China train guide · checked October 2026
Lijiang to Shangri-La by train
The newest line on our routes: since November 2023 trains run through the mountains from Lijiang to Shangri-La (Xianggelila), the gateway to Tibetan Yunnan.
- Journey timeabout 1.5 hours
- Fastest train1 h 20 min
- Second classfrom ¥50 (about 29 PLN) – up to ¥65
- How oftena few trains a day – book ahead
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
About 20 minutes by taxi from the old town.
About 20 minutes by taxi to the old town (Dukezong).
Good to know
- Shangri-La lies at over 3,000 m – take the first afternoon easy and drink plenty of water.
- Going back to Kunming you can take the train all the way (about 5–6 hours, with mountain views) instead of flying.
Other ways: Buses take about 4 hours on a winding road; flights from Diqing (DIG) to Kunming take about 1 hour but are sometimes cancelled in bad weather.
On the way
The line climbs onto the Tibetan plateau mostly through tunnels. On the way it crosses the Jinsha River (the upper Yangtze) near Tiger Leaping Gorge on a bridge with a 660-metre main span, about 250 m above the water.
When you arrive
The Tibetan old town of Dukezong, a short taxi ride from the station, burned down in 2014 and has been rebuilt; in the evening locals dance in a circle on the main square. On Guishan hill stands one of the world's largest prayer wheels (21 m) – it takes several people to turn it, clockwise.
How to book
- There are only a few trains a day, and they sell out in summer and during Golden Week – book as soon as tickets go on sale.
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Lijiang to Shangri-La?
Yes, since November 2023. The 139 km line takes about 1.5 hours and has replaced a 4-hour bus ride on winding mountain roads.
Will I get altitude sickness in Shangri-La?
Mild symptoms such as a headache or shortness of breath are common on the first day at 3,300 m. Arriving from Lijiang (2,400 m) helps; take it slowly, drink plenty of water, skip alcohol on the first evening and see a doctor if symptoms get worse.
