Why go
- Prefecture-level city in Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
- Known for Hutiaoxia town, bridge and rapids. Shangri-La Tibetan Yunnan China, MoYe Snow Mountain Cliff Hotel.
- Served by Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG).
History
Lijiang, formerly romanized as Likiang, is a prefecture-level city in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China. It has an area of 21,219 square kilometres (8,193 sq mi) and had a population of 1,253,878 at the 2020 census whom 288,787 lived in the built-up area (metro) made of Gucheng District. By the end of 2024, the registered population of the city was 1,243,700. Lijiang is famous for its UNESCO Heritage Site, the Old Town of Lijiang, which contains a mixture of different historical architecture styles and a complex, ancient water-supply system. It borders Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture and Panzhihua City in Sichuan Province to the east and it has one municipality and four counties.
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 16 airlines, 28 direct destinations
- Cargo Plus Aviation 8L (A319, A321, 737) · 13 routes: Changcha, Chongqing, Guiyang, Hefei, Jinghonggasa, Kunming, Nanjing, Ninbo, Shenzhen, Taiyuan, Wuhan, Xi'an, Zhengzhou
- Japan Air System JD (A319) · 12 routes: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Jinan, Jinghonggasa, Kunming, Nanjing, Shijiazhuang, Wuhan, Xi'an
- China Eastern Airlines MU (737, 737-300, A319) · 8 routes: Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jinghonggasa, Kunming, Shanghai, Tengchong, Xi'an
- Shenzhen Airlines ZH (737-800, A320, A319, 737) · 7 routes: Beijing*, Chengdu*, Chongqing*, Hangzhou*, Jinghonggasa*, Kunming*, Xi'an
- Air China CA (A320, A319, 737) · 4 routes: Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou
- China Southern Airlines CZ (737, A319, A320, 737-300, 737-700) · 4 routes: Chongqing*, Guiyang, Hangzhou*, Kunming
- KSY KY (737-700) · 4 routes: Jinghonggasa, Kunming, Nanning, Xi'an
- Sichuan Airlines 3U (A319) · 3 routes: Chengdu, Chongqing, Mianyang
- Juneyao Airlines HO (A320) · 2 routes: Changcha, Wuhan
- Xiamen Airlines MF (737) · 2 routes: Chongqing, Hangzhou
- Air France AF (A320) · 1 route: Kunming*
- Asiana Airlines OZ (A320) · 1 route: Seoul
- Empresa Ecuatoriana De Aviacion EU (A319) · 1 route: Chengdu
- Mandarin Airlines AE (737-800) · 1 route: Taipei
- Tiger Airways TR (A320) · 1 route: Singapore
- West Air China PN (A319, A320) · 1 route: Chongqing
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
1 of the places below have exact coordinates and are pinned.
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: LJG has direct flights to 28 destinations on 16 airlines (incl. Chongqing, Kunming, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Jinghonggasa…). By water: 2 ferry terminals within 20 km; routes include Call 01398883134.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Lijiang, China. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.