Wujiaba International Airport

Airport code:  KMG
Consultation:  +86 (0)871 7113 230, 7116 114
Address:  146 Dongfeng Dong Lu, Kunming
巫家坝国际机场  昆明市东风东路146号

Kunming is not only the domestic transportation center of Yunnan , but also one of China’s main ports to Southeast Asia and the rest of the
world.  Kunming Wujiaba International Airport (KMG) is one of China’s five international airports, running 11 international airlines to Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, New Delhi, Seoul, Tokyo and Rangoon.  There are also daily flights to Hong Kong and Macau as well as over 40 of China’s major cities.  In addition, the airport also services direct flights to most sizeable cities in Yunnan including Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Jinghong in Xishuangbanna, and others.

Location:  The airport is located in southeastern Kunming, about 7.5 kilometers from the center of the city. The international terminal entrance is located at the far left side of the building when facing the airport (the far end where the taxis drop you off.)

How to get there:  Since the airport is located so close to the city center, transfer to and from is both quick and cheap.  Travelers have many transportation options.  Taxi is probably the best option, as Kunming boasts one of the cheapest airport taxi rides of any city in China.  A taxi between the city center and airport will cost 20 - 30 RMB and should take 20 - 40 minutes (possibly more during heavy traffic.)  When coming from the airport, travelers are urged to get a metered taxi from the stand as opposed to bargaining with a driver in the airport.  Civil aviation buses also make the commute and should cost 15 - 20 RMB.  In addition, public buses No. 52, 67, and 78 serve the area for 1 RMB per person (2 RMB if air-conditioned) but will almost definately take more time to arrive than a taxi will.  The last buses to the airport leave around 10 pm.  If you sprung for the flight ticket, you can probably afford the taxi ride to the airport and it will be much more comfortable, especially if you have to carry heavy, cumbersome bags.

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Facilities:

Restaurants

There are several restaurants and cafeterias that provide both western and Chinese food.  Like most airports, these places are not cheap and are not particularly good.

Lounges

Domestic Service Telephone:  +86 (0)871 7116333, +86 (0)871 7116339, +86 (0)871 7116444
International Service Telephone:  +86 (0)871 7115896


Services:

Ticketing

Located in the Waiting Building on 2 F.
Airport ticketing Telephone:  +86 (0)871 7112191
General desk for ticket booking:  +86 (0)871 7114277, +86 (0)871 7114278
Ticket Booking Office of CAAC:  +86 (0)871 3164270

Information counter

Located in the Waiting Building on 2 F (but is not particularly helpful.)
Telephone:  +86 (0)871 7114300

Baggage storage and bank are also located in the Waiting Building on 2 F.  There are ATMs located on 1 F.

There are over 50 bus lines that zigzag throughout almost every section in Kunming.  It usually costs a mere 1 RMB to take a public bus and the last buses run until about 10 pm. Passengers should get on a bus from the front door and exit at the back.  Correct change is usually required and it is often wise to stand close to the door if the passenger wishes to exit because stops are often quite brief and buses in Kunming are usually very crowded.  Therefore city buses are not ideal after big shopping sessions - a taxi is probably the wiser choice.

For a list of the public bus lines and schedule, obtain the Kunming City Map at any news agent for 3.50 RMB.  Bus routes are detailed in Chinese, and to confuse things further, the paper bus maps, maps at stations, and the reality of where buses go are often different. Regardless, the public bus system is a convenient and cheap way to get around Kunming.  Besides, riding the bus is an experience in itself and often provides a good way to meet locals and get a better taste of everyday life in China.

Three public buses run on the route between the airport and Nanyao Railway Station including No. 52, 67 and 78.

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 places in Yunnan and neighboring provinces, as well as to countries that are close-by.  Long-distance buses also regularly run between Kunming and distant major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.  There are many bus stations in Kunming but tourists are recommended to stick with 2 main stations for safety, convenience, and comfort reasons.


South Bus Station

Address:  Across the street from the Railway Square Bus Station
located at 60 Beijing Lu
北京路60号, 南端南窑火车站旁
Tel: +86 (0)871 3510 739

This station is probably more useful for tourists.  The South Bus Station services most of the regional destinations, offering customers the option of either the regular bus or a faster, more luxurious one.  The regular bus runs a bit slower and may be less comfortable than the luxurious option. 

How to get there:  This station is located on Beijing Xi Lu facing the Kunming Railway Station. Either take a taxi or city bus No. 52, 67, and 78 for 1 RMB.

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Railway Square Bus Station

Address:  60 Beijing Lu, next to Nanyao Railway Station
北京路60号, 南端南窑火车站旁
Phone:  +86 (0)871 3544 574, 3543 325

This bus station is less organized than the South Bus Station and many buses that depart from here are privately managed.  Thus the fixed schedule in the ticket office is not entirely accurate as many buses leave when full.  Buses are cheaper than the nearby South Bus Station at the cost of comfort and speed.  This bus station caters mainly to the domestic tourists and locals who are more familiar with the standard conditions.  Foreign travelers are recommended to brave the option if they want to save the money and are comfortable with traveling on standard Asian buses. 

How to get there:  This station is located next to the South Railway station at the end of Beijing Xi Lu.  Taxi or city bus No. 52, 67, and 78 will bring you to this station.

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Note:  When going to either of the above stations, taxis will usually drop you off near or in front of the South Bus Station and locals on the street will probably harass you to bring you to one of the stations (usually the South Bus Station) to get a commission.  Travelers taking the public bus to these stations will probably experience the same thing.


Other useful bus stations:

Dongju Passenger Transport Bus Station
Address:  65 Dongjiao Lu 
东郊路65号
Phone:  +86 (0)871 3340 594, 3310 928

Gaokuai Passenger Transport Bus Station (Yunnan Tourist Passenger Transport Bus Station) operates bus lines to Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Yuxi, etc.
Address:  663 Minhang Lu  
民航路663号


There is also a luxury bus service, YNTAC that operates out of Kunming.  They provide Volvo buses equipped with aircon and a TV with DVD/VCD.  Cities served and prices as of July 2003:  Dali (103 RMB), Lijiang (151 RMB), Gejiu (60 RMB), Kaiyuan (50 RMB), Chuxiong (30 RMB), Yuxi (21 RMB), Qujing (35 RMB), and Xuanwei (50 RMB).  Prices may have been adjusted slightly higher in recent years.  Tickets at the Railway Square Bus Station are considerably cheaper but obviously at the cost of some comfort to the customer.

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How to get there:  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.

North Railway Station

Address:  Kunming Shi Bei Zhan  
昆明市北站
Phone:  +86 (0)871 3542 321, 5153 506 (8 am - noon, 2 pm - 5 pm)

This station is useful to those who want to travel to Vietnam.  A train departs here to Hanoi every Friday and Sunday.  Visas for Vietnam are now available at the Vietnamese Consulate.  Be sure to obtain your Visa in advance.

Location:  The North Railway Stations is located about three kilometers north of the city center on Beijing Xi Lu.

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How to get there:  Taxi is the easiest option of transportation to and from this station.  Several public buses (No. 25, 64, and 78) are also available for 1 RMB.

Link: More about the railway system in China.