Which stations do I use?

Dali (DLU) ↔ Guilin Liangjiang (KWL). Confirm your specific airport if the city has more than one — budget extra transfer time if it's the secondary one.

How far ahead should I book?

Domestic flights in China are typically bookable months out, with fares fluctuating by demand. Booking 3-4 weeks ahead usually finds a meaningfully better fare than booking last-minute — and unlike rail, there is no fixed sale window to wait for.

Route guide · Verified 2026-08-15

Dali to Guilin

~1020km by air — Dali (DLU) ↔ Guilin Liangjiang (KWL). Here's what it actually costs, how long to budget, and what's worth doing at both ends.

Mode

Flight

Distance

~1020km

Stations

Dali (DLU) ↔ Guilin Liangjiang (KWL)

Fare (2nd class / economy)

Economy fares vary widely with route demand and booking window — typically cheapest 2–4 weeks out; check current pricing rather than assuming a number

How long does Dali to Guilin take?

On the timetable

Connect via Kunming - budget ~7h door-to-door

Door to door, realistically

Booking sites quote the first number. The second is the one that decides your day: it adds about two and a half hours for airport transfers, check-in and security. Plan the rest of the day around the door-to-door figure and you won't be the person sprinting through a concourse.

Getting there

Connect via Kunming — budget ~7h door-to-door. Dali's airport is on the Xiaguan side — about an hour to the Old Town by road.

Compare fares across airlines on Trip.com or go direct to the airline. Domestic Chinese carriers (Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines and regional operators) cover this route.

What to do at each end

Dali

Erhai Lake / Cangshan / Bai villages

Dali Old Town

The old grid sits between Cangshan and Erhai, with surviving gates, Bai courtyard houses, bakeries, bars, and too many souvenir shops on the central streets. Walk Renmin Road, then turn twice: the side lanes are where the town starts feeling lived in again.

Tip: Dali Railway Station is in Xiaguan, not at the old town. Allow roughly 45-60 minutes between them in normal traffic.

Also worth the time: Cangshan.

Eat: Rushan

Fresh Bai cow's-milk cheese stretched into thin sheets, dried, then grilled or fried. The crisp version is often served with rose jam; ask for less sugar if you want to taste the milk rather than the topping. Griddles in Xizhou or Dali Old Town; order one first because quality drops once it sits.

Guilin

Li River · karst peaks · terraces

The Li River Cruise

The classic: a 4-5 hour cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo past the karst peaks that inspired centuries of Chinese ink painting (and the back of the ¥20 note). Mist, bamboo, water buffalo, and a thousand green pinnacles drifting by. It's the single most iconic river journey in China.

Tip: Sit on the upper deck and bring a light layer — mornings on the river are cool and often misty (which only makes it more beautiful).

Also worth the time: Yangshuo & the Yulong River.

Eat: Guilin Rice Noodles

The city's breakfast institution: chewy rice noodles in a savory broth built on a secret spice-and-herb stock, topped with braised beef or pork, peanuts, pickled green beans, and scallion. Locals eat it daily, not as a treat. Any noodle shop with a queue of locals before 9am — that's the sign of a good one.

Add both cities to your trip plan →See more routes

Frequently asked questions

How long does the flight from Dali to Guilin take?: Connect via Kunming - budget ~7h door-to-door. Budget roughly 7h door to door, though — the timetable figure leaves out about two and a half hours for airport transfers, check-in and security. Connect via Kunming — budget ~7h door-to-door. Dali's airport is on the Xiaguan side — about an hour to the Old Town by road.
How far is Dali from Guilin?: Roughly 1020km, estimated from straight-line geography and typical route factors. Dali (DLU) ↔ Guilin Liangjiang (KWL).
How much does the flight from Dali to Guilin cost?: Economy fares vary widely with route demand and booking window — typically cheapest 2–4 weeks out; check current pricing rather than assuming a number.
Which stations do I use?: Dali (DLU) ↔ Guilin Liangjiang (KWL). Confirm your specific airport if the city has more than one — budget extra transfer time if it's the secondary one.
How far ahead should I book?: Domestic flights in China are typically bookable months out, with fares fluctuating by demand. Booking 3-4 weeks ahead usually finds a meaningfully better fare than booking last-minute — and unlike rail, there is no fixed sale window to wait for.

Verified 2026-08-15. Fare is a budget estimate derived from standard per-km pricing, not an independently checked figure for this specific route — confirm the exact number before booking. Distance is an estimate from straight-line geography and typical route factors, not a measured track length. Schedules and prices change; always check 12306 or Trip.com for live departures before finalizing plans. Tell us if something here is out of date.