Kangding is the main entry point for western Sichuan and has the best transport connections of any town on the plateau.
By air: Kangding Airport, at around 4,280 metres one of the highest commercial airports in the world, has limited services to Chengdu. Flights are subject to weather cancellation and are not always reliable, but when they run the journey takes about 45 minutes. The airport is approximately 38 kilometres from the city.
By bus from Chengdu: Regular buses from Xinnanmen Bus Station in Chengdu reach Kangding in about 5–6 hours on a road that descends from the Sichuan basin and climbs dramatically through the Erlang Mountain tunnel and the gorges below. Buses run multiple times daily. This is the standard approach for most travellers.
From the plateau: Buses from Ganzi reach Kangding in about 7–8 hours. Buses from Litang, Daocheng, and other plateau towns also connect here.
Within Kangding, everything of note is within walking distance or a short taxi ride. The city is small enough that getting lost is not really possible. Buses for Mugecuo Park depart from outside the main bus station.