Lijiang, Mengzi linked to Kunming by bullet trains

Good news!

The Kunming-Lijiang and Kunming-Mengzi bullet trains were officially put into service on January 5, 2019.

And the following are the latest pictures sent by our reporters on experiencing tours.

The four stations of Kunming, Kunmingnan, Jianshui and Mengzi are set on the Kunming-Mengzi line, making it easy for those living in downtown Kunming to take the fast trains. 

The beautiful Fuxing bullet trains were operated on the railway.

And they are the large CR200J trains in green. 
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8:40       

Passengers to Mengzi are having their tickets checked. 

8:50

Many see the green Fuxing train for the first time, and they’re excited. 

The color reminds some of the slow, crowded green trains in the past. 

But the green trains now leave the passengers a brand new riding experience: faster, more comfort and technology. 

9:15

At 9:15, the No. C8304 train left Kunming for Mengzi.

With a capacity of 720 passengers, the green train had a maximum speed of 160 km/h. 

         

 

The spacious blue seats make the passengers refreshed.

Rich spacing among seats on the train makes them more adjustable. 

 

Each compartment is equipped with two tables where families can sit together, facing each other.

Under each seat, a socket with a USB interface is set for the passengers to charge their devices.

Across-the-bridge noodles are available during the maiden train trip today, but not in the days to come.  

Each boxed meal costs at least 15 yuan, and it offers you 6 flavors.

Italian tourist Aldo took today’s train to Mengzi by chance, and he said the train is clean and the ride is easy. It’s his first time to visit Mengzi.  

A close-up of the beautiful lady conductor

11：10

The train arrived at Jianshui Station at 11：10.

11:58分

Our reporter reached Mengzi at 11:58, after a 170-minute ride.

According to the operation plan, three pairs of trains are operated on the Kunming-Mengzi line each day, departing at 9:15, 11:40 and 16:03 respectively. 

 

The Kunming-Mengzi rides range from 2 hours and 43 minutes to 3 hours and 9 minutes, and a second-class ticket costs 74 yuan. 

The Kunming-Jianshui rides range from 1 hour 56 minutes to 2 hours 6 minutes, and an economical ticket costs 59 yuan

The train service must be appealing to foodies. Mengzi is famous for the across-the-bridge rice noodles, while Jianshui reminds us of steamed chicken, lesser bulrush shoots and more.

Wow! Yummy dishes! 

Kunming - Lijiang

The Kunming- Lijiang train ride used to last 9 hours.

So the fast train from Kunming directly to Lijiang is really something long awaited.

8:05

Passengers enter the station, and many pose at the new train for photos, with the ticket in their hands.

8:15

The D8782 train departs for Lijiang at 8:15 am. 

 

8:23

The No. D8782 today has a capacity of 613 passengers, and its seats are almost taken.

According to the plan, three pairs of trains are operated on the Kunming-Lijiang line each day, departing at 8:15, 15:03, and 18:17 respectively. 

Given the 2,400-m elevation in Lijiang, the Hexie CRH2G bullet trains are operated on the Kunming-Lijiang line for safer services. 

The trains have a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

The Kunming-Lijiang rides range from 2 hours and 58 minutes to 3 hours and 35 minutes.

Be noted: the trains stop at different stations.

The lady conductor said besides Chinese, the Yi, Bai and Naxi languages are also used for services on the train.

A vegetarian lunch box on the train costs 28 yuan while a chicken meal is15 yuan. 

The youngest passenger today is a 7-month baby who returns to Lijiang with his mother Chen Yan. Their train trip to home used to last over 10 hours.

Between the 4th and 5th compartments, a baby-changing table is set in the toilet, together with an SOS button. 

In the days to come, the first train is expected to arrive at Lijiang Station at 11:13 am, and the trip lasts less than 3 hours.

In fact, bullet trains departing from Kunming will reach Shangri-La in 2020, Pu'er in 2021 and Ruili in 2022.

The bullet trains benefit Yunnan natives and tourists alike, and the high-speed rails are expected to greatly boost tourism in the province. 

By Li Hengqiang, Liu Ziyu, Zhu Dongran and Wang Shixue