How to Get to Xishuangbanna: A Comprehensive Transportation Guide

Written by Ivy Dong | Updated October 28,2025

Xishuangbanna, located at the southern end of Yunnan, borders Laos and Myanmar with contiguous mountains and rivers, and is close to Thailand and Vietnam. Characterized by its dense forests and abundant flora, it earns itself the title of the “Kingdom of Plants.” Xishuangbanna means “twelve thousand fields” in the Dai language, and the region is home to a quarter of China’s animal species and one-sixth of its plant species, making it a kingdom of both animals and plants.

Xishuangbanna Tours are popular options for travelers interested in exploring regional rich cultural and natural attractions, but how to get to Xishuangbanna can be a bothersome issue for first-time travelers. In this article, we will provide insights on Xishuangbanna transporation.

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• How to Get to Xishuangbanna
• Transport to Xishuangbanna from Kunming
• Transport to Xishuangbanna from Dali
• Transport to Xishuangbanna from Lijiang
• Get Around Xishuangbanna
• Xishuangbanna Public Transportation
• FAQs about Transportation in Xishuangbanna
• Travel with China Xian Tour to Make Your Xishuangbanna Travel Effortless

How to Get to Xishuangbanna

By air

Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport is the only airport in the region, located in Jinghong. As how to get to Xishuangbanna by air, direct flights are available from major domestic cities such as Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, travel in China without having a Chinese visa.

Currently, all open ports in China implement a 24-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of all countries and regions. Passengers holding a confirmed connecting ticket for international flights, ships, or trains transiting through China to a third country or region can be exempted from China visa requirements if they stay in China for no more than 24 hours without leaving the port.

If they need to leave the entry port, they must apply for a temporary entry permit from the port immigration inspection authority. Besides, China’s 24-hour visa-free transit policy applies to all countries and regions, such as the 54 China visa-free countries included in 240-hour lists like the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Korea, as well as the rest of countries and regions in the world like India, Dubai, Malaysia, and more.

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• Who Can Apply for a 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China?
• What Are the Conditions for a 24-hour Visa-Free Transit in China?
• What Is an Eligible Transit Route?
• What Are the Required Documents?
• How to Apply for a 24-Hour Visa-Free Entry Permit?
• Differences Between 24, 72, and 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China
• FAQs about China’s 24-hour Visa-free Transit Policy

Who Can Apply for a 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China?

Foreign nationals can apply for and will be issued a 24-hour visa-free entry permit in China except:

1. Those who have a passport or other international travel document valid for less than 3 months.
2. Those who have previously been denied a visa by Chinese visa
3. Those who have a record of illegal entry, residence, or employment in China within the last five years.
4. Those who have seriously violated accommodation registration regulations in China within the last two years.
5. Those who fall under other circumstances specified by Chinese laws and administrative regulations that prohibit entry.

What Are the Conditions for a 24-hour Visa-Free Transit in China?

• You must have a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry.
• You should travel by plane, ship, or train with a confirmed seat and date.
• You must be in transit to a third country or region.
• The transit time should be no more than 24 hours.
• Two or more stops are allowed on the Chinese mainland.

What Is an Eligible Transit Route?

Generally, the eligible route for a China 24-hour visa-free transit should be Country or Region A – China – Country or Region C.

That is to say, A and C are different countries or regions. For instance, if you travel from France, transit in China, and then head to the United States, it will be a qualified route and you can apply for a 24-hour entry permit without a Chinese visa.

Besides, as the policy allows two or more stops in China as long as you leave within 24 hours, a route like France – Guangzhou – Shanghai – United States is also eligible.

What Are the Required Documents?

• Foreign nationals applying for a temporary 24-hour visa-free transit in China must submit:
• A valid passport (including diplomatic and ordinary passports) or other international travel documents
• An onward connecting ticket (air, train, cruise), and details such as seat and date must be confirmed
• Other required materials such as visa for other countries/regions

How to Apply for a 24-Hour Visa-Free Entry Permit?

Step 1: Prepare the above-mentioned required documents.

Step 2: Complete an arrival/departure card at the border inspection counter.

Step 3: Get the temporary entry permit stamp or sticker on your passport.

Step 4: Go to claim your luggage if there is one and go through customs.

Differences Between 24, and 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China

In addition to the 24-hour visa-free transit, China also has 240-hour visa-free transit policies, and below are the differences between them.

If you want to stay in China a bit longer during your transit without a China visa, you can apply for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit or 15-day visa-free entry. The previous 72-hour visa-free transit, 144-hour visa-free transit have all been replaced by the 240-hour policy. Besides, you can embark on China tours to explore this beautiful country during your transit.

FAQs about China’s 24-hour Visa-free Transit Policy

Q1: How the 24 Hours Are Calculated?

For a 24-hour visa-free transit in China, the duration starts when you are scheduled to arrive and ends when you are scheduled to leave.

Q2: Do I still need to go through immigration inspection procedures?

Starting from January 11, 2024, foreign nationals transiting directly through nine international airports—Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Xiamen Gaoqi, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao’an, Chengdu Tianfu, and Xi’an Xianyang—are exempt from immigration inspection procedures for 24-hour transit without China visa. For other ports, immigration inspection procedures are still required.

Q3: Can I leave the corresponding port during my 24-hour visa-free transit in China?  

If you need to leave the designated port area, you must apply for a temporary entry permit from the immigration inspection authority. More specifically, the following materials are required: first, a valid international travel document; second, a confirmed connecting ticket for travel within 24 hours to a third country or region, along with completing the temporary entry card.

Q4: How much does the 24-hour visa-free transit cost?

Don’t worry. Since it’s not technically a visa but a 24-hour visa-free transit, it won’t cost you anything.

Q5. Can I apply for the 24-hour visa-free transit if I fly from US to China and have a flight ticket to Hong Kong or Macau within 24 hours?

Related Reading

• How to Apply for a China Visa?
• China Visa Application Requirements: a Complete Guide for Foreigners
• How to Visit China Without a Visa – Updates on China’s Visa-Free Policies
• China Travel Entry Requirements

“>Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Guiyang, Nanjing, and Changsha. For travelers from other domestic or international cities, a transfer via one of these cities is required. The airport is approximately 7.3 kilometers from the city center, and the travel time takes about 17 minutes by car.

Xishuangbanna Airport Transportation

As for how to get to Xishuangbanna, flights are the most recommended way. Xishuangbanna Jinghong Airport is situated in Gajiu Township, south of Jinghong city, just 5 kilometers from the city center. A 19 – seat airport shuttle bus is available for 4 yuan per person to reach the city center. Alternatively, a taxi ride to the city center costs around 25 yuan.

By Bus

Transportation by road in Xishuangbanna is quite accessible. Jinghong city serves as a key junction where National Highways 213 and 214 meet. The entire area is interconnected through a network of roads that reach every village and town.

Within Jinghong city, three main bus stations—Jinghong Passenger Station, Banna Passenger Station, and Jinghong South Passenger Station—offer extensive bus services. These stations provide inter-provincial routes to destinations like Nanning, Chengdu, and Hengyang, and also run international bus services to Laos and Myanmar.

By Train

Now, the only direct train service to Xishuangbanna is taking a high-speed train from Chengdu. For tourists traveling to Yunnan from other cities, a transfer in Chengdu is necessary. The train station in Xishuangbanna is about 5.1 kilometers from the city center, with a travel time of approximately 15 minutes by car.

Besides, the high-speed trains from Kunming to Xishuangbanna has been in operation now with a stop at Pu’er. This is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from central Yunnan.

Train schedule to Xishuangbanna:

By Ship

Jinghong Port is located on the north bank of the Lancang River in the city center and is a first-class national open water port. It consists of three docks: Jinghong, Ganlanba, and Guanlei. The Lancang – Mekong International Waterway is a major water route connecting China to Southeast Asia and is a famous golden tourism route. The international water transport route from Jinghong to Vientiane, Laos, is currently in operation. You can take Bus No. 2 in Jinghong city to reach the port directly.

Transport to Xishuangbanna from Kunming

• By high-speed trains: To connect these two main cities in Yunnan, about 40 high-speed trains are in service now. The trains operate from about 07:00 to 19:30 with a single ride of 3 – 4 hours.
• By Bus: Major bus stations in Kunming offer daily services to Xishuangbanna. The Kunming Long – Distance Bus Station is conveniently located next to Nanyao Railway Station at the southern end of Beijing Road. There are over 20 daily services, including sleeper buses (145 yuan, 18 – hour journey) and express buses (150 yuan, 16 – hour journey). Xishuangbanna also has buses to various scenic spots.
• By Air: There are at least two daily flights between Kunming and Xishuangbanna, increasing to 6 – 10 flights during peak seasons. The flight distance is 520 kilometers, with a flight time of about 45 minutes.

Transport to Xishuangbanna from Dali

Dali is approximately 557 kilometers from Xishuangbanna. For those wondering how to get to Xishuangbanna from Dali, you can travel by plane or train. There are two direct flights daily, costing around 350 – 500 yuan and taking about 1 hour. The train option is a single tourist special train, costing about 180 yuan and taking around 11 hours, which is not recommended as it is a long travel time.

Transport to Xishuangbanna from Lijiang

Lijiang is about 715 kilometers from Xishuangbanna. The main transportation is by air, with flights costing around 170 – 1000 yuan and taking about 1 hour. Alternatively, a single tourist special train is available, costing about 215 yuan and taking around 15 hours.

Get Around Xishuangbanna

Transport from Xishuangbanna to Manting Park

Manting Park is the oldest park in Xishuangbanna, a natural village – style park locally known as “Chunhuan Garden,” which means “Garden of the Soul.” To get there, take Bus No. 6A or 6B to Manting Park Station and walk about 321 meters.

Transport from Xishuangbanna to Tropical Botanical Garden

• By Taxi:A taxi ride to the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from the airport or train station costs between 250 – 300 yuan.
• By Bus:After arriving in Jinghong, take a taxi to Banna Passenger Station (locally known as “Fanti Field”) at No. 3 Minghang Road and purchase a ticket to Menglong. The bus fare is around 25 yuan per person, with a journey time of about 1 hour.

Transport from Xishuangbanna to Dai Minority Park

Dai Minority Park features five well – preserved Dai ethnic villages and a highlight of water – splashing activities at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily. You can take a direct shuttle from the Banna Tourism Distribution Center or a bus to Menghan from Banna Passenger Station, and get off at the Dai Minority Park intersection.

Xishuangbanna Public Transportation

Whether you are traveling Xishuangbanna for business or pleasure, knowing how to get to Xishuangbanna and travel around the place efficiently will ensure you a smooth tour. If you are interested in Xishuangbanna tours or tours to Yunnan, the following options offer a great way to experience the rich culture and natural beauty of the area.

Get to Xishuangbanna Scenic Areas by bus

• Bus Route 1: This route runs from the intersection of Jingde Road and Civil Aviation Road (opposite the Civil Aviation ticket office, where you can transfer to Route 3) to Gasa. It passes by the new and old entrances of the Ethnic Culture Park and the entrance of the airport.
• Bus Route 2: Route 2 runs from Jinghong Port to Gadong. The fare is 2 yuan. It passes by the bus station (where you can transfer to Route 3), the Tropical Flower Garden, and the Medicinal Plant Garden.
• Bus Route 3 (Circular): This route runs from the intersection of Jinghong North Road and Galan North Road to Manting Park. The fare is 1 yuan. It passes by Jinghong Bus Station, Banna Passenger Station, JinFeng Hotel, and Manting Park.

Get to Xishuangbanna Scenic Areas by taxi

The base fare for a taxi in Xishuangbanna is 7 yuan (covering the first 3 kilometers), which includes a 2 – yuan fuel surcharge. The base fare is usually sufficient for traveling around the old town area. But if you need to cross the river, it will generally cost around 10-12 yuan or even more.

Get to Xishuangbanna Scenic Areas by Bike

There are hotels offering bicycle rental services, such as Xishuangbanna Hotel and JinBanna Hotel. You can also rent bicycles at the entrance of Jinghong Culture Square and Manting Park. The deposit for renting a bicycle will be around 150 yuan, but some places allow to use your ID card instead of a deposit. If you are a guest at the hotel, you may not need to pay a deposit. The rental fee is generally 8 to 10 yuan per day.

FAQs about Transportation in Xishuangbanna

What is the fastest way to travel from Kunming to Xishuangbanna?

Taking a flight definitely takes the least time. The flight time is only about one hour and there are plenty of flights between the two cities each day.

What is the recommended transportation from Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport (JHG) to Jinghong city center?

First, the airport bus is recommended. The bus usually waits for you outside the arrival hall and it operates until the passengers from the last flight of the day are transported to the downtown area. If your tour group includes elders or kids or you bring a lot of luggage, choose taxi or online hailing service. You do not need to wait for a long time and the riding experience in cars is more comfortable.

How many days do you need in Xishuangbanna?

About 4 – 5 days will be an ideal duration. On the first day, enjoy a relaxing start to explore the Jinghong city center. Then head to the essence on the following two days, like the Wild Elephant Valley and Dai Nationality Park. If you are still energetic after the three days, find a professional guide and ask him to lead you to hike in the Keno Hill or Mengyuan Fairyland.

Do ride-hailing apps like Didi work reliably in Xishuangbanna?

Yes. The online platform offers the insurance for both passengers and drivers. And you can share the route with your friends during the ride. So most travelers like it.

What are the most popular and efficient ways to get around Jinghong city?

The Manting Imperial Garden and General Buddha Temple is only about 600 meters away, so walking is the best choice. While their distance to Shwedagon Pagoda is a little bit far, so taxi will be better. For a tour to the surrounding hot scenic spots like the Wild Elephant Valley and Botanical Garden, you will find there are direct buses at Jinghong Passenger Station. If you plan to several scenic spots which are far from each other, then try the chartered bus.

Travel with China Xian Tour to Make Your Xishuangbanna Travel Effortless

The hot scenic areas in Xishuangbanna are actually far from the city center, so if you plan the tour by yourself, it requires much time and energy. China Xian Tour is glad to help you. We are good at tailoring a trip based on your interests. If you have no ideas, we can also recommend you some popular or unique scenic spots. To ensure your safety and avoid detours, we will also arrange a local guide and a driver to accompany you during the tour. So it’s time to contact us.