How to go → HANOI to DALI ☀️

1. Train – Hanoi to Dali
2. Flight – Hanoi to Dali
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From Hanoi to Dali in China you can travel by plane or train.

Travel distance from Hanoi in Vietnam to Dali in China is about 850-900 km by plane via Kunming. The best and fastest option how to travel to Dali from Hanoi – Noi Bai Airport is to travel by plane via Kunming, there is no direct flight. Travel by plane via Kunming takes about 10-14 hours, but it depends on the stopover in Kunming, it can be also a bit more. Flights from Hanoi to Dali via Kunming cost about $200-400/pp, so this option is not a cheap way of transport. Another option is to travel by train of Vietnam Railways + China Railway via Lao Cai in northern Vietnam. In Lao Cai you can cross the border to China. From Lao Cai (Hekou station) you can take another train of China Railway to Dali. But you can also travel by train to Kunming and from Kunming you can take another train to Dali. Travel time by train to Dali from Hanoi could be about 30 hours. Travel by bus from Hanoi to Dali does not make a sense for this long journey.

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Dayan Ancient City (The Old Town) is the biggest attraction in Lijiang.

Dali (Dàlĭ, 大理) – it is another important historical city in the Yunnan province in southern China. It is easy to visit this place if you are already in Kunming. You can travel by train or flight, travel route has about 330km. Yunnan province attracts visitors from all the world and Dali in this part of China is worth a visit place. Yunnan is mainly mountain area with the nature and several large lakes. And the Erhai lake in Dali is one of the largest in this province. Present Dali is a city that combines history with modern convenience. Dali is divided into two areas – the Ancient City and the New District (also known as Xiaguan). Ancient buildings, city walls and the old city moat are the sites most frequented by visitors. It is very good to stop in this city if you travel to next historical city – Lijiang (about 200km). What to see in Dali and surrounding: Erhai Lake, The Chongsheng Temple and the Three-Pagoda (Northwest Gate, Dali Ancient City, Cangshan Scenic Area…

1. Train from Hanoi to Dali

A) From Hanoi to Lao Cai by train (border town)

Trains from Hanoi run to Lao Cai town (340 km from Hanoi), it is the end station and the border town (25 km from Sapa). Trains may be from Vietnam Railways with less comfort (ofic.vietnamese railways) or also trains for tourists (also 2-bed cabin in train), but also more expensive (Orient Express, King Express, Fansipan, Sapaly, Livitrans…). You can search and buy train tickets online. From Lao Cai Railway station you need to go or take a taxi to the border crossing, cross the border to Hekou (China), only about 2 km.
➜ Book and buy train e-tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜

Vietnam Railways trains – SP1, SP3, SP7, LC3:

– hard or soft seat – price for one-way ticket from 120 000 – 160 000 Viet.dongs / 1 person
– hard bed (6-bed cabin) or soft bed (4-bed cabin) – price for one-way ticket from 270 000 – 400 000 Viet.dongs / 1 person
– SP = new trains, LC3 = old train, carry-on baggage – 20 kg
– seat selection available on Baolau

Tourist and private train operators (added to SP1 + SP3):

– Livitrans, Violette Train, Oriental Express, King Express, Sapaly, PV2, Fansipan Express, Victoria Express
– price from 700 000 – 1 800 000 Viet.dongs / 1 person – soft bed (depend on the type of cabin)
– better quality and service, 2 or 4-bed cabins, carry-on baggage – 20 kg
– the most deluxe train – Victoria Express Train (price for ticket from 2 500 000 – 3 500 000 Viet.dongs)

➜ For bookings with Royal Railway and private railway companies Victoria Express, Fanxipan Express, King Express, Orient Express, Sapaly Express, Chapa Express and Saigon Golden Train, you will be required to complete the payment before submitting your order. Your reservation will be processed and you will receive a voucher by email to collect the physical ticket at the station before boarding the train.

➜ For bookings with Vietnam Railways and private railway companies Livitrans Express and Violette Train, you will be required to complete the payment before submitting your order. Your reservation will be processed and you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the train.

➜ If you buy bus tickets online on Baolau or 12go.asia, you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present at the ticket counter of the station before boarding the bus

B) From Hekou (China) to Dali by train (758 km)

Hekou North Railway Station (or Hekou Bei Train Station) is about 4 km from the center of Hekou town (border town), so the best way how to get there is go by taxi. From Hekou North Railway Station you can go by train directly to Dali. There is about 1 train every day and the journey takes about 15 hours. For a live schedule and ticket availability, you may search at > www.chinaticketonline.com/trains.

Second option is to travel by train from Hekou to Kunming and in Kunming take another direct train to Dali. There are about 10 trains every day from Kunming to Dali and the journey takes about 7-8 hours from Kunming. For a live schedule and ticket availability, you may search at > www.chinaticketonline.com/trains.

2. FLIGHT from Hanoi to Dali (via Kunming)

This is the most comfortable and fastest way how to get from Hanoi to Dali in China. There is no direct flight from Hanoi to Dali, so you need to take another flight in Kunming. Air service is operated by China Eastern or China Southern. The flight duration can be about 14 hours (depends on the stopover in Kunming) and costs from 200 USD. Dali Airport is about 10 km from the city. From the airport to the city you can go by taxi or bus.

❓ FAQ + Travel tips – Transfer from Hanoi to Dali:

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🎫 Book train tickets or flights from Hanoi to Dali in China:

(You can change your departure or arrival place, eg. Kunming > Dali…)

Vietnam to China ➔