This is a typical courtyard wall in wealthy Bai home.
Almost every wall in Dali is decorated. This is on a normal street.
The buildings are usually connected by their courtyard walls and are sometimes
quite complicated.
The character at the end of the alley, fu, means good luck and is
everywhere in China. I have only seen this particular treatment of it in this Bai village.
There are many stone working shops in Dali. These two people are consulting on
the design of a grave stone. In the background you can just make out a framed piece of polished
marble of the kind that is sold all over Dali.
This is a view of a hotel courtyard. The blue characters say “Stone City
Guest House.” The elaborate painting on the gable is very common. Also note the polished
marble set in the courtyard wall.
This is a typical courtyard gate. It’s not particularly oriented to the
tourist trade. Up close, it needs some tile work and paint, and it faces a dusty alley way and
a small dirt yard with a couple of cows.
This is a view of the restored North Gate in the city wall of Dali.