(Photo by Yang Feiyue/China Daily)

Separately, the capacity of the highway connecting Dali and Chuxiong city in central Yunnan will be doubled.

Major local events will also be promoted to enrich the visitor experience.

"People from outside want to see how the local people live their lives," says Ma.

There is a six-day shopping festival in Sanyuejie in the Dali ancient town. It typically starts on the 15th day of the third month of the lunar calendar, and this year it falls on April 21.

"Locals love to buy herbal medicine, agriculture production tools and clothes at Sanyuejie," says Ma. Approximately 200,000-300,000 people flock there for the event, he says.

Folk celebrations by the Bai ethnic people are also expected to be highlighted.

The Prince Fair on the eighth day of the second month of the lunar calendar, which this year falls on March 16, is one of the highlights. Here, locals dress their children and follow the Prince's Parade featuring dragon or lion dancing troupes.

Another spectacular event is the annual singing fair, which runs from the 27th to the 29th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar (Aug 29-31) at the Shibao Mountain nearby. Then, nearly 100,000 people, mostly from the Bai group, show off their vocal skills.

All these attractions make Dali a happy middle ground for those who want to experience the thrills of winter tourism without suffering in the cold.