Dali Bai Nationality Autonomous Prefecture Museum

A lakeside park in Xiaguan at the southern end of Erhai Lake. It offers views of Erhai and provides access to the nearby Dali Port and sightseeing cruises on the lake.

An authentic, non-touristy temple.

Offering one of the best preserved Buddhist structures in China. However, the compounds behind the pagodas were destroyed during the 1920s earthquake and later in the Cultural Revolution and were rebuilt starting in 1986. The Central Pagoda is almost 1200 years old and represents a period when Dali was a Buddhist Kingdom. The Congshen Temple behind the Three Pagodas has been rebuilt and reopened, after deteriorating in the 20th century due to earthquakes, fires and the Cultural Revolution. It is a massive complex that continues far up the mountain, where a climb to the top of the pagodas rewards with a beautiful overlook of Dali Ancient Town and Erhai Lake. Worth a visit for the Tang architecture, numerous golden statues of the Buddha and Guanyin with influences from both India and China, dragon fountains, and two small museum showcases. While you're there, don't miss the eccentrically translated "Shadow Agglomeration Pond" (聚影池), where you can see the reflections of the three pagodas in a very picturesque way. The large rock on a pedestal covered with small holes may be a bit of a puzzle—a hint is that it's called the "Frog Call Stone" (蛙鸣石)

The complex also includes a small but tasty vegetarian buffet, open 11:30 to 13:00, ¥20. The tables have a charming but perhaps slightly self-serving couplet in Classical Chinese: "Thrift is the greatest virtue; luxury is the worst vice."

You can pay extra for a ride up the complex on a sort of oversized golf cart, but it's probably not worth it because the sights are basically all next to each other in a line from the entrance.

Visit Guanyin Temple and several islands. Go with a group and enjoy a great day out. Boats can be easily arranged as the owners come into town to drum up business and you can see what you are getting from the photobooks they carry. Ferry rides at real stations cost around ¥30. There are signs indicating that fishing boats and paddle boats can't carry tourists, although it is unclear what the definition of tourist is.

Xizhou has almost 200 national heritage listed private houses dating from the Qing Dynasty. The houses are among the best examples of traditional Qing architecture in China and are exquisitely detailed. Chinese style with local touches. Building craftsmen from Xizhou were famous throughout Southeast Asia and travelled to Vietnam, Myanmar and throughout Southwest China to build and decorate houses. When they made their fortune, they returned to Xizhou to build their own homes. As most of these houses are occupied, you must be on your best behaviour, knock and enter with permission. The best way to see the finest examples are with a local guide as many of the interesting houses are difficult to find. Nonetheless, with a little legwork and good manners you can locate plenty of interesting architecture on your own. The family estate of the Yan clan is preserved as a museum and open to the public, and while an excellent example of the architecture of the very rich is too commercial and compares poorly with more ordinary family homes in the township. Definitely worth a visit for a getaway if you need a break from the more modern Dali Old Town.

An old fishing village with many well-preserved buildings, at the northeast shore of Erhai Lake. Lots of restaurants as well as traditional buildings, and access to Yuji Island (玉几岛, accessible by bridge for ¥10) and Nanzhao Island (南诏岛, take the ferry for ¥50).