How to Travel between Lijiang and Dali

Lijiang is about 140km (85mi) north of Dali. It is recommended to travel by long-distance bus, which normally takes 2-3.5h and CNY60-105. Many buses directly send tourists to Lijiang Old Town, Dali Ancient City, or other popular attractions. Also, tourists may choose the normal speed train which takes 2-2.5h and CNY34-49. However, there are only 2 pairs of trains shuttling back and forth every day.
 

How to Travel from Lijiang to Dali

1. Best Way: Lijiang to Dali Long-distance Bus: 2-3.5h, CNY60-105

Long-distance bus is the most convenient way as many take tourists from one scenic area to another directly. High departure frequency is another advantage. Tourists should pay close attention to the departure point and arrival point when buying tickets.

Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Duration Ticket Fare
Lijiang Bus Station Dali North Bus Station 07:10, 08:00, 09:00,
09:30, 10:00, 10:40,
11:00, 11:30, 12:00,
12:40, 13:10, 14:00,
15:00, 16:00, 17:00,
17:40
3.5h CNY60-80
Shuanglang Bus Station 09:00, 14:50 2-3h CNY65-100
Lijiang Old Town South Gate Dali Ancient City 09:30, 12:35, 15:00,
18:30, 19:10
2-3h CNY80-100
Shuanglang Ancient Village 09:30, 12:35 2-3h CNY80-100
Huoyanshan, Niujie Town 09:00 1.5h CNY45
Dali Geothermal Paradise 09:00 1.5h CNY50
Putuoquan Hot Spring 09:00 2h CNY55
Lijiang Old Town North Gate Dali Bus Station 09:15 3.5h CNY105
Dali Ancient City 09:20, 12:20, 14:45,
18:20, 19:20
3h CNY80-105
Shuanglang Ancient Village 09:15, 12:20 2h CNY80-100
Shuhe Ancient Town Dali Bus Station 09:00 3.5h CNY105
Dali Ancient City 12:00, 18:00 3-3.5h CNY80
Shuanglang Ancient Village 09:00, 12:00 2h CNY80-100
 

2. Lijiang to Dali Normal Speed Train: 2-2.5h, CNY34 for Hard Seat

Only 2 trains run from Lijiang Railway Station to Dali Railway Station every day.

Train Number Dep. Arr. Duration Ticket Fare
K9622 07:38 09:30 1h 52min Hard Seat: CNY34
Soft Seat: CNY49
K9628 13:20 15:49 2h 29min
 

How to Get from Lijiang to Dali Ancient City?

1. Scenic Area Long-distance Bus: 2-3.5h, CNY80-105

Main attractions in Lijiang, such as Lijiang Old Town and Shuhe Ancient Town, provide tourists with inter-city through bus to Dali Ancient City. Details are listed above.
 

2. Normal Speed Train + City Bus: at least 3h, CNY40-55

First, tourists may take train K9622 or K9628 to get to the Dali Railway Station in about 2h. Then, one could transfer to either of the following buses. 

→ Take city bus No.8 and get off at the Dali Ancient City East Gate stop, costing 1h and CNY3.

→ Take the through bus to the Dali Ancient City South Gate, which needs 1h and CNY5. 

→ Take the special bus line to the Three Pagodas, Chongsheng Temple, and get off at the Dali Ancient City South Gate stop, costing nearly 2h and CNY3.
 

How to Travel from Dali to Lijiang

1. Best Way: Dali to Lijiang Long-distance Bus: 2-3h, CNY60-105

Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Duration Ticket Fare
Dali North Bus Station Lijiang Bus Station 08:00, 09:00, 10:00,
11:00, 12:00, 13:00,
13:20, 14:10, 15:10,
15:40, 16:10, 16:40,
17:10, 19:10
2h CNY60-80
Dali Express Bus Station Lijiang Bus Station 08:30, 10:30, 13:20,
19:00
2.5-3h CNY80
Dali Ancient City Bus Station Lijiang Bus Station 08:30, 09:30, 10:30,
11:30, 12:30, 14:20,
17:00, 17:40, 18:00
2.5h CNY65-100
Lijiang Express Bus Station 19:30 2.5h CNY85
Dali Ancient City South Gate Shuhe Ancient Town South Gate 08:00, 09:00, 11:00,
12:00, 13:00
2.5h CNY115
Shuanglang Bus Station Lijiang Bus Station 10:00, 11:00, 12:00,
13:00, 14:00, 15:00,
16:30
2h CNY80-105
Shuanglang Ancient Village Shuhe Ancient Town South Gate 09:00, 10:00, 12:00,
13:00, 14:00
2.5h CNY110
 
 

2. Dali to Lijiang Normal Speed Train: about 2.5h, CNY34 for Hard Seat

There are 2 trains sending passengers from Dali Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station each day.

Train Number Dep. Arr. Duration Ticket Fare
K9621 10:08 12:47 2h 39min Hard Seat: CNY34
Soft Seat: CNY49
K9627 16:48 19:01 2h 13min

See more details about Dali – Lijiang Train
 

How to Get from Dali to Lijiang Old Town?

1. Scenic Area Long-distance Bus + City Bus: 3h, CNY70-110

At the Dali Ancient City or Shuanglang Ancient Village, there are scheduled long-distance buses to Lijiang, and most arrive at the Lijiang Bus Station in 2.5h. Then, tourists may transfer as shown below.

→ Take city bus No.12, No.21, No.105, No.14, No.7, No.2, No.3, or No.27, and get off at the South Gate Rd. stop, costing 0.5h and CNY1-3.

→ Take city bus No.8 (Outer Ring) or No.11 and get off at the Old Town Gate stop, costing 0.5h and CNY2.
 

2. Normal Speed Train + City Bus: about 3.5h, CNY40-55

First, tourists may take train K9621 or K9627 and arrive at the Lijiang Railway Station. Outside the railway station, either of the following buses is easily accessible. The bus duration is about 1h and the ticket charges CNY2-4.

→ Take city bus No.104 and get off at the Guguanwei stop.

→ Take city bus No.105 and get off at the South Gate Rd. stop.

→ Take city bus No.4 and get off at the Old Town Gate stop.

→ Take city bus No.18 and get off at the Dayan Middle School stop.

→ Take city bus No.16 and get off at the Zhongyi Market stop.
- Last updated on Jul. 23, 2024 by Serena Zhou -
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