How to Find Us

From Kunming

All trains and buses from Kunming arrive in New Dali (Xiaguan). Dali Old Town is a 20 minute bus ride away on the No. 4 or 8. It cost just two RMB.

Our Dali Hump posters on the bus stops from Xiaguan have a map of how to find us in Dali Old Town. But if you arrive and want some help, just call us!

Waterfall Street (Hong Long Jing) is for pedestrians only (cars don't like waterfalls). Which means the Dali Hump is a peaceful place to sleep, but you can't take a taxi or bus to the door. Come to the intersection of Waterfall Street (Hong Long Jing) with Bo Ai Road. Walk up Waterfall Street (Hong Long Jing) towards the mountains and you'll find us last on the right.

Train

If you come from Kunming by train (or bus) in the daytime, the scenery alone is a sign you're headed somewhere special - rice paddy valleys, and tiered Bai villages on the mountain sides. Look out for Dinosaur Valley, Mandala Valley and (personal favourite) Mushroom Valley - you'll know what we mean when you see them!

There's one daytime train and three each evening from Kunming to Dali. The journey is comfortable and takes around eight hours. At night that's perfect, but in the day that's twice the time it takes by bus. To make up for it, the daytime train is cheaper, and it's easier to just relax and enjoy the view.

If you take the night train, hard sleeper's the best balance between budget and comfort.

The No. 8 bus from the train station brings you to Dali Old Town.

Bus

Daytime buses from Kunming are the fastest way to get here over land. They're frequent and take four to five hours. The price is around 100RMB. There's also a night bus, cheaper than the night train, but a lot less comfortable!

Buses from Kunming leave from the West Bus station. (1RMB on public bus No. 22).

There are guys in Kunming who'll offer to take you to Dali in a mini-van. If you do, haggle hard. So far, the cheapest anyone's got here that way is 120RMB. So it's more expensive than the public bus. It's also less comfortable, and not usually much quicker.

When you arrive in Xiaguan, take public bus No. 4 to Dali Old Town (2RMB). There are also mini buses than can take you from the road at the back of the bus station (3RMB), the mini buses run later, until around 10pm.

Plane

Dali airport is around 13 kilometers from Xiaguan (nearly 30km from Dali Old Town). A flight from Kunming will set you back around 600RMB, but it only takes 45 minutes. You can take the No. 7 bus from the airport into Xiaguan, and then change onto the No.  4 for Dali Old Town.

Taxi

A taxi directly from the airport to the Dali Hump will cost around 100RMB.

If your bus or train arrives very early in the morning or late at night you'll need to take a taxi here from Xiaguan. It should cost 40-50RMB.

Most taxis aren't metered, so make sure you organise the price beforehand.

From Lijiang

Buses from Lijiang take around three and a half hours and cost 45-65RMB. You can leave from the New Bus Station, or for deluxe buses from opposite the Naxi Hotel.

When you come into the Dali valley you'll see the Ear Shaped Sea, Er Hai, on your left. Look out for the Three Pagodas and the walled city on your right, and get off when the bus stops by Dali Old Town (otherwise you'll be taken into New Dali , Xiaguan, and youíll have to backtrack!)

Useful words: Dali gu cheng (Dali Old Town) and xia che (stop!)