How to Get to Yuanmou Earth Forest from Kunming

Being around 200 kilometers from the provincial capital Kunming(昆明), Yuanmou Earth Forest(元谋土林)is known for its weird-looking pillar-like terrain. It is also one of the most famous scenic areas in Yunnan, which can be easily reached by coach and train.

How to Get to Yuanmou Earth Forest from Kunming

1. By Long-Distance Coach

Please be noted, that after you have arrived at the local coach station of Yuanmou County(元谋县), you will still need to transfer by local coach or taxi to the Earth Forest(土林). However, it is absolutely important for you to reach a deal with the driver or conductor before departure.

Everyday, there will be about 14 coaches departing from Kunming North-West Coach Terminal(昆明西北部汽车客运站), and the schedule is listed as follows:

Time of Departure Duration Ticket Price
08:00 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
08:40 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
09:20 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
10:00 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
10:40 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
11:20 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
12:00 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
12:50 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
13:40 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
14:30 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
15:40 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
16:30 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
17:30 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70
18:30 2 hr 14 mins CNY 70

Address of Kunming North-West Coach Terminal:
Intersection of Chenjiaying Road and Xiaotun Road, Wuhua District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province
This coach terminal can be reached by taking City Bus No.1; No.151; No.189(CNY 1 for ordinary, CNY 2 for air-conditioned), No.K2(Approximately CNY 2), and the taxi fare from downtown area is around CNY 35 (according to the Chinese Uber, Didi), and expected time of arrival will be around 25 mins.

2. By Regular-Speed Train

Please be noted, that after you have arrived at the local railway station of Yuanmou County(元谋县), you will still need to transfer by local coach or taxi to the Earth Forest(土林). However, it is absolutely important for you to reach a deal with the driver or conductor before departure.

Everyday, there will be about 4 trains departing from Kunming Railway Station(昆明火车站)to Yuanmou County(元谋县), and the schedule is listed as follows:

Train No. Time of Departure Duration Ticket Price
6162 06:45 4 hr 43 mins Hard Seat-CNY 30.5
K114 08:25 3 hr 55 mins Hard Seat-CNY 40.5  Hard Sleeper-CNY 86.5  Soft Sleeper-CNY 129.5
K146 17:39 3 hr 28 mins Hard Seat-CNY 40.5  Hard Sleeper-CNY 86.5  Soft Sleeper-CNY 129.5
K986 18:54 3 hr 13 mins Hard Seat-CNY 40.5  Hard Sleeper-CNY 86.5  Soft Sleeper-CNY 129.5

Address of Kunming Railway Station:
No.1 Beijing Road, Guandu District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province
This railway station can be reached by City Bus No.2; No.80; No.23; No.24; No.25; No.44; No.83(CNY 1 for ordinary, CNY 2 for air-conditioned), and Airport Express No.919 C (approximately CNY 13), as well as Metro Line 1(can be transferred to at Dongfeng Square Station). The taxi fare from downtown area is around CNY 15 (according to the Chinese Uber, Didi), and expected time of arrival will be around 20 mins.