Kunming to Lijiang by Train
By China Rail Guide Updated 2026-05-31 Fares verified May 2026 against China Railway (12306)
- Fastest
- 3h 29m
- Distance
- 520 km
- Trains/day
- 14
- From
- $27
Lijiang — the gateway to Yunnan’s old towns, Tiger Leaping Gorge and the road north to Shangri-La — is reached from Kunming by express EMU. Daytime C-trains cover the ~520 km scenic mountain route via Dali in about 3.5 hours; an overnight sleeper is a cheaper alternative.
At a glance
- Fastest daytime C-trains take about 3h 29m; most run 3.5–4.5 hours.
- Around a dozen daytime trains a day, plus 1–2 overnight sleeper services.
- Departs Kunming (昆明) — a few use Kunming South (昆明南) — and arrives at Lijiang (丽江).
- Scenic ride through the mountains via Dali; book ahead in peak season.
Fastest, or cheapest?
This route runs more than one type of train — here's the trade-off:
| Train type | Fastest | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| C — Express EMU (动车) | 3h 29m | ¥166 / $23 | Fastest, daytime |
| Overnight sleeper (Y) | ~10h | ¥123 / $17 | Overnight — saves a hotel night |
Fares by class
High-speed (G/C) seat classes on the main service:
| Class | Price (CNY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Second Class | ¥190 | $27 |
| First Class | ¥303 | $43 |
| Business Class | ¥568 | $80 |
Daytime express-EMU (C) fares; some trains start around ¥166. Overnight Y sleeper trains are cheaper (hard sleeper from ¥123). Official China Railway (12306) fares.
Stations & train types
Trains depart from Kunming or Kunming South and arrive at Lijiang. Direct trains run this route.
- C — Intercity (short hops)
Train or flight from Kunming to Lijiang?
A flight looks quicker on paper, but China's domestic flights ask you to arrive about 2 hours early, and airports sit well outside the city. High-speed trains leave from a central station with quick security. Most trains take 3.5–4.5 hours (fastest non-stop 3h 29m). Counting the whole door-to-door trip:
| 🚄 High-speed train | ✈️ Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| On board / in the air | 3h 29m | ~1h 20m |
| Getting there & through | + ~30m (central station, fast security) | + 2h arrive early, + ~1h30m to/from airports |
| Realistic door-to-door | ~3h 59m | ~4h 50m |
Flight time is estimated from route distance; airport arrival and transfer times are typical for China domestic travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Kunming to Lijiang?
The fastest daytime C-trains (express EMU) take about 3 hours 29 minutes; most run 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Overnight sleeper trains take around 10 hours.
How much is a Kunming to Lijiang train ticket?
On the daytime C-trains, Second Class is about ¥190 (~$27), First Class ¥303, and Business Class ¥568; some trains start around ¥166. Overnight sleepers are cheaper, from about ¥123. These are official China Railway (12306) fares.
Is there a direct train from Kunming to Lijiang?
Yes — direct express EMU (C) trains run from Kunming to Lijiang several times a day, plus overnight sleeper services. No transfer is needed.
Schedule and fares reflect China Railway (12306) official services, last verified 2026-05 against live booking data. Times and prices can change — confirm when you book.