Getting Around Kangding
Kangding is a small, compact city wedged into a river valley on the Tibetan Plateau, and its layout shapes how you move around it. The urban center, Lucheng, sits along the Zheduo River, and the city is small enough that walking is a genuinely practical way to cover the core. For anything beyond a comfortable stroll, taxis are the main local option, and the bus station at the northern end of town is the hub for longer journeys.
Walking
Walking is the simplest way to get around Kangding's central area. The city's size makes walking feasible, and the bus terminal at the northern end of town is only about a ten-minute walk from the town center. Because the city sits in a valley, expect the terrain to be hilly in places, but the core is navigable on foot.
Several of Kangding's sights and gathering places are reachable on foot or with a short ride:
- People's Square, the city's sizable main square, where locals gather in the early morning and on weekends.
- The riverside areas along the Zheduo River, which flows through the city.
- Traditional Tibetan and Sichuanese restaurants, which are easily found throughout the city.
For the monastery on Paoma Mountain overlooking the city, a cable car provides access, so you don't need to walk up.
Taxis
Taxis are the primary motorized way to get around within Kangding. Fares start at ¥5, which makes short hops affordable. Given the compact size of the city, a taxi is most useful for reaching points outside the immediate center or when you'd rather not walk.
Shared taxis are also part of the local transport picture for trips farther afield. Shared taxis to other destinations, such as Danba to the north, may be found outside the bus station when they are going.
Buses and Long-Distance Transport
Kangding's bus terminal is at the northern end of town, about a ten-minute walk from the town center. This is where you'll find long-distance buses connecting Kangding with other towns and cities.
Buses run from Chengdu, with departures from 07:00 to 13:00. The journey takes 8 to 11 hours and costs ¥141. There are also buses to Tagong (4 hours, ¥40) and to Ya'an on the way back to Chengdu.
Tickets to points west, such as Litang (9 hours, ¥81), may or may not be available to foreigners depending on the political situation in Tibetan areas, so it's worth checking in advance if you plan to travel in that direction.
Rail and Metro
Kangding does not currently have a rail or metro network that visitors can use. The Sichuan-Tibet railway from Chengdu to Lhasa is planned to pass through Kangding, but it is not expected to open until 2030 at the earliest. For now, plan your travel around buses, taxis, and walking rather than trains.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Garze Kangding Airport (KGT) sits at an elevation of 4,000 meters, making it one of the highest airports in Asia and the world. It has flights to Chengdu, though flights are not available in winter.
The airport is about 30 km outside the city, over a large mountain pass. Because of the mountain crossing, the drive takes time to reach, so allow generous time for the transfer between the airport and Kangding. There is no rail or metro link to the airport, so plan on a road transfer.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself near the center if you want to walk to restaurants, the square, and riverside areas.
- Use taxis for short trips outside the center; fares start at ¥5.
- Head to the northern bus station for long-distance departures, and remember it's about a ten-minute walk from the town center.
- Check ahead on ticket availability for destinations west of Kangding, as access can vary.
- If you're arriving by air, budget extra time for the mountain-pass drive between the airport and the city.