Kunming - Lijiang Train
20 pairs of high speed trains are operated between Lijiang Railway Station and Kunming Railway Station / Kunming South Railway Station. It takes around 3 - 4 hours to finish the journey and the ticket fare is CNY 192 - 230.5 for a second class seat.
Top speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
Duration: 3 - 4 hours
(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
Note: The above timetable is for reference only. Please use our tool on top of this page to search for the real-time schedule.
(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
Kunming Railway Station:
By Subway: Line 1
By Bus: 2, 23, 24, 25, 32, 44, 51, 59, 80, 83, 86, 154, 260, C71, Z30
Lijiang Railway Station:
By Bus: 4, 16, 18, 26
If you do not like rail ride, flight is available between Kunming and Lijiang and it only takes around 1 hour, to 1h 10m at most. But the ticket price is much higher.
Long-distance buses are also running among the two cities. However, it is not advised to take because the duration is no less than rail ride, the ticket price is close to a soft sleeper in a rail carriage although it is not as comfortable and spacious as a soft sleeper, and it is not that safe as a rail ride.
Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang are regarded as the three most famous attraction sites in Yunnan Province. Once going to Yunnan, tourists wouldn't like to miss any one of them. But how can one travel to the three places without wasting a lot of time and costing too much? The recommended route is like below:
As Kunming is the capital city with more train and flight arrivals, you can get there first. After touring around, take an overnight train to Dali where you can travel around for 2 to 3 days. Later, continue the rail ride to Lijiang to experience the leisurely life in the old town. Both of the two rail rides are not too long and you can buy a hard seat to save money. Of course, if you want to travel more comfortably, sleepers will be better choices.
For return trip, there is no need to make a stop in Dali, hence the rail ride will be somehow longer and it is recommended to get you a sleeper. If you feel exhausted, you can fly to Kunming and then leave Yunnan. Or if there is a flight to your next destination from Lijiang, you can depart there.
Major Attractions:
In Kunming: Stone Forest, Dianchi Lake
In Dali: Dali Ancient City, Erhai Lake, Mt. Cangshan, Three Pagodas
In Lijiang: Lijiang Old Town, Lugu Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Shuhe Ancient Town
Further Reading: How to Travel between Kunming and Lijiang
Major Rail Lines from Kunming to:
Major Rail Line from Lijiang to:
See also: 8 Most Scenic Train Rides in China
Kunming - Lijiang High Speed Train
Top speed: 200 km/h (124 mph) Duration: 3 - 4 hoursKunming to Lijiang High Speed Train Schedule
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| D8773 | 08:08 - 11:53 | 3h45m |
| D8772 | 08:31 - 11:53 | 3h22m |
| D8797 | 08:48 - 12:38 | 3h50m |
| D8796 | 09:11 - 12:38 | 3h27m |
| D8777 | 09:47 - 13:46 | 3h59m |
| D8776 | 10:10 - 13:46 | 3h36m |
| D8781 | 11:51 - 15:46 | 3h55m |
| D8780 | 12:15 - 15:46 | 3h31m |
| D9853 | 14:28 - 18:20 | 3h52m |
| D9852 | 14:51 - 18:20 | 3h29m |
| D8789 | 16:57 - 20:48 | 3h51m |
| D8788 | 17:20 - 20:48 | 3h28m |
| D8793 | 19:11 - 22:35 | 3h24m |
| D8792 | 19:33 - 22:35 | 3h2m |
(Last Update on Apr 25, 2023)
| Train No. | Departure - Arrival | Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| D8774 | 08:00 - 11:08 | 3h8m |
| D9854 | 09:24 - 12:56 | 3h32m |
| D8782 | 12:15 - 15:17 | 3h2m |
| D8786 | 14:34 - 18:08 | 3h34m |
| D8798 | 15:48 - 19:20 | 3h32m |
| D8790 | 16:50 - 20:07 | 3h17m |
| D8768 | 18:42 - 22:19 | 3h37m |
Ticket Fare of Kunming - Lijiang High Speed Train
| First Class Seat | Second Class Seat |
|---|---|
| CNY 351 - 367.5 USD 52 - 54 | CNY 220 - 230.5 USD 32 - 34 |
 |
| Kunming Station |
Transportation to/ from the Railway Stations
Kunming Railway Station:By Subway: Line 1
By Bus: 2, 23, 24, 25, 32, 44, 51, 59, 80, 83, 86, 154, 260, C71, Z30
Lijiang Railway Station:By Bus: 4, 16, 18, 26
Other Transportation Options: Flight & Long-distance Bus
Long-distance buses are also running among the two cities. However, it is not advised to take because the duration is no less than rail ride, the ticket price is close to a soft sleeper in a rail carriage although it is not as comfortable and spacious as a soft sleeper, and it is not that safe as a rail ride.
Recommended Travel Route
 |
| Boarding Gate for K9619 at Dali Station |
As Kunming is the capital city with more train and flight arrivals, you can get there first. After touring around, take an overnight train to Dali where you can travel around for 2 to 3 days. Later, continue the rail ride to Lijiang to experience the leisurely life in the old town. Both of the two rail rides are not too long and you can buy a hard seat to save money. Of course, if you want to travel more comfortably, sleepers will be better choices.
For return trip, there is no need to make a stop in Dali, hence the rail ride will be somehow longer and it is recommended to get you a sleeper. If you feel exhausted, you can fly to Kunming and then leave Yunnan. Or if there is a flight to your next destination from Lijiang, you can depart there.
Major Attractions: In Kunming: Stone Forest, Dianchi Lake In Dali: Dali Ancient City, Erhai Lake, Mt. Cangshan, Three Pagodas In Lijiang: Lijiang Old Town, Lugu Lake, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Shuhe Ancient Town Further Reading: How to Travel between Kunming and LijiangMajor Rail Lines from Kunming to:Major Rail Line from Lijiang to: See also: 8 Most Scenic Train Rides in China
- Last updated on Apr. 25, 2023 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Kunming - Lijiang Train
Asked by Hilliard from USA | Nov. 04, 2019 17:16
Reply
ReplyBooked tickets with wrong station
We booked tickets from Kunming South to Lijiang but we now found out we are closer to the other station instead. Can I change to Kunming Station instead? If not, Can we use same tickets and board from Kunming Station as it is the second station of the train?
Answers (1)
Answered by TravelChinaGuide | Nov. 05, 2019 17:07
0
0Reply
00ReplyThank you for your inquiry.
Once tickets are booked well, the departure station cannot be changed. However, you can board from the main station instead of South Station as long as the train booked will also stop at main station. Please double check it.
Once tickets are booked well, the departure station cannot be changed. However, you can board from the main station instead of South Station as long as the train booked will also stop at main station. Please double check it.
Asked by vu from VIỆT NAM | Aug. 21, 2019 02:58Reply
ReplyI will take high speed train from Lijiang to Kunming, which station at destination?
On October I will take high speed train D8786 at 14:36 or D8798 at 15:05 from Lijiang to Kunming, which is the destination station at Kunming? Kunming railway station or Kunming South station... Thank you!
Answers (1)
Answered by Johnny from SINGAPORE | Aug. 22, 2019 02:1500Reply
00ReplyHi, these two trains will stop at both stations, Kunming station first and finally again at South Station. You can choose which one you want to book to.
Asked by Moomookie from THAILAND | Jul. 02, 2019 10:48Reply
ReplyKunming-Lijiang high speed train will close since july 9, when will it open again?
I have planned to take this train on September.
Answers (1)
Answered by TravelChinaGuide | Jul. 02, 2019 20:5200Reply
00ReplyThank you for your inquiry.
However, we are sorry that there is no confirmed information about the open date posted by China Railway, so we are not clear about it. There maybe some update around July 9 or 10. You may check it again later. If there is any update, we will add them on our website too. Thank you.
However, we are sorry that there is no confirmed information about the open date posted by China Railway, so we are not clear about it. There maybe some update around July 9 or 10. You may check it again later. If there is any update, we will add them on our website too. Thank you.
Asked by Bubles from DENMARK | May. 06, 2019 21:03Reply
ReplyWill these high speed train also stop in Dali before reaching Lijiang?
If yes, can I part the trip into two pieces? I think the rail line is the same as I read online.
Answers (1)
Answered by Lucy from IRELAND | May. 07, 2019 18:1900Reply
00ReplyI agree that they are running on same line but from the stopover information I found online, they seems have no stop in Dali. Anyway, if you will also visit Dali, you need to arrange the trip separately no matter they stop there or not as you cannot back to same train again after getting off.
Asked by jess from MALAYSIA | Mar. 28, 2019 21:32Reply
ReplyKunming airport to station
Hi,
If my flight reached are 5pm at kunming airport will i able to take the train which D8790 -1817 at railway station ...i m looking for 25 May tickect and when will it be realease out to purchase ?
If my flight reached are 5pm at kunming airport will i able to take the train which D8790 -1817 at railway station ...i m looking for 25 May tickect and when will it be realease out to purchase ?
Answers (3)
Answered by Pierre | Mar. 29, 2019 05:0800Reply
00ReplyNo, the time is definitely not enough. YOu need about 1 hour at the airport for immigration check and luggage collection if you will land by internatoinal flight. It also take around 45min on the way to go from airport to the railway station. And addional 1 to 1.5 hours for ticket collection and boarding there.
Answered by Jess from MALAYSIA | Mar. 29, 2019 19:4900Reply
00ReplyWhen can I start buy the tic online for 25/5 ticket
Answered by Leong | Mar. 29, 2019 20:4800Reply
00ReplyIt could be issued on Apr 26 since tickets can only be released and booked 30 days in advance.