Kunming to Dali
Check Kunming or Kunming South on the ticket, then arrange the onward transfer to Dali Old Town or your Erhai hotel.
Yunnan High-Speed Rail
Use Yunnan's intercity trains to link your main overnight bases, then add local transfers for old towns, lakes and mountain excursions. This page brings the route map, individual journey guides and station advice together in one place.
“High-speed” is a broad travel label: Yunnan routes use different train services and operating speeds. Compare the exact train, departure station and total hotel-to-hotel journey. For the full booking and boarding checklist, read the Yunnan High-Speed Train Guide.
Yunnan rail routes at a glance
Open the diagram for a larger view. This is a route-planning schematic: only selected stops are shown, and lines do not promise a direct service on every travel date.
Choose your Yunnan train route
Dali to Lijiang
Link two old-town bases by rail, or compare a road journey if you want to include a Shaxi stop.
Lijiang to Shangri-La
Compare a rail transfer with a sightseeing road day. Tiger Leaping Gorge requires a separately planned visit.
Dali to Shangri-La
Decide whether to make a through journey or stay in Lijiang, and confirm the available service for your date.
Kunming to Xishuangbanna
Compare the complete train and flight journey to Jinghong, with a possible Pu'er stop planned as a real stay.
Train Tickets, Stations & Boarding
Prepare the correct passenger details, exact station names, luggage and pickup arrangements before travel.
Know which station you need
| Station | What to check | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Kunming 昆明站 |
The city station is separate from Kunming South. Use the exact name on your ticket for your pickup. | Kunming station → |
| Kunming South 昆明南站 |
This station is in Chenggong. Allow for a separate city or airport transfer. | Kunming South → |
| Dali 大理站 |
Old Town and Erhai properties are separate destinations; send your driver the full hotel address. | Dali station → |
| Lijiang 丽江站 |
Agree a vehicle meeting point for Dayan or Shuhe, including any final walk with luggage. | Lijiang station → |
Plan the whole journey, from hotel to hotel
- Set the route and hotel nights. Protect usable time in each place, then compare the actual trains available for your date.
- Match passenger details to the travel document. Check the train date, station pair, seat class and change conditions before confirming the booking.
- Arrange both station transfers. A train ticket alone does not include hotel pickup, assistance or sightseeing.
- Keep the confirmation and original travel document accessible. Follow the station's boarding process and share the actual train details with the arrival driver.
For tickets, luggage and boarding, continue to the complete train guide. If a day includes villages or scenic stops, use Train vs Private Car in Yunnan to compare the same start and end points.
Timetables, fares, direct services and seat availability change. Confirm the exact train and both stations for your travel date before arranging non-flexible connections.
Places that still need a road connection
Rail is useful between city bases, while Shaxi, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yuanyang's terrace viewpoints and Lugu Lake require additional road planning. A train arrival in a nearby city does not include the attraction transfer. Use the Yunnan maps to see how those excursions fit into the wider route.
Yunnan rail: common questions
Are all Yunnan trains high-speed trains?
No. Services and speeds vary across the province. Check the train actually offered for your journey and compare total travel time, including station transfers.
Are Kunming and Kunming South the same station?
No. They are different stations. Keep the full departure name with your train details and give that exact name to your driver.
Can I add Tiger Leaping Gorge to a train journey?
A train between city bases does not include a gorge visit. Plan separate road access, the specific gorge destination and enough time for the visit.
Does YUNSKY include station transfers with every ticket?
Confirm the inclusions in your individual trip proposal. Tickets, hotel transfers, assistance and guided excursions are separate items unless your agreed arrangement includes them.
Plan a Yunnan journey by rail
Tell us your cities, travel dates, party size and luggage needs. We will help combine suitable rail legs with station transfers and local sightseeing.