Kunming Metro Map 2026: Lines, Stations, Fares & Travel Guide

Getting around Kunming is quite easy once you understand the metro system. The Kunming Metro connects the city center with Kunming Railway Station, Kunming South Railway Station, Changshui International Airport and popular places such as Western Hills, Green Lake and Dounan Flower Market. This guide covers the Kunming Metro Map, lines, fares, operating hours and useful travel tips.

Overview of Kunming Metro System

The Kunming Metro, also known as Kunming Rail Transit (昆明轨道交通), is one of the easiest ways to travel around Kunming without depending on taxis.

As of 2026:

• 6 metro lines are operating: Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
• The network connects central Kunming with suburban districts
• Line 6 provides a direct metro connection to Kunming Changshui International Airport
• Line 1 and Line 4 serve Kunming South Railway Station
• Line 1 serves Kunming Railway Station
• Several lines connect with major tourist areas and transport hubs

Most stations have Chinese and English signs, making the system relatively easy to use even if it is your first time visiting Kunming.

Kunming Metro Lines

You do not need to memorize every station on the Kunming Metro Map. Knowing the main route and important stops on each line is usually enough for sightseeing.

Line 1

Line 1 runs through southern Kunming and is especially useful if you are travelling by train.

Important stations include:

• South Ring Road: Transfer to Line 2
• Kunming Railway Station: Main railway station in central Kunming
• Dounan: Convenient for Dounan Flower Market
• Chunrong Street: Branch connection towards Kunming South Railway Station
• Kunming South Railway Station: Major high-speed rail hub
• University Town: Serves Kunming's university area
• University Town South: Southern terminus

🚄 Travel Tip: If you are taking a high-speed train from Kunming to another Chinese city, check whether your ticket departs from Kunming Railway Station or Kunming South Railway Station because they are different stations.

Line 2

Line 2 runs north to south through the central part of Kunming.

Important stations include:

• North Coach Station: Intercity bus connections
• North Railway Station: Transfer to Lines 4 and 5
• Dongfeng Square: Transfer to Line 3 and access to central Kunming
• Tangzixiang: Transfer to Line 6 for the airport
• South Ring Road: Transfer to Line 1

Dongfeng Square is one of the most useful stations if you are staying around central Kunming.

Line 3

Line 3 crosses Kunming from west to east and is one of the most useful sightseeing lines.

Important stations include:

• Western Hills: Access to the Western Hills Scenic Area
• Wuyi Road: Transfer to Line 5 and convenient for Kunming Old Street
• Dongfeng Square: Transfer to Line 2
• Dashuying: Transfer to Line 4
• East Coach Station: Transfer to Line 6

If Western Hills and central Kunming are part of your itinerary, Line 3 will probably be one of the lines you use most.

Line 4

Line 4 travels between Jinchuan Road and Kunming South Railway Station.

Important stations include:

• Jinchuan Road: Northern terminus
• North Railway Station: Transfer to Lines 2 and 5
• Dashuying: Transfer to Line 3
• Juhua: Transfer to Line 6
• Dounan: Transfer to Line 1
• Lianda Street: Transfer to Line 1
• Kunming South Railway Station: High-speed rail connections

Line 4 is particularly useful when travelling between northern Kunming, Dounan and Kunming South Railway Station.

Line 5

Line 5 is one of the most useful metro lines for sightseeing because it passes several popular areas around central Kunming and Dianchi Lake.

Important stations include:

• World Horti-Expo Garden: Access to the World Horti-Expo Garden
• North Railway Station: Transfer to Lines 2 and 4
• Yuantong Hill: Convenient for Kunming Zoo and Yuantong Temple area
• Huashan West Road: Convenient for Green Lake Park
• Wuyi Road: Transfer to Line 3 and access to Kunming Old Street
• Yinghai Road: Useful for the Dianchi Lake area
• Yuhu Village: Convenient for attractions around Dianchi
• Dianchi International Convention and Exhibition Center: Convention and exhibition area
• Baofeng: Southern terminus

🌿 Pro Tip: Line 5 is a good choice if your Kunming itinerary focuses on parks, local neighborhoods and Dianchi Lake.

Line 6

Line 6 is the main airport metro line.

Route:

Tangzixiang ↔ Chajie ↔ Dongjiao Road ↔ Juhua ↔ East Coach Station ↔ Dabanqiao ↔ Airport Front ↔ Airport Center

Important transfers include:

• Tangzixiang: Transfer to Line 2
• Juhua: Transfer to Line 4
• East Coach Station: Transfer to Line 3
• Airport Center: Kunming Changshui International Airport

The complete journey between Tangzixiang and Airport Center takes roughly 30 minutes.

✈️ Pro Tip: Line 6 is usually the easiest public transport option between Changshui International Airport and central Kunming.

Popular Attractions Near Kunming Metro Stations

The Kunming Metro can take you close to many of the city's popular attractions.

💡 Tip: Some attractions still require a short walk, bus ride or taxi after leaving the metro. Check the correct station exit before starting your journey.

Kunming Metro Fares

Kunming Metro uses a distance-based fare system.

The current fare structure has applied since April 15, 2025.

For most short trips within central Kunming, expect to pay only a few yuan.

Children

Children 1.3 metres tall or below can ride free when accompanied by an adult under the current fare policy.

Multi-Ride Tickets

Kunming Metro also offers multi-ride ticket products. From April 2026, current options include:

• Physical multi-ride ticket: ¥162 for 32 rides
• Electronic multi-ride ticket: ¥115 for 23 rides

These products are more useful for frequent riders than short-term tourists, so most visitors can simply use single journeys or mobile payment.

How to Pay for the Kunming Metro

There are several ways to pay for metro journeys.

Single-Journey Ticket

Buy a ticket from the ticket machine or station service center.

Simply:

1. Select your destination.
2. Pay the displayed fare.
3. Take your ticket.
4. Scan or insert it at the entrance gate.
5. Use it again when leaving the destination station.

Mobile QR Code

QR-code payment is also available through supported mobile services.

At Kunming Changshui International Airport, passengers can access metro travel services through the airport mini program and connect a WeChat Pay or Alipay account for QR-code travel.

Kunming Changshui International Airport to the City by Metro

Kunming Changshui International Airport is directly connected to Metro Line 6.

Where Is the Metro Station at Kunming Airport?

Use Airport Center Station (机场中心站).

The metro station is located on B2 of the airport terminal.

Airport Center to Central Kunming

Take:

Line 6: Airport Center → Tangzixiang

From Tangzixiang, transfer to Line 2 for other parts of central Kunming.

The Line 6 journey from Airport Center to Tangzixiang takes around 29 minutes.

Airport Center to Kunming Railway Station

A common route is:

Airport Center → Line 6 → Tangzixiang → Line 2 → South Ring Road → Line 1 → Kunming Railway Station

Allow extra time for walking and transfers.

Airport Center to Kunming South Railway Station

A convenient route is:

Airport Center → Line 6 → Juhua → Line 4 → Kunming South Railway Station

This avoids travelling all the way into the city center before heading south.

✈️ Airport Tip: Always check your flight arrival time against the last metro service. If you land late at night, you may need to use an airport bus or taxi instead.

Kunming Railway Station vs Kunming South Railway Station

Kunming has two major railway stations commonly used by travelers. Check your train ticket carefully before heading to the station.

🚄 Tip: Kunming Railway Station and Kunming South Railway Station are different stations. Always check the station name on your train ticket before departure.

Kunming Metro Operating Hours

Kunming Metro operating hours vary depending on the line, station and direction.

In general:

• First trains on many lines begin from around 6:20 AM
• Last train times vary considerably by line and direction
• Some terminal departures finish around 10:20 PM to 11:00 PM
• Trains may still reach downstream stations later than the terminal departure time

For example, Line 6 normally starts at around 6:20 AM, with the final airport-direction and city-direction services leaving at different times.

Important: Do not rely on one general closing time for the entire Kunming Metro. Check the station timetable when travelling early in the morning or late at night.

How to Use the Kunming Metro

1. Find the Correct Metro Station

Look for metro signs and confirm the station name before entering.

2. Check Your Line and Direction

The same metro line runs in two directions. Check the final destination shown on the platform sign before boarding.

3. Pass Through Security

Like many metro systems in China, Kunming stations have security checks before passengers enter the paid area.

Place bags through the security scanner and follow staff instructions.

4. Follow Transfer Signs

Transfer stations have signs showing the line number, line color and direction.

Major transfer stations include:

• South Ring Road
• Dongfeng Square
• Wuyi Road
• North Railway Station
• Dashuying
• Juhua
• Dounan
• Tangzixiang
• East Coach Station
• Kunming South Railway Station

5. Check Your Exit Number

Large stations can have several exits. Check your destination before leaving the station so you do not end up walking around the block.

Tips for Using the Kunming Metro

• Save Chinese place names: Keep the Chinese names of your hotel, attractions and metro stations on your phone in case you need to ask for directions.
• Use Amap or Baidu Maps: Both apps are useful for checking metro routes, transfers, station exits and walking directions.
• Avoid rush hour: Trains can be crowded during weekday morning and evening commuting periods, especially at major transfer stations.
• Allow time for security checks: Bags are normally screened before entering the metro, so arrive a little earlier when heading to the airport or railway station.
• Check the last train: Last-train times vary by line, station and direction, so check the timetable before travelling late at night.
• Keep mobile data available: Internet access is useful for maps, payment apps, translation and checking your route while travelling.
• Confirm your railway station: Kunming Railway Station and Kunming South Railway Station are different stations, so always check the station name on your train ticket.