Town in Yunnan, China
Getting around Dali
How to get around Dali
Old Town is walkable; rent an e-bike or bicycle for Erhai. Buses link Old Town and Xiaguan, where the trains and airport coaches stop.
Ways to get around Dali
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| City bus (Route 4) | 2 CNY | Links Old Town and Xiaguan station |
| Rented e-bike or bicycle | About 30–100 CNY a day | Best for the Erhai lake loop |
| DiDi | About 12–25 CNY for short trips | Works in Old Town and Xiaguan; fewer cars in villages |
| High-speed train | Check 12306 | Kunming to Dali in about 2 h; Dali station is in Xiaguan |
Ride-hailing apps in Dali
A 5 km ride costs about ¥12–25 ($1.8–3.7).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| DiDi | Works in Xiaguan and Old Town; few cars around Erhai villages |
- Black cars and horse carts quote high prices at the stations and gates; prefer DiDi or a hotel booking.
Arriving in Dali
Dali Airport (DLU)
About 15–25 km from Xiaguan with limited flights. DiDi or taxi roughly 60–120 CNY; many visitors take the train from Kunming.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: E-bikes are rented for 30–100 CNY a day and are the main way around Erhai. Wear a helmet; accidents are common.
- Driving: on the right. IDPs aren't recognised. Visitors need a temporary Chinese driving permit (up to 90 days) or a Chinese licence.
- Onward travel in China: High-speed trains link nearly every big city, often faster than flying; book with a passport on 12306 or Trip.com. Cheap domestic flights and sleeper trains cover long distances.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Dali?
No. Use DiDi instead.
What's the best way to get around Dali?
Old Town is walkable; rent an e-bike or bicycle for Erhai. Buses link Old Town and Xiaguan, where the trains and airport coaches stop.
How do I get from the airport to Dali?
About 15–25 km from Xiaguan with limited flights. DiDi or taxi roughly 60–120 CNY; many visitors take the train from Kunming.
Is Dali walkable?
Very walkable.
More about Dali
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Sources
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.