By Plane

Dali Airport (DLU)

Name: Dali Airport

Distance to city: 13 km from city center

To city center: Airport shuttle bus (¥15, 30 min), taxi (¥30-50, 25 min)

Direct Flights From

Kunming

45min Multiple daily

Chengdu

1.5h Daily

Guangzhou

2.5h Daily

Beijing

3.5h Daily

Tip: Dali Airport has decent connections. Many visitors fly to Kunming then take high-speed train to Dali (2h). Train is often more convenient.

By High-Speed Train

Dali Station (大理站)

Location: High-speed rail station, 5 km from Old Town

Take bus or taxi to Old Town (15 min). Walking distance to Erhai Lake.

Popular Routes

From	Duration	Price	Notes
Kunming	2h-2.5h	¥130-200	✅ Verified: 5 G-trains daily, fastest 2h08m. Very convenient from Kunming!
Lijiang	4-5h	¥200-350	Via Kunming transfer, perfect for Lijiang-Dali combo trip
Chengdu	7-8h	¥400-600	Via Kunming, consider flying

Tip: ✅ Data verified via 12306 on 2026-05-26. IMPORTANT: Kunming→Dali is very convenient with 5 daily G-trains (fastest 2h08m). Perfect combo: Kunming → Dali (2h) → Lijiang (no G-train, but frequent buses 3h). From Dali Station, Old Town is only 5 km away.

By Long-Distance Bus

Dali Long-distance Bus Station

Location: Near Old Town

Routes: Routes to Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri-La

Tip: Bus to Lijiang: 3h, ¥70 (popular route, no train). Bus to Kunming: 4-5h, ¥100 (train is faster). Bus to Shangri-La: 5h, ¥120.

By Car

From Kunming

Distance: 330 km

Duration: 4h

Route: G56 Hangrui Expressway

From Lijiang

Distance: 180 km

Duration: 2.5h

Route: G5611 Dali Expressway

From Shangri-La

Distance: 300 km

Duration: 4h

Route: G214

Parking: Parking at Old Town (¥10-20/day). Old Town is walkable - park at entrance.

Getting Around Dali

Public Transport

Bus around Erhai Lake (¥5-10). Tourist bus to attractions. No metro.

Taxi & Ride-Hailing

Taxis affordable (starting ¥8). Didi app works. Rent electric scooter to explore Erhai Lake (¥50-80/day, very popular!).

Bike Rental

E-bike rental is ESSENTIAL in Dali! Circle Erhai Lake (130 km, full day). Regular bike rental also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get to Dali from Kunming?

✅ Verified: High-speed train is fastest - 5 daily G-trains, fastest 2h08m! Tickets ¥130-200. Very convenient.

Can I visit Dali and Lijiang together?

YES! Classic Yunnan route: Kunming → Dali (2h by train) → Lijiang (3h by bus, no train) → Shangri-La. Many travelers do this 7-10 day circuit. Dali and Lijiang are only 3h apart by bus.

How do I get from Dali to Lijiang?

Take bus from Dali Bus Station (¥70, 3h). There is no high-speed train between Dali and Lijiang. Many travelers combine both cities - they're close and offer different vibes.

What is the best way to explore Erhai Lake?

Rent an electric scooter (¥50-80/day)! Circle the entire lake (130 km, full day). Or take tourist bus around the lake. Many scenic villages to stop: Xizhou, Shuanglang, Haishe Park. Cycling is also popular.

What makes Dali special?

Dali is known for: (1) Erhai Lake - stunning alpine lake with mountain backdrop; (2) Old Town - relaxed, bohemian vibe, great cafes; (3) Three Pagodas - iconic 1,000-year-old pagodas; (4) Cangshan Mountain - 19 peaks, hiking trails, cable car; (5) Bai culture - ethnic minority traditions, tie-dye, food.

How long should I spend in Dali?

Minimum 2 days: Old Town + Erhai Lake circle. 3-4 days allows relaxed exploration: Old Town, Erhai Lake villages (Xizhou, Shuanglang), Cangshan Mountain hiking, and enjoying the cafe culture. Dali has a very relaxed, backpacker-friendly vibe.