Cultural Immersion in Dali, Yunnan
Our family vacation to Dali City in Yunnan ranks up there with the best of the best travel experiences. Everything was so peaceful and enjoyable thanks mainly to our wonderful hosts at the Linden Center.
Linden Center, Dali
We stayed at the Linden Center which is on the northern end of Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan. Linden Center is a retreat more so than a hotel. While staying there you are a house guest and they offer several cultural immersion options to give you a taste of life in Dali. For example, we learned about calligraphy, local teas and ceremony, and we made our own Chinese dumplings for lunch. Also they have excursions for hiking, shopping, market tours, bike tours, and make your own tie-dye tapestry. These are but a few of the sights and activities we enjoyed.
![Calligraphy is harder than it looks](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-calligraphy-300x200.jpg)
![Learning to make dumplings](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-dumplings-300x200.jpg)
Our experiences at the Linden Center are among my most favorite travel memories. We did and saw so much, everyone was pleasant and the bucolic scenery is an ideal way to spend a relaxing vacation.
![Field of new garlic crop](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-crossfield-300x200.jpg)
![Lunch of fresh, local foods](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-lunch-300x200.jpg)
The Old Town
![The oldest hotel in Dali](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-oldest-building-300x225.jpg)
![Ornate doors of old wealthy family common around Dali](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-lindenctr-door-300x300.jpg)
Dali was at various times a thriving trade route and wealthy families would have ornate doorways leading into their homes.
Mountain Hike
![Zhonghe Temple at top of mountain](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-zhonghe-temple-1024x768.jpg)
![The path along a cliff](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-path2-1024x768.jpg)
![Rare sighting of a "dog bear" or red panda](http://mytravels.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/dali-dogbear-220x300.jpg)
The path is well maintained and pretty much paved the whole way.
There are several nice resting stops and scenic spots.
I had a rare opportunity to stumble upon a red panda or “Dog Bear” as the locals call it.