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Dali Ancient City, also called Yeyu City,
Forbidden City, Zhonghezhen, lies 3 kilometers north from
Xiaguan, the capital of Dali Prefecture. Embracing Erhai
Lake in the east and adjoining Cangshan Mountain in the
west, Dali City was first established in the early period
of the Ming Dynasty, and then an administrative organ called
"wei" was set up. The one who was in charge was
granted the title "Commanding Envoy of the Dali Wei".
Now in dali, the place name "the Gate of Wei"
is still used among the people. In the Qing Dynasty, the
military commander of Yunnan was stationed in Dali. Yixidao,
Dalifu (Dali Prefecture) and Taihexian (Taihe County) were
established. In the second year of the Republic of China,
Dali was renamed Taihe County. Now it is called Zhonghe
Town of Dali City.
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The circumference of Dali Ancient City was
6 kilometers long. The City Wall is 8 metres high and 7
meters thick. The interior of the wall was filled with rocks
and the surface was bricked over smoothly. The four gate
towers in the east, south, west and north are named Chen
En, Tong Hai, Cangshan and An Yuan respectively. There are
also 45 battlements and 1560 crenels on the walls. A defensive
river was surrounding the city. The streets and avenues
in the city now are crisscrossing each other, typical of
chessboard pattern. The buildings are all covered with dark
blue tiles and pebble-staked walls. All look very pristine
and delicate. The residents all like to plant trees and
flowers. There are garden in every house. The famous Dali
camellia, azalea and orchids are competing to show their
beauty, blooming against snow on Cangshan mountain. Red
flowers and green grass are coming out from wall, making
up flowers streets. Streams from Cangshan mountain come
into the city, going across the streets and visiting every
family with their happy sound and sweet taste, running eastwards
to Erhai lake. The whole city looks fresh and wet, without
any dust.
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The climate here is pleasant and Spring
season is prevailing all year round. Outside and west to
the city, there are famous Three Pagoda Temple, the relics
of the Nanzhao Kingdom's capital Yangjumie and the Market
of March Fair. At the south suburb of the city, there is
the Pagoda of Hongsheng Temple, the Gantong Temple, the
Nanzhao Stele and the newly-constructed Nanzhao Cultural
Center. At the north suburb of the city locate a world renowned
Butterfly Spring and the native land of Five Golden Flowers
-- Xizhou. Looking to the west, one can enjoy the view of
Cangshan Mountain, snow on the mountain top that never melts,
and a mysterious jade-ribbon cloud. Looking eastwards, one
finds the charming and pretty scene of Erhai Lake and distant
view of Jizu Mountain. Here You can enjoy drinking Bai people's
three courses of tea, having special foods, watching colorful
tie-dyeing and purchasing handcrafts of marble.
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In the city, historical relics such as the
headquarters of Du Wenxiu, leader of a peasant uprising,
and relevant stone steles still remain today. The headquarters
is virtually a city within the city of Dali, called the
"Forbidden City". The south and north gate-towers,
some sections of the wall and some parts of Du Wenxiu's
headquarters can still be seen today. The magnificent towers,
elegant streets, small and exquisite courtyards, colourful
flowers blooming in profusion give people a feeling of antiquity,
serenity and elegance. Today, this famous ancient city is
attracting more and more tourists.
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