Getting There and Away

Written by Alexander Kopp, Wei Li
19/08/2025
Elegant view of the Three Pagodas in Dali, China, framed by lush greenery and distant mountains.
鹏翔 方, Pexels

Dali is served by Dali Fengyi Airport (DLU) for air travel, Dali Railway Station for train services, and several long-distance bus stations, making it well-connected for visitors.

By Air:

Dali Fengyi Airport (DLU) is located about 13 kilometers east of Dali City and around 30 kilometers from Dali Ancient City. Direct flights are available to major Chinese cities including Kunming, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Xishuangbanna. A flight from Kunming typically takes about 35-40 minutes. From the airport, shuttle buses operate to both Dali city center (Xiaguan) and Dali Ancient City, with costs around CNY 25 per person. Taxis are also readily available, costing approximately CNY 60-70 to Dali Ancient City, or CNY 30-40 to Dali Railway Station, with travel times of 40-50 minutes to the Ancient City.

By Train:

Dali Railway Station is situated approximately 19 kilometers from Dali Ancient City. High-speed trains connect Dali with Kunming in about 2-2.5 hours, with second-class seat tickets costing around CNY 145-155.5. Trains from Lijiang to Dali typically take 2-2.5 hours by high-speed rail, costing about CNY 80 for a second-class seat. Local buses, such as route No. 8, connect the railway station to Dali Ancient City for approximately CNY 1.5-3, taking around 45-50 minutes.

By Bus:

Dali has several long-distance bus stations, including Dali Bus Station (No. 372 Weishan Road), which is the largest. Buses from Kunming to Dali typically take about 4.5-6 hours, with fares ranging from CNY 100 for ordinary buses to CNY 130 for express luxury buses. Travel from Lijiang to Dali by bus takes around 2-3.5 hours, with costs varying from CNY 38 to CNY 79. Buses coming from Lijiang may stop outside Dali Old Town.

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