Bai Dancers. Dali is the home of
the colorful Bai minority, dancing here
on our tour boat on Erhai Lake. (photo
by Alyssa)
Erhai Lake. Deep, full of fish and
bright blue, Erhai Lake is roughly 30 miles long and two to five miles
wide. It is between two mountain ranges
and is fed by 18 perennial mountain streams. (photo by Lyle)
Tour Boat. A colorful tour boat
docks at Xiaguan, a larger city nine miles from Old Dali.
Xiaguan has been now been renamed Dali
City. (photo by Lyle)
Old Dali. An imposing gate leads
visitors into the old city of Dali, a bustling and fascinating
tourist destination with shops and narrow
streets and alleys. (photo by Lyle)
Mountain View. Old Dali is nestled
under the tallest peak of the Cangshan range, 19 peaks
averaging about 13,000 feet. Unusual in
western Yunnan Province, the range is granite
and has rich deposits of quality marble.
The Dali plain also has rich, black dirt, a
contrast to Yunnan's typical red soil.
(photo by Lyle)
One, Two, Three. The Three
Pagodas were once part of the greatest Buddhist temple complex
on the Dali plain. The tallest, at 230
feet, was built in 850 and the other two, both 135 feet, two
hundred years later. One is leaning after
a fairly recent earthquake. (photo by Aaron)
Fishing Boats. Fishing is an important
occupation on Erhai Lake. These boats were docked
at one the lake's three main islands.
(photo by Lyle)
Outdoor Concert. A concert and bonfire
concluded Dali College's first-ever International Day.
We were among 50 westerners who were special
guests at the event. A popular Bai singer
performed. We were ushered in to applause
and given front-row seats. (photo by Lyle)
A Good Old Time. Chinese and westerners
alike joined in to dance around the bonfire at International Day.
Dali College, the result of merged institutions,
has only been in existence for about six months. (photo by Lyle)