How to Get to Lijiang from Kunming: Train, Flight, Bus

I still remember the first time I dragged my clients off the overnight bus in Lijiang — pale, cramped, and swearing never again. That’s when I learned the hard way that how you get there matters as much as the destination itself. Now, let me save you that pain.

Why I Recommend the Train Over Flying for Most Travelers

For the vast majority of visitors, the high-speed train wins because it hits the sweet spot of cost, comfort, and total travel time. Flying from Kunming to Lijiang takes barely an hour, but you need to arrive at the airport 2 hours early, and then slog through a 40-minute drive from Lijiang Airport to the Old Town. The train from Kunming Central Station drops you right in Lijiang, with just a short taxi hop to your guesthouse.

Here is the catch: the train can sell out days in advance, especially during Chinese holidays. If you’re flexible, I’d book the train without hesitation. But if you’re on a tight schedule and can’t secure a ticket, the flight is a decent backup — just factor in the extra airport hassle.

Pro Tip: If you take a morning train, you’ll arrive with the whole afternoon to explore the Old Town stalls without the midday crowd. The 8:00 AM departure is my personal favorite.

How to Get to Lijiang from Kunming: 3 Main Transportation Options

Here’s the breakdown of the three main ways to travel the 520 kilometers between Kunming and Lijiang. I’ve ridden all three multiple times, and each has its place. The table below sums up the essentials — then I’ll dive into the nitty-gritty.

1. High-Speed Train (Recommended)

The train leaves from Kunming Railway Station (昆明站) or Kunming South Station (昆明南站) and arrives at Lijiang Railway Station (丽江站). The ride on the D-series train takes roughly 3 hours and 15 minutes. The stations are both well-connected by metro and taxi, so I usually tell people to head to whichever has a better departure time.

You’ll cruise through Yunnan’s karst mountains and agricultural valleys — the scenery alone is worth the ticket. Seats are ergonomic, and the carriages are immaculately clean. There’s a dining car with instant noodles and snacks, though I always grab a coffee from the 7-Eleven at the station before boarding.

One thing to watch: the train passes through many tunnels, causing your ears to pop. Chewing gum or swallowing helps. Also, the air conditioning can be aggressive — bring a light jacket even in summer.

2. Flight

Flights from Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) to Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) take about 60 minutes. However, you only step onto the plane 20 minutes before takeoff, and the shuttle from downtown Kunming to the airport takes at least 50 minutes. On the other side, Lijiang Airport is 25 kilometers from the Old Town, so a taxi will run you about 80–100 CNY. All that adds up to nearly 4 hours of door-to-door travel — not much different from the train.

I’ve used this route when train tickets were sold out. The views of the snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain on descent are stunning, and there are direct flights almost every hour. But expect delays during monsoon season, and luggage allowances are typically 20 kg for checked bags on domestic routes.

3. Long-Distance Bus

Buses depart from Kunming West Bus Station (昆明西部汽车客运站) to Lijiang Passenger Transport Station. At 6–8 hours on winding mountain roads, this is the cheapest but least pleasant option. The seats are designed for smaller frames — at 6 feet, I spent most of the journey with my knees pressed against the seat in front. The air in the cabin gets stale, and rest stops are few.

If you’re on a shoestring budget, it’s doable, but I strongly suggest splurging an extra 100 CNY on the train. Your back will thank me.

How to Buy Train Tickets from Kunming to Lijiang (Step by Step)

This is where I see more than half of my clients stumble. The official railway booking website (12306.cn) is entirely in Chinese and requires a verification code that often breaks on foreign SIM cards. Here’s the workaround that always works:

1. Use Trip.com (or Klook) — both have English interfaces and accept international credit cards. You’ll pay a small booking fee (around 15 CNY), but it’s worth every yuan for the clarity.
2. Enter your passport details exactly as they appear — no middle names if they didn’t ask, and double-check the birthdate.
3. Select “pick up at station” or electronic ticket — most stations now accept e-tickets via passport scanning at the gate. Lijiang’s station has blue ticket machines that read passports without issue.
4. Arrive 30 minutes early — security lines are usually short, but they move fast. If you hit a crowd, look for the “Foreign Passport” lane near the main entrance.

If you’re already in China without a smartphone reservation, you can buy at the counter in Kunming Railway Station. Big stations have an “International” window with English-speaking staff. Show your passport and a printed confirmation if you have it.

Insider Advice: Don’t use a travel agency tour that includes a “guided transfer” unless you really need one. The train ride is straightforward, and the money is better spent on a tour in Lijiang itself.

Getting from Lijiang Airport or Train Station to the Old Town

From Lijiang Railway Station to the Old Town, a taxi costs about 30 CNY and takes 25 minutes. Follow the signs to the taxi rank outside the station square. Avoid the touts who offer “cheaper” minivans — they often charge per piece of luggage.

From Lijiang Sanyi Airport, there’s also an airport shuttle bus (20 CNY) that drops you near the Ancient Town’s south gate. The journey takes about 50 minutes. If your hotel is inside the old town, you’ll likely need to walk the last stretch because vehicles aren’t allowed on the cobblestone streets. I always tell clients to pack light — you don’t want to drag a 30 kg suitcase over those lanes.

For both cases, have your hotel address written in Chinese. Show it to the driver or plug it into your map app. Most hotels also provide a free pickup service if you book a certain number of nights, so it’s worth asking when you reserve.

Foreign Traveler Tips: Payments, Navigation, and Booking

The trip goes a thousand times smoother when you’ve sorted out these three things before you arrive at the station. Let’s be honest — China still runs on WeChat Pay and Alipay. Cash is accepted almost nowhere in Kunming or Lijiang, and international credit cards work only at high-end hotels and some souvenir shops in the old town.

• Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay must be linked to an international card. Set both up before you leave home. If you can’t link, bring enough cash and exchange it at the airport — you’ll be constantly frustrated trying to pay with cards.
• Navigation: Google Maps is useless here. Download Apple Maps or the “AMap Global” app, which offers English navigation. Lijiang’s old town is a maze — I still get lost, but having the map on my phone saves me every time.
• Booking: For trains, use Trip.com or Klook. For attractions like Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, book tickets online via these platforms — the official WeChat mini-programs are a nightmare for foreigners, and they often require a Chinese phone number.
• Language: Download an offline translator (Apple Translate or Baidu). The older locals in Lijiang speak a local dialect, and even Mandarin speakers may be hard to understand. Pointing at written Chinese on your phone is your lifeline.
• VPN: Yes, you’ll need a VPN to access Google, WhatsApp, and many Western apps. Install it on all devices before you land. And it’s worth testing your VPN on Chinese networks because not all work.

Frequently Asked Questions

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