A Hidden Gem in Dali's Arts and Culture Scene: Escape the Crowds and Explore 8 Unique Corners Only Local Literary Youth Know.

In Dali, besides the usual routes of Renmin Road and Chongsheng Temple, there is still a lesser-known cultural map that can be connected on foot, hidden among old factories, Bai ethnic courtyards, and community alleys.

Bed Sheet Factory Art Zone: A Creative Scene in an Old Factory Building

Converted from a former bed sheet factory workshop, the building retains its industrial framework with red brick walls, high trusses, and weathered skylights, while the interior is densely packed with artist studios, independent design shops, and small exhibition spaces. The highlight isn't any particular permanent exhibit, but rather the open studios and weekend markets you might stumble upon. For photography, it's recommended to take photos in the afternoon when the sunlight shines obliquely through the high windows, standing on the second-floor corridor with the factory skylights as a backdrop; for the graffiti wall, a low-angle shot from below is best to avoid overexposing the wall due to midday overhead light.

Dolphin Ade Bookstore: A Literary Living Room by Erhai Lake

The bookstore has a quiet and restrained atmosphere, with a focus on poetry, independent publications, and books by local Dali authors. A local culture section is always located near the entrance, where you can find many pamphlets about Bai architecture and local oral history. The appeal lies in the editorial logic of the books rather than their sheer size. For photography, it's recommended to sit at the wooden table by the window and use natural sidelight to capture close-ups of the hand turning the pages. The white walls and wooden sign at the entrance are suitable for vertical compositions, and the atmosphere is even more atmospheric in the evening blues.

Miscellaneous Words Bookstore: A small haven for handmade paper and independent publishing

This place is more like a mini publishing studio, with homemade booklets, hand-bound notebooks, and a small selection of out-of-print secondhand books. The paper feels rougher than in a typical bookstore. The highlights are the close-up views of the hand-binding tools and unfinished sample books. For photography, focus on the piles of old papers in the corner of the bookshelves and use a wide aperture to blur the background; the hand-binding table retains its tools and spools of thread, and shooting from above creates a sense of order.

Dali Photography Museum: A Visual Archive in a Bai Ethnic Courtyard

Nestled within a Bai ethnic minority courtyard, the exhibition primarily features old photographs of Dali, documentary photography, and local archival footage, with occasional darkroom experiences available. The space itself is a highlight, with the wooden staircase, screen wall, and courtyard contrasting beautifully with the black-and-white photo wall. For photography, it's recommended to use the natural overhead light in the courtyard to shoot portraits against the black-and-white photo wall; the corners of the wooden staircase are suitable for framing compositions, but be careful to avoid reflections from the glass.

Chaimiduo Lifestyle Market: Old farm tools and hand-drip coffee coexist in one room

The space blends a community café, a flea market, and a weekend market, juxtaposing old farm tools, woven baskets, and a hand-drip coffee bar without excessive decoration. The highlights are the mix of vintage items and everyday life, as well as the weekly farm market. For photography, it's recommended to use sidelighting to capture the hand-drip coffee process near the old wooden table by the window; the woven baskets and farm tool wall serve as suitable backdrops, and a medium focal length can be used to compress the spatial layers.

Xizhou Jiasheji Agricultural Culture and Art Museum: Narratives from Objects in an Old House

Transformed from an old Bai ethnic house, the installation rearranges traditional farming tools, seeds, and folk paintings into an art form. It's not simply a display of tools, but rather a story told through these objects, recounting the farming memories of the Erhai Basin. Highlights include the seed wall and the carved gate tower. For photography, it's recommended to stand in the center of the courtyard and shoot upwards, framing the gate tower against the sky. Symmetrical compositions are also suitable for shots in front of the array of old objects. The low-angle lighting after 3 PM best highlights the texture of the wood grain.

STUDIO 131 Independent Gallery: An Experimental Ground for Young Artists

This small contemporary art space primarily features installations, prints, and experimental photography, with exhibitions updated frequently. The highlight is the site-specific and experimental nature of the works, often with resident artists creating on-site. For photography, it's recommended to maintain negative space within the white cube area and keep a certain distance between yourself and the artworks. When encountering installations, try using the exhibition labels or door frames as foreground elements to increase the sense of depth.

Pu Shi Coffee: A hand-drip coffee spot tucked away in the neighborhood.

Nestled in a residential alley on the edge of the old city, the space is small. The pour-over menu is arranged by origin and roast level, and there's a corner of old books and a few vinyl records next to the bar. It has a more community living room vibe, attracting many regulars. The highlights are the barista's handling of the beans and the selection of items in the old books corner. For photography, I recommend sitting on the bar stool to capture the flow of water from the pour-over kettle; backlighting will help you capture the steam. The window seats receive some afternoon light, perfect for photographing the stacked cups and old books.

Explore the spiritual corners of this city with your footsteps.