Palace Hotel Dali sits near Dali Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where TOPOS adopted a quiet and restrained approach to landscape design. Rather than competing with its extraordinary setting, the landscape is conceived as a framework that reveals the presence of Cangshan Mountain, Erhai Lake, shifting light, and the changing atmosphere of Dali.

Inspired by the forests, streams, and mountain trails of western Dali, the landscape unfolds as a sequence of immersive experiences. Garden courtyards, reflective water features, shaded pathways, and secluded outdoor rooms create moments of discovery throughout the property. Seasonal planting, native materials, and carefully framed views establish a seamless relationship between architecture and the surrounding landscape.

The design draws from both the natural character of Dali and the contemplative qualities of traditional East Asian gardens. Water reflects the changing sky and distant mountains, while filtered light, moving shadows, and the sound of wind through trees shape a calm and restorative atmosphere.

Rather than presenting itself all at once, the resort reveals itself gradually — through forested paths, intimate gardens, and quiet moments overlooking the landscape — creating an experience rooted in place, memory, and tranquility.