If you’re planning a trip to the Yunnan province in China, Kunming is the perfect starting point. While the city itself is rarely a major holiday destination, its location, transport links lower altitude make it a practical transit hub. We came here from Zhangjiajie to escape the summer heat in June and spent two nights in Kunming before making our way up to Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
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How to get to Kunming
Kunming very easily accessible as it is the main transit hub in China’s southwest. You can arrive via plane into Kunming Changshui International Airport, or take the high-speed train from major cities like Chengdu, Guilin, and Guangzhou directly into Kunming Railway Station (昆明站) or Kunming South (昆明南站).
Fly into Kunming Airport
If you’re traveling from overseas or domestically in China from the north or far-east like Beijing or Shanghai, flying is your best option. You will land at Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), which is located about 25 kilometres northeast of the city centre.
Once you clear customs, skip the expensive taxi lines and head straight for the underground station to catch Metro Line 6 from Changshui International Airport. This line connects the airport directly to the main city centre in under 30 minutes for just a few CNY. Alternatively, you can hail a ride using DiDi, which you can access easily right inside Alipay.
Take the High-speed Train to Kunming
We love taking high-speed trains to travel across China. When booking your tickets on Trip.com, make sure to check the arrival station. While Kunming Railway Station is located close to the city centre, the modern Kunming South Station is where most of the high-speed trains arrive into. Kunming South is quite far from the city centre, so you’ll need to factor in at least an hour on the metro to reach the Wuhua or Green Lake areas.
For more info on how to book and use the high speed trains you can read our China High Speed Train Guide.
| Transport Hub | Connection to City Centre | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Kunming Changshui Airport | Metro Line 6 | 45 minutes |
| Kunming Railway Station | Metro Line 1 / 2 | 15 minutes |
| Kunming South (HSR) | Metro Line 1 / 4 | 60 minutes |
Kunming Itinerary Breakdown
A typical 2-day Kunming itinerary focuses on exploring the city centre’s historic centre with Kunming Old Streets (昆明老街) and Green Lake (翠湖公园) on the first day, followed by a trip south to the massive Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市). This allows for a balance of historic architecture, local social life, and the city’s famous floral industry. If you have an extra morning, a trip to the Stone Forest (石林) is a popular day trip.
Day 1: Kunming Old Streets and Green Lake
The streets surrounding Nanqiang Road (南墙路) are the best place to kick off your trip. This area offers a striking visual contrast: beautifully preserved, traditional wooden architecture stands in the shadow of the neon-lit, ultra-modern shopping malls nearby. It’s the perfect introduction to Kunming’s past and present.
Day 2: Kunming Dounan Flower Market
As the largest fresh-cut flower market in Asia, the Dounan Flower Market (斗南花卉市场) is an absolute sensory overload. Spanning several massive warehouses, it treats visitors to a vibrant sea of millions of blooms. For travellers, it’s an essential Kunming experience where you can live out all your flower princess dreams (think fresh flower crowns and jasmine bracelets).
The market is a bit of a journey south of the city centre. We took Metro Line 4 to Jingui Jie station (金桂街站), which drops you right near the entrance. The retail market is open daily from 9:00am – 6:00pm, while from 8:00pm – 2:00am it becomes a wholesale market. We spent about 1.5 hours wandering the flower stalls and ended up with a bunch of sunflowers which we took onwards to Dali!
Where to stay in Kunming
During our time in Kunming, we stumbled upon the Kunming Upland Youth Hostel, which turned out to be one of the best hostels we’ve stayed at in China. The rooms are nice and there is a beautiful outdoor courtyard and a rooftop terrace. Located in the Wuhua District, it is within walking distance of Green Lake Park and several metro stations.
| Room Type | Avg. Nightly Cost (CNY) | Avg. Nightly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm Bed | 50–70 CNY | 7 – 10 USD |
| Private Double | 180–220 CNY | 26 – 32 USD |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Kunming? March to October is ideal. The “Eternal Spring” climate means it’s rarely too hot or too cold, but the flower blooms are most impressive in the spring (March-May).
How do I get to the Dounan Flower Market? Take Metro Line 4 to Jingui Jie station. The market is a 5-minute walk from the exit. Avoid Line 1’s Dounan station as it is further away from the main flower halls.
What food is Kunming famous for? You must try “Crossing the Bridge Noodles” (Guoqiao Mixian) and “Flower Cakes” (fresh rose jam pastries).
Are you planning to visit Kunming as a gateway to the rest of Yunnan, or is the Flower Market the main event for you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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