Dali–Lijiang High-Speed Railway

China Railway Kunming Group (中国铁路昆明局集团)
China
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The Journey

Navigate from Dali Railway Station (大理站, Xiaguan) to Lijiang Railway Station (丽江站) across a span of 159km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Glimpses of Erhai Lake (洱海, 'Eye of the Lake') on approach to and from Dali — best on southbound trains
  • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山, 5,596 m) views as you approach Lijiang — best on clear mornings northbound
  • Patchworks of Yunnan farmland, Bai and Naxi villages, and terraced fields between Dali and Lijiang
  • Canyon and river sections between Heqing and Lijiang
  • Cangshan (苍山) range backdrop as you depart Dali
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.83 hours

  • Distance

    159 km

  • Est. Price

    Second-class CNY 48–80, first-class CNY 76–127, business-class CNY 143–239. Same-day standing tickets from ~CNY 25.

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: None (trolley service available)

Ensuite: No

Meals: Complimentary bottled water; snacks for purchase

Ensuite: No

Meals: Welcome drink; snacks served at seat

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

CRH380A and CRH2G-series electric multiple unit (EMU) trainsets (8-car C-series sets)

Locomotive Weight

N/A (EMU — distributed traction)

Track Gauge

1,435 mm standard gauge

Braking Technology

Regenerative braking + disc brakes; electronically controlled for smooth deceleration in mountain sections

Route Engineering Challenges

  • Mountain karst terrain requiring numerous tunnels and bridges — approximately 49% of the 159 km route runs in tunnels

  • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain approach involves steep gradient changes and active seismic design standards

  • High-rainfall monsoon drainage engineering on the Yunnan plateau

  • Wildlife crossings engineered into the corridor to protect Yunnan snub-nosed monkey habitat

  • Approximately 9 tunnels and multiple viaducts on the Heqing–Lijiang section

Operator

China Railway Kunming Group (中国铁路昆明局集团有限公司)

Maximum speed

200 km/h line design speed

Train type

CRH380A / CRH2G electric EMU (8-car C-series sets)

Tunnel percentage

~49% of the 159 km route in tunnels and viaducts

Electrification

25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead — full line electrified during 2019 upgrade

Line opened

1 September 2009 (conventional railway); upgraded for 200 km/h EMU operation in 2019

Daily train pairs

7–10 C-series EMU pairs daily (2026 timetable)

Stations served

3: Dali, Heqing, Lijiang

Time zone

Asia/Shanghai (UTC+8)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    1.83 hours

  • Distance

    159 km

  • Est. Price

    Second-class CNY 48–80, first-class CNY 76–127, business-class CNY 143–239. Same-day standing tickets from ~CNY 25.

Official Booking Provider