Zhaotong has a convenient transportation system. State Highway 213 runs through the prefecture-level city and extends to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province.

Using the Jinsha River waterway, 500 ton ships are able to sail directly to Chongqing and Shanghai. In addition, Zhaotong Airport, 10 km from the city's downtown, operates daily flights to Kunming.

Zhaotong Airport (ZAT), flight destination to the capital of Yunnan Kunming.

Zhaotong Airport, located in east of Zhaotong Basin (south bank of the Jinsha River) and built in 1935, is named “civilization airport” in southwest China. With a land area of 1,959 mu (one mu is about 667 m2), 4C of flight zone grade and 2,400 m of runway, the airport can receive Boeing 737 and below. It has a tarmac area of 6,600 m2, 2 parking berths and an airport building area of 1,900 m2. Its flight city is Kunming.

Zhaotong Airport is a second-class national airport, and now there are three passenger liners from Kunming to Zhaotong each day which take off at 9:45, 13:50 and 21:05 respectively. The 336-kilometer travel will take you half an hour and cost you 90 yuan.

Zhaotong airport is located in the eastern suburb of Zhaotong City and on the southern bank of Jinsha River. It is about 10 kilometers away from the city. There is first-class arterial highway from the city to the airport. Tourists can take a bus or taxi from the city to the airport.

Tips for Air Transportation:

The airport is less than 10 kilometers away from the city proper of Zhaotong, and it is a good choice to consult with the taxi-driver on the price before he starts the car.

Ticket-booking Tel: 0870-3135777

After entering Yunnan , Neijiang-Kunming Railway will reach the first station here, Shuifu Railway Station in Zhaotong, and this section of railway is called Anshu Section. There are three passenger trains staring from Zhaotong Station which lead to Chongqing, Neijiang and Liupanshui, and six other trains like Chengdu-Kunming Train going via Zhaotong.

Train service to Kunming

Zhaotong is connected to the Chongqing-Kunming National Highway network.

After entering Yunnan, Neijiang- Kunming Railway will reach the first station here, Shuifu Railway Station in Zhaotong, and this section of railway is called Anshu Section. There are three passenger trains staring from Zhaotong Station which lead to Chongqing (zhòng qìng 重庆),Neijiang (nèi jiāng 内江) and Liupanshui (liù pán shuǐ 六盘水), and six other trains like Chengdu - Kunming Train going via Zhaotong. Urban buses are comparatively smaller and the condition is not too good. They run at five- to ten-minute intervals and will cost you one yuan. The urban taxi usually costs you three to five yuan, so there is no meters.

There are pedicabs in the city proper whose price depends on how long you will go, and be sure to ask about the price before you get on.

Long-distance Bus

Long-distance bus is a vital part of Zhaotong transportation system. The bus heading for Kunming city departs every 30 minutes a class every day. Zhaotong passenger station also has buses go to the domestically principle cities like Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing. At the same time, buses heading for other cities in Yunnan province are so many. In addition, it has buses go to counties under its’ administer and counties near it’s territory.