Hey,
I've been to the lake before but I remember it was a nightmare getting there by bus (3 of them to be precise). Is the only way to get there by bus is through the Southern bus station and from there to Jianchuan?
Is it better to get to Yuxi first and then take a bus there? are there still trains going to Yuxi? how slow are they?
I wish there was a direct bus going there from Xiaoximen or somewhere in the city center, it would solve a lot of mafan...

If you want a variation: take a bus from the Xiaoximen bus station to Kunyang (every hour on the hour) for Y15, then a bus from Kunyang to Yuxi for Y14, then a bus from Yuxi to Jiangchuan for Y8, then a bus to Jiangcheng and the lake. Not any faster or cheaper, but it avoids the southern bus station. Beware of the kidnappers, though.

No trains to Yuxi, line is under construction.

@ludwig

"Beware of the kidnappers, though" !?!? That got my attention!

Please elaborate as I plan on biking down to the lake sometime during the summer.

Thanks Ludwig, I might try the alternative, just for the adventure of it!

@AlexKMG
gokunming.com/[...]
Jinning=Kunyang. I think you will be fine.