Yunnan is easily accessible by planes and trains. In this article, we give you suggestions on how to get to and around Yunnan.
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How to Get to Yunnan
In this section, we explain how to reach Yunnan covering two scenarios: if you're flying to Yunnan from abroad and if you're already in China.
If You Are Traveling from aboard
From Southeast Asian Countries
Given its proximity to Southeast Asia, it would be very convenient for you to travel to Yunnan from Southeast Asian countries.
With a direct flight: Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan, is usually the gateway city for a direct flight. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have direct flights to Kunming.
With a flight transfer: For other Southeast Asian countries without direct flights, you could transit through Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, or China's domestic cities such as Guangzhou or Beijing to reach Kunming or other Yunnan cities such as Lijiang or Dali.
By train: This is mainly for if you are traveling from Laos. You could take a high-speed train from Vientiane to Kunming on the China-Laos Railway. The railway passes through several major cities including Luang Prabang in Laos and Jinghong in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan.
From Europe, the U.S., or Australia
If you are flying from Europe, the United States, or Australia, it may take some time because you need a transfer. Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are the main transit cities.
You could choose Kunming, Lijiang, or Dali as your gateway city to Yunnan.
If You Are Already in China
It is much more convenient to get to Yunnan if you are already in China. Basically, most major cities have direct flights or high-speed trains to Yunnan's major tourist cities.
By Plane
Flying is the more common option and the faster way. If you are departing from these cities, you could consider take a flight: Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Zhangjiajie, and other cities far from Yunnan.
These cities have flights to Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali, and the flight time is 2–4 hours.
If you would like a China trip including Yunnan, you may be interested the journey guides below:
- How to Plan a trip to Yunnan and Zhangjiajie
- How to Plan a trip to Yunnan and Chengdu
- More Yunnan trip planning articles
By High-Speed Train
You could consider taking a high-speed train to Kunming if you are departing from cities close to Yunnan, such as Guiyang (3 hours), Chengdu (5 hours), Guilin (7 hours), or Guangzhou (8 hours).
If you would like to experience high-speed rail, then choosing the train from somewhere nearby is not only suitable for you but also more economical.
However, if you think a 7-to-8-hour journey is too long, you could opt for a flight instead. A flight from Guilin to Kunming takes approximately 1½ hours, while a flight from Guangzhou to Kunming takes about 2½ hours.
How to Get Around Yunnan
In this section, we introduce travel options within Yunnan and transportation in its cities.
City-to-City Connections
There are three common ways to travel around Yunnan:
By High-Speed Train
High-speed rail is the primary mode of travel, especially between cities that are relatively close, making it the most convenient option.
Most cities in Yunnan Province are connected by high-speed rail, such as Kunming to Dali (2½ hours), Kunming to Lijiang (4 hours), Dali to Lijiang (2 hours), and Lijiang to Shangri-La (1½ hours).
Our tour service includes transportation arrangements within Yunnan/China including private transfers and train or flight tickets if you book a trip with us. All our tours can be adjusted or customized based on your requirements and interests. Feel free to contact us.
By Air
Flying is more recommended for travel between cities that are far apart, as it can save you more time. For example, traveling from Kunming to Shangri-La takes 5 to 6 hours by high-speed rail, while a flight takes only 1 hour. For this journey, we recommend going by plane.
By Private Car
Using a car is a more flexible option, especially if you need to make stops between two cities, such as visiting Shaxi Old Town (midway between Lijiang and Dali) or Tiger Leaping Gorge (between Lijiang and Shangri-La).
See Dali to Lijiang: Transportation and Itinerary Suggestions
Transportation within Cities
Compared to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, using public transportation for traveling in Yunnan's cities may be less convenient. Only Kunming has a subway system, while other cities mainly rely on buses.
For some distant attractions, there are shuttle services, but with fixed departure times, requiring planning, ticket booking, and locating pick-up points.
If you plan to use public transportation extensively, you may need a certain level of Chinese language proficiency, and comfort levels might be lower than you are used to.
To have a more comfortable and hassle-free travel experience, we recommend using private transfers.
Since many of Yunnan's attractions are located far from urban areas, frequent use of a vehicle is necessary. Having a dedicated private car throughout your trip will save you time and effort, and compared to renting a car or hailing taxis, private transfers with a qualified driver guide offer higher safety and reliability.
Some Yunnan Journey Tips
When to Buy an Air Ticket
Generally, it is recommended to book domestic flights 1 to 2 months in advance and international flights 2 to 3 months in advance.
Although there may occasionally be cheaper fares closer to the departure date, this is relatively rare and comes with a higher level of uncertainty.
At that point, seat availability is limited, and flight options may be restricted. Therefore, to ensure a smooth journey, we recommend booking in advance.
Airfare Saving Tips
- Using local airlines is often more affordable. For example, in Yunnan, you could choose Lucky Air or Kunming Airlines.
- Consider connecting flights for potentially lower fares, but keep in mind that layovers can be time-consuming.
- Look out for budget airlines such as Scoot.
- Red-eye flights, departing in the early morning hours, tend to offer cheaper fares.
- On a weekly basis, Tuesday afternoons and early Wednesday mornings typically have lower prices, while Fridays are often the most expensive.
- In terms of daily timing, after 1 p.m. has lower prices. Mornings from 6 a.m. to midday period are typically more expensive. Special deals might also be available around 7 or 8 p.m.
When to Buy a Train Ticket
Train tickets are generally available for purchase 15 days in advance. Regardless of your travel plans, we recommend booking as early as possible.
If you're traveling during the holidays, especially to popular destinations like Lijiang or Dali, train tickets often sell out within minutes of being released.
Therefore, it's essential to prepare in advance to secure your tickets. If you're unable to get one, you could opt for a waitlist and try again when the next batch is released.