Dali Railway Station Guide

Dali, known for its historical significance and picturesque scenery in China’s Yunnan province, is served by the Dali Railway Station—a key hub for tourists and locals alike.

Basic Facts:

Dali Railway Station is situated approximately 3 km south of downtown Dali and 18km southeast of the enchanting Dali Ancient Town. The station is a modern facility equipped to manage the influx of tourists drawn to the region’s attractions, including the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake.

Railway Maps & Station Photos

Getting to Dali Train Station

• By local bus: Multiple bus routes service the station from different parts of the city, including bus No. 1, 3, 5A, 5B, 8, 17, 21, 26 & a dedicated line to the Three Pagodas.
• By taxi / car:  Taxis are readily available, providing a convenient mode of transport to the station.

Dali Train Station to Ancient Town

To travel from Dali Railway Station to Dali Ancient Town, you can take bus No. 8. This bus takes you on a journey of about one hour and the ticket fare is approximately RMB 3 per person for a one-way trip.
Please note that prices and journey durations are subject to change, so it might be a good idea to check for the latest information upon your arrival at the station or from local sources.

Train Schedule for Dali Station

Within Yunnan Province, Dali Railway Station has trains to or from Kunming, Lijiang, Shangri La (Xianggelila), Honghe, Baoshan, Lincang, Yuxi, Guangtong, Puzhehei, Baoshan, etc.

For long-distance trains outside Yunnan, Dali Station has trains to or from Guiyang, Chongqing, Leshan, Chengdu, Yibin, Guilin, Nanning, Guangzhou, etc.

• Dali to Shangri La train

Reading more: Kunming Railway Station, Kunming South Station

 Station-to-Airport Transfers

Dali Railway Station is about 12.8 kilometers from Dali Airport, indicating a 30-minute drive by car or taxi under typical traffic conditions. 

How to Buy Tickets Online

There are several ways to book your train tickets online. Just remember that booking herizon for train tickets opens 15 days before your travel date. It is recommended to book you tickets as soon as possible in advance to secure your seat at your desired departure time.

1. Book with China Highlights

www.chinahighlights.com is a trusted online ticket agent who get possitive reviews & is  often recommended on Trip Advisor forum. They offer real-time train schedule online, English-language support, They can also provide assistance in case of any issues with your tickets or travel or when you’re running into trouble. Even they can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. You can place orders with them any time. They are helpful, especially when you’re not familiar with the China’s transportation system or do not speak Chinese.

2. Book with 12306 China Railway

www.12306.cn is the offcial website of China Railway, which now has supported English. It also provides an offcial ticketing (English version) App – Tielu 12306 for both iOS and Android.

Jack’s friendly reminder: In the official site www.12306.cn, you can enter “Dali” as Dali Railway Station.

When to Buy Tickets

Tickets can be booked up to 15 days on the official 12306 China Railway website. It is always advisable to buy tickets in advance to secure ticket availability or seat assignment. Ticets tend to sell out quickly especially during the bussy travel peak period, such as the public National Days (Gold Week), Labour’s Days, Chinese Moon Festival or Qingming Festival. But if you use an online ticket agent www.chinahighlights.com, you can order tickets any time with them and they will book it for you once the tickets are released online.