Dali to Shangri-La is a short hop — about 3.5 to 4 hours by C-class train, with a handful of departures each day. The route runs through Lijiang and climbs onto the Tibetan Plateau. It’s the middle leg of the classic Yunnan loop, and since the Lijiang–Shangri-La Railway opened in late 2023, you no longer need a bus for this stretch.
- Departure station: Dali Railway Station (大理站, Dali)
- Arrival station: Shangri-La Railway Station (香格里拉站, Xianggelila)
- Distance: ~300 km (rail)
- Duration: 3h 37m – 4h 37m
- Frequency: 2–3 direct trains daily
- Train type: CR200J Fuxing EMU (C-series intercity trains)
- Fare: 2nd class ¥150–181, 1st class ¥238–290, business class ¥482–510
- Search tip: On 12306, enter “Dali” to “Xianggelila” — the system doesn’t recognize “Shangri-La”
Railway Maps
Check Live Schedule & Book Tickets
| Dali → Shangri-La Train | Shangri-La → Dali Train | Lijiang → Shangri-La Train |
| Dali → Lijiang Train | Kunming → Dali Train | Dali → Kunming Train |
| Search all China trains at trip.com/trains/china/ | ||
Train Schedule: Dali → Shangri-La (2025/2026)
All trains depart from Dali Railway Station. Every service on this route calls at Lijiang — it’s a single-track line, so frequencies are limited. Schedules shift seasonally, always check real-time availability before booking.
| Train No. | Depart Dali | Arrive Shangri-La | Duration | 2nd Class | 1st Class | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C985 | 07:45 | 11:22 | 3h 37m | ¥150 | ¥238 | ¥482 |
| C597 | 11:45 | 16:22 | 4h 37m | ¥150 | ¥238 | ¥482 |
| C377 | 11:47 | 15:49 | 4h 02m | ¥181 | ¥290 | ¥510 |
⚠️ C985 (7:45 AM) is the one to book — it’s the fastest, cheapest, and gets you into Shangri-La before lunch. The two midday trains are fine too, but they arrive mid-afternoon which eats into your first day at altitude. C377 originates in Baoshan and stops at Dali along the way — the fare is slightly higher.
Transfer via Lijiang for More Options
Only 2–3 direct trains a day from Dali to Shangri-La is a bit thin. If the timing doesn’t work, split the trip at Lijiang. Dali to Lijiang has 10+ trains daily (1.5–2 hours, 2nd class from ¥63), and Lijiang to Shangri-La runs ~10 trains a day (just over an hour, 2nd class from ¥56). You’ll find departures from early morning through evening. Total cost is about the same — ¥119–130 combined. The transfer is straightforward: both trains use the same station, so you just exit and re-enter. Budget 30 minutes between trains.
Return: Shangri-La → Dali
Going back down, you have more options — 3–4 trains per day in the afternoon:
| Train No. | Depart Shangri-La | Arrive Dali | Duration | 2nd Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C984 | 12:00 | 16:03 | 4h 03m | ¥150 |
| C986 | 13:45 | 17:53 | 4h 08m | ¥150 |
| C988 | 15:10 | 18:36 | 3h 26m | ¥150 |
| C374 | 16:33 | 20:17 | 3h 44m | ¥150 |
⚠️ C988 is the fastest return at 3h 26m. C374 continues beyond Dali to Baoshan — still fine to take if you’re only going to Dali.
What the Train Is Like
All Dali–Shangri-La trains use the CR200J Fuxing EMU — the green-liveried plateau trains Chinese rail fans call the “Green Giant” (垃圾桶). It’s a short ride, so even second class is comfortable.
- 2nd class (2+3 seating): USB charging, fold-down tray, decent legroom. ¥150 — you don’t need more for 3.5 hours.
- 1st class (2+2 seating): Wider seat, more recline. Worth the extra ¥88 if the train’s full and you want elbow room.
- Business class (2+1): Lie-flat-ish seats, snack box. Available on most departures — ¥482, short ride, not really necessary.
- Hot water dispenser in every car
- Western toilet in one car; squat toilets in the rest
- Overhead displays show real-time speed and altitude — you’ll see it climb past 3,000 m after Lijiang
The Route: What You’ll See
The train leaves Dali and runs north along the upgraded Dali–Lijiang line. This first stretch is Erhai Lake country — farmland, whitewashed Bai villages, and the Cangshan range on your left. About 1.5 hours in, you reach Lijiang (2,400 m).
After Lijiang, the train joins the Lijiang–Shangri-La Railway (丽香铁路) — the 139.7 km line that opened on November 26, 2023. This is the scenic part. In the final hour, the train climbs from 2,400 m to 3,276 m, crossing the terrain around Tiger Leaping Gorge. Sit on the right side for the best mountain views on this stretch.
Arriving at Shangri-La Station
Shangri-La Station is compact — you’ll be out in 5 minutes. It’s about 2 km from Dukezong Ancient Town.
- Taxi / Didi: ~¥15, 8–10 minutes to Dukezong. Official taxi stand right outside.
- Bus #1: ¥2, ~15 minutes. Runs alongside train arrivals.
- Altitude check: You’re now at 3,276 m. If you came straight from Dali (~1,970 m), that’s a 1,300 m climb. Take it easy on day one — no alcohol, no strenuous hiking.
Buying Tickets: Practical Tips
- Booking window: 15 days ahead. C985 (morning) sells out first, especially in July–August and Golden Week.
- Station name: Search “Dali” to “Xianggelila” — the system doesn’t recognize “Shangri-La.”
- Foreign travelers: Trip.com accepts international cards. Same inventory as 12306.
- No paper tickets: Scan your passport at the gate.
- Dali station note: Dali Railway Station is in Xiaguan (下关), the new city — about 18 km from Dali Old Town. Budget 30–40 minutes by taxi or bus #8 to get there.
Related Articles
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
