Ming Yang
Quick Lookup
My phone buzzed at 7am. A first-time traveler from Spain was already lost near Dali’s south gate. “Where’s the bus to Shuanglang?” she asked. I’ve heard that confusion a hundred times. Getting to Shuanglang Ancient Town isn’t hard, but the wrong choice can cost you two extra hours and a sunburn. Let me save you the trouble.
Shuanglang sits on the eastern shore of Erhai Lake, about 50km from Dali Old Town. The main options are public bus, taxi, private car, or bicycle. Below I break down each — including the exact stops, prices, and pitfalls only a local guide knows.
Bus from Dali Old Town to Shuanglang
This is the cheapest and most straightforward option if you’re okay with fixed schedules.
| Route | Departure Point | Price | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dali – Shuanglang (direct) | Dali Passenger Transport Station (next to Dali Old Town East Gate) | ~15 RMB | 1.5 – 2 hours | Runs every 30-40 minutes |
| Dali – Shuanglang (via Xizhou) | Same station / bus stop at Cangshan Gate | ~13 RMB | 2+ hours | Slower, but you can hop off at Xizhou first |
Here’s the catch: The direct bus rarely shows up on Baidu Maps in English. You need to go to the Dali Passenger Transport Station (大理客运站) near the East Gate. I always tell my clients: “Don’t trust random minibuses that shout ‘Shuanglang’ — they often drop you 2km from the entrance and charge triple.” Stick to the official station.
One more detail: The last direct bus back from Shuanglang leaves around 17:30. If you miss it, shared taxis cost 30–40 RMB per person. The drivers wait near the main parking lot, but haggle — they’ll start at 60.
Taxi or Ride-hailing (Didi)
For comfort and speed, taxi is the way. But only if you know which app to use.
Didi (Chinese Uber) works well in Dali. From Dali Old Town to Shuanglang, the fare is about 80–100 RMB (no surge) and takes 50–70 minutes depending on traffic. If you hail a street taxi, expect 120–150 RMB — they’ll claim it’s a fixed price because “return trip empty.” Don’t fall for it.
Pro tip: Use Alipay’s taxi mini-program or Didi directly (switch to English mode). I always book a Didi Premier — only 10 RMB more but guaranteed a clean car with an English-friendly driver who won’t chain-smoke.
One warning: During Chinese holidays (May Day, National Day), the road along Erhai becomes jammed. A 50-minute ride can stretch to 3 hours. My rule: If the holiday, take the bus — it has a dedicated lane part of the way.
Renting a Car or Bike
If you want freedom, rent a car or e-bike. But I have strong opinions here.
Car Rental
International driving permits aren’t valid in China unless you have a Chinese license. Most foreigners rely on a driver + car hire (~300 RMB/day for a private driver). Many hotels arrange this. The advantage: stop anytime for photos.
E-Bike (Electric Scooter)
Sounds romantic? It is — for the first 10km. The road along Erhai Lake east side is gorgeous but long. I’ve guided dozens of couples who set off at 9am, only to arrive at Shuanglang at 2pm exhausted, with sunburned arms and a dead battery. Unless you’re a seasoned motorcyclist, don’t do it. The battery range claims are optimistic. You’ll either get stranded or pay 50 RMB for a roadside charge.
From Dali Airport (DLU) to Shuanglang
Fly into Dali? You’re farther from Shuanglang than from Dali Old Town. The airport is 30km south of Dali city, and Shuanglang is another 50km north.
Best option: Take the airport shuttle bus to Dali Old Town (25 RMB, 40 minutes), then switch to the direct bus or a taxi as above. A direct taxi from airport to Shuanglang will cost 150–200 RMB. No Uber pickups right outside — walk past the taxi touts to the official taxi stand.
If you arrive late afternoon, I suggest staying one night in Dali Old Town first. Shuanglang accommodations can be pricier and many restaurants close by 9pm. But if you must go directly, book a driver via Ctrip (formerly Trip.com) for ~250 RMB — fixed price, no haggling.
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