Traveling by Beijing to Lijiang train is possible, but it is not a simple direct journey. At present, travelers normally take a high-speed train from Beijing West Railway Station to Kunming, then transfer to a bullet train for Lijiang. The combined rail journey requires around 14.5 to 19 hours on board, and most visitors should divide it into two days.
Although flying is much faster, the train can be a rewarding choice if you enjoy railway travel, want to visit Kunming, or plan a longer Yunnan itinerary covering Lijiang, Dali, and Shangri-La. This guide explains the route, schedules, ticket prices, railway stations, transfers, and the smartest way to include both cities in your China trip.
Is There a Direct Train?
There is currently no direct train connecting Beijing and Lijiang. The most practical rail route is:
Beijing West Railway Station → Kunming South Railway Station → Lijiang Railway Station
The Beijing–Kunming section takes approximately 10.5 to 14.5 hours by a G-series daytime train or an overnight D-series service. The Kunming–Lijiang section normally takes another 3.5 to 5 hours. Depending on the timetable, the complete onboard journey can therefore take approximately 14.5 to 19 hours.
For most international visitors, we do not recommend treating the train from Beijing to Lijiang as a tight same-day connection. Daytime trains from Beijing often reach Kunming too late for a comfortable onward departure, while some Lijiang trains leave from Kunming Railway Station rather than Kunming South Railway Station.
A night in Kunming solves several problems at once. You avoid a stressful transfer, get proper rest after a long ride, and can enjoy a relaxed introduction to Yunnan through Green Lake, Kunming Old Street, and crossing-the-bridge rice noodles. A useful stopover reference is our guide to the best attractions in Kunming.
Schedule and Ticket Prices
The following timetable shows representative services rather than every daily departure. Railway schedules can change, so always confirm the exact train number, departure station, and travel date before booking.
Beijing to Kunming Trains
| Train | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| G307 | 07:05 | 17:54 | 10 hr 49 min |
| G979 | 09:15 | 23:06 | 13 hr 51 min |
| D939 | 20:17 | 10:49 next day | 14 hr 32 min |
G307 is usually one of the most time-efficient daytime choices, but its evening arrival still makes an overnight stay in Kunming sensible. Later trains may reach Kunming very late, while an overnight D-series service can save a hotel night but is better suited to travelers who sleep comfortably on trains.
Kunming to Lijiang Trains
| Train | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| C118 | 09:08 | 12:53 | 3 hr 45 min |
| C86 | 10:15 | 13:44 | 3 hr 29 min |
| C638 | 13:11 | 16:46 | 3 hr 35 min |
| C458 | 17:26 | 22:02 | 4 hr 36 min |
There are normally multiple daily C-series services between Kunming and Lijiang. The fastest services complete the journey in approximately three and a half hours. However, some trains use Kunming Railway Station and others may use Kunming South, so the station name on the ticket is just as important as the departure time.
Combined Ticket Prices
The total fare depends on the exact Beijing–Kunming service and the seat classes available on the Kunming–Lijiang train.
| Seat Class | Approximate Total Fare |
|---|---|
| Second class | CNY 1,017.5–1,514 |
| First class | CNY 2,225–2,422 |
| Business class | CNY 4,382–4,716 |
A typical daytime G-train plus C-train combination usually costs closer to CNY 1,380–1,500 in second class. The lowest end of the range may involve an overnight D-series service or a different seating arrangement.
Second class is comfortable enough for most travelers, with five seats per row in a 3+2 layout. First class has four wider seats per row and is worth considering for such a long journey. Business class offers lie-flat or near-flat seating on selected trains, but it is not available on every service.
Tickets are commonly released shortly before the travel date, and popular trains can sell out during Chinese public holidays, summer vacation, and autumn travel season. For help with passport-based booking, station entry, luggage, and seat selection, read our guide to taking high-speed trains in China.
Route and Kunming Transfer
The long-distance Beijing–Kunming railway crosses a large part of China from north to southwest. Depending on the train, major stops or route areas can include:
Beijing → Shijiazhuang → Zhengzhou → Wuhan → Changsha → Guiyang → Qujing → Kunming
The first section follows the Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed railway toward central China. The train then turns west toward Guizhou and Yunnan, passing mountain landscapes before entering the highlands of southwest China.
This changing scenery is one reason railway enthusiasts enjoy the route. You leave the flat northern plains, cross major central Chinese cities, and gradually enter the greener hills and highland landscapes of southwest China. Travelers interested in exploring the area around Guiyang can also look at our Guizhou tours.
Changing Trains in Kunming
Beijing high-speed trains normally arrive at Kunming South Railway Station, a large rail hub in Chenggong District. However, many trains to Lijiang use the more central Kunming Railway Station.
These are not the same station.
Before booking the second ticket, check whether it shows:
- Kunming South / 昆明南站
- Kunming / 昆明站
Kunming South is connected to the metro network, but reaching central Kunming can still take around an hour once station walking, luggage, waiting, and transfers are included. Our Kunming railway station guide explains which station to choose and how their locations affect your hotel and sightseeing plan.
Our practical recommendation is to stay one night in Kunming rather than forcing a fragile connection. We once helped travelers who initially wanted to arrive from northern China and continue to Lijiang immediately. On paper, their connection seemed possible. In reality, the margin disappeared once we considered station exits, luggage, traffic, dinner, and the possibility of a delayed arrival.
They stayed near central Kunming instead, visited Green Lake and Kunming Old Street the next morning, ate local rice noodles, and took an afternoon train to Lijiang. They reached the old town before dinner without turning the journey into an endurance test. That is often the difference between a route that is technically possible and one that is actually enjoyable.
Railway Stations and Transfers
Beijing West Railway Station
Most Beijing–Kunming high-speed trains depart from Beijing West Railway Station. Do not confuse it with Beijing South, Beijing Railway Station, Beijing Fengtai, or Beijing Chaoyang.
Beijing West is connected to Metro Lines 7 and 9. The metro is usually the most reliable choice when you have light luggage and your hotel is close to a convenient line. Allow additional time for walking through transfer corridors, passing security, locating the waiting hall, and reaching the boarding gate.
A Beijing Metro guide can help you understand fares, station transfers, payment methods, and useful lines before travel day.
A taxi or DiDi ride works better when you have several suitcases, children, or an early departure. Beijing West has several vehicle entrances and drop-off areas, so make sure the driver is taking you to the correct station rather than another Beijing railway hub.
A pre-arranged private car service is the lowest-stress option for families, senior travelers, or visitors departing directly after a busy sightseeing day. For international travelers, we recommend arriving around 60–90 minutes before departure. Passengers using passports may need to use a staffed or manual ticket-check channel.
Useful city planning: getting around Beijing.
Tour packages including the Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs, and station transfers: Beijing tours.
Lijiang Railway Station
Your final train arrives at Lijiang Railway Station, south of the main old-town area.
Lijiang has no metro. Your main options are:
- Public buses, including routes serving the old-town area
- Taxi or DiDi
- Pre-arranged private transfer
A taxi from the railway station to Lijiang Old Town generally takes around 20–30 minutes in normal traffic and may cost approximately CNY 30. Public buses take longer but are cheaper.
The real difficulty is often not the drive—it is the final walk. Many hotels inside Lijiang Old Town cannot be reached directly by vehicle. A car may need to stop at a designated gate, leaving you to carry or roll luggage over uneven stone lanes.
For that reason, a private pickup is particularly valuable when you arrive at night, carry large luggage, travel with parents or children, or stay deep inside the old town. The driver and local team can confirm the most practical gate and coordinate with your hotel.
Useful local transport advice: how to get around Lijiang.
Train or Flight?
For most travelers with a short China itinerary, flying is the better choice. A direct Beijing–Lijiang flight takes only around four hours in the air, while the railway journey consumes most of two days once the Kunming stop and station transfers are included.
Choose the Train When:
- You enjoy long-distance rail travel.
- You want to include Kunming naturally.
- You are planning a deeper Yunnan journey.
- You dislike airports and prefer traveling at ground level.
- You want to see how China’s geography changes from north to southwest.
- You have at least eight to ten days for Beijing and Yunnan.
Choose a Flight When:
- Your total China trip is shorter than ten days.
- You only have two or three days in Lijiang.
- You are traveling immediately after a long international flight.
- Your group includes young children who may struggle with a long ride.
- You do not intend to visit Kunming.
- Saving sightseeing time is more important than the railway experience.
The Beijing to Lijiang train makes the most sense when the journey is part of the itinerary rather than merely transportation. A train can be memorable, but losing two sightseeing days simply to avoid a flight is not always good value.
What to See, Eat and How to Plan
Beijing Before Departure
Spend at least three full days in Beijing before heading southwest.
A strong first-time route includes the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, hutongs around Shichahai, and a full day at Mutianyu Great Wall. Avoid scheduling the Great Wall on the same morning as your long-distance train. Traffic, cable-car queues, and the distance back to Beijing West make that plan unnecessarily risky.
Food should be part of the experience. Try Peking duck, copper-pot mutton hotpot, zhajiangmian, jianbing, and traditional Beijing snacks. Our Beijing food guide explains what to order and which dishes are easiest for first-time visitors.
Tour packages including Beijing’s main historical and food experiences: Beijing tours.
Kunming Stopover
One night and one relaxed day in Kunming is enough to turn the transfer into a worthwhile destination.
Visit Green Lake in the morning, walk around Kunming Old Street, and try crossing-the-bridge rice noodles for lunch. If you have a full extra day, add Dianchi Lake or the Stone Forest.
Do not choose your Kunming hotel only by price. Choose it based on the station used by your onward train. A cheap downtown hotel can become poor value if you must leave extremely early and travel across the city with luggage.
Lijiang After Arrival
Give Lijiang at least three days:
Day 1: Arrive, check in, rest, and enjoy a gentle evening walk through Lijiang Old Town.
Day 2: Visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley. Mountain cableway tickets and scenic shuttle arrangements should be organized in advance during busy periods.
Day 3: Explore Baisha Village, Shuhe Ancient Town, Black Dragon Pool, Naxi culture, or a traditional craft experience.
Try Naxi-style dishes, chicken bean jelly, Yunnan mushrooms, flower cakes, and Lijiang pork-rib hotpot. Our Yunnan food guide provides more regional food ideas.
Useful sightseeing reference: top Lijiang attractions.
Tour packages including Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La: Yunnan tours.
Recommended Beijing–Yunnan Route
A comfortable itinerary could look like this:
- Days 1–3: Beijing imperial landmarks, hutongs, food, and the Great Wall
- Day 4: High-speed train from Beijing to Kunming
- Day 5: Kunming sightseeing and local food
- Day 6: Bullet train to Lijiang and evening in the old town
- Day 7: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Blue Moon Valley
- Day 8: Baisha, Shuhe, and Naxi cultural experiences
- Day 9: Continue to Dali or Shangri-La
- Days 10–11: Erhai Lake and Dali, or Tibetan culture around Shangri-La
This route gives the long railway journey a purpose. Instead of traveling all the way to Lijiang and immediately leaving, you experience Beijing, Kunming, and northwest Yunnan as three distinct parts of China.
FoyoChinaTrip can arrange the rail tickets, private station transfers, English-speaking guides, hotels, attraction reservations, and daily pacing as one coordinated journey. Explore our custom China tours or contact us with your dates, group size, and preferred travel style.
FAQ
No. Travelers need to transfer in Kunming. The normal route is Beijing West Railway Station to Kunming South, followed by a Kunming–Lijiang bullet train.
The combined onboard travel time is approximately 14.5 to 19 hours. Once transfer time and an overnight stay in Kunming are included, most travelers should plan it as a two-day journey.
Combined fares are approximately CNY 1,017.5–1,514 for second class, CNY 2,225–2,422 for first class, and CNY 4,382–4,716 for business class. Actual fares depend on the train numbers and available seat classes.
Kunming is the most practical transfer city. Check carefully whether your onward train departs from Kunming South Railway Station or the more central Kunming Railway Station.
First class can be worthwhile because the Beijing–Kunming section lasts more than ten hours. The wider seat, quieter carriage, and extra personal space can significantly improve a long travel day. Second class remains comfortable and offers better value for most travelers.
Fly when you have limited time. Choose the train when you enjoy rail journeys, want to visit Kunming, or plan to continue through Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La as part of a longer Yunnan route.
Yes. We can coordinate train tickets, station pickups, private cars, English-speaking guides, hotels, sightseeing, food experiences, and a personalized Beijing–Yunnan itinerary. This is especially useful for families, senior travelers, first-time visitors, and anyone carrying several pieces of luggage.
