Air Line Information
There is 1 direct flight from Lijiang to Lhasa every day. Lijiang was a transfer station for the Silk Roads and Tea-horse Ancient Road, now it is one excellent tourist city with abundant tour resources. Located in southwestern China, Lijiang is well connected with many domestic big cities and capital cities, such as Lhasa, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian and Lanzhou, etc. Also it has flexible transfer links with other famous destinations in Yunnan Province.
Distance: 593 miles ( 954km)
Flying Duration: about 2h 15mins
Major Airline: Sichuan Airlines
Frequency: 1 flight every day
Flight Type: non-stop flight
Ticket Full Price: 1610 CNY (economy class)
Airports: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG) – Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA)
Why Take Flight to Lhasa from Lijiang
1. The Lijiang Sanyi International Airport offers a non-stop flight to Lhasa from Lijiang every day. If you happen to be in Lijiang and plan to Tibet, the daily morning flight can take you direct to Lhasa.
2. Being the third international airport and the second largest airport in Yunnan, the Lijiang Airport is well linked to Kunming and Sipsongpanna through many direct flights. Transfer in internal Yunnan Province from Lijiang is a good choice.
3. For now, the Yunnan Tibet Railway, departing from Kunming Railway Station to Lhasa Railway Station, is under construction. Tourists who expect a train travel have to take trains from nearby Chengdu or Chongqing costing over 40 hrs. Non-stop flight only takes about 2hrs on the way.
4. Lijiang sits in northwest Yunnan Province. The Lijiang Old Town District, build in the Southern Song Dynasty, is a rare well-reserved minority’s ancient city. Together with two famous mountains, the Lugu Lake, Naxi Dongba Culture and so on, the ancient town represents a distinctive Yunnan minority’s feature.
Lijiang Lhasa Flights Schedules
There are up to 12 flights from Lijiang to Lhasa occasionally, while most of them are connecting flights, only 1 direct flight operated by Sichuan Airlines running every day. It takes about 2h 15mins flying to Lhasa from Lijiang without any stop. On the average, if you take the morning plane in Lijiang, you will arrive in Lhasa before midday, so you will have enough time for rest and acclimation to high altitude sickness.
Lijiang to Lhasa Flight Timetable
The Sichuan Airlines provides only 1 non-stop flight to Lhasa from Lijiang. The 3U8817 flight takes off in the morning, not early but spare sufficient time for your sleep, packing and transportation to the Sanyi Airport. And have a perfect timing for your lunch after you landed.
| Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Frequency | Plane | Ticket |
| 3U8817 Sichuan Airlines | 09:40 Lijiang Airport | 11:50 Lhasa Airport | 2h 1m | SMTWTFS | Airbus A319 | 1610 ￥ Economy Class |
Lhasa to Lijiang Flight Timetable
The opposite flight from Lhasa to Lijiang is scheduled in the afternoon. Meals will be offered onboard, or you can have lunch ahead since the arrival time will be 14:05 pm normally. All you have to do is take a two-hour rest on the plane and turn to your inland China tour once you land.
| Flight No. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Frequency | Plane | Ticket |
| 3U8818 Sichuan Airlines | 13:05 Lhasa Airport | 15:00 Lijiang Airport | 1h 55m | SMTWTFS | Airbus A319 | 1610 ￥ Economy Class |
Important Notice: 1) Above flight schedules and fares are only for reference; 2) The airlines companies usually will cut down the flight schedules during winter and spring seasons. There may be no daily flight in some months.
About Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG – 丽江三义国际机场) is the second largest and the third international airport in Yunnan Province. Located in the South Lijiang City at an elevation of 2,243 m, the airport was completed in 1995 and had two reconstructions and expansions before. Late last year, the third expansion with new terminal, parking area and airport facilities officially started.
According to reports in 2017 January, the Lijiang Airport has navigation cities up to 59, including 53 domestic cities and 6 international destinations. Flights from Lijiang to Beijing, Lhasa, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xian, Lanzhou etc. are available. Connecting flights to South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and other overseas countries have to transfer in main hub airports, like Chengdu, Shanghai.
Besides, Lijiang has many short distance flights to Kunming and Sipsongpanna every day.
International Flights to Lijiang
So far, there is no non-stop international flight to Lijiang, tourists have to take connecting flights and transfer in major gateway airports, like Chengdu or Kunming Airport where have more convenient and frequent international routes.
Domestic Flights to Lijiang
Since the Lijiang City of Yunnan Province is a popular destination in southwest China, tourists from far and the near pour into this place. The airport offers much convenience for transportation in all domestic directions. You can take round trip planes between Lijiang and many main cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Lhasa, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing and Nanjing, etc.
1) Middle China: Changsha, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, etc.
2) North China: Beijing, Shandong, Shenyang, Tianjin, Lanzhou, etc.
3) Eastern China: Nanjing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Fuzhou (Fujian Province), Jieyang (Guangdong), Nanchang, etc.
4) Southern China: Lhasa, Chengdu, Chongqing, Mianyang, Bijie (Guizhou Province), Sipsongpanna, Zunyi, Kunming, etc.
Transfer to/off Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
The Sanyi International Airport is about 30km to the central Lijiang City, around 40-45 mins riding. Tourist can take the Airport Shuttle Bus to terminal station – Blue Sky Hotel, where is only 1km to Lijiang Old Town District. The bus departs mainly depending on the arrival time of flights. Ticket price is around 20 CNY per person. It takes about half an hour to the downtown by taxi costing nearly 100CNY.
