Dali Municipal Museum

Introducing Dali Municipal Museum
Dali Municipal Museum is a regional museum situated in Dali Old Town. Dali Municipal Museum is also known as the Grand Marshal’s Mansion. Covering 16,133 square meters, Dali Municipal Museum exhibits a wide range of artifacts, such as stoneware, pottery, bronze, porcelain, jade, stone carving, calligraphy and more, forming a collection of over 16,354 relics that chronicle the history of the Dali region from the Neolithic era to modern times.

Dali Municipal Museum Fast Facts
• AKA: Dali City Museum; Grand Marshal’s Mansion
• Chinese Name: DàLǐShì BóWùGuǎn 大理市博物馆
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 – 2 Hours
• Things to Do: Culture; Architecture
• Opening Hours: 9:00 to 17:00; Dali Municipal Museum is closed on Mondays, except the Chinese statutory holidays
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: 111 Fuxing Road, Dali Old Town, Yunnan Province

History of Dali Municipal Museum

Dali Municipal Museum was initially known as the Grand Marshal’s Mansion, serving as the residence of Du Wenxiu (1827-1872), who led the Hui ethnic minority revolt against the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) government in 1856. Du conquered Dali and became Marshal of the military forces. However, after his downfall in 1872, the mansion was abandoned and subsequently reconstructed in 1884. After extensive renovations by the government, the site was reopened as a museum in 1986.

What to expect at Dali Municipal Museum

Dali Municipal Museum is a courtyard-style architecture, comprising a main gate, Marshal’s hall, conference chamber, stele forest, and bell pavilion. The place stands as a prime example of Bai architectural style, integrating exhibition spaces with traditional garden structures. This unique architectural layout not only creates a distinctive style for the museum but also provides visitors with valuable insights into the history and culture of both the Bai people and Yunnan Province.

The museum’s permanent exhibitions include: “Historical Relics of Dali Exhibition,” “Ming Dynasty Pottery Figures Exhibition,” “Buddhist Art Exhibition,” “Ancient Calligraphy and Painting Art Exhibition,” “Historical Evolution of Yunnan Governors Exhibition,” and “Du Wenxiu’s Uprising Exhibition.” The museum is definitely worth a visit.

Stele Forest

The Stele Forest of the Dali Municipal Museum stands as the largest in the southwestern region of China, displaying 225 inscribed steles from different dynasties. These steles cover a wide range of topics, including politics, economy, culture, religion, education, biographies of notable figures, and local customs. This extensive collection makes it an unparalleled resource for exploring the history and culture of Dali.

Significantly, the Shan Hua Stele, dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), stands out as the most comprehensive inscription in the Bai language, transcribed in Chinese characters. It follows the traditional poetic form of the Bai people known as “Three Seven One Five,” portraying the illustrious history of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms.

How to get to Dali Municipal Museum

• On foot: Enjoy a 816 meters (0.5 miles) walk from Dali Old Town to Dali Municipal Museum.