Kunming to Yuanyang: by Train & Bus

Yuanyang County in Hani-Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Honghe is seated in the southern part of Yunnan Province. It is about 375 kilometers away from Kunming City, the provincial capital city. As Yuanyang has the appealing natural and agricultural splendors, a lot of tourists and photographers long to reach there to treat their eyes and cameras. And now we will show you how to get to Yuanyang and its major rice terrace scenic spots from Kunming!

Top Recommended Yuanyang Kunming Tour:

▶ 4 Days Yuanyang Rice Terrace Awesome Photography Tour (Kunming / Yuanyang)

▶ 5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour (Kunming / Jianshui / Yuanyang)

Kunming to Yuanyang

Kunming to Yuanyang Transportation Map

How to Go to Yuanyang County

Usually, to get to Yuanyang, you need to go to the county area first. And from Kunming to Yuanyang Rice Terraces, the driving way takes about 4.5 - 5 hours to cover about 375km long distance as there are some different routes via Jianshui County and Gejiu City. There is no railway station or airport in Yuanyang, plus the large covered area and the scattered scenic spots of Yuanyang Rice Terraces, that makes most travelers choose to rent a private car to get there and around.

We China Discovery, with rich experiences in ranging Yunnan tours for our customers, can provide you the best Yuanyang travel experiences. Our professional English-speaking guide and experienced drivers can pick you up anywhere in Kunming at any time you want. Booking a private car service, you don’t need to waste your time and energy on planning the trip or waiting and transferring between different vehicles; you will have more time to relax on the car and enjoy the highlights in Yuanyang Rice Terraces. Based on your own preferences, our experienced travel guide will find the best shooting points for you and escort you to the perfect place at the perfect time. If you need any help, please feel free to contact us and tailor your trip with us.

For independent travelers, there are mainly 3 options for arriving in Yuanyang County, by direct bus, bus-bus transfer from Gejiu, train-bus transfer from Jianshui or Mengzi, check the detail information below to plan your Yuanyang Kunming tour.

Kunming - Yuanyang

Kunming to Yuanyang by Direct Bus

Apart from going by car, the most convenient and only way without any stopover for independent travelers is to take the non-stop distance coaches. There are usually 3 daily buses, which depart from Kunming South Coach Terminal at about 10:20, 12:30, and 18:00 and finally stop at Yuanyang Xinjie Bus Station (元阳新街客运站) in Yuanyang downtown. The whole way riding takes about 6.5 hours.

Note: Yuanyang Nansha Bus Terminal is at the county downtown, which needs about 1 hour’s driving to Yuanyang Xinjie Town (新街镇). And Yuanyang Xinjie Town is closer to the rice terrace scenic spots. If you take a bus to Yuanyang Nansha, it would cost you more time to get to the sightseeing places.

>> Check more about How to Get to & around Yuanyang

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Kunming - Jianshui - Yuanyang

By Train - Bus

From Kunming to Yuanyang via Jianshui (建水), you need to take a train and then a distance bus. There are about 6 daily high speed trains (C train) and 1 normal train from Kunming Railway Station (昆明火车站) to Jianshui Railway Station (建水火车站), taking around 2.5 3.5 hours for the whole train journey. The train tickets vary based on different seat classes.

For the latest and real-time high speed trains running from Kunming to Jianshui, please go ahead to check Kunming to Jianshui train schedules, fares and train stations 2023.

After reaching Jianshui Railway Station, transfer to Jianshui Bus Terminal (建水汽车客运站), which is about 10 - 15 minutes’ driving distance from the train station, and take a coach to Yuanyang for about 3 hours. The buses start about every 30 minutes during about 07:15 - 18:40, so you could choose one according to your arrival time in Jianshui. The ticket costs about 32 RMB/person.

According to the time schedule of the trains and buses, the Kunming to Jianshui train at 12:59 is a better choice, and you could take a coach leaving Jianshui after about 16:00, and then get to Yuanyang at about 19:00.

>> Check all highlights in Jianshui

Best Kunming Jianshui Tour:

▶ 4 Days Kunming Jianshui Tour by High Speed Train (Kunming / Jianshui)

▶ 5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour (Kunming / Jianshui / Yuanyang)

Kunming Railway Station

Jianshui Railway Station

Kunming - Gejiu - Yuanyang

By Bus - Bus

You could also transfer first to Gejiu (个旧) by a distance bus for about 4 hours. The about 7 daily buses departs during about 09:30 - 20:00 from Kunming Eastern Bus Station (昆明东部汽车客运站) to Gejiu Bus Terminal (个旧汽车客运站), and the price is about CNY 117 per person.

Then transfer in Gejiu Bus Terminal to Yuanyang Rice Terraces. Tourists need to take a bus to Yuanyang County first. The buses to Yuanyang County depart about every 15-20 minutes during about 08:20 - 17:25, which needs about 1 hour 10 minutes with a bus riding of about 53 km. Yuanyang County is about 38km away from Yuanyang Rice Terraces Scenic Area, needs about another 1 hour driving to get there. The price is about 17 RMB/person.

If you go by this way via Gejiu, it will take you 6 - 7 hours or so from Kunming to Yuanyang County.

(Note: the above information of train number, railway station, time, prices, etc. is only for your reference, since they could be slightly changed according to practical situation. You could contact our professional travel expert for the detailed and newest information of trains between Kunming and Yuanyang.)

Kunming Eastern Bus Station

Gejiu Bus Terminal

Kunming - Mengzi - Yuanyang

By Train - Bus

Trains from Kunming to Jianshui will stop in Mengzi (蒙自) after in Jianshui. You could also get off at Mengzi North Railway Station (蒙自火车北站) for about 4.5 hours’ normal train running. Or you can take bullet trains from Kunming Railway Station (昆明站) to Mengzi, which takes less than 3 hours to get there.

>> Kunming to Mengzi real time train schedules, fares etc. 2020

Then, you need to transfer to Mengzi Bus Terminal (蒙自汽车客运站), which is about 15-20 minutes’ driving distance from the two railway stations, and take a coach to Yuanyang County. The bus riding needs about 2 - 2.5 hours to get to Xinjie Town (新街镇).

So if you want to go from Kunming to Yuanyang via Mengzi, it will take you about 6 hours.

Mengzi Bus Station

Tips about Kunming Yuanyang Transportation

1. The above information of number of buses and trains, stations, time, prices, etc. is only for your reference, since they could be slightly changed according to practical situation. You could contact our professional travel expert for the detailed and newest information of transportation between Kunming and Yuanyang.

2. Yuanyang Nansha Bus Terminal is a little far from Yuanyang Xinjie Town where is much closer to the terraces scenic spots, so we suggest you choose a bus to Yuanyang Xinjie Town.

3. As from Kunming to Yuanyang, it needs over 5 hours and travelers would usually get there in the afternoon and even later, so, for most travelers to Yuanyang, they usually first get to Yuanyang to have a good rest and start their sightseeing tour from the following day. Check more about Where to Stay in Yuanyang | Hotels in Yuanyang | Hotels in Jianshui.

How to Go around Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Yuanyang Rice Terraces could not be enjoyed after you getting in Yuanyang, and since the scenic area is a little far away from the Xinjie Town and Yuanyang County, and moreover, it consists of 4 main individual parts and cannot be reached from one to another by foot, the best way tour all scenic spots is by taking a private car. Check the time and distance of driving from Yuanyang Xinjie Town to the major rice terrace scenic spots at below.

Yuanyang Rice Terrace Scenic Spot	Driving Distance	Driving Time
Laohuzui Rice Terraces	About 18km	30 - 40 minutes
Duoyishu Rice Terraces	About 23km	50 minutes
Bada Rice Terraces	About 15km	30 - 40 minutes
Jingkou Rice Terraces	About 15km	30 - 40minutes

Tips: 1. Jingkou Hani Folk Village is located at the south of Xinjie Town, on the way to Jingkou Rice Terraces, and travelers could go there by car for about 20 minutes with a riding for about 7 kilometers to enjoy the harmonious folk village of Hani people.
2. Check more information about Yuanyang Things to Do | Jianshui Things to Do | Yuanyang Featured Activities | How to Plan a Yuanyang Tour
3. The scenery of Yuanyang Rice Terraces varies according to season changing and crops growing. Check Weather, Season & Best time to Visit Yuanyang before your Kunming Yuanyang tour!

Yuanyang Rice Terraces Transportation Map

Map of Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Akezhe Minority Village

How to Plan a Kunming Yuanyang Tour

The weather in Yuanyang changes a lot even during one day. It is better to spend 3 days taking great pictures of Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Hani ethnic villages and their markets, festivals. In the short stays, you won’t miss Duoyishu Rice Terraces Sunrise, Bada Rice Terraces Sea of Clouds and Sunset, Laohuzui Rice Terraces Sunset and mushroom-like houses in Jingkou Folk Villages, etc. Attend Hani ethnic market in Shengcun for more understanding about the local Hani people life.

Recommended Yuanyang & Hani Culture Discovery Tour Package:

▶ 3 Days Yuanyang Rice Terraces & Hani Culture Tour

▶ 3 Days Yuanyang Rice Terrace Hiking Tour for Hani Culture Exploration

As a connection between Yuanyang and Kunming, Jianshui is a little town with interesting historical architectures and relics. Travelers can spend 1 to 2 days here exploring Zhu Family’s Garden, Confucius Temple and Tuanshan, etc. Then tour around the capital city of Yunnan - Kunming for 1-2 days.

Recommended Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang Tour Package:

▶ 4 Days Kunming Jianshui Tour by High Speed Train

▶ 5 Days Kunming, Jianshui & Yuanyang Rice Terraces Tour

For visitors who have several days left can continue your trip to other hot spots in Yunnan, such as the capital of ancient Nanzhao Kingdom - Dali city to experience Bai ethical culture and customs. Then reach to Lijiang and appreciate the splendor of holy Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Take 2-3 days to explore the earthly paradise described in the famous novel Lost Horizon - Shangri-La. For photography lovers, you can also continue your trip to another top photography destination in Yunnan - Dongchuan Red Land, immerse yourself in the most colorful and beautiful land to feel the most harmonious relationship between human and nature.

Recommended Yuanyang Yunnan Tour Package:

▶ 8 Days Dongchuan, Yuanyang & Jianshui Photography Tour (Dongchuan / Kunming / Jianshui / Yuanyang)

▶ 11 Days Amazing Yunnan Tour (Kunming / Yuanyang / Jianshui / Kunming / Dali / Lijiang / Shangri-La)

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

Lijiang in Yunnan

Dongchuan Red Land

Worry-free Travel with China Discovery

China Discovery has been the leading online travel agency for over 10 years and we are specialized in offering different tours in diverse Yunnan, including Kunming tours, Lijiang tours, Dali tours, Shangri-La tours, Yuanyang Rice Terraces tours, Dongchuan Red Land tours, Xishuangbanna tours...

No matter you want to put one simple destination into your trip or cover several destinations together or even extend your Yunnan tours all over China like Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, Hong Kong, Guizhou, Tibet, China Discovery can provide you best tour guides and experienced drivers with comfortable private cars in any of the destinations. Our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, showing you the best traveling route and telling beautiful stories of the colorful Yunnan. The tour can be tailor-made according to your group size, time, physical condition, plan, interests, budget and other special need. Please feel free to contact us if you need any help or customize the tour with free quotation!

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: 4 Days Yuanyang Rice Terrace Awesome Photography Tour
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