Visit Yuanyang by Bus from Kunming, Hekou, Jianshui

Yuanyang (元阳)

How to Get to Yuanyang

There are bus service connecting Yuanyang with Kunming, Jianshui, Gejiu, Hekou, Mengzi, Jinghong, etc. Some of these bus will stop at Nansha Bus Station and some at Xinjie Bus Station, the two bus station in Yuanyang. If you are heading to the rice terrraces, Xinjie Bus Station which is more close to the scenic spot should be your final stop. If your bus arrive at Nansha Bus Station, just switch to a minivan (10 yuan, 7:00 – 20:00) or a taxi (20 yuan) to get to Xinjie town, and the bus journey time from Nansha to Xinjie is about 1 hour, and about 40 minutes from Xinjie to Nansha. For any details, see below.

Nansha Bus Station

Xinjie Bus Station

Kunming to Yuanyang for Rice Terraces

The distance between Kunming and Yuanyang is about 322 km. Usually, you have the 3 ways to travel from Kunming to Yuanyang: by direct bus, via Jianshui (建水) or via Gejiu (个旧). See options below:

1. Kunming to Yuanyang by Direct Bus

The buses from Kunming to Yuanyang depart from Kunming South Bus Station (昆明南部汽车站) running three times a day relatively at 10:20, 12:30, 19:00, and the ticket costs 139 yuan and journey time is 6 – 7 hours.

2. Kunming to Yuanyang via Jianshui by Bus

Jianshui would be an good intermediate stop while making your way from Kunming to Yuanyang. There are many bus to Jianshui from Kunming. First, take a bus from Kunming South Bus Station to Jianshui (60 – 83yuan, journey time 3 hours) then you can stay there for a day or so or continue to Yuanyang by bus (30 yuan & 2 hours).

3. Kunming to Yuanyang via Gejiu by Bus

As the buses from Kunming to Yuanyang are limited, you can go from Kunming to Gejiu by bus first (92 – 102 yuan), then a bus from Gejiu (个旧) to Yuanyang. You will have more bus options on this route. First, take a bus from Kunming East Bus Station (昆明东部汽车站) to Gejiu, then a bus from Gejiu to Yuanyang.

Hekou to Yuanyang

If you come from Hekou to Yuanyang, you can take the bus from Hekou Passenger Transport Station (Hekou Bus Station) to Yuanyang, which runs twice a day at 06:00 and 09:10. The travel time is 4.5 hours and ticket fare is 46 yuan. For those who come from Vietnam into Hekou and plan to visit Yuanyang, you’d better take your passport and visa with you.

Other Useful Resources

Kunming South Railway Station, Kunming to Lijiang

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