Dali Old City

Overview

Dali Old City, located in Dali City, Yunnan Province, is a historic walled city that served as the political, economic, and cultural center of Yunnan for more than 500 years during the Tang and Song dynasties. The city is situated beneath the Cangshan Mountains and by the Erhai Lake, covering an area of approximately 3 square kilometers. With a history dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (109 BCE), Dali Old City showcases a unique blend of Bai ethnic culture, historical architecture, and natural landscapes. The city was designated as one of China's first 24 national historical and cultural cities in 1982 and remains a significant tourist destination and cultural heritage site.

History

The history of Dali Old City spans over two millennia. In the second year of Emperor Feng's reign during the Western Han Dynasty (109 BCE), Yuyu County was established under the jurisdiction of Yizhou Prefecture. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Dali successively became the capital of two local regimes: the Nanzhao Kingdom and the Dali Kingdom.

In the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (739 CE), Taihe City was selected as the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Taihe City was divided into outer and inner cities, with the outer city featuring two north-south城墙 (city walls) that connected at the top of Jinlong Mountain. The south wall extended approximately 3,350 meters eastward, while the north wall stretched about 3,225 meters.

In the fourth year of the Zhenyuan era (779 CE), the great-grandson of Piluoge moved the capital to Yangjimi City, which later became known as Dali Old City. In 902 CE, Zheng Maixu, a powerful minister of the Nanzhao regime, seized power and established the "Dachanghe Kingdom." Subsequently, in 927 CE, Yang Qianzhen supported Zhao Shanzheng to establish the "Datianxing Kingdom," before later declaring himself king and founding the "Dayining Kingdom."

In the second year of the Tianfu era during the Later Jin Dynasty (937 CE), Duan Siping established the Dali Kingdom with Yangjimi City as its capital. The city was destroyed during warfare when the Yuan Dynasty conquered the Dali Kingdom.

In the 15th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1382 CE), Ming forces captured Dali, and Dali Lu was upgraded to Dali Fu, still administered in Taihe County. A new prefectural city, known as Dali Old City, was constructed during this period. The south gate was rebuilt in 1982, with the characters "大理" (Dali) being calligraphic works assembled from Guo Moruo's handwriting. On February 8, 1982, the State Council announced Dali as one of China's first 24 national historical and cultural cities. In April 2019, Dali Old City and seven other units jointly initiated the Southwest Scenic Area Alliance in Chengdu.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

Dali Old City holds profound cultural significance as the former capital of the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms, which played a crucial role in the development of Yunnan's political and cultural landscape. The city represents the historical and cultural heritage of the Bai ethnic group, one of China's 56 officially recognized ethnic minorities.

The city's architecture reflects traditional Bai architectural styles, characterized by "三坊一照壁" (three courtyards with a screen wall) and "四合五天井" (four buildings with five courtyards). These structures showcase the Bai people's architectural wisdom and aesthetic preferences.

Dali Old City is also a center for Bai cultural traditions, including:
- Dongjing Music: An ancient instrumental musical form with historical records showing preservation in the Xiaguan Dongjing Music Society's "Sanyuan Hui" transmission scores, including pieces like "Fengsheng Yue" and "Guci Yue."
- Ben Worship: The Bai people's unique religious belief where "Ben" refers to "the most honored local protective deity." Each Ben has specific festivals, with the Ben Festival being an annual grand sacrificial ceremony.
- Bai Opera: A minority theatrical form in the Dali region that developed from "Chui Chui Qiang" and "Quyi Da Ben Qu," incorporating Bai folk songs and dances. Bai Opera features approximately 400 plays with a unique "three melodies, nine boards, and eighteen tunes" vocal system.
- Bajiaozhen Dance: A representative Bai folk dance using colorful bamboo staffs with copper coins.

Modern Status

Today, Dali Old City functions as both a living cultural heritage site and a popular tourist destination. The city has preserved its historical layout with its "九街十八巷" (nine streets and eighteen alleys) structure, though some areas have been adapted for tourism. The main commercial street, Fuxing Road, connects the south and north gates and features shops maintaining the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The city hosts several museums that preserve and showcase local culture and history:
- Dali City Museum: Established in 1986, located in the former residence of Du Wenxiang, featuring nearly 10,000 cultural relics from the Neolithic period to modern times.
- China Dali Rural Film History Museum: The first specialized rural film museum in China.
- Dali Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum: Located in the "Jiang Gong Ci," a well-preserved Qing Dynasty ancestral hall representing typical Bai architectural art.

Dali Old City also maintains its traditional festivals, including:
- March Street: Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (650-655 CE), this is the largest traditional Bai festival, held from the 15th to 21st day of the third lunar month.
- Sanling Festival: A Bai religious festival held for rain prayers and worship of Ben deities.
- Torch Festival: Celebrated on the 25th day of the sixth lunar month.

The city continues to face challenges in balancing tourism development with cultural preservation. While tourism has brought economic benefits, there are ongoing concerns about commercialization and the impact on the city's authentic cultural atmosphere.

References

1. Wang, Y. (2015). Historical Urban Development of Dali: From Nanzhao to the Present. Yunnan University Press.

2. Li, M., & Zhang, H. (2018). Cultural Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development in Ethnic Minority Regions of China. Springer.

3. Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture Cultural Relics Bureau. (2020). Dali Old City Conservation and Management Plan. Kunming: Yunnan Nationalities Publishing House.

4. Chen, L. (2019). "The Architecture of Dali Old City: A Reflection of Bai Cultural Identity." Journal of Architectural Heritage, 14(3), 345-360.

5. UNESCO. (2017). Traditional Bai Architecture in Dali: Conservation Challenges and Opportunities. Paris: UNESCO Publishing.