Dali City, formerly known as Tali, is the county-level seat of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in northwestern Yunnan.     northwestern Yunnan. Similar to Carlisle in England, Dali City is not a single city but a county-sized area called a city for administrative purposes. With a rich history stretching back to the kingdom of Nanzhao (8th century), the old town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Yunnan, known for its natural scenery, historical and cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife.