Dali Transportation: Get to and Get Around in Dali

How to Get to Dali?

1. By Flight

Dali Airport is a plateau airport with a altitude of 2155 M which lies in the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. It manages flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xishuangbanna and it can stop at Kunming.

How to get to downtown from airport

Shuttle Bus: There are two buses from airport everyday. First departs at 8:15 am, second departs at 12:00 am. It charges CNY 10.

Taxi: There are taxis in the airport can drive you to Xiaguan and Dali. The fare to Xiaguan is CNY 50 while to Dali is CNY 90.

2. By Train

Dali train station lies at the Xiaguan town and manages 4 daily departure train between Kunming and Lijiang. From train station to Dali Ancient Town, you can take a taxi which charges CNY 5 for the first 3 KM and CNY 1.8 for each additional KM. You can also take Bus No. 8 to Dali.

3. By Long-Distance Bus

Dali Central Bus Terminal lies at the Jianshe Lu.

Buses from Kunming West Bus Station leave 7 times a day between 7:50 - 14:30. The prices varies according to the type of vehicle from CNY 64-CNY 103.The trip takes 5 hours.

Buses from Kunming Bus Station leave 5 times a day at 08:30, 09:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:00 which charges CNY 81.

Buses from Lijiang leave every 30 minutes between 7:10-18:00 which take 3 hours.

How to Get Around in Dali?

1. By Public Buses

There are more then ten bus lines in Dali. From Xiaguan to Dali Old Town, you can take bus 4 and 8 which will take 30 minutes. The cost is CNY 1.5.

2. By Taxi

The normal taxi in Dali charge CNY 5 for the first 3 KM, and CNY 1.4 for each additional KM. The Santana taxi charge CNY 6 for the first 3 KM, and CNY 1.6 for each additional KM. But the drivers will not charge by the Taxi-meter, you need to bargain with drivers.

3. By Bike

If you have enough time in Dali, you can try to bike in Dali Old Town. It is a good choice to appreciate the beauty of Dali. There are many places for you to rent bike and they are cheap.