With a travelling distance of 2,760 kilometres (1,710 mi), the services on this route have the longest distance among the high-speed train services in the world as of 2018.

[1][2] The high-speed trains between Beijing and Kunming began operations on 1 January 2017, with the completion of the Shanghai–Kunming HSR.

The G71/402 trains are operated by 8-car CR400AF trainsets staffed by CR Beijing, the capacity being 576 (1152 if double-headed).

[9] The G403/406 trains are operated by 8-car CRH380A trainsets staffed by CR Kunming, the capacity being 556 (1112 if double-headed).

[10] The G405/404 trains are operated by 16-car CRH380AL trainsets staffed by CR Beijing, the capacity being 1028.