Travel to Lijiang-Transportation & Tips
Lijiang was established in Yuan Dynasty(1276). It’s on the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites. Especially in the old town of Lijiang, the Lijiang Ancient Town gathers different historical architectural styles. It’s a must-see place if you travel to Yunnan. In order to help you plan your trip, please roll down to find more information between some main cities and Lijiang.
How to Travel from Dali to Lijiang?
The distance from Dali to Lijiang is about 143 kilometers (89 miles). There are 3 ways to travel from Dali to Lijiang, by train, bus, taxi, or car.
By bus
The road distance from Dali to Lijiang is about 202kilometers (126 miles). The cheapest way to get from Dali to Lijiang is by bus, which only takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes and costs about USD16.
Travel tips:
- Take the bus at Dali Station(In Chinese: 大理客运汽车站; Phone number: (0872)2310148, (0872)2129134; Address: 巍山路372号)
By Taxi/Rent a Car
To get to Lijiang from Dali, the most convenient way is to take a taxi. It takes about 2 hours 10 minutes and costs about USD70 per taxi. Taxi can pick you up at your hotel in Dali and drop you off at your hotel in Lijiang.
By train
The fastest way from Dali to Lijiang is taking a bullet train. It only takes about 2 hours and the ticket price is USD12 for a second-class seat. For backpackers or independent travelers, it is the best choice.
How to Travel from Daocheng to Lijiang?
Daocheng is a scenic tourist town located at the southwest edge of Sichuan Province. It belongs to the southwest of Ganzi Prefecture and is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Lijiang, located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, belongs to the same tourism sector as Daocheng County in Sichuan Province.
By Bus
The total distance from Daocheng to Lijiang is about 490 kilometers. But how to take a bus from Daocheng to Lijiang? Is there a chartered car? How long will it take?
There is no direct bus from Daocheng to Lijiang. You can take a bus from Daochengto Shangri-La first. The bus departs at 6:30 a.m. every day, and then you can take a bus from Shangri-La to Lijiang. There are many buses between them. If you want to keep your luggage light, you can rent a down coat at the foot of the mountain.
Rent a Car
From Daocheng to Lijiang, you have to transfer in Shangri-La. Some visitors may think it is troublesome and they may choose to rent a car from Daocheng to Lijiang. The price is a little more expensive but very convenient. It takes about 8 hours from Daocheng to Shangri-La, and from Zhongdian to Lijiang, it takes about 2 hours by car. There is no age limit on Yulong Snow Mountain. Children and old people can do it according to their own physical condition. However, it is not recommended for the elderly with cardio-cerebrovascular disease or hypertension.
By Plane
It’s absolutely the quickest way to travel from Daocheng to Lijiang. The duration is about 5 hours and 10 minutes. The cost is about USD100-USD320. However, it’s unavailable after the outbreak of the epidemic. Maybe it will reopen in the future. There are direct buses to Snow Mountain between 9 am and 5 pm. The price is RMB40 per person. You can take the buses at the Yuhe Parking Lot, South Gate Parking Lot, Lijun Hotel, and Shuhe Gate around the ancient city. You can buy tickets at 2-3 Zone C of the Yuhe Corridor, the passenger terminal station, and the high-speed passenger station.
How to Travel from Chengdu to Lijiang?
The road distance between Chengdu and Lijiang is about 791 kilometers.
By Train
The cheapest way from Chengdu to Lijiang is by train. However, there is no direct train between these 2 cities. We usually suggest you take a train from Chengdu to Kunming first and then take a train from Kunming to Lijiang. Bullet trains are available.
- The total duration is about 10 hours - 11 hours;
- The cost is about USD110 based on 2nd class seats;
By Plane
Flying is no doubt the fastest way from Chengdu to Lijiang.
- The cost is about USD80 - USD210;
- The duration is about 4 hours.
Rent a Car
If you would like to drive from Chengdu to Lijiang and appreciate the scenery along the way, yes, you can rent a car. The total distance is about 791 kilometers and takes about 10 hours of driving time.