Xiaguan City
Modern urban district of Dali, Yunnan province
Xiaguan, Dali's modern district, functions as a transport and market hub beside Erhai Lake; travelers pass through en route to Dali Old Town, boat trips and Cangshan mountain excursions.
Xiaguan at a Glance#
Costs: USD 30-60 a day - moderate - serves as Dali’s transport and service hub.
Safety: Generally safe and stable - safe and busy; standard urban caution applies.
Best Time: Mar-May, Sep-Nov (pleasant) - spring and autumn (March-May, Sept-Nov) are most comfortable for exploring.
Why Visit Xiaguan?#
As the modern gateway to Dali’s lakes and mountains, this bustling new town appeals to travelers who want easy access to Erhai Lake and Bai culture. Visitors use it as a base for boat trips on Erhai, visits to Dali Old Town and explorations of Bai architecture and local markets. Sample regional specialties like erkuai and stroll lakeside promenades before heading into the old city’s cobblestone streets. Practical transport links and local eateries make it a convenient jumping-off point.
Best Things to Do in Xiaguan#
Xiaguan Bucket List#
Erhai Lake Boat Cruises from Xiaguan Harbor - Scenic boat trips across Erhai visiting fishing villages and lakefront pavilions.
Three Pagodas Viewpoint - Visit the iconic Three Pagodas near Dali for historical architecture and photos.
Xiaguan Modern Market - Lively market offering local foods, fresh produce, and Yunnan specialties.
Xizhou Morning Market - Early market in nearby Xizhou selling local breads, tofu, and handwoven textiles.
Tea Houses by Erhai - Quiet tea rooms serving puer and local blends with lakeside vistas.
Small Pottery Studios - Workshops producing traditional Dali ceramics and Yunnan-style pottery for sale.
Dali Ancient Town - Short trip to the historic old town with temples, markets, and Bai architecture.
Cangshan Mountain Cable Car and Trails - Ride and hike Cangshan for panoramic views and cool mountain air.
Best Time to Visit Xiaguan#
Dali (Xiaguan) is pleasantly cool in winter with clear skies and chilly nights-ideal for lakeside walks. The main rainy season (May-October) brings clouds and afternoon storms, reducing visibility.
November - February
10°C - 18°C (50°F - 64°F)
Crisp, sunny days and chilly nights - perfect for strolling the old town and lakeside; bring a jacket for evenings too.
March - April
15°C - 26°C (59°F - 79°F)
Warmer, mostly dry conditions good for biking and lake visits; afternoons can feel strong sun but are generally comfortable, though.
May - October
16°C - 24°C (61°F - 75°F)
Afternoon storms are common, turning roads slick and views misty; rice terraces and hills look lush, so bring waterproof gear.
Xiaguan's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in June) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (846 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 2° - 15° | 8° | 13 mm | mostly sunny | 66% | 1.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.6h |
| February | Excellent | 4° - 17° | 11° | 28 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 2.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.2h |
| March | Very Good | 7° - 21° | 14° | 44 mm | some cloud | 56% | 2.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 10° - 23° | 17° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 2.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.6h |
| May | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 55 mm | overcast | 63% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.3h |
| June | Good | 16° - 25° | 21° | 123 mm | overcast | 73% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.6h |
| July | Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 144 mm | overcast | 79% | 1.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.4h |
| August | Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 148 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.9h |
| September | Good | 14° - 23° | 19° | 104 mm | overcast | 82% | 1.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.4 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.4h |
| November | Very Good | 7° - 18° | 12° | 33 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 1.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.8h |
| December | Excellent | 2° - 15° | 8° | 13 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 1.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.4h |
How to Get to Xiaguan#
Xiaguan (Dali New Town) is Dali’s transport hub - easily reached by air to Dali Airport or by high‑speed train directly into Dali Railway Station in Xiaguan. The HSR is the most convenient regional option.
Dali Airport (DLU): Dali Airport serves Dali and Xiaguan (the new town often called Xiaguan). From the airport a taxi or airport shuttle to Xiaguan takes about 40-60 minutes; airport shuttle buses and taxis typically cost around ¥30-80 depending on service.
Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG): Kunming is the main provincial gateway. From Kunming you can take a high‑speed train to Dali (see train section) or a direct flight to Dali; flights take ~1 hour and then a short transfer into Xiaguan.
Train: Dali Railway Station (大理站) sits in Xiaguan (Dali New Town) and is served by high‑speed trains to Kunming, Lijiang and other Yunnan destinations. Typical travel time Kunming→Dali by HSR is roughly 2-3 hours; fares range roughly ¥100-180 depending on class.
Bus: Long‑distance buses run between Dali, Lijiang, Kunming and smaller towns; bus travel times are longer than HSR (Lijiang→Dali ~3-4 hours) with fares commonly ¥60-150. Local buses and taxis handle intra‑city connections in Xiaguan cheaply (¥1-10 for buses; taxis more).
How to Get Around Xiaguan#
For regional travel, the high‑speed train to Dali Station (Xiaguan) is the most reliable and time‑efficient choice. Within town the mix of taxis, bike rentals and walking covers nearly every need.
- High‑speed train (Dali Station) (¥100-180) - HSR service connects Dali (Xiaguan) with Kunming and Lijiang; trains are fast, comfortable and reliable - Kunming→Dali ~2-3 hours. Book tickets in advance in peak season; fares typically ¥100-180 depending on seat class.
- Airport shuttle / Taxi (DLU) (¥30-120) - From Dali Airport a shuttle bus or taxi will take you to Xiaguan in roughly 40-60 minutes. Shuttle buses are cheaper (¥30-60) while taxis are faster and more convenient (¥60-120) depending on luggage and time of day.
- Intercity Bus (¥60-150) - Buses link Dali with neighboring towns and scenic areas; they are generally cheaper than trains but slower. Expect Lijiang→Dali buses around 3-4 hours and fares of roughly ¥60-150.
- Taxi / Didi (¥10-150) - Taxis and ride‑hailing (where available) are handy for trips inside Xiaguan and to the old town; fares are modest for short trips but can add up for longer excursions to attractions outside town.
- Bicycle / E‑bike rental (¥20-80/day) - Cycling or renting an e‑bike is a popular, pleasant way to explore Xiaguan and the Erhai lakeshore; daily rentals are inexpensive and give access to lakeside paths and nearby villages.
- Walking - Xiaguan’s streets and the lakeshore promenades are very walkable for short sightseeing, markets and dining. Walking is often the simplest way to explore the central areas and riverside.
Where to Stay in Xiaguan#
Xiaguan (Dali Old Town access) - $10-40/night
Xiaguan (Dali) has plenty of budget guesthouses and hostels in the Xiaguan district; many are bookable via major OTA sites.
Dali Xiaguan area guesthouses (various) - Many small budget guesthouses available.
Xiaguan budget options on Trip.com - Aggregated listings for low-cost stays.
Xiaguan / Erhai area - $40-120/night
Mid-range hotels in Xiaguan balance convenience and comfort; good options around Erhai and the old town.
Banyan Tree Dali (mid-upper) - Upscale boutique style by Erhai Lake.
Dali Grand Hotel - Comfortable, city-center location.
Erhai Lake / Dali Resorts - $120+/night
Xiaguan has true luxury resorts around Erhai Lake and in the greater Dali area - ideal for comfortable, scenic stays.
Banyan Tree Dali - Resort-style luxury by Erhai Lake.
InterContinental Dali Resort - High-end resort amenities and service.
Shopping in Xiaguan#
Shopping in Xiaguan is practical rather than touristy: expect supermarkets, local markets, and small malls selling clothes, electronics and daily goods. For traditional Bai crafts, tie-dye and souvenir shopping, the older Dali township (Dali Old Town) offers more choice and specialist stalls.
Nightlife in Xiaguan#
Nightlife in Xiaguan is modest and mostly local: a handful of casual bars, KTVs (karaoke) and tea houses where residents gather. For more evening dining and bars with a tourist vibe, most visitors head into Dali Old Town, which has a livelier after-dark scene.
