Ting Chen
Quick Jump
I've been guiding photography tours in Dali for over a decade. And honestly? Most visitors get the same postcard shot from South Gate and call it a day. That breaks my heart. — Because the real magic hides in side alleys, at odd hours, and behind tourist traps. So here is my personal breakdown of Dali Ancient City photography spots that will make your feed stand out. No fluff, just spots I've tested with real clients in all seasons.
Best Time for Photography at Dali Ancient City
Light is everything in this ancient town. The classic mistake? Coming at 11 AM when the sun blasts the whitewashed walls flat. I always tell my group: come twice a day.
- Golden window 1: 7:00–8:30 AM — Soft sidelight hits the east-west streets. Fewer people, and the mist from Cangshan Mountain sits low behind the roofs.
- Golden window 2: 4:30–6:00 PM — Warm backlight from the west. Perfect for silhouettes of the towers against Cangshan. But watch out: the main street gets flooded with tour groups from 5 PM onward. That's when you slip into the northern side alleys.
What about midday? I skip it for street photography and head indoors — to the courtyard of a tea house or the museum. The harsh light kills the texture of the old bricks.
Top 7 Photography Spots in Dali Ancient City
Below is my curated list. Each spot is ranked by uniqueness and crowd level (low/medium/high). I've included exact addresses and sneaky tips.
| Spot | Address | Best Time | Crowd | Entry Fee | My Insider Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Gate (Nanmen) | South end of Fuxing Rd | 7:00 AM | High | Free | Don't shoot from the front. Walk 50m inside the gate and look back — the arch frames the mountain perfectly. |
| Wuhua Tower | Center of the Ancient City | 4:30 PM | Medium | Free (climb not allowed) | Shoot from the small square west of the tower. Position yourself so the tower aligns with Cangshan peak. Use a small aperture (f/11) for star effect on the lanterns. |
| Foreigner Street (Yangren Jie) | West part, parallel to Fuxing Rd | Any time, early morning best | Low–medium | Free | Ignore the bars. Walk to the very west end where locals hang laundry. The mix of white walls and colorful cloth is gold. |
| Erhai Lake Viewpoint (near North Gate) | North Gate exit, turn right and walk 10 min | 6:30 AM (sunrise) | Low | Free | You'll pass a small fish market. The smell is strong, but the view of Erhai from the raised platform is unobstructed. Bring a telephoto lens. |
| East-West Alley (between Fuxing and Renmin Rd) | Any narrow east-west lane | 7:00–9:00 AM | Low | Free | My secret: find a lane with a dog sleeping at the doorstep. The contrast of old wood doors and morning light creates a timeless feel. |
| Dali Catholic Church | No. 13 Renmin Rd | 9:00–10:30 AM | Low | Free | Blends Gothic and Bai architecture. The rose window catches light best around 9:30 AM. Ask the caretaker politely; he may open the gate for you. |
| South Gate Night Market area (after dark) | Outside South Gate | 7:30–9:00 PM | High | Free | Forget the market itself. Stand on the bridge over the moat and shoot the reflection of the lit gate in the water. You'll need a tripod and a 0.5-stop ND filter to smooth the water. |
Camera Gear & Tripod Rules
If you're flying into China, do not bring a gimbal unless you have a special permit for commercial filming. I've seen tourists have theirs confiscated at the airport. For still photography:
- Tripod: Allowed in the Ancient City, but not inside some paid temples or museums (e.g., Chongsheng Temple). Carry a travel tripod under 1kg — the cobblestone streets are uneven.
- Lens suggestions: A 24-70mm covers 90% of scenes. I also carry a 70-200mm for compressing the mountain-town layers. Wide-angle (16mm) is great for courtyards but watch out for distortion on the old walls.
- Filters: Circular polarizer is essential to cut glare from the white walls and puddles. Neutral density (3-stop) for long exposures of the moat at dusk.
One more thing: The local authorities sometimes block the main archway of South Gate with a white van for events. If that happens, ask the security guard when it will move — usually after 10 AM.
How to Avoid Crowds at Dali Ancient City Photography Spots
Crowds are the #1 enemy of a clean shot. Here is my battle-tested plan:
- Use the north-to-south reverse route: Most groups enter from South Gate and walk north along Fuxing. I enter from the north gate at 7 AM, walk south, and finish at South Gate by 9 AM when the first busloads arrive. That gives me 2 hours of uncrowded streets.
- Rainy days are your friend: Dali's drizzle creates moody reflections on the cobblestones. Umbrellas provide foreground interest. Plus, the crowds vanish. Bring a rain cover for your camera.
- Weekday vs weekend: Chinese domestic tourists peak on Saturday. If you can, plan your visit Monday–Thursday. I've had entire sections of Foreigner Street to myself on a Tuesday morning.
Night Photography in the Ancient City
Dali after dark is a different world. The lanterns glow orange, and the crowds thin out after 9 PM. My favorite spot is again the South Gate moat. I set up on the small bridge about 80 meters east of the gate. Use these settings as a starting point:
- ISO 100, aperture f/11, shutter speed 8–15 seconds (depending on ambient light).
- Enable long exposure noise reduction — the camera gets warm after several shots.
- Watch out for electric tuk-tuks zipping by — their headlights create light trails that can ruin a 10-second exposure. Wait for a gap of at least 15 seconds with no traffic.
Warning: The moat water is shallow, but the edge is slippery. I once saw a photographer drop his 5D Mark III into the water — luckily only the lens. Tie a strap to your tripod center column as a safety measure.
Bonus: Two Nearby Spots Worth the Walk
If you have an extra day, these are outside the Ancient City but within 30 minutes:
- Caicun Wharf (Erhai Lake): Take bus No. 8 from the Ancient City to the last stop (20 min). Walk 10 minutes east. The wooden boats and seagulls (Nov–Mar) make dreamy compositions. Best at sunrise.
- Chongsheng Temple (Three Pagodas): 2 km north of the city. The reflection pool in front of the pagodas is iconic. Ticket: 75 RMB (adult), requires WeChat booking — ask your hotel to help if you don't have Alipay. I prefer going at 4 PM when the light hits the pagodas from the side.
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