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LJG · large airport

Lijiang Sanyi International Airport

Lijiang, China

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Lijiang Sanyi International Airport

Lijiang, China
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65
Routes out
28
Destinations
ZPLJ
ICAO
7359 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Gateway to the ancient town and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Opened
1995
Location
Lijiang, China
Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (IATA: LJG, ICAO: ZPLJ) serves Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage city in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. The airport connects this popular tourist destination to major Chinese cities and supports the region's rapidly growing tourism industry. The airport is situated at a relatively high elevation, reflecting the mountainous terrain of northwestern Yunnan. It handles millions of passengers annually, driven largely by domestic leisure travelers visiting Lijiang's Old Town and surrounding natural attractions such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge. A significant expansion and upgrade project has been undertaken in recent years to accommodate increasing passenger demand, including improvements to terminal facilities and runway capacity.
Terminals
The airport operates with a main passenger terminal handling both domestic and a small number of international flights.
Getting to & from
Ground transport between the airport and Lijiang city center, approximately 28 kilometers away, is available via airport shuttle buses and taxis.
Airlines here
Major carriers serving Lijiang include Yunnan Airlines (operating under China Eastern), Air China, China Southern Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines, primarily on domestic routes.
Notable facts
  • ›The airport sits at an elevation of approximately 2,241 meters (7,352 feet) above sea level.
  • ›Lijiang's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the airport a key tourism gateway.
  • ›The airport is named 'Sanyi' after the area in which it is located, northeast of the city.
  • ›Passenger throughput has grown substantially in line with Lijiang's rise as a major domestic tourist destination.
  • ›International routes are limited, with most connectivity provided through domestic hubs like Kunming, Beijing, and Shanghai.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to ancient Naxi culture and the jade-snow Yunnan highlands

Lijiang Sanyi International Airport serves the UNESCO-listed old town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province, China, connecting visitors to the region's extraordinary blend of Naxi heritage, Tibetan borderlands, and dramatic mountain scenery. Originally opened in 1995 and expanded over the years, the airport handles growing tourism traffic drawn by Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and the historic cobblestone streets of Dayan Old Town. It functions as a key regional hub linking Lijiang to major Chinese cities and select international destinations.

Terminals
  • Terminal 1 — The main passenger terminal handling all domestic and international departures and arrivals, featuring Naxi-inspired architectural motifs.
Ground Transport
  • Airport shuttle buses to Lijiang city centre and Old Town
  • Taxi services available at the designated rank outside arrivals
  • Ride-hailing via DiDi app for convenient city transfers
  • Private car transfers pre-booked through hotels
  • Intercity coaches connecting to Dali and surrounding towns
Nearby Hotels
  • Marriott Hotel Lijiang
  • Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa
  • InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort
  • Banyan Tree Lijiang
  • Holiday Inn Express Lijiang
Dining

Inside the terminal, travellers will find a modest selection of Chinese fast food outlets, noodle counters, and convenience shops offering local snacks and beverages. The nearby city and Old Town of Lijiang are renowned for Naxi cuisine, including baba flatbread, Yunnan ham, and yak-meat dishes best enjoyed in courtyard restaurants along Sifang Square. Visitors are advised to explore dining options in the Old Town rather than relying solely on airport facilities.

Traveller Tips
  • The airport sits at roughly 2,241 metres elevation — take it easy on arrival if you are prone to altitude sensitivity.
  • Book airport-to-Old Town shuttle tickets in advance during peak Golden Week and summer tourism seasons.
  • Carry cash in Chinese yuan (RMB) as smaller transport operators and local eateries may not accept cards or foreign payment apps.
  • Check weather conditions year-round as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain creates localised weather patterns that can affect flight schedules.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (28 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

LJG → CTU3U · 319
LJG → CKG3U · 319
LJG → MIG3U · 319
LJG → CGO8L · 319 321
LJG → CKG8L · 321
LJG → HFE8L · 319
LJG → JHG8L · 737
LJG → NKG8L · 319
LJG → SZX8L · 321
LJG → TYN8L · 319
LJG → CSX8L · 321 319
LJG → KMG8L · 321 319
LJG → KWE8L · 319
LJG → NGB8L · 319
LJG → WUH8L · 321
LJG → XIY8L · 321
LJG → TPEAE · 738
LJG → KMGAF · 320
LJG → CTUCA · 320
LJG → CKGCA · 737
LJG → HGHCA · 319
LJG → PEKCA · 320
LJG → CKGCZ · 737
LJG → KMGCZ · 320 73G 733 737
LJG → HGHCZ · 737
LJG → KWECZ · 319
LJG → CTUEU · 319
LJG → CSXHO · 320
LJG → WUHHO · 320
LJG → CTUJD · 319
LJG → JHGJD · 319
LJG → KMGJD · 319
LJG → KWLJD · 319
LJG → PEKJD · 319
LJG → SJWJD · 319
LJG → WUHJD · 319
LJG → XIYJD · 319
LJG → CANJD · 319
LJG → HGHJD · 319
LJG → NKGJD · 319
LJG → TNAJD · 319
LJG → JHGKY · 73G
LJG → KMGKY · 73G
LJG → NNGKY · 73G
LJG → XIYKY · 73G
LJG → CKGMF · 737
LJG → HGHMF · 737
LJG → CANMU · 733
LJG → JHGMU · 737
LJG → HKGMU · 737
LJG → KMGMU · 733 737
LJG → PEKMU · 737
LJG → SHAMU · 737
LJG → TCZMU · 733
LJG → XIYMU · 319
LJG → ICNOZ · 320
LJG → CKGPN · 319 320
LJG → SINTR · 320
LJG → CKGZH · 737
LJG → CTUZH · 320
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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Lijiang Sanyi International Airport is an airport serving Lijiang, Yunnan province, China.

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