How to Get to & Around Dali 2025

By Air

Dali Airport (IATA: DLU; altitude: 2,155 meters) is the only airport in Dali City and has direct flights from and to more than 20 domestic destinations including Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian,Guilin, Guiyang, Kunming, Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Lhasa, Nanning, Nanchang, etc.

Dali Airport:

The airport is about 9 kilometers from Dali downtown and 17 kilometers from Dali Old Town, which usually needs about 30 minutes to the downtown area (Xiaguan) and 1 hour to Dali Old Town by car.

Address: Jichang Road, Dali City, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州大理市机场路)

Recommended Dali Yunnan Tours:

▶ 6 Days Yunnan Essence Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang)

▶ 8 Days Classic Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Transportation Between Dali and Kunming

By Air: there are several pairs of daily flights serving between Kunming Changshui International Airport and Dali Airport. the entire flying needs only about 45-55 minutes.

By Train: around 70 high speed D trains run between Kunming and Dali every day from early morning till night hours. Trains from Kunming are available both in Kunming Railway Station and Kunming South Railway Station. And the whole riding usually takes about 2-2.5 hours.

By Car: if you go by a private car, it usually takes about 3-4 hours with a driving distance of about 320-340 kilometers.

By Coach: you can also choose to take a distance coach between Kunming and Dali. Buses usually depart from Kunming West Bus Terminal and arrive in different stations in Dali after 4 hours’ riding.

>> Check More about Transportation between Kunming and Dali | Kunming Dali High Speed Train | Kunming to Dali Train Schedules & Prices

How to Go Around Dali

By Private Car - Travel with China Discovery

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can travel with us China Discovery by our comfortable licensed private vehicle. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you from your hotel/airport/train station or any other places to attractions in Dali with speed, convenience and safety, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing. Please tell us directly if you need any help!

By City Bus

Dali City has more than 10 bus lines to take you transfer from downtown to accommodation places and various attractions like Dali Old Town, Xizhou Old Town, Cangshan Mountian, Zhoucheng Old Town, Shuanglang, etc. That is a cost-saving way.

By Cruise

Taking a cruise is the most ideal way to catch the sightseeing of Erhai Lake and the beautiful islands. For different types of cruises and islands stopping, the prices are various. It is highly suggested to book the ticket one day in advance.

▶ 3 Days Dali Classic Tour

By Bike

Bikes are also available at many guesthouses and rental huts around town. Bikes vary greatly in quality so shop around for the best deal.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi in Dali is relatively more expensive but the most convenient and relaxing way for independent travelers. Taxis in Dali Old Town generally cost less 10 Yuan (though most drivers will ask for 10 Yuan). For other locations outside Dali Old Town, all prices are negotiable.

Notes: Two famous little ancient towns, Xizhou and Zhoucheng are located in the north of Dali Old City, 10 km and 20 km respectively. Butterfly Spring Park is 24 km and Shaxi Ancient Town is about 90 km from Dali Old City;

Dali to Shaxi Ancient Town

Shaxi Ancient Town in Jianchuan County is situated in the middle way of Dali and Lijiang. It is about 90 kilometers from Dali downtown, 76 kilometers from Dali Old Town and about 72 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town. Most people visit Shaxi on their way from Dali to Lijiang.

By Car: it usually takes about 2-3 hours;

By Coach + Minibus: from Dali, you can take a distance coach at Dali North Coach Station (大理汽车客运北站), Dali Old Town Coach Station (大理古城客运站) or Dali Fast Coach Station (大理快速汽车客运站) that heads to Lijiang and get off at Jianchuan County in the middle way, which needs about 2.5 hours and usually departs every half to 1 hour. Then, transfer onto the local minibus (green or yellow) to get to Shaxi Ancient Town for another 1 hour.

Check More about How to Get to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali

Recommended Dali Shaxi Ancient Town Tour:

▶ 6 Days Dali Lijiang Tour with Shaxi Ancient Town (Dali / Shaxi Ancient Town / Lijiang)