The system structure and the lidar principle of a mobile differential absorption lidar(DIAL) system designed by ourselves were described.The operation wavelengths of a tunable laser for SO_2 measurement were 286.3 nm and 286.9 nm and the measurement range is approximately from 500 m to 3 km.The field tests in Beijing and Hefei were performed with the lidar system.Examples of measurements of sulfur dioxide in Hefei and Beijing are given and results agree with the measurement results of ground monitor instrument.The error scope is analyzed and the total measurement error is <7 10~(-9) with range resolution of 300 m.