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Kunming Subway Guide

2026-05-11•Yaso trip•7624 words•About 26 minutes

Kunming Metro (昆明地铁), officially known as Kunming Rail Transit, is the core urban transportation network serving Kunming (昆明), the capital city of Yunnan Province (云南省). Since the opening of its first line in 2012, the metro system has rapidly expanded into one of Southwest China’s most convenient public transit systems for both locals and international travelers.

As of May 2026, the network includes 6 operational metro lines, more than 100 stations, and approximately 165.9 kilometers of operating track. The system connects major districts including Wuhua District (五华区), Panlong District (盘龙区), Guandu District (官渡区), and Chenggong District (呈贡区), while also linking key transportation hubs such as Kunming Railway Station (昆明火车站), Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南火车站), and Kunming Changshui International Airport (昆明长水国际机场).

For tourists visiting Kunming (昆明), the metro is the fastest and most affordable way to reach famous attractions such as Cuihu Park (翠湖公园), Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市), Xishan Forest Park (西山森林公园), Yunnan Nationalities Village (云南民族村), and Kunming Old Street (昆明老街). Kunming Subway

Kunming Metro Line 1 – The Main North-South Corridor

Basic Information

Color: Red
Route: South Ring Road Station (环城南路站) ↔ University Town South Station (大学城南站) / Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南火车站)
Main Areas Covered: Guandu District (官渡区) and Chenggong District (呈贡区)
Key Highlights:
- Direct connection to Kunming Railway Station (昆明火车站)
- Easy access to Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市)
- Fast transportation to Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南火车站) and university areas

Full List of Stations

Main Line

South Ring Road (环城南路) → Kunming Railway Station (昆明火车站) → Fude (福德) → Rixin Road (日新路) → Wujiaba (巫家坝) → Changhong West Road (昌宏西路) → Xiaodongcun (晓东村) → Erji Road (珥季路) → Xingyao Road (星耀路) → New Asia Sports City (新亚洲体育城) → South Coach Station (南部汽车站) → Dounan (斗南) → Chunrong Street (春融街) → Tuofeng Street (驼峰街) → Lianda Street (联大街) → Yikang South Road (谊康南路) → University Town (大学城) → University Town South (大学城南)

Branch Line

Chunrong Street (春融街) → Bailongtan (白龙潭) → Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南火车站)

Kunming Metro Line 2 – Northern Urban Connector

Basic Information

Color: Blue
Route: North Coach Station (北部汽车站) ↔ South Ring Road Station (环城南路站)
Main Areas Covered: Panlong District (盘龙区), Wuhua District (五华区), and Guandu District (官渡区)
Key Highlights:
- Major route from northern Kunming into downtown
- Connects popular shopping and commercial districts
- Interchange with Lines 1, 4, 5, and 6

Full List of Stations

North Coach Station (北部汽车站) → Longtou Street (龙头街) → Sijiaying (司家营) → Yangchang Village (羊肠村) → Linyuqiao (霖雨桥) → Beichen (北辰) → Jinxing (金星) → Baiyun Road (白云路) → North Railway Station (火车北站) → Chuanxin Gulou (穿心鼓楼) → Jiaosanqiao (交三桥) → Dongfeng Square (东风广场) → Tangzixiang (塘子巷) → South Ring Road (环城南路)

Kunming Metro Line 3 – The East-West Tourism Line

Basic Information

Color: Purple
Route: Xishan Park Station (西山公园站) ↔ East Coach Station (东部汽车站)
Main Areas Covered: Xishan District (西山区), Wuhua District (五华区), and Panlong District (盘龙区)
Key Highlights:
- Best metro line for sightseeing in Kunming
- Direct access to Xishan Forest Park (西山森林公园)
- Convenient for visiting Kunming Old Street (昆明老街) and Nanping Street (南屏街)

Full List of Stations

Xishan Park (西山公园) → Dayu Road (大渔路) → West Coach Station (西部汽车站) → Mianshan (眠山) → Changyuan Middle Road (昌源中路) → Xiyuan (西苑) → Liangjiahe (梁家河) → City Gymnasium (市体育馆) → Panjiawan (潘家湾) → Wuyi Road (五一路) → Dongfeng Square (东风广场) → Tuodong Stadium (拓东体育馆) → Dashuying (大树营) → Jinma Temple (金马寺) → Taiping Village (太平村) → Hongqiao (虹桥) → East Coach Station (东部汽车站)

Kunming Metro Line 4 – The Longest Metro Line

Basic Information

Color: Green
Route: Jinchuan Road Station (金川路站) ↔ Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南火车站)
Main Areas Covered: Wuhua District (五华区), Panlong District (盘龙区), Guandu District (官渡区), and Chenggong District (呈贡区)
Key Highlights:
- Longest metro line in Kunming
- Strong Yunnan ethnic cultural design theme
- Important commuter route connecting multiple districts

Full List of Stations

Jinchuan Road (金川路) → Dahegeng (大河埂) → Haitun Road (海屯路) → Xiaotun (小屯) → Jindingshan North Road (金鼎山北路) → Sujiatang (苏家塘) → Xiaocaiyuan (小菜园) → North Railway Station (火车北站) → Bailong Road (白龙路) → Dashuying (大树营) → Juhua Village (菊花村) → Juhua (菊华) → Hedianying (和甸营) → Niujiezhuang (牛街庄) → Zhujiacun (朱家村) → Yangfutou (羊甫头) → Yuyuan Road (玉缘路) → Guangwei (广卫) → Tami (塔密) → Dounan (斗南) → Jingui Street (金桂街) → Meizi Village (梅子村) → Gucheng (古城) → Kele Village (可乐村) → Xiangfeng Street (祥丰街) → Niutoushan (牛头山) → Lianda Street (联大街) → Wujiaying (吴家营) → Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南火车站)

Kunming Metro Line 5 – The Best Scenic Metro Line

Basic Information

Color: Cyan
Route: Expo Garden Station (世博园站) ↔ Baofeng Station (宝丰站)
Main Areas Covered: Panlong District (盘龙区), Wuhua District (五华区), and Guandu District (官渡区)
Key Highlights:
- Best line for tourists and sightseeing
- Direct access to Cuihu Park (翠湖公园)
- Easy transportation to the Dianchi Lake (滇池) area

Full List of Stations

Expo Garden (世博园) → Bailong Temple (白龙寺) → Shizha Interchange (石闸立交) → North Railway Station (火车北站) → Chuanjin Road (穿金路) → University of Science and Technology (理工大学) → Huashan West Road (华山西路) → Cuihu (翠湖) → Mile Temple (弥勒寺) → Yanjiadi (严家地) → Jinlan Road (金兰路) → Fuhai (福海) → Daba (大坝) → Yinghai Road (迎海路) → Yuhucun (渔户村) → Xingti Road (兴体路) → Dianchi College (滇池学院) → Fubao (福保) → Baofeng (宝丰)

Kunming Metro Line 6 – Airport Express Line

Basic Information

Color: Orange
Route: Tangzixiang Station (塘子巷站) ↔ Airport Center Station (机场中心站)
Main Areas Covered: Guandu District (官渡区) and Panlong District (盘龙区)
Key Highlights:
- Fastest connection between downtown Kunming and the airport
- Most convenient route for international travelers
- About 40 minutes from city center to airport

Full List of Stations

Tangzixiang (塘子巷) → Chajie (岔街) → East Coach Station (东部汽车站) → Dabanqiao (大板桥) → Airport Front (机场前) → Airport Center (机场中心)

Kunming Metro Ticket Prices & Payment Methods

Metro Fare Rules

The Kunming Metro (昆明地铁) uses a distance-based fare system.

0–4 km: starting fare
Additional distance charged progressively
Maximum fare remains affordable even for long-distance journeys

Best Payment Methods for Travelers

Mobile QR Code Payment

Visitors can use:

Alipay
WeChat Pay
Kunming Metro App

Simply scan the QR code at the gate for fast entry and exit.

Transportation Cards

Rechargeable transit cards work on both metro and buses and are recommended for longer stays.

Tourist Passes

Unlimited ride passes are available for 1-day and 3-day travel, making them ideal for short-term visitors exploring Kunming.

Main Interchange Stations in Kunming Metro

North Railway Station (火车北站)

Interchange for Lines 2, 4, and 5. One of the city’s most important transfer hubs.

South Ring Road Station (环城南路站)

Main interchange between Lines 1 and 2, allowing direct north-south travel without changing trains.

Dongfeng Square Station (东风广场站)

Located in downtown Kunming and connected to major shopping streets and entertainment areas.

Tangzixiang Station (塘子巷站)

Transfer station for Line 2 and the airport Line 6.

Dounan Station (斗南站)

Convenient interchange for visitors heading to Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市).

Essential Kunming Metro Travel Tips

Avoid Rush Hours

The busiest periods are:

07:30–09:00
17:30–19:00

Lines 1, 2, and 3 can become crowded during commuting hours.

Best Metro Stations for Attractions

Cuihu Park (翠湖公园) → Line 5, Huashan West Road Station
Xishan Forest Park (西山森林公园) → Line 3, Xishan Park Station
Dounan Flower Market (斗南花市) → Lines 1 & 4, Dounan Station
Expo Garden (世博园) → Line 5, Expo Garden Station
Kunming Old Street (昆明老街) → Line 3, Wuyi Road Station
Yunnan Nationalities Village (云南民族村) → Line 5, Fubao Station

Recommended One-Day Kunming Metro Itinerary

Morning

Start at Tangzixiang (塘子巷) to explore the historic Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Archways (金马碧鸡坊), then take Line 2 to Dongfeng Square (东风广场) and continue to Xishan Forest Park (西山森林公园) via Line 3.

Afternoon

Ride back to Wuyi Road Station (五一路站) and stroll through Kunming Old Street (昆明老街) for authentic Yunnan snacks and local culture. Later, head to Cuihu Park (翠湖公园) on Line 5.