Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) is one of China's newest major airports, opened in June 2012 to replace the old Wujiaba Airport. Located 24.5 km northeast of Kunming city center at an elevation of 2,100 meters, it serves as the primary gateway to Yunnan province and a strategic hub for flights to Southeast Asia.

The airport has one terminal with a distinctive design inspired by the region's ethnic minority culture:

• Terminal 1: The sole terminal, covering 548,300 square meters across 6 floors (3 above ground, 3 below)
• Main building: Connected to a Y-shaped satellite concourse with 84 aircraft stands
• Check-in areas: 9 zones (A, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K) on Floor 3, with J and K serving international and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan flights

KMG is a hub for China Eastern Airlines and Kunming Airlines, with strong connections to domestic Chinese cities and international destinations across Southeast Asia including Bangkok, Hanoi, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. The airport handled over 47 million passengers in 2024, making it China's 4th busiest airport.

Kunming Changshui International Airport is located 24.5 km northeast of Kunming city center, with metro, bus, and taxi connections.

Typical travel times:

• Kunming city center by metro: 40-50 minutes (with transfer)
• Kunming city center by taxi: 30-40 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Kunming Railway Station: 45-60 minutes by shuttle bus
• Stone Forest: 1.5-2 hours by direct bus

The airport has a metro station on Floor B2 (basement level 2), accessible via escalators from the arrivals hall.

DiDi (China's Uber)

DiDi is the primary rideshare app in China. Note that foreign payment methods may not work directly.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare area in the parking lot (DiDi app provides specific instructions)
• Services available: DiDi Express, DiDi Premier
• Fares to city center: CNY 70-120 (USD 10-17) depending on destination and traffic
• Payment: WeChat Pay, Alipay, or linked Chinese bank card required

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall at Exit 2 and Exit 3 on Floor B1.

Destination	Fare	Time
Kunming city center	CNY 70-100	30-40 min
Kunming Railway Station	CNY 80-110	40-50 min
Dianchi Lake (Haigeng Park)	CNY 80-100	45-60 min

Taxi rates:

• Daytime (06:00-22:00): CNY 8 flag-down for first 3 km, CNY 1.8/km thereafter
• Nighttime (22:00-06:00): CNY 9.6 flag-down for first 3 km, CNY 2.1/km thereafter

Tip: Most taxi drivers do not speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese characters or show it on your phone.

Metro (Line 6)

Kunming Metro Line 6 connects the airport directly to the city's metro network. The station is on Floor B2 of the terminal.

To City Center (Wuyi Road):

1. Take Line 6 from Airport Center (机场中心) to East Coach Station (东部汽车站) - 25 min
2. Transfer to Line 3 at East Coach Station
3. Continue to Wuyi Road (五一路) for central Kunming - 15 min additional

Detail	Information
Fare	CNY 5 for full Line 6 journey; CNY 5-6 total to city center
Frequency	Every 15 minutes
Operating hours	06:20-22:55
Total time to center	40-50 minutes

Tip: Tickets can be purchased from bilingual vending machines. A Kunming Transportation Card offers 10% discount.

Airport Shuttle Bus

Six shuttle bus lines connect the airport to various parts of Kunming. The bus station is at Exit 2 and Exit 3 on Floor B1.

Line	Destination	Fare	Duration
Line 1	Xiyi Hotel (Xiaoximen) via East Bus Station	CNY 25	50 min
Line 2	Kunming Railway Station	CNY 25	40-50 min
Line 3	North Downtown (Linyu Road) via Expo Garden	CNY 25	45 min
Line 4	Southern Bus Terminal	CNY 25	60 min
Line 5	Dianchi Lake area	CNY 25	50 min
Line 6	Kunming Railway Station (direct)	CNY 25	40 min

Schedule:

• From airport: 09:00-24:00, every 15-30 minutes
• To airport: 05:00-22:00, every 15-30 minutes during peak hours

Stone Forest Direct Bus

Direct buses run between the airport and Stone Forest (Shilin).

Direction	Departure Times	Fare	Duration
Airport to Stone Forest	09:40, 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30, 18:30	CNY 60	2-2.5 hours
Stone Forest to Airport	07:00, 08:30, 10:00, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00	CNY 60	2-2.5 hours

Kunming Changshui Airport offers both indoor and outdoor parking facilities.

Parking Rates

Facility	First Hour	Additional	Daily Max
Inside (covered)	CNY 8	CNY 2/30 min	CNY 60
Outside (open-air)	CNY 5	CNY 1/30 min	CNY 60 (small), CNY 100 (large)

Tips:

• First 15 minutes free for drop-off/pickup
• Payment via WeChat Pay, Alipay, or cash at exit
• Electric vehicle charging available in select areas

Kunming Airport offers a mix of local Yunnan cuisine and international fast food, primarily on Floor 3 (departures) and in the gate areas.

Yunnan Specialties

• Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles (过桥米线): Yunnan's signature dish featuring rice noodles with meat and vegetables in rich broth
• Yunnan Specialty Store (near Gate 16): Dried beef, wild mushroom snacks, Pu'er tea
• Grilled mushroom skewers: Street-food style snacks available at local stalls

Fast Food & Chains

• Starbucks: Multiple locations in departures and gate areas
• McDonald's: Available in domestic departures
• KFC: Multiple locations

Practical Tips

• Most food outlets open 06:00-22:00
• International departure options are more limited after border control
• Prices are higher than in the city; consider eating before arriving at the airport
• Halal food options available at select restaurants

Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal.

Detail	Information
Network name	AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI
Registration	Chinese mobile number required for verification code
Time limit	240 minutes (4 hours)
Coverage	Departure hall (F3), security areas, arrivals (B1)

Tip: Foreign travelers without a Chinese phone number may have difficulty connecting. Consider purchasing a local SIM card or using your mobile data roaming.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though city shops typically offer better prices.

Airport Locations

• Mobile carrier counters in the arrivals hall (B1)
• Convenience stores (limited selection)

Major Carriers

Carrier	Notes
China Mobile	Largest network, widest coverage; some compatibility issues with foreign phones
China Unicom	Best compatibility with international devices; recommended for travelers
China Telecom	Good coverage; requires CDMA-compatible device for some services

Requirements

• Passport required for all SIM purchases (Chinese law requires real-name registration)
• Prices: CNY 50-150 for prepaid SIM with 5-20 GB data
• Activation: Staff will help activate; test data before leaving the counter

Important Notes

• Google services, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are blocked in China without a VPN
• VPN apps should be downloaded before arriving in China
• WeChat is essential for daily life in China; download and set up before arrival if possible

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both landside and airside areas.

Currency

• Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY/RMB)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 USD = 7.2 CNY (verify current rates)

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall (B1)
• Departure hall (F3)
• Gate areas (airside)

ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB, UnionPay, and other major international cards. Withdrawal limits typically CNY 2,000-3,000 per transaction.

Currency Exchange

• Bank of China Foreign Guest Payment Service Center: Located in B2 hall, opened 2024
• Exchange kiosk: International arrivals (after baggage claim, to your left)
• International departures: Exchange kiosk after border control
• Hours: Typically 10:00-22:00

Tips:

• Airport exchange rates include markup; ATM withdrawals typically offer better rates
• China is increasingly cashless; most places accept WeChat Pay and Alipay
• International visitors can now link some foreign cards to Alipay for easier payment
• Keep some cash for taxis and small vendors who may not accept mobile payment

Kunming Airport offers duty-free shopping for international travelers, operated by China Duty Free Group (CDFG).

Duty-Free

• Location: International departures (F2), approximately 2,000 sq m retail area
• Operator: China Duty Free Group

Available brands:

• Beauty: Chanel, Dior, Lancôme, Clinique, L'Oréal, Biotherm, Elizabeth Arden
• Watches: Longines, Tissot
• Fashion: Gucci, Armani, Boss, Dior (sunglasses and accessories)
• Accessories: Swarovski, Samsonite

Local Specialties

• Yunnan Specialty Store (Domestic departures, near Gate 16): Pu'er tea, dried mushrooms, Yunnan ham, local snacks
• Jade and precious stones: Multiple shops in departures
• The Loop (duty-paid): International retail brands in post-security area

Arrivals Duty-Free

Duty-free shopping available in the baggage claim area for arriving international passengers.

Kunming Airport has multiple lounges, primarily operated by China Eastern Airlines.

China Eastern Lounges

V8 China Eastern First Class Lounge (Domestic Departures):

• Location: Near Gate 29
• Access: China Eastern First/Business Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus, paid entry
• Hours: Flight-dependent
• Amenities: Hot/cold buffet, drinks, massage chairs, quiet seating
• Notes: Maximum stay 2 hours; no boarding announcements inside

V1 China Eastern International Lounge (International Departures):

• Access: China Eastern Business Class, SkyTeam Business Class
• Amenities: Food, beverages, showers

SkyTeam Alliance Access

Lounge access available for passengers on China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, China United Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and SkyTeam member airlines with appropriate status or class of service.

Priority Pass

V8 China Eastern Lounge is accessible via Priority Pass.

• Location: Domestic Terminal, near Gate 29
• Hours: Varies by flight schedule

Purchasing Access

Day passes available for approximately CNY 250-300 (USD 35-40) at lounge entrances or through LoungePair/DragonPass apps.

Note: Air China passengers (Star Alliance) do not have reciprocal access to China Eastern (SkyTeam) lounges; purchase access separately.

At the Airport

There is no hotel directly connected to the terminal. The nearest options are a short drive away.

DoubleTree by Hilton Kunming Airport

• 7 km from airport, 10-minute drive
• Free airport shuttle service
• 4-star, modern amenities
• Indoor pool, fitness center, restaurants
• From CNY 500/night (USD 70)

Near the Airport

• Airport-area business hotels: Multiple budget options along Airport Road, CNY 200-400/night
• Shuttle service: Most nearby hotels offer free airport transfers

Transit/Rest Options

• Rest areas: Designated quiet zones with recliners in the terminal
• Capsule-style rest: Not widely available; consider the metro to city hotels for longer layovers

In the City

For overnight stays, the city center (30-40 min by taxi) offers more options:

• Budget: CNY 150-300/night
• Mid-range: CNY 300-600/night
• Luxury: CNY 800+/night (Hilton, Sofitel, InterContinental available in Kunming)

Kunming is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" for its mild year-round climate. As the capital of Yunnan province, it offers diverse ethnic minority culture, stunning natural landscapes, and serves as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Green Lake Park (翠湖公园)	50 min	Metro Line 6 + Line 3 to Wuyi Road
Dianchi Lake (滇池)	1-1.5 hours	Metro or taxi (CNY 80-100)
Stone Forest (石林)	2-2.5 hours	Direct airport bus (CNY 60) or high-speed train (20 min from Kunming South)
Yunnan Nationalities Village	1 hour	Metro + bus or taxi (CNY 90-110)
Western Hills (西山)	1.5 hours	Metro + cable car or taxi

Layover Recommendations

• 4-hour layover: Stay at the airport; explore the terminal shops and try Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles
• 6-8 hour layover: Metro to Green Lake Park, explore the city center, return via metro
• 8+ hour layover: Visit Dianchi Lake and Yunnan Nationalities Village

Yunnan Highlights

Stone Forest (Shilin) A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring dramatic limestone karst formations. Direct buses from the airport (2-2.5 hours) or high-speed train from Kunming South Station (20 minutes). Allow 3-4 hours to explore.

Dianchi Lake China's 6th largest freshwater lake, 5 km south of the city center. Visit Haigeng Park for lakeside walks, or take the cable car at Western Hills for panoramic views. Free entry; CNY 8 for Haigeng Park. From November to March, Siberian red-billed gulls migrate here creating spectacular scenes.

Yunnan Ethnic Culture Yunnan is home to 26 ethnic minority groups. Visit the Yunnan Nationalities Village to experience traditional architecture, dance, and customs. The Old Town area features Bai, Yi, and Naxi cultural influences.

Gateway to Southeast Asia

Kunming's strategic location makes it an ideal hub for travel to Southeast Asia:

• Bangkok: 2.5 hours (6+ daily flights)
• Hanoi: 1.5 hours
• Vientiane: 1.5 hours
• Singapore: 4 hours
• Kuala Lumpur: 3.5 hours

Yunnan Food to Try

• Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles (过桥米线): Rice noodles with raw ingredients cooked in hot broth
• Steam Pot Chicken (汽锅鸡): Chicken slow-cooked in a traditional steam pot
• Wild Mushrooms: Yunnan's mountains produce incredible varieties; try them stir-fried or in hot pot (seasonal, mainly June-October)
• Er Kuai (饵块): Yunnan rice cakes, grilled or stir-fried
• Pu'er Tea: Aged tea from Yunnan's ancient tea forests

Travel Tips

• Altitude: Kunming sits at 1,900 meters; some travelers may feel mild effects
• Climate: Mild year-round (15-25°C typical); strong UV at altitude, bring sunscreen
• Language: Limited English spoken; download translation apps and have destinations written in Chinese
• Payment: WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate; international visitors can now link some foreign cards to Alipay
• VPN: Download a VPN before arriving to access Google, WhatsApp, and Western social media