Located in the Southwest of China, the city of Kunming is considered the "capital" of Yunnan Province. Particularly, it is a popular destination for many travel enthusiasts due to its poetic natural scenery and rich cultural values preserved over thousands of years of history. This "City of Eternal Spring" in China is surely an ideal suggestion for you to visit during your trip to China.

To prepare for your journey to explore Kunming, purchasing flight tickets and learning about Kunming Airport is also an important step. To ensure smooth travel without feeling lost when visiting Kunming for the first time, let’s note down the necessary information about Kunming Changshui International Airport in the article below with Vietjet!

1. Does Kunming have an airport?

As a large city and the economic, political, and cultural center of Yunnan, Kunming has well-developed infrastructure. To serve the travel needs of domestic and international tourists, the city also has an international airport, Kunming Changshui International Airport. Additionally, Kunming has another airport, Wujiaba Airport; however, Kunming Changshui International Airport, being larger and more modern, has gradually played a more important role, welcoming tens of millions of passengers each year.

2. Introduction to Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming Airport or Kunming Changshui International Airport. The IATA code for Kunming Airport is KMG. Kunming Airport, China, is ranked as one of the top 100 airports in the world, serving as the only gateway airport in Western China and the fourth largest national gateway airport after Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

• Full name: Kunming Changshui International Airport (Kunming Changshui International Airport)
• Address: Changshui, Guandu District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
• Airport code (symbol): The IATA code for Kunming Airport is KMG
• Country code: +86
• Phone: +86 871 96566
• Terminal number: 2
• GMT hours: UTC+8

See more: Travel to Yunnan, China: Experience & Self-guided Costs

3. The formation and development process of Kunming Airport

The construction of Kunming Changshui International Airport began in 2009. At this initial stage, the airport was named Zheng He International Airport, named after Zheng He - a Chinese navigator, explorer, and diplomat. Due to some issues during the construction process, the construction of Kunming Changshui International Airport was only completed in July 2011.

Completed in July 2011, Kunming Changshui International Airport took over flight operations from Wujiaba in January 2012 and is currently hosting representatives from over 15 international airlines.

This new airport project in Kunming has a total investment of over 23 billion yuan with the vision of "catching the economic corridor" connecting Kunming and China with cities around the world.

Although it has only one terminal, the terminal's floor area is up to 548,000m2, including 3 floors (partly 4 floors) above ground and 3 underground floors. The terminal of the airport was designed by the British architectural firm Arup. The airport has 84 aircraft parking spaces and is expected to serve 65 million passengers by 2040. This airport has surpassed Mexico City International Airport to become the fifth largest airport terminal in the world. It is also the largest single terminal and the second largest terminal after Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport in China. According to actual statistics in 2021, Kunming Airport welcomed 32,221,195 passengers both domestic and international, proving its importance in connecting Kunming with the world.

In terms of design, the eaves of the airport terminal were designed by architects at the Beijing Architectural Design Institute in a quite complex form. The roof material is made of aluminum. One side of the roof is fixed, and one side is adjustable. At the same time, this roof design also provides thermal insulation for the airport terminal.

It is known that Kunming Changshui International Airport has planned to build a second terminal. The expected completion time was in 2020; however, as of now, information about this new terminal has not been announced.

4. Flights at Kunming Airport

Currently, at Kunming Changshui International Airport, there are over 300 flights operating. Among them, there are 275 domestic routes, 38 international routes, 6 regional routes connecting 89 domestic cities, 3 regional cities, and 26 international cities. Specifically:

4.1 Domestic routes

Kunming Airport, China, is where most domestic airlines operate, such as China Eastern Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Hongtu Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Lucky Air, and Ruili Airlines. Kunming Changshui International Airport connects Kunming with many important regions and major cities in China such as Beijing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Harbin,...

4.2 International routes

Kunming Changshui International Airport is currently operating around 40 international routes. The airport plays a role in connecting Kunming with many destinations in Asia such as Taoyuan, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul (South Korea), Hanoi (Vietnam), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Osaka (Japan), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Bangkok (Thailand),...

For Vietnamese travelers, to reach Kunming Airport, China, you can purchase flight tickets fromNoi Bai Airport - Hanoi to Kunming Changshui International Airport.With the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Kunming, flights will stop at 1-2 points before landing at Kunming Changshui Airport.

If you are looking for information on ticket pricesfor flights to Kunming Changshui International Airport.You can choose Vietjet Air. Vietjet is one of the reputable domestic airlines, offering flight tickets at affordable prices, suitable for many segments.

5. Overview of Kunming Airport

5.1 Scale, runway area

Kunming Changshui International Airport currently has two parallel runways. The eastern runway is 4,500 meters long and can accommodate Airbus A380 passenger aircraft for landing. Meanwhile, the western runway is 4,000 meters long and 45 meters wide. The airport is designed to standard 4F.

5.2 Number of floors

Kunming Changshui International Airport has 4 floors with spacious and well-arranged spaces with many amenities. Additionally, the airport also has 3 underground floors. Among them, the arrival hall and baggage claim area are located on the B1 underground floor. The remaining underground floors are parking areas as well as for passengers to pick up taxis, catch buses,...

5.3 Amenities

At the terminal, there are available facilities, amenities, and high-end services to support passenger transportation, shopping, dining, resting, and even entertainment.

• Free Wi-Fi connection: Passengers can comfortably connect to the internet throughout their time at the airport.
• Diverse food options: With many restaurants and cafes, passengers can enjoy various dishes.
• Utility services: Baggage wrapping, business class lounge, medical services, information desks, assistance desks, charging hubs, complaint boxes,... are all fully provided.
• Currency: There are many ATM machines located in the terminal and departure waiting area. Additionally, the airport also has at least 2 currency exchange counters, including:

+ Travelex China (international arrival terminal exit in the Greeting Guest Hall, B1 floor).

+ Bohai Transforex (the commercial area at the international departure terminal located on the 2nd floor).

• Additionally, the airport has a children's area located in the commercial area at the domestic departure hall and in the central area at the international departure hall on the 2nd floor.

6. Transportation

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located 25km northeast of downtown Kunming. To travel from Kunming International Airport to the city center or vice versa, travelers can choose from the following transportation options:

6.1 By subway

To reach the city center, passengers can take Line 6 of the Kunming Metro. This option is quite cost-effective and time-saving as it takes only about 20 minutes to reach the center. Kunming Airport Station is located within the airport, on the 2B floor, making it very convenient without the need to travel far.

• The bus line departs from Kunming Airport, China, and stops at Tangzixiang Station in the southern part of downtown Kunming.
• Operating hours: from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
• Frequency: about every 25 minutes
• Ticket price: 5 Yuan (equivalent to

6.2 Bus

From Kunming Airport, travelers can also use public bus services to get to the city center. You can take Bus No. 903, which passes through destinations such as East Bus Station, Changhong Intersection, Danbanqiao Town, Dabanqiao Agricultural Farm, etc.

6.3 Airport shuttle

The airport shuttle bus connects major districts in the Kunming city area and Kunming International Airport. The bus has three separate routes, heading west, south, and north of Kunming city, catering to various travel needs of tourists. The specific routes are as follows:

• Route 1: (Central route - West central - Northwest central)

Route: Xiyi Hotel (Xiaoximen: small west gate) - Yunnan Nationalities University (round trip) - Xiongye Hotel (Beijing Road) (round trip) - Xinying Residential Area (East Renmin Road) - East Bus Station (round trip) - Kunming International Airport

Ticket price: 25 Yuan/ticket (approximately 87,000 VND)

Operating hours:

- Route from the city center to the airport: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

- Route from the airport to the city center: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Frequency: Buses run approximately every 20 - 30 minutes

• Route 2: (Southern central route)

Route: Kunming Wujiaba International Airport - Kunming Railway Station - Century Road Rosy Hotel (South Huancheng Road) (next trip) - Taili Hotel (South Huancheng Road) (round trip) - Kunming International Airport

Ticket price: 25 Yuan/ticket (approximately 87,000 VND)

Operating hours:

- Route from the city center to the airport: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

- Route from the airport to the city center: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Frequency: Buses run approximately every 20 - 30 minutes

• Route 3: (Northern central route)

Route: Kunming International Airport - Expo Garden - Beichen Fortune Center (Beichen Avenue) - North Central (Linyu Road)

Ticket price: 25 Yuan/ticket (approximately 87,000 VND)

Operating hours:

- Route from the city center to the airport: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

- Route from the airport to the city center: 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Frequency: Buses run approximately every 20 - 30 minutes

6.4 Taxi

This is the most convenient way to travel from the airport to the city center. The travel time takes about 50 minutes to reach the center, but you can be flexible with the time and destinations. However, the cost for this mode of transport may be higher than other options. The specific fares are as follows:

• Daytime fare: 8 Yuan (28,000 VND) for the first 3km and 1.8 Yuan (8,000 VND) for each additional km.
• Nighttime fare (10:00 PM - 6:00 AM the next day): 9.6 Yuan (33,000 VND) for the first 3km and 2.1 Yuan (7,000 VND) for each additional km.

7. Distance from Kunming International Airport to tourist attractions

• The distance from Kunming International Airport to downtown is about 25km
• The distance from Kunming International Airport to Kunming Railway Station is 28km northeast.
• The distance from Kunming International Airport to the Stone Forest (Shilin) is about a one-hour drive.
• The distance from Kunming International Airport to Dianchi Lake and Yunnan Ethnic Village is also about a one-hour drive.

See more: Explore Dali - the most picturesque ancient town in Yunnan

We hope the information about Kunming International Airport above will be helpful for your upcoming trip to Kunming, Yunnan, China Don't forget to hunt for flight tickets to Kunming International Airport at Vietjet for just 0 VND! The program runs from 12 PM to 2 PM every day. See details HERE!

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