China train guide · checked October 2026
Dali to Lijiang by train
From Dali to Lijiang the line runs north past Erhai Lake towards the snow peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
- Journey timeabout 1.5 hours
- Fastest train1.5 h
- Second classfrom ¥70 (about 41 PLN) – up to ¥90
- How oftenregular trains through the day
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
In Xiaguan – allow about 30 minutes by taxi from Dali Old Town.
About 20 minutes by taxi to Lijiang Old Town.
Good to know
- Taxis can't drive into Lijiang Old Town – they drop you at the edge and you walk to your guesthouse.
- Book Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tickets in advance: daily visitor numbers are limited.
Other ways: Buses take about 3 hours.
On the way
North of Dali the line climbs past Erhai Lake and through the mountains to Lijiang at about 2,400 m; on a clear day Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5,596 m) rises ahead.
When you arrive
The old town of Dayan charges a maintenance fee of about ¥50; wander off the main streets and the canals are quiet even in high season. Climb Wangu Tower on Lion Hill (about ¥50) at sunset for the view over the rooftops to the snow mountain, and in the evening listen to the Naxi orchestra (about ¥120–160).
How to book
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Dali or Lijiang – which is better?
Both, if you can. Dali is more relaxed, with the lake and the mountains; Lijiang has the more spectacular old town of canals and wooden houses (UNESCO) and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. They're only 1.5 hours apart by train.
What is the Naxi dongba script?
The pictographic writing of the Naxi people, often called the world's only living pictographic script. You'll see it on signs and souvenirs all over Lijiang Old Town.
