Kunming – Shangri-La High Speed Train

Shangri-la is about 630 kilometers (390 miles) northwest from Kunming. The high-speed train from Kunming to Shangri-la would be the most convenient and cost-effective option. With a cost of CNY 230 to 764 per person, depending on the seat class, it takes 4.5 to 5.3 hours. The direct flight takes 1.5 hours on the way and ticket fare ranges from CNY 800 to 1,000 for Economy Class. In general, the long-distance bus from Kunming to Shangri-la needs 9 to 9.5 hours with the fare of CNY 208 – 249 per person. Alternatively, passengers can take a high speed train to Lijiang Railway Station first; then transfer to a direct coach to Shangri-la; The whole single trip spends 7 to 8 hours and costs CNY 290 per person at least.

Kunming Railway Station

昆明站

KūnmíngZhàn

Beijing Road, Kunming

23, 24, 44, 83, 236 or z30 to reach Kunming Railway Station Beijing Road Station (north of the station square); 25, 47, 59, 86, 209 or z12 to reach Kunming Railway Station (east of the square); 31, 60, 86, 134, 154, or 209 to reach Kunming Railway Station Yongsheng Road Station (northeast of the square).

Kunming railway station (Chinese: 昆明站; pinyin: Kūnmíng Zhàn) is the main railway station serving the city of Kunming, Yunnan, China. It is located about four kilometres from the city centre.

Kunming – Shangri-La High Speed Train Schedule

Train No. Departure – Arrival Travel Time Ticket Fare
C118 08:25 – 11:23 5h19m B.C.: 714; F.C.: 367; S.C.: 230
C638 10:18 – 14:48 4h30m B.C.:763; F.C.:390; S.C.: 245
C122 11:42 – 16:54 5h12m B.C.:763; F.C.: 390; S.C.: 245

Please Note: B.C refers to Business Class, F.C to First Class, S.C to Second Class. Business Class is the most expensive class with three leathered chairs that can be declined to flat in a row. First Class is more comfortable and spacious with four chairs in a row. Second Class is the cheapest and the most common one with five chairs in a row.

Kunming South Railway Station

Kunming South railway station is the main high-speed rail station of the Kunming metropolitan area. The station, put into operation in December 2016 after five years of construction, is the western terminus of the Nanning–Kunming High-Speed Railway and the Shanghai–Kunming High-Speed Railway. The station is located in the Chenggong District of the City of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province.

Station Name (EN):Kunming South Railway Station
Station Name(CN): 昆明火车南站/Kunming  Huoche Nanzhan
Address(EN): Wujiaying Jiedao, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan
Address(CN): 云南省昆明市呈贡区吴家营街道

Lijiang Railway Station

As being around 10 kilometers from downtown Li’jiang（丽江）, the Li’jiang Railway Station（丽江火车站） is the main transportation hub for local tourism, which is also a major part of Yunnan-Tibet Railway.

Station Name (EN): Lijiang Railway Station
Station Name(CN): 丽江火车站/Lijiang Huochezhan
Address(EN): Shangji Village, Yulong County, Lijiang, Yunnan
Address(CN): 云南省丽江市玉龙县城南口片区上吉村

Routes from Kunming to Shangri-la by High Speed Train

Kunming Chenggong is the starting point of the international high-speed rail travel, so it is also the first stop from Kunming to Shangri-la. Also, you can take a train from Kunming Railway Station to Kunming South Railway Station, it only takes you 18 minutes and costs you 9 or 10.5 yuan, or you can take high speed train from Lijiang to Shangri-la. It it so convenient when the Shangri-la high-speed railway station was put into operation.

Lijiang–Shangri-La railway

The Lijiang–Shangri-La railway or Lixiang railway (simplified Chinese: 丽香铁路; traditional Chinese: 麗香鐵路; pinyin: lìxiāng tiělù), is a railroad in Yunnan Province of Southwest China, completed in 2023. The shorthand name of the line is named after its two proposed terminal cities, Lijiang and Shangri-La.

The line is slated to run 139 km (86 mi) from Lijiang, the rail head of the Dali–Lijiang railway, north to Shangri-La in northwestern Yunnan. The 1.5-hour trip between these two well-known tourist destinations is made possible by the Lijiang-Shangri-La railway, which is a branch of the Yunnan-Xizang Railway.

How to Travel from Kunming to Shangri-la

1. Best Way: Kunming to Shangri-la Flight: 1.5 hours, CNY 800 – 1,000
More than 15 Kunming to Shangri-la flights are operated by popular airlines from Kunming Changshui International Airport to Shangri-la Diqing Airport from 07:25 to 21:30. The time onboard is about 1.5 hours, and the ticket fares range from CNY 800 – 1,000. Passenger would have a large chance to get discounted flight tickets if they book in advance.

2. Alternative Choice: Kunming to Shangri-la Long-distance Bus: 9 to 9.5 hours, CNY 208 – 249/person
Both Kunming Coach Station and North Coach Station operate direct long-distance buses to Shangri-la currently. With the duration of 9 to 9.5 hours, travelers can catch this chance to appreciate the impressive natural scenery along the road. Here under are the detailed schedules and ticket prices of the coaches running from Kunming to Shangri-la:
From West Coach Station: 08:30, 09:30, 19:00
Ticket Fare: CNY 208 – 249 per person
From North Coach Station: 17:30
Ticket Fare: CNY 208 per person

3. Kunming to Lijiang Train + Lijiang to Shangri-la Long-distance Bus: 7 to 8 hours, CNY 290/person
Although there is no direct train between Kunming and Shangri-la, passengers can make a stop at Lijiang. First of all, take a high speed train from Kunming Railway Station to Lijiang Railway Station. It spends 3 to 3.5 hours on the way and costs CNY 208 – 220 for Second Class Seat.

Then take a taxi to Lijiang Coach Station. The duration is about 20 minutes with the cab fare of CNY 15 – 20. After arriving, take a direct long-distance bus to Shangri-la. The duration is about 4 hours.
Schedule: 08:50, 09:30, 10:00, 10:40, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:30, 17:10
Ticket Fare: CNY 62 – 68 per person

How to Travel from Shangri-la to Kunming

1. Best Way: Shangri-la to Kunming Flight: 1.5 hours, CNY 800 – 1,000
The daily flight from Shangri-la to Kunming usually has 1.5 hours’ flying time. There are 15 to 20 flights serving the public from Shangri-la Diqing Airport to Kunming Changshui Airport, operating from 09:20 to 23:25. As the most convenient way, it is a prior choice for passengers who have tight schedule. Purchasing flight tickets in advance will help you enjoy 20-80% discounts.

2. Alternative Choice: Shangri-la to Kunming Long-distance Bus: 9 to 9.5 hours, CNY 223 – 264/person
There are some long-distance buses serving passengers travelling from Shangri-la to Kunming every day, which needs 9 to 9.5 hours in general. They depart at 08:30, 09:00, 18:50 and 19:00 from Shangri-la Coach Station, costing CNY 223 – 264 per person. Taking long-distance bus is a relatively cheaper choice for passengers compared with flight.

3. Shangri-la to Lijiang Long-distance Bus + Lijiang to Kunming High Speed Train: 7 to 8 hours, CNY 290/person
From Shangri-la to Kunming, passengers can take a coach to Lijiang firstly. They depart at 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 11:20, 12:10, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:40, 17:20 and 18:00 with the travel time of 4 hours, costing CNY 62 – 68 per person. Then take a taxi to Lijiang Railway Station, where you can find frequent high speed trains to Kunming. The cab fare is about CNY 15-20. The high speed train takes 3 to 3.5 hours on the way with the ticket fare of CNY 208 – 220 per person.

Kunming – Shangri-la Direct Train: 6 hours when opened in 2020
The direct train between Kunming and Shangri-la is still under construction, which is scheduled to serve the public since late 2020. The part between Kunming and Lijiang has already been finished. After the completion, it will only take 6 hours to travel between Shangri-la and Kunming by train.

Yunnan Travel by Air

Rail Transport in Yunnan

Roads in Yunnan