Vincent, one of the owners, opened the doors for me and quickly checked me in and recommend how I would navigate through the city for the day. I stayed in the 4-bed ensuite, which was very big, nicely decorated, had a beautiful stone bathroom, and a comfortable bed. After a quick nap, I ventured out.
I then quickly realized that I should have booked more than one night in Dali. The Old City is an area enclosed by a stone wall and four gates.
It is a set of small streets with local shops and a variety of restaurants. On one side is Erhai Lake and the other are mountains. I only had time to explore Old Town. It would have been nice to bike ride around the lake or hike the mountain.
Vincent recommended a new restaurant with a western diner theme. The owner self-identified himself as a "New Yawker" and the chef is from Poland. That morning I had an authentic french toast breakfast, the first I ever had in China. Marius recommended that I try the hamburger next time. They searched a long time for a good quality beef. Since I was leaving the next morning, I enjoyed the burger for breakfast the next morning.
Vincent also recommended a special Yunnan noodle dish. He wrote it down in Chinese so I could easily find the right vendor. I enjoyed the noodles for lunch.
Dinner was at a Yunnan Cafe, across from Bad Monkey, with Yunnan spring rolls and an eggplant dish. I enjoyed exploring the streets and meeting the people and vendors. It was a very comfortable place. The night was filled with fireworks to celebrate the new year. A nice end to my one day in Dali.
The next morning, the bus towards Jianchuan did not run as expected perhaps due to the holiday. With Vincent's help I was able to get on my way albeit four hours later than planned. Although my stay in Dali was short, Vincent's exceptional customer service will be unforgettable….thanks for everything, Vincent!
A return visit to Dali (and Timeless Dali Hostel) is a must.