The Jinsha River, an important tributary of the upper Yangtze River, has historically served as a key waterway connecting China’s inland southwest with the Yangtze River Economic Belt. In recent years, with the completion and impoundment of four giant hydropower hubs—Xiangjiaba (向家坝), Xiluodu (溪洛渡), Wudongde (乌东德), and Baihetan (白鹤滩)—a 752-kilometer stretch of high-grade inland waterways (Class III and above) has been formed in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River, laying a solid foundation for shipping development. In 2023, the total waterborne cargo volume at the Xiangjiaba section exceeded 9.6 million tons, and it is projected that by 2025 and 2035, the annual cargo volume in the lower reaches of the Jinsha River will reach 17 million tons and 32 million tons, respectively.
However, the development of Jinsha River shipping still faces numerous challenges. On one hand, due to historical limitations, the exploitation and utilization of water transport resources were not given sufficient importance during the construction of the Jinsha River hydropower projects. Except for the small ship lift at Xiangjiaba, the other three hydropower hubs did not include navigation facilities. On the other hand, the ship transfer capacity at Xiangjiaba has reached saturation, the transfer mechanism is inadequate, and the navigation markers, channel dredging at reservoir tails, and support systems are insufficient, resulting in a fragmented “lotus root-like” waterway.
Despite these challenges, significant breakthroughs have been made in Jinsha River shipping. On December 30, 2024, the Xiangjiaba ship lift achieved 24-hour operation, marking the full-day connectivity between the Xiangjiaba-Yibin (宜宾) section of the Jinsha River and the Yangtze River trunk line (downstream of Yibin), greatly enhancing the shipping capacity of the Jinsha River. The Xiangjiaba ship lift is China’s second giant ship lift after the Three Gorges ship lift, with a maximum lifting height of 114.2 meters—equivalent to a 40-story building—1.2 meters higher than that of the Three Gorges ship lift. Since its commissioning in May 2018, the performance of the Xiangjiaba ship lift has gradually stabilized, and its operational efficiency has continuously improved. With a designed annual cargo capacity of 1.12 million tons, it achieved its annual target ahead of schedule in 2020 and has since set multiple records.
Looking ahead, the prospects for Jinsha River shipping are promising. On one hand, relevant departments are accelerating research and feasibility studies, actively engaging with domestic experts and academicians in transportation and water conservancy to promote the inclusion of navigation facilities for the high dams and large reservoirs in the lower Jinsha River in national and provincial plans, aiming to commence construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. On the other hand, the comprehensive construction project for shipping infrastructure in the middle reaches of the Jinsha River is also progressing rapidly. This project covers the Liyuan (梨园), Ahai (阿海), Jin’anqiao (金安桥), Longkaikou (龙开口), Ludila (鲁地拉), and Guanyinyan (观音岩) reservoirs in Lijiang City (丽江市), Dali Prefecture (大理州), and Chuxiong Prefecture (楚雄州). It is expected to include the construction of 22 docks, 6 major berthing points, and a 460-kilometer waterway. The project in Lijiang City alone will include 16 docks, 6 major berthing points, 96 general berthing points, and the construction of 48 vessels, including electric-powered new energy ships, passenger ships, tourist boats, and engineering vessels.
With the continuous improvement of shipping infrastructure and the steady enhancement of shipping capacity, the Jinsha River is poised to become a strategic open channel connecting the Yangtze River Economic Belt with the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, facilitating better integration of the inland southwest into national strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.
Suburban buses play a crucial role in Lijiang’s transportation system, connecting the urban area with surrounding suburbs and townships. They provide convenient travel options for both residents’ daily commutes and tourists heading to nearby attractions.
Type of Bus | Regular Schedule | Special Holiday Schedule (2025 Spring Festival) |
---|---|---|
Urban Bus | 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Not specified |
Suburban Bus | 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Adjusted during the Spring Festival |
January 28 (New Year’s Eve): Last bus at 15:30 – 16:45 | ||
January 29 (First Day of Lunar New Year) – January 30 (Second Day): First bus at 07:55 – 09:35, Last bus at 14:00 – 16:46 | ||
Normal operations resume from January 31 (Third Day) onwards |
Route Number | Route Description | Fare Structure | Number of Daily Trips | Departure Points and Times |
---|---|---|---|---|
200路 | Yulong County (玉龙县) to Juidian Town (巨甸镇) | Tiered fare: 2 – 25 yuan | 7 trips daily | Yulong County National Middle School (玉龙县民族中学): 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 12:30, 13:30, 16:30; Juidian Bus Stop (巨甸公交招呼站): 7:30, 9:30, 10:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00 |
209路 | Yulong County (玉龙县) to Jiuhe Township (九河乡) | Minimum fare: 5 yuan, Maximum fare: 20 yuan | Not specified | Not specified |
Yulong County to Shitou Township (石头乡) | Maximum fare: 25 yuan, Segmented fares: 2 – 20 yuan, Flat rate within urban area: 2 yuan | Not specified | Not specified | |
203路 | Yulong County (玉龙县) to Mingyin Town (鸣音镇) | Maximum fare: 25 yuan, Segmented fares: 5 – 20 yuan, Flat rate within urban area: 2 yuan | Not specified | Not specified |
36路 | Yulong County (玉龙县) to Tai’an Township (太安乡) | Total fare: 6 yuan, Segmented pricing | Not specified | Not specified |
208路 | Yulong Passenger Station (玉龙客运站) to Laojun Mountain Liming Scenic Area (老君山黎明景区) |
There are trains from Kunming to Lijiang and Dali to Lijiang, and the main railway station is Lijiang Railway Station. After the completion of Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway, Lashihai Railway Station will become an important railway station and then it will be very convenient to visit Lashi Lake and Tiger Leaping Gorge. In July 2014, the Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway started construction. The length of the line construction was 139.66 kilometers, the project investment was 10.372 billion yuan, and the total construction period was 6 years. The Xichang-Lijiang Railway is under the planning. Lijiang Railway Station is about 5 km from Lijiang Ancient Town. Several public bus lines serve the station, including the No. 18 and No. 4 buses.
Lijiang trains mainly include Lijiang high speed trains and Lijiang normal trains.
Lijiang Railway Station mainly operates trains to/from Kunming and Dali, the high speed trains are mainly from/to Kunming and Lijiang.
These trains depart from around 8:23 to 17:30 in total of about 9 high speed trains every day. Their travel time is 3 to 4 hours. The ticket prices are respectively 351 yuan for the first class seat and 220 yuan for the second class seat.
Destination | Trains | Duration | Ticket Fare(Yuan)1st/2nd Class Seat |
Kunming | D8774, D8778, D3942, D8764… 9 Departures from 08:20-17:30 |
2h58m-3h58m | 220-351 |
At present, there are no direct trains to other provinces from Lijiang Railway Station, only to Kunming, Dali, Qujing and Chuxiong.
Train No. | Departure | Departure Time | Destination | Arrival Time | Duration |
K9606/K9608 | Lijiang | 08:08 | Kunming | 17:16 | 9h8m |
K9685/K9688 | Lijiang | 09:28 | Kunming | 16:23 | 6h55m |
K9620 | Lijiang | 09:48 | Dali | 11:59 | 2h11m |
K9618 | Lijiang | 16:26 | Dali | 18:38 | 2h12m |
K9629 | Dali | 09:25 | Lijiang | 11:47 | 2h22m |
K9619 | Dali | 15:36 | Lijiang | 17:42 | 2h6m |
K9612/K9613 | Kunming | 09:43 | Lijiang | 18:15 | 8h32m |
K9682/K9683 | Kunming | 12:10 | Lijiang | 19:05 | 6h55m |
Note: The specific information is subject to the actual information of 12306.cn
High speed train is becoming one of the important land transportation in China for its faster speed and better facilities. Today, high speed trains are available from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang. Taking a high speed train on your journey will bring a brand-new experience.
The Recommended Tours
As of 2017, there are 2 airports in Lijiang City, namely, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Ninglang Luguhu Airport. Lijiang Sanyi Airport, also known as Lijiang Airport, located in Qihe Township, Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is about 28 kilometers away from the downtown. It is a 4D civil international airport and the second largest airport in Yunnan and a regional tourism hub in Yunnan. Ninglang Luguhu Airport is located in Hongqiao Township, Ninglang County, Lijiang City. It is 25 kilometers away from the scenic spot of Lugu Lake and 50 kilometers away from Ninglang County, which is postioned a domestic 4C feeder airport. The total area is about 175 hectares (2,625 acres) and the airport elevation is 3,292.9 meters. Positioned as a domestic 4C feeder airport.
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport(IATA: LJG, ICAO: ZPLJ) is located in Qihe Town(七河镇), Gucheng District, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, China. It is a civil transport airport, belonging to national first-class port. It is the “civilized airport” in southwest China, and is the second largest airport in Yunnan, the hub airport of Yunnan regional tourism, as well as is the third international airport after Kunming Changshui International Airport and Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport. According to information on the airport’s official website in August 2017, the airfield area is 4D, the runway is 3000 meters long, and it can provide Boeing 767, Airbus 330 and other planes for takeoffs and landings. There are 19 aircraft stands, 33,000 square meters of domestic terminal buildings and 5,300 square meters of international terminal buildings. The airport is about 30 kilometers away from Lijiang urban area.
Lugugu Airport is defined as a small airport of domestic tourist branch lines. Situated at Shifo Mountain, Hongqiao Township, Ninglang County, the site of the airport has an elevation of 3,265 meters with a distance of 25km from Lugu Lake and 50km from the county town. It occupies a total area of approximately 175ha (which equals 2,625 mu). The indicator of the flight zone is 4C, and Boeing 737-700 and Boeing A319 was chosen as its main airplane models, with Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing being its major flight destinations.
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
Ninglang Luguhu Airport
Airline Company | Destination |
China Eastern Airlines | Hong Kong, Taipei, |
Tiger Airways | Bangkok |
Mandarin Airlines | Taipei |
Asiana Airlines | Seoul |
Korean Air | Seoul |
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
Ninglang Luguhu Airport
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
Dali Transportation – Erhai Lake Ferry
Dali is one of the most important transportation hubs in Yunnan. Within the territory, there are Dali- Lijiang Expressway, Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway and other expressways passing through. It is very convenient to get to Dali from the neighboring area by long-distance bus.
There are currently several long-distance bus stations, namely, Dali Bus Station, Xiaguan Bus Station, Dayun Bus Station, and Dali Ancient Town Bus Station, Dali North Bus Station.
Departure Time | Departure/Destination | Model | Fare(CNY) |
09:00 |
Dali North Bus Station |
Medium/Seat | 110 |
10:30 | Dali North Bus Station Kunming |
Medium/Seat | 110 |
12:00 | Dali North Bus Station Kunming West Bus Station |
Medium/Seat | 110 |
13:30 | Dali North Bus Station Kunming |
Medium/Seat | 110 |
08:00 | Dali North Bus Station Lijiang |
Medium/Seat | 61 |
08:30 | Dali Ancient Town Lijiang |
Bus | 79 |
09:00 | Dali North Bus Station Lijiang |
Medium/Seat | 45.5 |
09:30 | Dali Ancient Town Lijiang |
Bus | 77 |
09:30 | Shuangliang Bus Station Lijiang |
Large/Seat | 59 |
07:00 | Dali North Bus Station Shangri-La |
Medium/Seat | 114 |
07:30 | Dali North Bus Station Shangri-La |
Medium/Seat | 114 |
It is difficult to list all destinations to and from Dali, if you have any questions about where to go from Dali, please contact us, we will recommend the best places for you and solve all the problems you will meet as far as possible.
Dali Transportation – Suburban Area Bus
Dali Transportation – City Bus
Dali Transportation – By Bicycle
https://yunnanexploration.com/tag/dali-cycling-tours
In Dali, Dali Railway Station is the main railway station and located at No.261, Weishan Road, Dali City (大理市巍山路261号). As a major train station in Dali, it is very easy to get to the famous attraction. In general, it takes about 15-20 minutes to the downtown of Dali, about 40-50 minutes to Dali Ancient Town and the Three Pagoda of Chongsheng Monastery , about 45-50 minutes to Erhai Lake, and about 40 minutes to Cangshan Mountain, etc. Dali Railway Station is the main stop of the Yunnan-Tibet Railway. There are trains to Kunming and Lijiang in the station. Trains to and from Kunming are all bullet trains, which takes about 2 hours. The second-class seat is at the price of 145 yuan, and the first-class seat is at the price of 231 yuan. Every day from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, there are average two shifts per hour.
Dali trains mainly include Dali high speed trains and Dali normal trains.
The mainly high speed trains in Dali Railway Station are to and fro Kunming, which only take about 2 hours.
These trains depart from around 7:00 to 21:00 every 20 to 40 minutes. Their travel time is 2 to 2.5 hours, with the ticket prices respectively 433 yuan for the Business seat, 231 yuan for the first class seat and 145 yuan for the second class.
Destination | Trains | Duration | Ticket Fare(Yuan) Business/1st/2nd Class Seat |
Kunming |
D8654, D8658, D8662… |
1h48m-2h15m | 145-433 |
The normal trains are mainly from and to Dali and some other nearby places. The trains to Kunming takes about 5.5-8 hours at the price of 97.5-149.5 yuan(the hard sleeper and soft sleeper). The trains to Lijiang, most of which originally depart from Kunming, take 1.5-2.85 hours at the price of 69.5-105.5 yuan(the hard sleep and soft sleeper).
Destination | Trains | Duration | Ticket Fare(Yuan) Soft Sleeper/Hard Sleeper/Hard Seat |
Lijiang | K9621, K9623, K9625, K9627, K9629 | 1h55m-2h35m | 34-105.5 |
High speed train is becoming one of the important land transportation in China for its faster speed and better facilities. Today, high speed trains are available from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang. Taking a high speed train on your journey will bring a brand-new experience.
The Recommended Tours
1. Current Status and Challenges of Jinsha River Shipping The Jinsha River, an important tributary of the upper Yangtze River, has historically served as a key waterway connecting China’s...
Bicycling is a popular and convenient means of transportation in Lijiang, especially in the ancient town area. It allows visitors to explore the narrow streets and alleys at their...
Suburban buses play a crucial role in Lijiang’s transportation system, connecting the urban area with surrounding suburbs and townships. They provide convenient travel options for both residents’ daily commutes...
City buses are an essential part of Lijiang’s public transportation system, providing an affordable and convenient way for both residents and tourists to travel around the urban area of...
There are trains from Kunming to Lijiang and Dali to Lijiang, and the main railway station is Lijiang Railway Station. After the completion of Lijiang-Shangri-La Railway, Lashihai Railway Station will become...
As of 2017, there are 2 airports in Lijiang City, namely, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Ninglang Luguhu Airport. Lijiang Sanyi Airport, also known as Lijiang Airport, located in...
Dali Transportation – Erhai Lake Ferry Erhai Lake Cruise...
Dali is one of the most important transportation hubs in Yunnan. Within the territory, there are Dali- Lijiang Expressway, Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway and other expressways passing through. It is very convenient...
Dali Transportation – Suburban Area Bus...
Dali Transportation – By Bicycle https://yunnanexploration.com/tag/dali-cycling-tours...
In Dali, Dali Railway Station is the main railway station and located at No.261, Weishan Road, Dali City (大理市巍山路261号). As a major train station in Dali, it is very easy...
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Address: Building 4, Yifuyuan, Hehong Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan, China
Wechat/QQ: 270384698
Office Call: 86-18812220370
Email: Trip@YasoTrip.com
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/YasoTrip
Tel/WhatsApp: +8618088243690
Trip@YasoTrip.com