Shangri-la Transportation

Located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, Shangri-la has an average altitude of 10,761 ft (3,280 m). The special location makes its transportation different from other areas in China. The only airport in this area, Diqing Airport, operates limited flights every day. No rail line leads to this area yet. However, the Lijiang-Shangri-la rail route is under construction and is expected to operate in six years. Buses are the most common transport means in and around this area. Aside from buses, taxis, chartered cars and horse rides are widely used by local people and visitors.

Air

Around 3.4 mi (5.4 km) from the city center, Diqing Airport is the largest airport in the east Tibetan area. Direct flights to/from several domestic cities are available, including Kunming, Chengdu, Lhasa, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Beijing and Shanghai. As it is close to the downtown area, passengers usually take a taxi to the airport at the cost of around CNY 30.

Facilities

  • Banks: ATM of Agricultural Bank of China is in the waiting hall.
  • Dining facilities are on the right side of the 1st floor of the waiting hall, and the tea house is on the left side.

Useful numbers

  • Airport Enquiry: 0887-8229916, 0887-8231553
  • Lost and Found Office: 0887-8229916, 0887-8231322

Long-distance Bus

In Shangri-La, coach is the most important vehicle. Visitors can travel by coach between Shangri-la Long-distance Bus Station and Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and other destinations. Here are some timetables for your reference:

Bus is the majoy transportation to Shangri-La. Because the distance among each scenic area is far, the departure time of regular bus will change along with the weather and road condition. Therefore, before tourists head to the scenic spot, it's recommended to ask the definite traffic condition, including the departure time of regular bus and the road condition.

Kunming to Shangri-La

About 720 kilometers from Kunming, tourists can take long-distance bus from Kunming West Bus Station to Shangri-La, which will pass by Chuxiong and Dali, and last for 12 hours.

Lijiang to Shangri-La

The bus from Lijiang to Shangri-La will drive 187 kilometers in total, which departs every half an hour from 7:00 to 18:00 in Lijiang Passenger Bus Station(Phone: 0888-512162,5121106).

Dali to Shangri-La

Tourists can take bus in Dali North Bus Station(Yuhua Road, Xiaguan), which need 8 hours to run and costs 85 yuan per person. The overnight bus will departs from 16:00.

Daocheng to Shangri-La

The bus from Sichuan Daocheng to Shangri-La will drive about 300 kilometers, which has to climb across big or small snow mountain on the way. Passengers may appreciate Shangri-La Grand Valley on the bus. However, the road may be closed to traffic because of heavy snow in winter. There will be bus everyday in tourist season, lasting for 12 hours and costing 100 yuan.

Tibet Lhasa to Shangri-La

If tourists choose to take long-distance bus from Tibet Lhasa to Shangri-La, you should make a mental preparation for the tough and long-time driving because it may take three days and two nights. The whole distance is about 1700 kilometers and the ticket fee is 680 yuan.

From Kunming

Schedule: 08:30, 09:30, 13:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:30

Passengers can take the bus at Kunming West Bus Station. It takes about 10 hours and costs CNY197-228.

Return trip: 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30

From Lijiang

Schedule: 07:30 – 17:00 (every 30-40min) from Lijiang Bus Station; 08:20, 09:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:30, 15:30 from Lijiang Express Bus Station

The duration of the whole trip is around 4 hours and the bus fare is CNY46-68.

Return trip: 07:10, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 10:40, 11:30, 12:20, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:40, 18:00

From Dali (Xiaguan)

Schedule: 06:30 – 12:00 (every half an hour), and 18:30

Passengers can take the bus at Dali North Bus Station. It takes about 7-8 hours and costs CNY83-106.

Return trip
: 07:00, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30

City Bus

There are six city bus lines in town. Please note that bus no. 2 take passengers to the local Long-distance Bus Station and no. 3 leads to Songzanlin Monastery. To take a city bus, it is suggested to prepare CNY1 loose change in advance.

Taxi

Taxis in Shangri-la are in service for 24 hours. As the town is not large, many taxi drivers don’t charge by meter. Usually the fare is no more than CNY10 if shuttling within the town. If you insist in paying according to the taximeter, the starting rate is CNY5 for the first 3km (2mi), and it costs CNY1.8 for each subsequent kilometer (0.6mi). CNY2 fuel fee is required for each ride.

Chartered Car

The scenic cities in Yunnan are usually far from one to another. To avoid tiring bus travel, many people prefer to charter a car or van. By doing this, they can not only have a good rest, but also freely appreciate the nice scenery on the way. Here is the approximate chartered car charge for your reference (all for single trip):

  • To Songzanlin Monastery: about CNY50;
  • To Potatso National Park: CNY150-200;
  • To Thousand Lakes Mountain: CNY400;
  • To Lijiang: CNY500-600;
  • Shangri-la – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang: CNY600-800.

Horse

In many places of Shangri-la, the most beautiful scenery cannot be admired without horses. For instance, the way to the Bitahai Lake is much easier by horse than car. After getting to Shuangqiao by car or bus, most tourists choose to hire a horse to the scenic spot at a cost of around CNY50. The horses are provided by local Tibetans. They will tell you how to ride as well as any dos and don'ts.

Shangri-La Transportation Guide serves you detailed transport information and introduces fights to Shangri-La, high speed trains, trains, Cycling, buses, Bus Stations and Railway Stations, taxis and ways of getting in and around Shangri-La.

It seems we can’t find what you’re looking for. Perhaps searching can help.

Tips Before Travel

Bring copies of your passport

Don't assume you're restricted to the main hubs of Beijing and Shanghai, our tours can start from any city.

Register with your embassy

For your safety, please register with the Embassy.

Always have local cash

Exchange some local currency for your trip

Our Team

Customize a Trip

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once enquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip