Cheap flights to Lijiang
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Quick summary
Country
China
Continent
Asia
Airport
LJG
Currency
Chinese yuan (renminbi)
Time zone
UTC+8
Deals already spotted to Lijiang
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Two faces
Lijiang, a living old town below a snow mountain
Lijiang sits in north-western Yunnan at about 2,400 m, on the Yungui Plateau beside the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It pairs a UNESCO-listed old town with the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, whose main peak reaches 5,596 m and lies about 15 km from the city government. It is also the cultural centre of the Naxi people. The prefecture had 1,253,878 inhabitants at the 2020 census.
It is sometimes nicknamed the Venice of the East for its roughly 300 stone bridges from the Ming and Qing periods (Spanish Wikipedia). The February 1996 earthquake left most traditional houses intact (French Wikipedia).
Airport and distances
From Sanyi Airport to the old town
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
The airport is 25 to 28 km south of downtown according to Wikipedia, about 40 minutes by road (Wikivoyage), and about 30 minutes by air from Kunming. Airport buses serve the city and taxis are plentiful; a shuttle drops you near the old town, which you then reach by taxi or on foot.
Lijiang railway station is about 7 km south of the old town (Wikivoyage). The high-speed train reaches Kunming in 3 to 3.5 hours (Wikivoyage, Wikipedia), against 8.5 to 10.5 hours on conventional trains. From Dali, allow about 1.5 to 2 hours by train and about 3 hours by bus. By road, Dali is about 150 km away and Kunming about 600 km (German Wikipedia).
Distances to nearby sights
Black Dragon Pool lies north of the old town, Shuhe about 8 km north (around 30 minutes by bus) and Baisha about 12 km north (Wikivoyage). The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is 15 to 25 km away depending on the starting point, and Tiger Leaping Gorge about 60 km to the north.
| Landmark | Indicative distance or time |
|---|---|
| Airport to the old town | 25 to 28 km; about 40 minutes |
| Station to the old town | about 7 km |
| Lijiang to Kunming by high-speed train | 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Lijiang to Dali | about 150 km; 1.5 to 3 hours depending on mode |
| Lijiang to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain | 15 to 25 km |
| Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge | about 60 km |
Old town
The Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan)
Cobbled lanes, timber houses and age-old canals
The old town was inscribed by UNESCO on 4 December 1997, with a core area of 145.6 ha. Its history goes back more than 1,000 years, when it was a trade hub on the Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail. It is known for an orderly system of waterways and bridges, closed to vehicles, and its culture mixes Naxi traditions with the influence of Han Chinese traders of the Ming period. Strolling along the canals is the first thing to do.
In the evening
Sifang and Xinhua streets hold most of the nightlife: lit-up lanes, bars and an old-town atmosphere. Restaurants and cafes usually close around 11 p.m. Side lanes are dim and slippery when wet, so take the usual care at night.
Entry and bikes
Entry to the old town is free, though some sights inside charge. Taxis cannot enter it, and renting a bicycle for the day is a simple way to get between the old town and its surroundings.
Naxi culture
The Naxi people and the Dongba script
About 230,000 Naxi live mainly in the Lijiang area; they are one of China's 56 recognised ethnic groups. Their Dongba culture, with a pictographic script of over 2,000 signs, is described as a living pictograph, preserved intact, and its manuscripts are on UNESCO's Memory of the World register (German Wikipedia). The Mosuo, who follow a matrilineal system known as walking marriage, are counted among the groups of the region.
Power and history
The Mu family, a Naxi ruling house, held power through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Lijiang submitted to Kublai Khan in 1253, and in 1723 the Yongzheng Emperor ended hereditary Mu rule.
Museums and cultural sites
Dongba, Tea Horse Road and the Mu residence
Dongba Cultural Museum
Devoted to the history of the region and the Dongba script. Wikivoyage lists it as free with daytime opening hours; check on arrival.
Mu clan residence
The former residence of the Mu clan, who ruled the Lijiang tusi, holds a Buddhist mural (French Wikipedia). It is one of the few big monuments of the old town, with paid entry.
Tea Horse Road Museum and Baisha
In Shuhe, a museum on the old Tea Horse Road is listed as free (Wikivoyage). At Baisha, an old Naxi village, you can see wall murals.
Naxi music
Naxi music orchestras perform in Lijiang and nearby villages; shows are ticketed.
Mountains
Jade Dragon, Black Dragon Pool and Tiger Leaping Gorge
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Sacred to the Naxi, it dominates the region at 5,596 m; the Shanzidou has been climbed only once, on 8 May 1987. A cable car rises to an observation platform at 4,506 m. The altitude can cause mountain sickness, so go up gradually and drink plenty. Park entry, shuttle and cable car are all charged (Wikivoyage).
Black Dragon Pool
A classic pond and park with the most famous view of the snowy peaks, from the marble bridge. The range is visible from the gardens.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
About 60 km north, on the Jinsha River and about 15 km long, it is called one of the deepest river canyons in the world, between Jade Dragon and Haba Snow Mountain (5,396 m). The high trail is about 22 km; the gorge is reached via Qiaotou by bus.
Shuhe and Baisha
Two quieter Naxi villages
Smaller and calmer than Dayan, the old town of Shuhe is closer to the natural sights: Black Dragon Pool, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge. It is reached by bus in about 30 minutes or by taxi. Baisha, a little further north, is known for its old murals.
Food and drink
Baba, ribs hot pot and snowmelt salmon
Lijiang cooking is Naxi and Yunnan cooking. Baba, a wheat flatbread eaten savoury or sweet, is the local speciality, including a crispy golden version. Other dishes include chicken pea jelly salad, Naxi roast pork with crispy skin, cured rib hot pot sold at Xiangshan Market and black goat hot pot (Wikipedia).
Highland products
Naxi fried white cheese, yak's milk yogurt and fried yak skewers turn up on the street; the area's salmon is raised in snowmelt from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Drinks and hours
Local beers Lijiang Yinjiu and Sulima go with meals. Canal-side bars are the most touristy and the priciest (Wikivoyage). Many restaurants close around 11 p.m.
Climate
A highland climate, dry in winter and wet in summer
Spring
Dry and sunny until late May; evenings stay cool.
Summer
Warm and rainy. About 80 % of the roughly 970 mm of annual rain falls from June to September, and June averages about 19 C.
Autumn
Rainfall drops sharply from October and the skies clear: often the most comfortable season for walking.
Winter
Mild by day, dry and sunny. January is the coldest month, averaging about 7 C.
Lijiang has a subtropical highland climate (Koppen Cwb), with an annual mean of 13.3 C and about 2,400 hours of sunshine a year (Wikipedia). The best times are spring and autumn; bring a warm layer for evenings in any season.
Budget
A reasonable budget, especially for excursions
Lijiang remains affordable: a bowl of noodles costs around ten yuan (Wikivoyage, older figure to be checked) and lodging runs from dorms to luxury hotels. Spending comes mainly from excursions: park entry, shuttle and cable car at the mountain, plus a few paid sights in the old town such as the Mu residence and Black Dragon Pool. We do not publish precise yuan prices, as they change regularly.
Getting around
Getting around Lijiang
The old town is covered on foot, as taxis cannot enter. Beyond it, taxis and village minibuses are plentiful, full-day hire of a taxi or minibus is common, and city bus lines serve the nearby villages. Cobblestones are slippery when wet and many bridges have no handrail. For trips far from town, such as Tiger Leaping Gorge, coaches leave from the bus station.
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By length of stay
What to do in Lijiang depending on how long you stay
The essentials
Dayan old town, Black Dragon Pool and a sunset over the rooftops.
Going deeper
Add Shuhe, Baisha and the Dongba museum, then a day at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
High mountains
Round it off with Tiger Leaping Gorge, or carry on to Dali.
In pictures
Lijiang in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Lijiang
Which airport serves Lijiang?
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG), about 25 to 28 km south of the centre, roughly 30 minutes by air from Kunming.
How do I get from the airport to Lijiang old town?
By airport shuttle or taxi, about 40 minutes by road. Taxis cannot enter the old town, so the last stretch is on foot.
Why is the old town of Lijiang a UNESCO site?
It was founded under the Tang and grew under the Naxi kingdom, and it kept its cobbled lanes, timber houses and a canal network still in use. It has been inscribed since 1997.
When is the best time to visit Lijiang?
Spring, which is dry and sunny, and above all autumn, when the summer rains stop. Summer is the rainy season and winter is dry but cool in the evening.
Dayan or Shuhe: where should I stay in Lijiang?
Dayan for old-town atmosphere and nightlife; Shuhe, which is calmer, to be closer to Black Dragon Pool, the mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Which museums and monuments should I visit in Lijiang?
The Dongba Cultural Museum, the Mu clan residence, the Tea Horse Road museum in Shuhe, the Baisha murals and Black Dragon Pool.
What should I eat in Lijiang?
Baba bread, Naxi roast pork, cured rib hot pot, black goat hot pot, chicken pea jelly salad and yak products, with a local beer.
Can I visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from Lijiang?
Yes, it is 15 to 25 km away depending on the starting point, with hiking and a cable car. The altitude can cause mountain sickness.
How many days do I need in Lijiang?
Two to three days for the old town, Shuhe and Black Dragon Pool; three to four days if you add Jade Dragon and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Is Lijiang an expensive destination?
Prices are moderate in town; paid excursions in the high mountains push the bill up. We do not publish precise prices.
How much does a flight to Lijiang usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
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