Lijiang Airport (LJG) is located about 28 kilometers (about 17.4 miles) to the south of Lijiang City, having an elevation of about 2242.6 meters (about 7357.6 feet). The airport was constructed in 1995, and now is one of the busiest mid-sized airports in Yunnan Province. Currently, there are connections from Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Guiyang. However, most visitors prefer to fly to Kunming first, then get to Lijiang by air or by long-distance bus. Kunming Wujiaba International Airport provides more domestic and international services.

 

When you arrive at Lijiang Airport, travel to the city is by airport shuttle bus or taxi. The shuttle buses run between the airport and the civil aviation ticket office in Lantian Hotel. The fare is about CNY15 per person. From there you can get to the Old Town by taxi for CNY10. The bus journey takes about half an hour. Alternatively, you can travel to the Old Town directly by taxi for about CNY80.

 

 

Long-distance bus:

 

At present, the most convenient way to reach Lijiang City is by bus. Located at the interface of Yunnan, Sichuan provinces and Tibet, Lijiang has set up a relatively complete highway system extending in all directions. It is easy for visitors to travel between Lijiang and other tourist destinations of Yunnan Province, such as Kunming, Dali and Shangri-La. Additionally, there are regular buses running between Lijiang and Panzhihua of Sichuan Province everyday.

 

City-bus:

 

Owing to the city's more prosperous tourist industry, the city buses of Lijiang have made a great progress in recent years. There are more than 10 bus lines running in Lijiang City, connecting every corner of the new district, except for the Old Town where no vehicles are allowed to enter. The ticket fare is from CNY0.5 to CNY1. Every morning, the No.7 bus departs from Hongtaiyang Square in the north of the Old Town to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The fare is about CNY15. Also, No.8 which departs from the Department Store runs a circular route.

 

 

Although not a large city neither in size nor in population, Lijiang has about one thousand taxis. A small taxi is CNY6 for the first 3 kilometers (about 1.86 miles) and then CNY1.6 for every additional kilometer (about 0.62 mile). A Santana taxi is CNY7 for the first 3 kilometers and CNY1.8 for each additional kilometer. Generally speaking, you can bargain for a reasonable price with the driver if you just travel in the urban area. If you want to go to a further destination, the car can be rented cheaply except during the tourist peak season.