3 Best Bars in Dali, Southwestern China

One of the town's oldest establishments, this is Dali's most popular watering hole. In addition to an extensive bar, Bad Monkey brews its own beer, with every batch selling out quickly. Drinks aside, the kitchen stays open until early morning and cooks up decent fish-and-chips and pizzas. There's live music almost every night.

Tucked away in an alley off busy Renmin Lu, this is a café by day that gets a bit more lively at night, when the bottles come out. There's a standard selection of drinks, completed with the obligatory Belgian ales. This is an excellent place if you are after a quiet spot.

One of Old Town's most pleasant bars, the civilized Sun Island draws a crowd that's young, alternative, and mostly Chinese. Grab a seat at the wooden bar and strike up a conversation with the friendly staffers.

For a local specialty, ask for the plum wine—it's actually plum liquor—on the rocks.