns sway along the cobblestone pavement, and the resident singer's captivating rendition of "Going to Dali" captivates the heart. While enjoying a beer, admire the international crowds of backpackers toasting and chatting at the alley entrance. The crowds reach their peak after 10 p.m., so avoid the peak tourist groups. Here, you'll find both the artistic world of poetry and wine, and the vibrant energy of electronic music parties. Remember to wear a light jacket—the night breeze over Cangshan Mountain always carries a hint of intoxication.

By Zhang Hang |

There are many people, no matter when it is crowded, the scenery is very beautiful

By Puff puff.. |

The scenery is nice at night, there are a lot of people, many young ladies and young brothers. In fact, the content of each bar is similar.

By Dandan Girl |

There are so many bars, all kinds of them, which really opened my eyes as someone who has never been to a bar before. It is not noisy at all, but very relaxing inside.

By Freeman |

There are many bars where you can feel the local customs and culture.

By Saint Landis Snow |

The water system that runs through the ancient city brings wealth and fortune.

By Miss Bones |

There are so many people, and the drinks are generally expensive.

By Pen Oil |

The young men and women greeted everyone at the door: "There is no minimum consumption, come in and find love." The singing coming from each house was different, and some of them were really talented, and they felt like they could be on The Voice of China.

By King Vegetable Root |

You can go there in the evening and listen to the music of folk singers, and relax.

By Lala |

The songs in the bar are better than those in Lijiang Ancient Town. I personally think it is quite suitable to stop and listen.

By Eagle |

A place for romantic encounters. If you have time, you can go there. Whether you can meet someone depends on fate.

By The delicate flowers on the other side stand upright |

It feels good, suitable for young people to go! Good experience.

By Meet Dunhuang |

Dali's bar street is compact and a relaxing place. The bar is small, but the layout is very special. Almost every bar has resident singers with different styles. It's great. There are no single tables here, so it won't be strange to go there alone.

By Green dumplings |

Various bars and shops, various styles, songs drifting into your ears

By The sky is bright in Yanjiao |

There's no minimum spend, which is very conscientious. You can buy a cup of tea for 20 or 30 yuan and stay all day without any shame. I bought a cup of Godfather for 100 yuan. It's not delicious, but the singers in some bars in Dali are really good!

By double 17 |

Most of the bars here are high-energy, with one or two quiet bars occasionally located in the middle. Of course, the night here is more exciting.

Bar Street is actually parallel to East Street, with a small stream in between. Therefore, you can also enter Bar Street by walking north from Sifang Street.

By SenFramework |

The bar street in the old town is a must-see. If you're traveling with a friend, you might even get a romantic encounter. Popular items include silk scarves, flower cakes, and tamarind cakes. If you want to save money, explore the old town first, as prices at the main entrance are often much higher than those in the inner alleys.

By China-TravelNote users |

Come here in the evening to drink some tea, a little wine and listen to music, it's very romantic.

By Stephen Chow's Study |

The most famous bar in Dali is Bad Monkey, owned by a foreigner, and frequented by foreigners drinking there at night. If you prefer something more lively, try Red Dragon Well Bar Street, where beer is affordable and there are plenty of performances.

By Veronika |

It is beautiful, but we had not been there before. We passed by it on the day we left and saw all kinds of bars.

By Gobi Desert sheep grazing |

The overall atmosphere is not as good as that of Lijiang Ancient Town, but it has Bai characteristics, so it is still recommended.

By pitaya |

It is my personal favorite place in this extremely commercialized ancient city. Wherever there are bars in Dali, there are resident singers. The most unforgettable place for me is the cottage. I went there every day in Dali. It is really an unforgettable memory in my life.

By Celtic |

The night is very lively and beautiful. In addition, there are many girls.

By Ding Qimiao |

It's quite lively at night, with some unique bars. Stay away from there.

By Guo Ge |

It's just like other ancient towns. It's noisy at night. There's nothing special.

By It is nothing |

The decoration is very unique. It is relatively quiet during the day and very noisy and lively at night.

By The Practicing Taurus |

Flying on the road



Poetry and distance,



It's not a heavy suitcase.



But a round-trip ticket

By Strolling through Jingxin |

There are many tourists from other places here, and a few friends gather together in the middle of the night.

By A quiet summer |

A very quiet place during the day, with sparkling water,

By As light as water |

It should be very pleasant to go there at night. I went to Dali Ancient Town during the day on the first day, and took a walk around it on the night of my departure. It was indeed lively at night. If I had time, I would like to go to a pub and sit down, although I can't drink.

By skykate |

It should be very pleasant to go there at night. I went to Dali Ancient Town during the day on the first day, and took a walk around it on the night of my departure. It was indeed lively at night. If I had time, I would like to go to a pub and sit down, although I can't drink.

By Avatar |

It's quieter than the bars in Lijiang, but there are a lot of bartenders.

By Not yet |

Noisy, noisy, noisy. How could such a beautiful place be so discordant? As night falls, I should sit in a small bar, have a glass of fruit wine, quietly listen to folk songs, and let my mind clear.

By Bluebird |

It's a bit noisy at night. The street is not long and the water flow at the door is pretty nice.

By Yo |

Forgive me for being poor and not going into the bar. I'm a good kid. Hehehe. It was quite lively there. But they said it was super expensive. Be careful of the bar touts.

By Zhang Feiteng |

If you can't drink, don't go there. There seems to be a bar called One Meter Sunshine which is quite famous. I went there 8 years ago. I don't know if it is still there.

By xiaoqi |

Quiet, peaceful, and beautiful, it's worth staying and exploring

By Happiness-Snow Tears |

There are some bars in Dali, but I didn't go in. I just watched from outside.

By Nina |

It's very noisy, all at high decibels!! If you like noise, you can go there.

By A promise worth a thousand gold |

I didn't go in, but it looked pretty good from outside.

By ZJD |

It's lively and fun. Isn't the purpose of going to Dali to relax?

By King cauliflower |

It's okay to go at night, but there are too many people and it's a bit noisy, so I don't like it.

By Double trip |

It's very lively, but the prices are quite high and tacky.

By The King of Carving |

There are a lot of people at night, basically everyone goes there at night

By hedgehog |

There are many bars there, Tang Dynasty and Monkey are more famous. I went to one called Muzi Xiaoqing. It's not big but it's good for listening to folk songs.

By Chicken stewed with mushrooms, |

The bar street is very lively, with many people coming and going.

By Heavy rain causes flooding |

Dali, bar street in the ancient city.

There are a lot of people during the day.

It is even more prosperous at night.

By Cats that don't eat fish |

To be honest, I don’t like this kind of noisy place, but it’s also nice to go for a stroll at night. You will see how commercialized Dali has become now.

By cyc |

It's worth a visit, maybe you'll have a romantic encounter. You can still have fun and relax at night.

By star743 |

The bars in Dali are not as lively as those in Lijiang, but they are also less commercial.

By Passerby B. |

...I don't like the bars on Bar Street, they're a bit noisy

By big apple |

The speakers are loud, the performances are exciting, and the wine isn't too expensive.

By JIAPING |

There aren't many foreigners on Bar Street anymore. I don't know if it was because I went at the wrong time, but it didn't seem very busy and was rather deserted. There are plenty of food stalls along the street, and the street hygiene is OK.

By Only you are my paradise |

Not bad, don't miss it if you like playing bars, there are many handsome guys, girls, and foreigners, haha

By Shadow Purple, (New Moon) |

It's still worth a visit, but I personally prefer the bar street in Lijiang Old Town. The bar street in Dali Old Town is roughly the same as the bar street in Lijiang Old Town. I don't know which one copied the other.

By Still today |

Bar street, it's nice to listen to music here

By Pink |

It is very lively at night, and it is indeed a good choice to invite friends to spend a night there.

By Slowly |

I prefer Dali's tranquility and freedom to Lijiang. But since it's a scenic area, I still find it a bit pricey. Student-friendly, that's a shame.

By Zz |

The bar street in Dali, Yunnan, seems to be inside the Dali Ancient Town (my impression is a bit vague)

By Happy stupid pig- |

The music is deafening, and it is the most lively place in Dali Ancient Town at night. I like this kind of bar very much. If you are traveling, I really recommend you to go and experience it.

By Teven |

It has its own characteristics and a little bit of romance.

By Lost |

The street is very narrow and the decoration of each store is very unique.

By China-TravelNote users |

Read other people's stories and dream your own dreams. So tired... gradually

By Small tree |

It's a little smaller than Lijiang. Dali Bar Street is not big, but it's exquisite. It's very close to Dali Medical College and you can meet many students.

By Wandering around |

It was raining when I went there, so there were few people in the bar. I hope I can experience it the same way next time.

By Concubine Yi |

Yunnan Bar Street is very lively at night and it is the beginning of young people’s nightlife!

By Borgin and the Love of Gold |

In the ancient town, it is quite lively, with three or five friends singing and drinking

By It's Ding Ding Cat Hero |

Great atmosphere, Dali is suitable for a slow pace of life, I like Dali very much, it's great

By Xiao He |

At night, there are touts everywhere at the bar entrance.

By Misty |

It's very lively at night, with a lot of people. You can go shopping.

By Cornetto ♨ |

The bar street has a strong commercial atmosphere and there are so many bars. How can you leave without having a drink?

By Simple Happiness |

Yunnan Dali Bar Street. Good place guide group

By AugustAli |

If you love nightlife, these Dali bars are a must-see. For a sip of wine, a Dali bar is the perfect place to enjoy some romance and make some casual friends. This is a favorite haunt of both the good and the bad, and the owners are all retired souls of the same trade.

By One-dimensional |

The bars in Dali are not as noisy as those in Lijiang, but they are still pretty good.

By je t'aime |

Sometimes you might want to enjoy a drink while listening to music, so naturally you'll head to a bar. The most popular ones are those around Foreigner Street and Red Dragon Well. If you like the hustle and bustle, you can go in and experience the ghostly howling of wolves. Of course, there are also quiet bars in many alleys, which are also very good.


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