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Ask a QuestionAs a pearl in western Yunnan and a core hub of the southwest China tourism circuit, Dali 's transportation network has been continuously upgraded in recent years. Among various means of transportation, railways play an irreplaceable role in connecting Dali with major cities inside and outside the province. This guide provides a detailed overview of all railway and high-speed railway stations in Dali, with a particular focus on the most frequently used stations in Dali Urban Area, supplemented by practical travel tips for tourists to ensure a smooth and convenient journey in this "city of marble and fairyland".
Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture boasts a total of 10 railway and high-speed railway stations, distributed across its administrative regions including Dali City and multiple counties. These stations form a transportation network that radiates from Dali Urban Area to surrounding counties, facilitating both local travel and cross-regional tourism. For tourists mainly visiting scenic spots in Dali City (such as Dali Ancient Town, Cangshan Mountain, and Erhai Lake), stations in Dali Urban Area are the primary choices. Stations in other counties, though relatively less frequently used by foreign tourists, serve as important links for regional transportation. Below is a summary of all stations:
County-level stations (briefly mentioned): Xiangyun Station, Weishan Station, Yunnan Post Station, Heqing Station, Changchong Station, Midu Station, Mupang Station, Xiangyun West Station, Xiaowan East Station. These stations are mainly responsible for local passenger and freight services in their respective regions, and tourists generally do not need to use them unless traveling to remote counties.
After the upgrade of Dali Railway Station, its route network has been significantly expanded. It no longer only operates tourist trains to Kunming and Lijiang but also has direct trains to many major cities inside and outside the province. As of 2025, the station has 101 originating trains, 102 terminating trains, and 46 passing trains, covering a wide range of destinations:
- Intra-provincial destinations: Kunming (the whole journey takes about 2-2.5 hours by EMU), Lijiang, Baoshan, Lincang, Chuxiong, etc. Among them, the trains to Kunming and Lijiang are the most frequent, with multiple departures every day, which is very convenient for tourists to travel between classic scenic spots in Yunnan.
- Inter-provincial destinations: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanning, Guilin, Beihai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hengyang, etc. For example, the direct EMU from Dali to Guangzhou takes about 10-11 hours, and the train to Chengdu takes about 8 hours, which greatly shortens the travel time between Dali and major cities in southwest and south China.
How to Get to the Station
The new station building of Dali Railway Station is reconstructed on the original site, located on the south side of Weishan Road. The traffic access is well-designed to realize three-dimensional separation of people and vehicles:
- Public transportation: There are 9 bus routes passing through the station, including Routes 7, 8, 10, 11, etc. These buses connect the station with key areas such as Dali Ancient Town, Renmin Road (downtown), and Erhai North Road, with a fare of 2-3 yuan. It should be noted that the bus stop is located near the entrance of the station square, and the specific route information can be inquired through the electronic display screen at the station or the local bus official account.
- Airport shuttle bus: For tourists who need to transfer between the airport and the railway station, the airport shuttle bus is a convenient choice. The route of the airport shuttle bus includes Dali Railway Station, and the departure time is arranged according to the flight schedule. Tourists can buy tickets online through the Dali Tourism Service Official Website or WeChat platform, or on-site at the airport exit, Dali Ancient Town South Gate Tourist Center, or Shuanghe Waiting Hall. The one-way fare is about 20 yuan, and the journey takes about 40 minutes from the airport to the railway station.
- Online car-hailing/taxi: The drop-off area is set near the entrance of the station. Tourists can get off directly at the drop-off area and enter the station through the entrance. The taxi fare from Dali Ancient Town to the railway station is about 30-40 yuan, and the journey takes about 20-30 minutes (subject to traffic conditions).
- Self-driving: The station has an expanded parking lot with 120 parking spaces, including 9 special charging piles for new energy vehicles. Self-driving tourists can park their cars in the designated area and enter the station square through escalators or elevators.
Ticketing and Check-In
- Ticket purchase: Tourists can purchase tickets through the official 12306 App or website. For those who are not convenient to operate online, there are self-service ticket vending machines in the ticket hall next to the station square. Passengers using documents such as household registration books and passports can handle ticket purchase, refund, and change procedures at the manual window. In addition, there is a public security service window next to the manual window, where tourists can apply for temporary identity documents if they forget to bring or lose their ID cards.
- Check-in: After arriving at the station, tourists can enter the station quickly through the self-service verification gates by swiping their ID cards or tickets. For special circumstances such as invalid documents, there are manual channels for alternative use. It should be reminded that flammable and explosive materials, controlled knives, and other prohibited items are not allowed to be carried on the train, and tourists need to cooperate with the security inspection work.
Waiting Services
The waiting hall is divided into upper and lower floors, with clear signs and complete facilities:
- Basic facilities: There are drinking fountains, restrooms, and convenience stores on the east and west sides of each floor. The large electronic screen above the waiting hall displays real-time train information and corresponding ticket check-in gate numbers, which tourists can check at any time.
- Special services: A mother-and-baby room is set up on the east side of the waiting hall, providing a comfortable resting space for parents with young children. There are multiple charging stations in the hall to meet the needs of tourists for charging mobile phones and other electronic devices. In addition, the station provides "Chinese + Ethnic Language + English" trilingual services, and local ethnic staff in characteristic ethnic costumes are arranged at the information desk to answer tourists' questions and provide help, which fully reflects the ethnic characteristics of Dali.
Departure and Transfer
After getting off the train, passengers can take the escalator down to the departure floor, exit by checking tickets or swiping their ID cards, and then transfer to various means of transportation to reach all parts of the urban area. The convenient transfer area in the station is marked in orange, which is more eye-catching and helps tourists quickly find the transfer route.
Brief Introduction of Dali City
The name of Dali is originated from that of a local regime in history called Kingdom Dali, meaning a state of great order. Many of the architectures of the city were built of marble from the ore nearby, and that is why it is also called a city of Dali Stone (marble). Both Chinese writing and pronunciation of 'great order' and 'marble' are the same. Marble buildings, marble streets, marble wall foundations and marble wells make the city so bright and limpid as if it is a tranquil fairyland. Each family loves door carving and wall-decoration; every household has a flower garden.
Dali, with full name Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, is located at the middle west part of Yunnan Province. It borders Erhai Lake at east and Cangshan Mountains at west. Dali Prefecture administers 1 city, 8 counties and 3 autonomous counties: Dali City, Yangbi Yi Autonomous County, Xiangyun County, Bingchuang County, Midu County, Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Yongping County, Yunlong County, Eryuan County, Jianchuan County and Heqing County.
Location Advantage of Dali Railway Station
Dali has trains to Kunming and Lijiang, and is located in the southwest frontiers. Dali Railway Station is also the main station of Yunnan-Tibet railway station which is under planing.
Places of Interest
Dali Ancient Town borders Erhai Lake at east and Canshan Mountains at west. It has majestic architectures and beautiful scenery. Dali Ancient Town has magnificent size. The original city wall is 7.5 meters high and six meters thick with four gates at south, west, east and north walls.
Transportation Tips:
There are No.7, 10, 11 local buses passing Dali Railway Station.
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