How to Get to Erhai Lake: Best Routes & Insider Tips

Ting Chen 06 Jul 2026 19 reads 7 min read

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updated: 11 Jul 2026 reviewer: Rui Han 2026-07-11

Quick Navigation

From Dali Old Town
From Dali Railway Station
From Dali Airport
By Bike or E-Bike
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing
FAQ

Late afternoon sun—that's the only time I bring my groups to Erhai. The morning crowds? Forget it. After leading dozens of tours, I've learned that how you get there defines your entire experience. Most online advice is generic or outdated. Let me break down every route with real prices, exact locations, and the little tricks that save you time and money. how to get to erhai lake

From Dali Old Town

If you're staying in Dali Old Town (the most common base), getting to Erhai Lake is straightforward—but you have options that vary wildly in cost and experience.

By Bus (C2 Route)

The C2 bus starts at the Dali Old Town North Gate (main stop) and runs directly to Caicun Terminal on the lake's west side. Fare is 2 RMB (pay by scanning a QR code—weChat or Alipay—no cash accepted). The bus runs every 15 minutes from 7:00 to 19:00. The ride takes about 30 minutes with moderate traffic. Warning: the bus stop at North Gate is easy to miss; look for the blue sign with "C2" near the giant gate. I've seen tourists wait at the wrong spot for 20 minutes.

By Electric Bike (E-Bike) Rental

This is my personal favorite if you have 2-3 hours. Rent an e-bike from any shop in the old town—cost is around 40-60 RMB for half a day (negotiable). Head east on Yucai Road until you hit the lake at Caicun. The ride is flat and takes about 20 minutes. Pro tip: charge your phone before leaving—no power banks on the road. Also, avoid renting from shops near the South Gate; they charge double. erhai lake transportation

By Walking (Not Recommended)

Yes, you can walk from Dali Old Town to the lake (about 4 km), but I strongly advise against it. The last 1 km is a dusty construction road with trucks. I made that mistake once and arrived covered in dust. Not worth it.

From Dali Railway Station

Most high-speed trains arrive at Dali Station (大理站), which is about 15 km from the lake. Here are your options:

Mode	Cost	Time	Notes
Taxi / DiDi	50-70 RMB	30 min	Easier than bus; ask driver to go to Caicun or Lake View Park
Bus No. 8	2 RMB	50 min	Stops at Dali Old Town (get off at East Gate), then walk to lake
Tourist Shuttle	10 RMB	40 min	Direct to Caicun; runs 8:00-17:00, every hour

Here's the catch: The taxi queue at the station can be 20+ minutes during peak hours (11:00-14:00 and after 17:00). I always tell my clients to book a DiDi from the platform the moment they step off the train—the wait is usually much shorter. dali to erhai lake

Heads up: Most taxi drivers at the station will try to charge a flat rate of 100 RMB. Refuse politely and insist on the meter. Or better, use DiDi (Didi Chuxing app) which shows the price upfront.

From Dali Airport

Dali Airport is small, about 30 km from Erhai Lake. Direct options:

Taxi/DiDi: 120-150 RMB, 45-60 minutes. The airport has an official taxi stand with fixed prices—ask for the Erhai Lake zone.
Airport Shuttle Bus: 25 RMB per person, drops you at Dali Old Town (East Gate). From there, take a bus or e-bike to the lake.
Public Bus: Bus No. 7 to the city center, then transfer to C2. Total cost 4 RMB, but takes over 1.5 hours. Only if you're on a shoestring budget.

I recommend the shuttle bus if you're alone, and DiDi if you're in a group of 2-3—the price per person is similar. erhai lake taxi

By Bike or E-Bike (The Scenic Route)

Renting a bicycle is a classic choice, but let's be honest: the 40-km loop around Erhai is exhausting. I've seen too many sweaty tourists regret it by the 10th km. Instead, rent an e-bike from shops near the lake (50-80 RMB for a full day). Most rental places ask for your passport as deposit—I always suggest leaving a 200 RMB cash deposit instead; safer than handing over your passport.

Start from Caicun (west side) at 14:00. Ride north toward Xizhou Ancient Town (1 hour), stop for the famous carrot-shaped pastry, then head back along the lakeside trail. Total: about 4 hours of relaxed riding with the best light for photos. And yes, there are power swap stations at Xizhou and Haidong if your battery runs low. erhai lake bus

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing

For door-to-door convenience, DiDi is your best friend. The app now has an English version (though you'll need a Chinese phone number to register). Fares from Dali Old Town to Caicun: 15-25 RMB. From the railway station: 50-70 RMB. From the airport: 120-150 RMB.

Key advice: If you're heading to the eastern shore (Shuanglang Ancient Town), don't take a taxi all the way. The road is winding and expensive (150+ RMB from Dali Old Town). Instead, take the C2 bus to Caicun, then transfer to the local minibus (20 RMB) that goes along the east coast. That minibus runs every 40 minutes until 18:00.

Frequently Asked (But Often Wrong) Questions

Can I use my international credit card to pay for a taxi to Erhai Lake?

No. Absolutely not. Taxis and ride-hailing in Dali only accept Chinese mobile payments (WeChat Pay or Alipay) or cash (RMB). I've seen tourists stranded when their card was declined. Always carry 200 RMB in small bills—10s and 20s—for emergencies. Most ATMs in Dali Old Town accept international cards.

Is the Erhai Lake scenic drive open to private cars?

Partially. The west side (Caicun to Xizhou) has a dedicated bike path and is closed to cars. The east coast (Wase to Shuanglang) has a road open to cars, but parking is a nightmare on weekends. I always tell my clients to park at Xizhou (free lot) and continue by e-bike.

What's the best time of day to arrive at Erhai to avoid crowds?

Between 15:00 and 16:30. The big tour groups leave around 14:00, and sunset isn't until 18:30. You get calm waters and warm golden light. Avoid 10:00-12:00 at all costs—that's when the bus tours arrive at Caicun.

How much is the entrance fee to Erhai Lake?

There is no single entrance fee—Erhai Lake is open access. However, certain sections like the Erhai Lake Park (near Caicun) charge 10 RMB per person. Some viewing platforms are free. If a random guy at the roadside asks for 20 RMB to “guide you to the lake,” walk away—it's a scam.

Can I get to Erhai Lake from Lijiang in one day?

Technically yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. The high-speed train from Lijiang to Dali takes 2 hours (109 RMB). Then you need another 30-50 minutes to reach the lake. You'll have about 4 hours at Erhai before the last train back at 19:30. If you can, stay overnight in Dali—the morning light on Erhai is worth it.

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. Prices and schedules were checked during the most recent travel season. Always confirm with local sources for real-time updates.

Ting Chen

Ting Chen, a Lhasa and Chengdu-based Certified Senior Tour Guide, specializes in Southwest China itineraries covering the Potala Palace, Everest Base Camp, and Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong.