The prefecture if the birtheplace if the history and culture of Yunnan Province. It has a time-honored history. As early as the Neolithic Age, ancestors of the Bai, Yi,and and other minority groups began to settle there. When the Qin Dynasty (221-207 B. C.)unified China, it brought the Dali area into its territory . Durying the Han Dynasty (206 B. C.-A. D. 220),a prefecture and counties were established in the area. Nanzhao State that appeared around Erhai Lake lasted for 515 years between the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

At that time ,Dali was the political, economic, and cultural center of Yunnan Province. At present, the ancient town of Dali and the Weishan county town are famous historical and cultural towns in China.

The prefecture features a splendid culture. People of various ethnic groups represented by the Bai minority group, were under a long-time influence of the culture in the Central Plains. They carried out extensively culture contacts with people of various ethnic groups in the border area and fostered a brilliant culture of Nanzhao and Dali states. The prefecture became a “land of historical documents,” thriving with talented people. It was referred to as “an ancient capital at the crossroad of culture in Asia.” There are a rich collection of culture relics and historical sites, a great variety of unearthed artifacts, and a large number of well-preserved unique historical buildings.