Dali Marathon
Dali · May 17, 2026
A high-altitude lake marathon in the heart of Yunnan's Bai ethnic homeland. The May course follows the crystal-clear Erhai Lake with the snow-capped Cangshan Mountains as a backdrop, passing the iconic Three Pagodas and ancient city walls.
Date
May 17, 2026
Difficulty
Moderate
Elevation
~100m elevation gain (starting at 1,970m)
Field Size
10,000 runners
Course
Starting from Erhai Lake, along the lakeside road, past Dali Ancient Town and Three Pagodas, finishing at the new town center
Tips
- •May temps around 12-24°C, mild but strong UV at 1,970m — essential sun protection
- •1,970m altitude requires 1-2 days acclimatization for flatland runners
- •Pre-race visits: Dali Ancient Town, Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas, Cangshan Mountain
- •Dali is 2 hours from Kunming by car — consider a Yunnan circuit trip
Erhai LakeBai CultureHigh AltitudeYunnan Beauty