Longweiguan: Xiaguan's last old gate and the lanes behind it
Longweiguan, Xiaguan, Dali city
Xiaguan is Dali's modern city, but just north of the Black Dragon Bridge (黑龙桥) over the Xi'er River stands its one surviving old gate, Shoukang Tower, where the caravan road north used to begin. It was the north gate of Dragon Tail City, built by the Nanzhao kingdom in the 8th century, and a low stretch of the old wall still survives. Walk up the long Shoukang slope (寿康坡) into lanes of old houses, springs, small temples and food shops in a quarter that sees few tour groups.
What locals sayVisitors who find it describe it as barely commercial with fair prices, and warn that the long slope is tiring.
- Time
- 1–2 hours · Afternoon
- In Chinese
- 龙尾关 寿康楼
Point-to-order sour fish at Yutian Fish Restaurant in Xiaguan
A three-generation Bai fish house in Xiaguan with low stools and no printed menu: you walk into the kitchen and point at what you want. The house dish is sour-spicy fish cooked with toasted dried chili; stir-fried pork liver is the other order regulars swear by. Most of the diners are local.
Good to know Fish is priced by weight, so point at the one you want and confirm the total before it goes in the pot.
Cost: About ¥47 per person · Time: 1 hour · Lunch or dinner
Sour quince fish at Haiyan Restaurant by Xingsheng Bridge
An old-school Bai restaurant beside Xingsheng Bridge in Xiaguan. Order crucian carp in a broth soured with local quince (English menus call it papaya) and chicken braised with erkuai rice cake. Come before dark and walk the bridge after dinner.
Good to know Dishes are sized for sharing: two plates plus rice is plenty for two people.
Cost: About ¥84 per person · Time: 1 hour · Dinner
Checked on site by visitors
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Based on what locals and regular visitors share, checked against current sources · Updated September 2026. Details change — check opening times locally.
