Lijiang Old Town, also known as Dayan Ancient Town, is a World Heritage Site in Yunnan Province, China. Introducing how to get to Lijiang Old Town?
It was founded in the late 13th century, at the end of the Song Dynasty and the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, and has a history of more than 800 years, with its cultural heritage centered on the Naxi culture. Exploring the historical changes of the Mufu, as well as natural landscapes such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, it is an excellent window to experience the culture of ethnic minorities in southwest China.
How to get to Lijiang Old Town from abroad
International Flights:
Direct flights: some international cities (e.g. Bangkok, Seoul) have direct flights to Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG).
Transit advice: Most require a connecting flight via Kunming Changshui Airport (KMG) or Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou.
Flight time: Europe/North America about 12-20 hours (including transit), Southeast Asia 4-8 hours.
Transportation after landing:
Airport bus: Sanyi Airport to Lijiang Old Town, 30 minutes, 30 RMB.
Cab: airport to ancient city about 100 RMB, we recommend using the international version of DiDi (DiDi).
How to get to Lijiang Old Town from major cities in China
Beijing → Lijiang
Airplane:
Direct flight: Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) → Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG), about 3 hours, fare 800-1500 RMB (fluctuates during off-peak season).
Transit: via Kunming (KMG) or Chongqing (CKG), total time 5-7 hours.
High-speed rail + train:
Beijing West Railway Station → Kunming South Railway Station (high speed train, 10 hours, RMB 1,147 for second class seat) → Lijiang Station (moving train, 3.5 hours, RMB 230 for second class seat).
Shanghai → Lijiang
Airplane:
Direct flight: Shanghai Pudong (PVG) → Lijiang (LJG), about 3 hours, fare RMB 900-1800.
Transit: via Kunming (recommended MU5803 on China Eastern Airlines).
Train:
Shanghai Hongqiao → Kunming South (high speed train, 11 hours, RMB 879 for second class seat) → Lijiang (moving train, 3.5 hours).
Guangzhou → Lijiang
Airplane:
Direct flight: Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) → Lijiang (LJG), about 2.5 hours, ticket price 700-1300 RMB.
High Speed Rail + Train:
Guangzhou South → Kunming South (high speed train, 7 hours, RMB 623 for second class seat) → Lijiang (train, 3.5 hours).
Qingdao → Lijiang
Airplane:
Transit: Qingdao Liuting (TAO) → Kunming/Chongqing → Lijiang, total time 6-8 hours, fare 1000-1600 RMB.
Self-drive: Qingdao → Guiyang → Kunming → Lijiang (about 2,600 kilometers, recommended to be divided into 3-4 days).
Chengdu → Lijiang
Airplane:
Direct flight: Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) → Lijiang (LJG), 1.5 hours, fare 500-1000 RMB.
Train: Chengdu East → Lijiang (motorized train, 7 hours, RMB 502 for second class seat).
Chongqing → Lijiang
Airplane: Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) → Lijiang (LJG), 1.5 hours, fare RMB 500-900.
Train: Chongqing West → Lijiang (motorized, 4.5 hours, RMB 502 for second class seat).
Xiamen → Lijiang
Airplane: Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN) → Kunming → Lijiang, total time 5-7 hours, fare RMB 800-1500.
By car: Xiamen → Kunming → Lijiang (about 2,200 kilometers, recommended to be divided into 3 days).
Zhangjiajie → Lijiang
Airplane: Zhangjiajie Lotus (DYG) → Kunming → Lijiang, total time 6-8 hours.
Train: Zhangjiajie → Kunming (high speed train, 5 hours) → Lijiang (moving train, 3.5 hours).
Guilin → Lijiang
Airplane: Guilin Liangjiang (KWL) → Lijiang (LJG), direct flight, 2 hours, ticket price 600-1200 RMB.
Train: Guilin North → Kunming South (motorized, 6 hours) → Lijiang (motorized, 3.5 hours).
Lijiang Train Station to Lijiang Old Town
Lijiang Train Station (Lijiang Station) is about 10 kilometers from Lijiang Old Town.
Public transportation (most cost-effective)
There are several bus lines from Lijiang Station directly to the Old Town, the fare is 1-3 RMB, and the ride takes about 40-50 minutes:
No.4 / No.18 / No.105:
Boarding point: Railway Station Square bus stop.
Route: Take No.4 (in the direction of No.1 Middle School in Gucheng District), No.18 (in the direction of Zhongyi Market) or No.105 (in the direction of Lijiang City Administrative Center), pass through 19-20 stops, get off at the stop of Bailong Plaza, and then walk for 5 minutes to enter the south gate of the ancient city.
No. 27 (newly opened line):
Directly to the south gate of the Old Town, about 40 minutes, frequency interval 10 minutes, last bus until 22:30.
Route 104:
Get off at Dayan Flower Alley Station and walk for 3 minutes to Sifang Street in the center of the Old Town.
For nighttime arrivals, take No. 18 (last bus until 23:30).
Take a taxi or internet taxi (most convenient)
Cab:
The boarding point is located at the exit of the train station, the metered price is about 30-40 RMB, and the ride takes 20-30 minutes (no traffic jam during the day).
Internet taxi (recommended):
Use the international version of DiDi or Trip.com, enter the destination “South Gate of Lijiang Ancient City” or “Great Waterwheel Square”, the cost is about 25-35 RMB (avoid rush hours).
Tourist buses (direct to scenic spots)
There is a special bus for the Old Town at the exit of the train station, the ticket price is 5 RMB per person, the ride takes about 30 minutes, the terminal is the North Gate of the Old Town (the Great Waterwheel Square), which is suitable for tourists with large luggage.
Walking (suitable for short distance with light clothes)
It takes 1.5 hours to walk about 7 kilometers from Lijiang Station to the Old Town. Along the way, you can pass by Qingxi Reservoir, Zhongyi Market and other attractions, so it is recommended to try it in the evening or early morning (pay attention to sunscreen).
Recommended Ticketing Platforms
Airplane tickets:
International: Skyscanner, Expedia, Trip.com (supports international credit cards).
Domestic China: Ctrip (Ctrip International), Trip.com, Flying Pig (Alitrip).
Train tickets:
Official website 12306.cn (Chinese cell phone number registration required) or Trip.com (English interface, international credit card support)
Main Attractions:
Sifang Street: the center of the ancient city with stores, feel the historical pulse of the old tea-horse road.
Mufu: the “Forbidden City” of the Naxi Tusi, with an entrance fee of 40 RMB, where you can learn about the political culture of the Naxi people.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: 5596 meters above sea level, you can take the cable car to the glacier park, the ticket includes blue moon valley, spruce ping.
Black Dragon Pool Park: the best shooting place for the reflection of snowy mountains, ancient trees, free to open (ancient city maintenance fee ticket required).
Cultural experience: Naxi ancient music, Dongba script, Torch Festival (June in the lunar calendar), Baisha murals.
Things to note
Visa preparation: with a valid Chinese visa (visa-free policy is limited to designated countries).
Ancient City Maintenance Fee: Entry to the ancient city is free of charge, and 50 RMB ancient city maintenance fee is required to enter attractions such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Wooden Mansion.
Plateau adaptation: Lijiang altitude of 2400 meters, it is recommended to take rhodiola rosea two days in advance to prevent plateau reaction.
Sun protection and warmth: strong ultraviolet rays, the need for SPF50 + sunscreen; day and night temperature difference is large, prepare a jacket.
Environmental requirements: motorized vehicles are prohibited in the ancient city, it is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Cultural etiquette: please take off your hat when entering Naxi compounds and do not step on thresholds.
Best Season: March-May (spring blossoms), September-November (less rain in fall).
Emergency services: Tourist police booths are available in the Old Town (24-hour bilingual service in Chinese and English).