Cheap Flights to Kunming Airport

Discover Kunming

Kunming (KMG)

Fly to Kunming, the gateway of the ancient and revered Silk Road. 

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)

The Kunming Changshui International Airport is a fairly new transport hub, having been opened in 2012, and services the city of Kunming to both domestic and international destinations. Passengers will find that its facilities are quite comprehensive, offering ATMs, currency exchange services, WiFi throughout the airport, a children’s playroom as well as a variety of restaurants, snack bars and retail shops.

Airlines that fly to Kunming

Most airlines that fly to Kunming are operated by Asian carriers, though many of these are large international airlines and fly to destinations worldwide. These airlines include Korean Air, Thai Airways International, Vietnam Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Dragon Air.  

Getting into Kunming

By taxi

There are taxis outside the airport but it is recommended that you ensure the meter is turned on, and that you have the destination name written in Chinese, in case your driver does not speak English. The journey into the centre of the city will take around 40 minutes and cost about 80-90CNY ($17-19).  

By public transportation

There is a brilliant and efficient subway system that will run you into the East Bus Station in Kunming. The trains come every 25 minutes, and only take about 30 minutes to travel from KMG to the bus station, plus the ticket is a steal at 5CNY ($1).  

There are also six shuttle bus routes that you can take to various points in the city, though these tend to take double the time the subway does.  

By car

You can hire a car in China, though many of these come with a chauffeur package which may be best if you are feeling a little nervous to drive in Kunming. You can use our handy car hire page to book your vehicle before you land, which may be an easier option if you do not speak the language.  Please note, to drive in China you must apply for a temporary license within the country.  

What can you do in Kunming?

Kunming is a city that spans over 2000 years of history and as the capital of the Yunnan it has a wealth of attractions, as well as having the distinction of being the cultural and financial centre of this beautiful province of China.

Wander around the city and people watch in the famous squares of Jinma Biji and Dongfeng, the former of which is one of the best places in the city to go for a little retail therapy. Kunming is also a wonderful gastronomic city for anyone that loves to try international cuisine, with favourites being Bittern Duck or the wonderful Hongshao Jizong, a spicy mushroom dish.  

The attractions are unusual and unique to this area, such as the Stone Forest, where rock formations spike out of the ground like stalagmites creating the look and feel of a true forest. If you like being outdoors, there is also the Dianchi Lake Scenic Area, which is home to one of the largest freshwater lakes in China, and is a lovely part of the country to wander through. If you get a chance, visit the Yunnan Nationalities village, where you can learn about the different ethnic groups of Yunnan.  

Lastly, you would be doing yourself an injustice if you didn’t visit the stunning Golden Temple that sits atop the Mingfeng Hill, and is a shrine to the Taoist religion. This is a wonderful cultural experience, as you must walk up the winding stone steps and three gateways to reach this remarkable temple.  

When should you go?

Frequently nicknamed the ‘Spring City’ Kunming doesn’t tend to shift above 20°C or below 8°C and most months of the year are temperate. May through to October is when it is the warmest but is also when the rainy season hits, but as long as you bring a waterproof, you should be fine visiting during this season. However, if you aren’t a fan of rain, visit during November to April, when the weather is colder, but dry.  

What do you need to know?

Currency: The Chinese Yuan (CNY)

Visa: Almost all travellers to China need a visa to enter the country. There are some exceptions to this rule, especially when it comes to Kunming region, which can grant a 72 hour visa on arrival, but it is important to check your individual requirements and contact your local embassy to double check any requirements.

Please note all information is current as of February 2016.