Dali Nomad Playbook

Six months living in Dali as a remote worker. This is the guide I wanted before I went — real prices, real WiFi speeds, real neighborhoods. Nothing from a brochure.

What's inside (~75 pages):

- Is Dali right for you? — Honest comparison with Chiang Mai, Bali, Lisbon, and Medellin. What Dali does better, what it does worse.

- Visa strategy — Decision tree for L vs X2 vs border runs. Which one fits your situation, how to apply, what can go wrong.

- Getting there — Every route to Dali from major Chinese cities and international hubs, with real fares and travel times.

- Housing search protocol — 7 neighborhoods with real 2026 prices (village room ¥500 to lakeside 1BR ¥4,000). 3 landlord traps with exact Chinese questions to ask before paying deposit.

- Internet that works — China Telecom fiber + GL.iNet router WireGuard config + eSIM backup. Dual-internet architecture step by step.

- Workspace directory — Coworking spaces and cafes with real June 2026 speed test results. Where the WiFi is solid and where it isn't.

- Food — 50+ restaurants and street food stalls, delivery app setup, dietary restriction strategies in a small Chinese city.

- 3 budget models — Minimalist ¥3,500/mo, Comfortable ¥7,000/mo, Premium ¥12,000+/mo. Itemized costs with 2026 data.

- Weekend trips — Shaxi, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Erhai loop, Kunming. Transport details, costs, what's worth the trip.

- Healthcare — Hospitals, pharmacies, common medications with Chinese names.

- Month-by-month calendar — Weather, internet reliability, tourist crowds, seasonal food.

- Making money while there — What remote jobs work from Dali, local gig economy realities.

- Social life & community — NCC, Dali Hub, WeChat groups, events, how to actually meet people.

- Day trips within 1 hour — Photography spots, hikes, markets, temples.

- Departure checklist — Deposit recovery, bank account closure, what to sell/give away.