Yuxi is 90 kilometres south of Kunming, connected by expressway in about 90 minutes by bus or car. Regular buses from Kunming's various bus stations (Nanba Station is closest for this route) run throughout the day. High-speed rail from Kunming South station reaches Yuxi in about 30 minutes, with Fuxian Lake station also served on some lines. The rail connection makes Yuxi very convenient as a day trip from Kunming.
From Yuxi city, local buses and taxis reach Fuxian Lake (30 km south) and Chengjiang (35 km northeast) in 30–45 minutes. Renting a bicycle in Chengjiang for the lakeside loop is straightforward and several guesthouses offer this service. Yuxi city itself has a reasonable supply of accommodation at mid-range and budget prices, significantly cheaper than Kunming.