Kunming Transportation
Yunnan has rapidly developed its highway transportation system
in recent times. It is now easy, cheap, and relatively quick
(often faster than trains) to get to cities in Yunnan and neighboring
provinces, as well as to countries that are close-by.
Planes and Airport
Kunming
is the domestic transportation center of Yunnan Province, also
is one of China's ports to Southeast Asia. Kunming Wujiaba International
Airport (KMG) is one of China's five international airports, running
about international airlines to and from Rangoon, Bangkok, Singapore,
Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, New Delhi, Seoul, and Tokyo; as well as flights
to and from Hong Kong and Macau. Domestic flights are available
to over 40 to China's major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen,
etc.
Kunming Wujiaba International airport located in southeastern
Kunming is about 7.5 kilometers (about 4.7 miles) from the city
center. Airport shuttle buses conveniently serve passengers between
the city center and the airport.
Wujiaba International Airport inquiry: (86871) 711-3230
Ticket Booking Office of CAAC: (86871) 316-4270
Train
Yunnan is a vast province. Many people choose to travel by
train even though it requires much more travel time than air and
slower than city to city buses. However, train travel is
a more comfortable option for overland travelers as it can allow
the traveler to get a glimpse into the beautiful scenery that Yunnan
Province has to offer. There are two railway stations in Kunming:
- Kunming South Railway Station (Nanyao
Railway Station)
The main railway station is called the Kunming South Railway Station
Railway (Nanyao Railway Station). It is useful to travelers as
most outbound trains depart from this destination. Trains to Dali,
Yuxi, and other parts of China run every day. Travelers can most
easily reach the train station by taxi and also have the option
of three public buses: 52, 67 and 78 for 1 RMB.
Kunming South Railway Station (Nanyao Railway Station)
Address: No. 25 Beijing Road, Kunming
Tel: (86571) 351-1534
- Kunming North Railway Station ( Kunming Bei
Zhang)
The Kunming North Railway Stations is located about three kilometers
(about 1.9 miles) north of the city center. This station is useful
to those who want to travel to Vietnam. A train departs to
Hanoi, Capital of Vietnam, every Friday and Sunday. You can
now apply for your visa to Vietnam from Kunming. So be sure to
obtain your visa in advance for it takes at least three working
days to process . Taxi is the easiest option of transportation
to and from this station or you can take a public bus (No. 25,
64, and 78).
Kunming North Railway Station ( Kunming Bei
Zhang)
Address: Northern End of Beijing Road, Kunming
Tel: (86571) 517-2522
Consulate General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Address: Jia Hua Hotel, No. 157 Beijing Road, Kunming
Tel: (86871) 352-2669
Train tickets can be booked in most hotels in Kunming city; or
can be booked 7 days prior to the departure at a railway station
ticket office, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.
- Booking Train Tickets
Train tickets can be booked in most hotels in Kunming or you can
book train tickets 7 days prior to your departure at the Kunming
Train Ticket Booking Office which is opened everyday from 8 am
to 5:30 pm.
-
Train Ticket Booking Office
Address: No. 19 Kunshi Road, Kunming
Tel: (86871) 314-5495
City to City Bus
Highway transportation has developed rapidly in Kunming. Yunnan
has built a comprehensive highway system with roads reach almost
all the major cities or towns in the region. Bus travel across
the region now is very convenient and easy. Travelers can take
a bus here heading to the neighboring tourist destinations such
as Dali, Lijiang.
Highways radiate to places inside and outside Yunnan Province,
as well as to neighboring countries. There are long-distance buses
to Kunming from Beijing (National Highway 108), Lanzhou (213),
Shanghai (320), Fuzhou (324) or other cities.
There are four major long distance bus stations in Kunming with
the South Bus Station and Railway Square Bus Station the most useful
and important.
- Kunming South Bus Station (Nanyao
Station)
It's the first choice amongst travelers because this station is
the most useful one of the four to travelers and has bus routes
to most of the regional destinations. Common and luxurious Buses
both depart here. A regular bus runs slower and usually the bus
condition is not so good as the faster one. The bus station itself
is well managed.
Address: No. 60 Beijing Road, Kunming
Tel: (86871) 351-0617
- Kunming West Bus Station
Address: No. 16 West Station, Kunming
Tel: (86871) 532-6258
- Bus Station at Railway Square
The majority of buses depart here. No fixed schedule is available
and buses will leave when they are full. Most of the buses here
are normal coaches and are a bit cheaper than the Faster and Luxurious
buses. This bus station mainly caters for the domestic tourists
who are familiar with the standard conditions.
Generally Kunming is not crowded and does not suffer much from
traffic congestion, except occasionally during rush hours. Public
buses, taxis and bicycles are the main means of transportation
within the city.
Public Buses
There are nearly one hundred bus lines that cross and reach every
corner of Kunming. The price is quite cheap usually RMB 1 for a
non air-conditioning one and RMB 2 for an air-conditioning bus.
The last shift usually leaves 10:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Passengers
should get on a bus from the front door and get off from the back
door. Today most buses are self-service, therefore bringing correct
small change is recommended.
Taxi
Taking
taxies is very convenient, as it is in other major cities in
China. The fare for Santana is RMB 8 for the first three kilometers
(about 1.9 miles) and RMB 1.8 for each additional kilometer. After
10:00 pm, the flag-down-rate increases to RMB 9.6 for the first
3 kilometers and RMB 2.7 for every additional kilometer (about
0.6 miles). The flag-down-rate of a mini taxi is RMB 7 for the
first three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and RMB 1.6 for every
kilometer (about 0.6 miles) thereafter.
Car Rental
For those confident people, one option of getting around the city
is to rent a car. Rental prices range from RMB 120 to RMB 500 per
day for a four-seat vehicle. If renting a car with a driver who
can also serve as tour guide; the deposit can be reduced to RMB
500 to RMB 1000 for one car with a driver, but at least RMB 5000
deposit is required if you rent a vehicle without a driver. (Note:
Foreigners must have a Chinese driver's license and be sure to
check inspect the vehicle before leaving the lot.)
Bicycle
Renting or purchasing a bicycle is another way to get around the
city. Many hostels in Kunming offer bicycle rentals at about RMB
2 per hour and RMB 10 or RMB 15 for a day. The deposit for an old
bike is RMB 200, RMB 400 for a new one. Cycling around the city
is gaining in popularity since Kunming city is not big; travel
by bicycle is convenient, economical and good for the environment.
If you decide you wish to purchase your own bicycle, new bikes
would cost anywhere from RMB150 ¨C RMB500, whereas a second hand
bicycle would cost between RMB80 ¨C RMB120. Be sure to paddle lock
your bike when parked so that you don't lose it.
Walking
You can walk within the city as distances between destinations
can often be easily managed. And like in most other
Chinese cities, walking around a city can offer travelers a glimpse
into the daily life of the locals that tourist attractions might
not provide.
NOTE: Although
this information is correct at the time of our web publication, it
is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm the address
before going to the venue because some venues may have changed their
telephone numbers or address locations.
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