Travel to Chuxiong from Kunming by long distance bus is popular among tourists. Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州) located in central Yunnan Province, east of Kunming City, boasts ancient history and eye-dazzling ethnic culture. Kunming is the capital and largest city in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Kunming is the capital of Yunnan, also known as the “Spring City”. The city is covered with blossoms and lush vegetation all-year round. Chuxiong prefecture lies about 150 km away from Kunming City. Tourists can get to Chuxiong from Kunming very easily by long distance buses. We just offers the bus timetable of Chuxiong City here, which is the capital of Chuxiong Prefecture.
By Long-distance Bus
Kunming - Chuxiong
There are many long-distance buses available every day from Kunming to Chuxiong City(楚雄市), departuring about every 10 minutes from 7:00 to 19:10, we just listed some of them here.
Tourists can take the long-distance bus from Kunming West Bus Station (昆明西部客运站), or Kunming Northwest Bus Station(昆明西北部客运站) to Chuxiong West Bus Station(楚雄西客运站), the journey will take about 2 hours.
Chuxiong - Kunming
There are 11 long-distance buses available every day from Chuxiong City to Kunming.
Tourists can take the long-distance bus from Chuxiong West Bus Station(楚雄西客运站) to Kunming, the journey will take about 2 hours.
Traveling from Kunming (昆明) to Chuxiong (楚雄) by long-distance bus remains one of the most convenient and economical transportation options in Yunnan Province. Located in central Yunnan, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝族自治州) lies approximately 161 kilometers west of Kunming (昆明) along the Kunming–Dali Expressway. The journey usually takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, making it an excellent choice for travelers visiting Yi Ancient Town (彝人古镇), exploring Yi ethnic culture, or connecting onward to Dali (大理), Lijiang (丽江), and Shangri-La (香格里拉). Modern highways, frequent departures, convenient online booking systems, and multiple departure points make bus travel between Kunming and Chuxiong simple and accessible for both domestic and international visitors.
Overview of Bus Options from Kunming to Chuxiong
| Service Type |
Departure Station |
Best For |
Arrival Point |
Journey Time |
| Regular Express Bus (Recommended) |
Kunming West Bus Station |
Most tourists, business travelers and daily commuters |
Chuxiong West Bus Station |
2–2.5 hrs |
| Northern Route Bus |
Kunming North Bus Station |
Travelers staying in northern Kunming |
Chuxiong West Bus Station |
2.5 hrs |
| Airport Shuttle Bus |
Kunming Changshui Airport Coach Station |
Direct airport-to-Chuxiong transfers |
Downtown Chuxiong |
2.5–3 hrs |
| Shared Minibus |
Huangtupo, Xiyuan Metro Station, Anning |
Budget backpackers and flexible travelers |
Yi Ancient Town, Chuxiong North Railway Station, Sanjiatang |
2.5 hrs |
Main Departure Stations in Kunming
Kunming West Bus Station (昆明西部客运站) – Recommended
The largest and busiest transportation hub for western Yunnan routes, serving thousands of passengers daily. Most buses to Chuxiong depart from this station, offering the highest frequency and greatest flexibility throughout the day. The station is modern, well-organized, and directly connected to Kunming Metro Line 3, making it particularly convenient for tourists staying in the city center.
Address: No. 4818 Kunrui Road, Xishan District, Kunming
Metro: Line 3, West Bus Station Exit A
Public Bus: Routes 80, 82, 143, 153, 908
Tel: +86-871-65326258 / +86-871-68412699
Major Destinations: Chuxiong, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Dehong, Nujiang, Lincang and western Yunnan cities
Kunming North Bus Station (昆明北部客运站)
Located in northern Kunming, this station provides a convenient alternative for travelers staying near the northern districts of the city. Although departures are less frequent than at the West Bus Station, it eliminates the need to cross the city for passengers already staying in the north.
Address: Northern Kunming Urban Area
Metro: Line 2, North Bus Station
Public Bus: Routes 1, 151, 189
Tel: +86-871-68373009
Major Destinations: Chuxiong, Anning, Fumin, Luquan, Yimen and neighboring counties
Kunming Changshui Airport Long-Distance Bus Station
Designed specifically for air passengers, this station offers direct coach services from Kunming Changshui International Airport (昆明长水国际机场) to Chuxiong without requiring a transfer into downtown Kunming. This option is particularly useful for travelers arriving on domestic or international flights and heading directly to Chuxiong.
Location: Approximately 200 meters west of Terminal Exit B14
Booking Platform: Yunnan Airport Shuttle Mini Program
Suitable For: Same-day flight arrivals and direct transfers to Chuxiong
Kunming to Chuxiong Bus Timetable (2026)
Kunming West Bus Station
Operating Hours: 07:10–19:10
Buses depart approximately every 10–30 minutes throughout the day, with more than 40 departures daily. Morning and afternoon periods generally have the highest frequency.
Sample Departures:
07:10, 07:30, 08:10, 08:30, 09:00, 09:25, 09:50
10:15, 10:40, 11:05, 11:30, 12:00, 12:25, 12:50
13:15, 13:40, 14:05, 14:30, 15:00, 15:25, 15:50
16:15, 16:40, 17:10, 17:40, 18:10, 18:40, 19:10
Passengers are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, especially during weekends, public holidays, and the annual Torch Festival period.
Kunming North Bus Station
Daily departures are less frequent and generally operate at approximately one-hour intervals.
08:30, 09:40, 11:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:00
Changshui Airport Direct Shuttle
Direct airport coaches operate throughout the day, providing convenient transfers for arriving passengers.
09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 16:30, 18:00, 19:30
Shared Minibus Service
Operating Hours: 07:00–18:30
Shared minibuses operate on a rolling departure basis. Vehicles leave once all seats are filled, making them flexible and economical but slightly slower due to multiple passenger pickup and drop-off points along the route.
Chuxiong to Kunming Bus Timetable
Most return services depart from Chuxiong West Bus Station (楚雄西客运站), which serves as the primary transportation hub for the city. Frequent departures throughout the day provide convenient access back to Kunming for business travelers, tourists, and local residents.
| Departure |
Arrival |
Duration |
| 08:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 09:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 10:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 11:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 12:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 13:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 14:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 15:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 16:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 17:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
| 18:00 |
Kunming |
2 hrs |
How to Buy Bus Tickets
Online Booking (Recommended)
Yunnan Transport Mini Program
The official booking platform for most long-distance buses in Yunnan Province. Travelers can purchase tickets several days in advance and use electronic QR codes for direct boarding.
Features:
- Advance reservations available
- Electronic ticket entry
- No paper ticket required
- Real-name registration system
- Convenient refund and rescheduling options
Travel Platforms
Popular online travel agencies also provide ticket booking services.
Examples include:
Additional benefits often include station navigation, travel reminders, route maps, and customer support services.
Airport Shuttle Booking
Airport-to-Chuxiong services can be booked through the dedicated Yunnan Airport Shuttle platform.
Offline Purchase
Travelers may also purchase tickets at:
- Station ticket counters
- Self-service ticket machines
- Authorized ticket agencies
- Shared minibus boarding locations
Offline purchases are generally available on the day of departure, subject to seat availability.
Arrival in Chuxiong
Chuxiong West Bus Station (楚雄西客运站)
The principal transportation center of Chuxiong City and the arrival point for most express buses from Kunming.
Address: No. 197 Lucheng West Road, Chuxiong City
Public Bus Routes: 2, 3, 11, 12, 17
Telephone: +86-878-3139888
Popular destinations accessible from the station include:
- Yi Ancient Town (彝人古镇)
- Chuxiong City Center
- Chuxiong North Railway Station
- Chuxiong Museum
- Futa Park (福塔公园)
Taxi services are readily available outside the station, while city buses provide affordable transportation throughout the urban area.
Practical Travel Tips
Which Bus Should You Choose?
| Travel Situation |
Recommended Option |
| Staying in downtown Kunming |
Kunming West Bus Station |
| Arriving at Changshui Airport |
Airport Shuttle |
| Staying in northern Kunming |
Kunming North Bus Station |
| Traveling on a budget |
Shared Minibus |
Ticket Refund & Change Policy
- More than 2 hours before departure: low service charge applies
- Between 30 minutes and 2 hours before departure: higher service charge applies
- Less than 30 minutes before departure: generally non-refundable
- Online tickets can normally be rescheduled once through the booking platform
Transportation After Arrival
Chuxiong West Bus Station offers convenient connections to major tourist areas and transportation hubs.
- Bus Routes 1 and 3 connect directly with downtown Chuxiong
- Local buses serve Yi Ancient Town and residential districts
- Taxis are available throughout the day
- Ride-hailing services operate within the city
Important Notes
- Carry a valid passport or identification document when traveling.
- All long-distance buses operate under a real-name ticketing system.
- During major Chinese holidays, including Spring Festival, Labor Day, National Day, and the famous Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节), tickets may sell out several days in advance.
- Large luggage can normally be stored free of charge in the luggage compartment beneath the coach.
- Keep passports, valuables, cameras, and electronic devices with you at all times.
- Most express coaches travel directly via the expressway and make only one short rest stop during the journey.
- Shared minibuses may stop multiple times along the route and therefore require slightly longer travel times.
Recommended Alternative: High-Speed Train
Although long-distance buses remain popular, many travelers now prefer the high-speed railway between Kunming (昆明) and Chuxiong (楚雄). High-speed trains typically complete the journey in approximately one hour, offering a faster and more comfortable travel experience. However, buses continue to be a practical choice for passengers staying near bus stations, carrying oversized luggage, traveling on a budget, or visiting destinations that are not directly connected to the railway network. For travelers planning onward journeys to Dali (大理), Lijiang (丽江), or Shangri-La (香格里拉), both bus and rail services provide convenient transportation options within western Yunnan.