Trains from Bangkok to Kunming

The journey by train from Bangkok to Kunming in China has two parts. The first part is by train from Bangkok to Vientiane in Laos. The second part of the journey is by train from Vientiane to Kunming.

Train 1: Bangkok to Vientiane

There is currently 1 train service a day from Bangkok to Vientiane.

• Buy tickets from Bangkok to Vientiane.

Train 2: Vientiane to Kunming

There is also currently 1 direct train service a day from Vientiane to Kunming.

• Buy tickets from Vientiane to Kunming.

Bangkok Train Station

Trains from Bangkok to Luang Prabang depart from the main train terminus in Bangkok, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station.

Location of Khamsavath Vientiane Train Station

Trains from Bangkok to Vientiane terminate at Khamsavath Train Station.

Location of Vientiane Laos – China Railway Station

Trains from Vientiane to Kunming depart from Vientiane Laos – China Railway Station.

Location of Kunming South Railway Station

Trains from Vientiane to Kunming terminate at Kunming South Railway Station.

About Train Travel to Kunming

Train services between Bangkok and Kunming are still in the developmental stage. Work is currently being undertaken to build high speed train lines between Thailand and Laos. At the present time there are currently very few train services for either stage of the journey, and the immigration process is relatively slow and disjointed.

Inconveniences During the Journey

In the future when the rail network between Thailand and China is complete the journey will become much faster and easier. Until then passengers travelling by train from Bangkok and Kunming need to exercise patience in dealing with some minor inconveniences during the journey.

Immmigration Procedures

Passengers are required to leave the train to go through immigration procedures 4 times during the journey by train from Bangkok to Kunming:

• 1) Nong Khai (Thailand): Passengers are required to visit the immigration desk in Nong Khai Railway Station to complete immigration procedures for exiting Thailand.
• 2) Vientiane (Laos): When the train reaches Khamsavath Train Station passengers need to pass through immigration control to enter into Laos. Visas on arrival are available for most nationalities.
• 3) Boten (Laos): Passengers need to alight from the train at Boten Railway Station to complete immigration procedures for exiting Laos.
• 4) Mohan (China): Passengers need to alight from the train at Mohan Railway Station to complete immigration procedures for entering into China.

Changing Trains in Vientiane

Trains from Bangkok to Vientiane terminate at Khamsavath Train Station, which is located 16.3 km by road to the south of the Laos – China Railway Station from where trains to Kunming depart. There are tuk-tuks and taxis available at Khamsavath Train Station, and there is also an inexpensive public bus service from Khamsavath Train Station to Laos – China Railway Station:

• Service: Route 12 (Outbound)
• Scheduled journey time: 30 minutes
• Departure times: 08:25, 11:45, 14:15

You can also use Route 12 (Inbound) services to travel from Khamsavath Train Station to the city centre bus station (Vientiane Central Bus Station). The journey to the city centre is scheduled to take 35 minutes and services depart at 09:35, 13:25, 15:55 and 17:25.

Basic Geography of Kunming City Centre

Kunming is a city located at a high elevation (1,890 metres above sea level) on the edge of the 298 square kilometre Dianchi Lake (also known as Kunming Lake). The city has a population of over 8 million living the greater metropolitan area, and over 5 million in the city centre.

The city centre has 3 major squares and 6 major streets. Beijing Road is generally considered the main street and Nanping Square is the central point of the city, in the same way as Time Square in New York. The old part of Kunming used to be surrounded by a wall which was pulled down in 1952 for provide materials for road building during a period of significant austerity in China following the end of World War II and brutal occupation by Japanese armed forces.

Visitor Attractions in Kunming

There are lots of places to visit in Kunming City, as well as in the beautiful and mountainous areas near the city:

• Stone Forest: Located in Shilin, 2 hours by public bus from Kunming, the Stone Forest is the major tourist attraction in the area. The Stone Forest covers an area of around 400 square kilometres and features lots of steep-sided limestone formations as well as several significant caves.
• Western Mountain Forest Reserve: Located on the west bank of the Dianchi Lake, this massive forest reserve encompasses a 40 km long mountain range rising to 2,500 metres above sea level.
• Yuantong Temple: Located in the north of the city, Yuantong Temple dates back to the 8th Century. The temple is notable for its statues, stone bridge and elegant pavilions.
• Tanhua Temple: Located 4 km to the east of the city centre, the most notable feature of this 17th Century temple are its gardens.
• Daguan Pavilion: This top level of this 300 year old lake side temple is an excellent vantage point over Dianchi Lake.

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