Airports in Yunnan

Yunnan Province has a well-established network of airports, offering easy access to major cities within China and to international destinations. With 15 operational airports, the province serves both domestic and international flights, making it a convenient entry point for travelers heading to various tourist spots, such as Lijiang, Shangri-La, Dali, and Xishuangbanna. Here’s an overview of Yunnan’s airports, including current facilities and those under construction.

Operational Airports in Yunnan

1. Kunming Changshui International Airport (昆明长水国际机场)

• Location: About 24 km from Kunming city center.

• Significance: The largest airport in Yunnan, handling both domestic and international flights.

• Connections: Major cities within China, as well as Southeast Asia and international routes to destinations like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Paris, Dubai, Seoul, and more.

2. Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (丽江三义国际机场)

• Location: 25 km south of Lijiang city center.

• Significance: The second-largest airport in Yunnan, upgraded to an international airport in 2011.

• Connections: Direct flights to major Chinese cities like Kunming, Beijing, Shanghai, and international flights to Thailand, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

3. Dali Huangcaoba Airport (大理荒草坝机场)

• Location: 13 km from Dali city center, near Erhai Lake.

• Significance: Known as the first high-altitude airport in China.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other major cities.

4. Diqing Shangri-La Airport (迪庆香格里拉机场)

• Location: 5.5 km from Shangri-La city center, at an altitude of 3280.83 meters.

• Significance: Serves Shangri-La, a popular tourist destination.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming, Chongqing, Beijing, and Lhasa.

5. Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport (西双版纳嘎洒国际机场)

• Location: Near Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Prefecture.

• Significance: The second international airport in Yunnan.

• Connections: Flights to cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Kunming, and international destinations such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

6. Wenshan Puzhehei Airport (文山普者黑机场)

• Location: 9 km from Yanshan County, Wenshan Prefecture.

• Significance: Serves flights to Kunming and Nanning.

• Connections: Limited flights four times a week.

7. Dehong Mangshi Airport (德宏芒市机场)

• Location: Serves Mangshi in Dehong, Yunnan.

• Significance: A smaller regional airport.

• Connections: Frequent flights to Kunming, with no international routes.

8. Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (腾冲驼峰机场)

• Location: 12 km south of Tengchong.

• Significance: A small airport serving the Tengchong region.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming and a few regional destinations.

9. Baoshan Yunrui Airport (保山云瑞机场)

• Location: In the southern suburbs of Baoshan City.

• Significance: One of the earliest airports in the region.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming, Guangzhou, and Xi'an.

10. Zhaotong Airport (昭通机场)

• Location: Serves Zhaotong City, Yunnan.

• Significance: Built in 1935, it primarily connects to Kunming and Chongqing.

• Connections: Daily flights to Kunming and Chongqing.

11. Lincang Airport (临沧机场)

• Location: 22.5 km from Lincang City.

• Significance: A small regional airport.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming, Xishuangbanna, and Shanghai.

12. Pu'er Simao Airport (普洱机场)

• Location: In Pu'er, near Mount Wuliangshan.

• Significance: A 4C airport serving Pu'er city.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming, Chongqing, Dali, and Changsha.

13. Ninglang Luguhu Airport (宁蒗泸沽湖机场)

• Location: Near Lugu Lake, on the Yunnan-Sichuan Border.

• Significance: Serves Lugu Lake region, popular for its scenic beauty.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming, Chongqing, and Chengdu.

14. Cangyuan Washan Airport (沧源佤山机场)

• Location: Serves Cangyuan Va Autonomous County in Lincang.

• Significance: Opened in 2016.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming.

15. Lancang Jingmai Airport (澜沧景迈机场)

• Location: In Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, near Pu'er.

• Significance: A small airport with increasing regional connectivity.

• Connections: Flights to Kunming.

Airports Under Construction

Yunnan also has several airports under construction to further enhance connectivity:

1. Fengqing General Airport (凤庆机场)

• Location: Near Fengqing County.

• Expected Completion: Initially planned for December 2018.

2. Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Airport (元阳机场)

• Location: Near Yuanyang in Honghe Prefecture.

• Expected Routes: Kunming, Chengdu, Guiyang, Beijing, and Guangzhou.

3. Nujiang Airport (怒江机场)

• Location: In Lushui County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture.

• Expected Completion: October 2019.

4. Honghe Mengzi Airport (红河蒙自机场)

• Location: Near Mengzi City, Honghe Prefecture.

• Expected Construction: Began in 2012, but progress has been delayed.