International Transportation in Yunnan

With the growth of economy, there is a very convenient international transportation in Yunnan with modern transportation facilities. Kunming is the hub of international services of Air China, China’s national airline. Currently, the international air routes have been opened leading to different countries of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Rangoon, Vientiane, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Tokyo and Seoul. Yunnan can also be linked with foreign countries by Trans-Asian Railway, Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, Yunnan-Laos Railway, Yunnan-Myanmar Railway, China-Thailand Railway. It can also be connected by highways and water.

1. International Flights in Yunnan

Yunnan has three international airports, namely Kunming Airport, Lijiang airport and Xishuangbanna airport.

Kunming International Flights

Lijiang International Flights

Xishuangbanna International Flights 

2. International Railways in Yunnan

China Railway Corporation(an organization operating the country’s rail system) also operates several international passenger trains to nearby countries such as Vietnam. In addition, several international railways are under construction or planning such as China – Thailand Railway, China – Laos Railway and China – Myanmar Railway. 

Yunnan-Vietnam Railways

The China-Vietnam railway, running from Kunming to Hekou via Yuxi and Mengzi, has opened to public in December 2014. As the Yunnan section of East Corridor of Trans-Asian Railway, it is also the first international railway connecting southeast Asia and Yunnan. Everyday, there will be about 4 trains departing from Kunming Railway Station to Hekou North Railway Station, and the schedule is listed as follows:

Train No. Time of Departure Duration Ticket Price
K9832 11:02 5 hr 21 mins Hard Seat-CNY 54.5  Soft Seat-CNY 86.5
K9826 12:30 6 hr 19 mins Hard Seat-CNY 54.5
K9822 15:41 5 hr 47 mins Hard Seat-CNY 54.5
K9816 22:55 7 hr 10 mins Hard Seat-CNY 54.5  Hard Sleeper-CNY 100.5

3. International Highways in Yunnan

Taking international coaches to travel between neighbouring countries and Yunnan is popular among many budget travelers. The highway network connects with the network of neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. There are coaches running between Kunming and Vientiane or Luang Prabang, Myanmar, Laos. At present, Yunnan has opened 28 international routes (including 19 in Laos and 9 in Vietnam). 

Laos-Yunnan Coaches

The Laos – China bus service is available for Yunnan, the border province of China. Buses from Laos to China go to Meng La, Jing Hong and Kunming prefecture, in Yunnan province (the province that shares a border with Phongsaly Province in Laos). There are coaches running from Vientiane to Kunming via Luang Prabang. Six coaches are available from Luang Prabang to Jinghong city of Xishuangbanna. Please note that some of the coaches are not daily and contact us for the coach information before you go.

*BUS FROM LAOS TO CHINA
1) direct bus from LPB to Kunming(sleeper)–about 24 hours
2) direct bus Oudomxai to Meng La(day bus)
3) direct bus Oudomxai to Jinghong(day bus)–about 8.5 hours
4) direct bus LNT to Meng La(day bus)
5) direct bus LNT to Jinghong(day bus)

Vietnam-Yunnan Coaches

There are buses from Lao Cai of Vietnam to Hekou daily. And tourists can take the coaches from Hekou to Kunming. Recently, the direct buses between Haiphong of Vietnam to Kunming city via Hanoi, Fu Sholl, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Hekou is put into trial operation. It covers 780 kilometers and takes about 13 hours. Besides, there are other international routes connecting Hanoi and Kunming, Sapa and Gejiu, Ha Giang and Tianbao(天保) of Wenshan city.

Roads Connecting Yunnan and Neighbouring Countries

National Road 213: From Yibin of Sichuan to Yunnan, cross Zhaotong, Kunming, Yuxi and Simao to Xishuangbanna, it covering 1,581 km. Now this road has been built to Simao and will soon to Jinghong. It will pass Laos and finally get to Bangkok of Thailand, which will become a more convenient passage to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

National Road 320: National Road 320 cross Yunnan from the east to the west, via Qujing, Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Baoshan, Luxi to Ruili on the China-Myanmar border, covering 1,030 km.

Burma Road: It was a highway extending about 1,100 kilometres (680 mi) through mountainous terrain from Lashio, northeast Burma northeastward to Kunming, China. The Burma Road’s importance diminished after World War II, but it has remained a link in a 3,400-km road system from Yangon, Burma, to Chongqing.

Kunming–Bangkok Expressway: It is an international expressway running from Kunming, Yunnan province, People’s Republic of China, to Bangkok, Thailand via Laos It was opened in 2008.

G8011 Kaihe Expressway: It stretches from Kaiyuan to Hekou on the Vietnamese border.

4. International Waterways in Yunnan

Generally, rivers are obstacles to transport in Yunnan. Only very small parts of Yunnan’s river systems are navigable. In June 2001, commercial shipping service among China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand on the Lancang-Mekong River was officially inaugurated. Jinghong, Guanlei and Simao District river ports are open to the outside world. Many rivers open for commercial international trade with neighboring countries. Lancang River (known as the Mekong in its lower reaches) is the only international river linking 6 countries in Asia. There are cruises sailing from ChiangSan to Guanlei port via Myanmar and Laos.

Transportation in Yunnan:

Yunnan Travel by Air

Rail Transport in Yunnan

Roads in Yunnan