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.
 Around 3.4 mi (5.4 km) from the city center, Diqing Shangri-La 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:
1. Banks: ATM of Agricultural Bank of China is in the waiting hall.
2. Dining facilities are on the right side of the 1st floor of the waiting hall, and the tea house is on the left side.
3. Useful numbers:
Airport Enquiry:  0887-8229916, 0887-8231553
Lost and Found Office: 0887-8229916, 0887-8231322
 The newly opened Lijiang - Shangri-la train has made the transportation to the county very easy. Tourists can travel between Shangri-la and Kunming, Dali, Lijiang by bullet train. Every day, there are two trains running between Lijiang and Shangri-la in the morning and evening respectively.
 In Shangri-La, the coach is also an 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:
 
 From Kunming
Schedule: 10:50
Where to take: Kunming South Railway Station Bus Station
Fare: CNY260

 From Lijiang
Schedule: 08:10, 08:50, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:00
Where to take: Lijiang Bus Station
Duration: 2.5h
Fare: CNY80
Return trip: 08:20, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 18:20

 From Dali 
Schedule: 09:00, 11:00, 14:30, 16:30
Where to take: Dali North Bus Station
Duration: 5-6h
Fare: CNY136-150
Return trip: 14:20, 16:30
 There are eight city bus lines in town. Please note that bus no. 1 takes 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  loose change in advance. 
 Taxis in Shangri-la are in service for 24 hours. If paying according to the taximeter, the starting rate during the daytime is CNY8 for the first 2km (2mi), and it costs CNY2 for each subsequent kilometer (0.6mi). During the nighttime (00:00 - 06:00), it's CNY10 for the first 2km and CNY2 for each subsequent kilometer.
 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.
 

How to Travel between Kunming and Shangri-La

How to Travel between Lijiang and Shangri-La