Hong Kong to Kunming overland
Photo: 鳥居龍藏（1870——1953）, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
This article discusses overland travel between Hong Kong and Kunming, capital of Yunnan province in the southwest of China. It passes through a famously scenic area around Guilin. The trip could be done in as little as eight hours by a direct high-speed train, but to enjoy the scenery, shopping and bars en route, ten days or more is usual.
UnderstandSouthwest China is, in many ways, the most exotic part of China, largely populated by various ethnic minorities with interesting handicrafts, languages, folk music and so on.
PrepareFor some parts of this trip anyone who does not speak Chinese will definitely need a Chinese phrasebook.
Get inHong Kong International Airport is the hub for international travel. Just across the border in the Pearl River Delta region, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen also have major airports.
RouteThis article does not cover traveling around within Yunnan or within the Pearl River Delta region near Hong Kong. See those articles and Yunnan tourist trail for suggestions.
Alternative routesThe route suggested above goes inland from Hong Kong toward Guilin. An alternative is to travel along the coast toward Zhanjiang and optionally to Hainan, China's southernmost province and promoted as "China's Hawaii".
SleepAll the cities have hotels, generally moderately priced. ¥60 to 100 for a clean double room with shower, and sometimes with breakfast, is typical.
Stay safeThese areas are generally quite poor and petty theft is common. Take precautions against pickpockets and watch for things like razor attacks on luggage during bus or train rides.
Go nextYou can fly direct from Kunming to most major Chinese cities and to some places in Southeast Asia. From Hong Kong, you can fly almost anywhere.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Hong Kong to Kunming overland" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: 鳥居龍藏（1870——1953）, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons