1. Train – Hanoi to Lijiang
2. Flight – Hanoi to Lijiang
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Lijiang in the Yunnan province – a very attractive destination in China.
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- Lijiang (Lìjiāng, 麗江) is a captivating tourist destination in Yunnan province, southwestern China, following Kunming. Nestled amidst snow-capped mountains, Lijiang City boasts stunning scenery, notably Jade Dragon Snow Mountain towering at 5,596 meters. The Dayan Ancient City (Old Town) stands as Lijiang’s premier attraction, showcasing historical charm. Yunnan province, including Lijiang, offers a plethora of fascinating sites, encompassing historical landmarks, natural wonders, lakes, mountains, ancient temples, and ethnic villages. It’s advisable to explore Kunming before embarking on your journey to Lijiang.
- Search and book flights from Hanoi to Lijiang through Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
From Hanoi to Lijiang in China, transportation options include train or plane.
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- The distance from Hanoi to Lijiang spans approximately 870 km by air and 1220 km by land. Travelers can opt to travel by train (via Lao Cai, Hekou, and Kunming) or by plane. The quickest and most convenient option is by air, although direct flights between Hanoi and Lijiang are unavailable. Instead, travelers must transfer in Kunming or Chongqing, China. Train travel from Hanoi to Lijiang (via Lao Cai, Hekou, and Kunming in China) can take approximately 25-35 hours. Alternatively, flights from Hanoi to Lijiang (Lijiang Sanyi International Airport) range from 10 to 15 hours, depending on layovers. Train services are operated by Vietnam Railway to Lao Cai and by China Railways from Hekou to Kunming and Lijiang. Booking train tickets to Lao Cai or flights to Lijiang can be conveniently done online. Additionally, travelers can journey to Guangzhou via Lao Cai, with available train or flight options from Hanoi.
| Transfer Mode – Hanoi to Lijiang: | Travel Time | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Train (via Lao Cai, Hekou, Kunming) | 25-35 hours | $50-200/pp |
| Plane (with stopover) | 10-15 hours | $200-300/pp |
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1. From Hanoi to Lijiang by train
A) From Hanoi to Lao Cai by train (border town)
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- Trains from Hanoi run to Lao Cai town (340 km from Hanoi), it is the end station and the border town (25 km from Sapa). Trains may be from Vietnam Railways with less comfort (ofic.vietnamese railways) or also trains for tourists (also 2-bed cabin in train), but also more expensive (Orient Express, King Express, Fansipan, Sapaly, Livitrans…). You can search and buy train tickets online. From Lao Cai Railway station you need to go or take a taxi to the border crossing, cross the border to Hekou (China), only about 2 km.
- Book and buy train e-tickets from Hanoi to Lao Cai on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
Vietnam Railways trains – SP1, SP3, SP7, LC3:
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- hard or soft seat – price for one-way ticket from 120 000 – 160 000 Viet.dongs / 1 person
- hard bed (6-bed cabin) or soft bed (4-bed cabin) – price for one-way ticket from 270 000 – 400 000 Viet.dongs / 1 person
- SP = new comfortable trains of Vietnam Railways, LC3 = old train, carry-on baggage – 20 kg
- seat selection available on Baolau
- travel time by train from Hanoi to La Cai is about 8 hours
Tourist and private train operators (added to SP1 + SP3):
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- Livitrans, Violette Train, Oriental Express, King Express, Sapaly, PV2, Fansipan Express, Victoria Express
- price from 700 000 – 1 800 000 Viet.dongs / 1 person – soft bed (depend on the type of cabin)
- better quality and service, 2 or 4-bed cabins, carry-on baggage – 20 kg
- the most deluxe train – Victoria Express Train (price for ticket from 2 500 000 – 3 500 000 Viet.dongs)
- you can read this: 8 Luxury Trains from Hanoi to Lao Cai
➜ For bookings with Royal Railway and private railway companies Victoria Express, Fanxipan Express, King Express, Orient Express, Sapaly Express, Chapa Express and Saigon Golden Train, you will be required to complete the payment before submitting your order. Your reservation will be processed and you will receive a voucher by email to collect the physical ticket at the station before boarding the train.
➜ For bookings with Vietnam Railways and private railway companies Livitrans Express and Violette Train, you will be required to complete the payment before submitting your order. Your reservation will be processed and you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present when boarding the train.
➜ If you buy bus tickets online on Baolau or 12go.asia, you will receive your e-ticket by email, ready to print or carry in your mobile phone or tablet and present at the ticket counter of the station before boarding the bus
B) From Hekou North (China) to Kunming by train (400 km)
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- Hekou North Railway Station (or Hekou Bei Train Station) is about 4 km from the center of Hekou town (border town), so the best way how to get there is take a taxi.
- from Hekou North Railway Station you can go by train to Kunming
- there are a lot of trains trains every day and the journey takes about 4-7.5 hours
- train ticket from Hekou North to Kunming costs about $8-31/pp
- Book and buy train e-tickets from Hekou to Kunming on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
C) From Kunming to Lijiang by train (517 km)
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- From Kunming Railway Station to Lijang you can travel by train
- there are a lot of trains trains every day and the journey takes about 3-10 hours, seat or sleeper trains
- Lijiang Railway Station is about 10 km from the Old Town, you can take a bus to the town
- train ticket from Hekou North to Kunming costs about $28-62/pp.
- Book and buy train e-tickets from Kunming to Lijiang on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- there are also direct flights from Kunming to Lijiang (about 1 hour)
2. FLIGHTS from Hanoi to Lijiang
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- this is the most comfortable and fastest way how to get from Hanoi to Lijiang
- there is no direct flight from Hanoi to Lijiang, so you need to take another flight in Kunming or in Chongqing
- Air service is operated by Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern, Sichuan Airlines or China Southern and other airlines
- flight from Hanoi to Lijiang with stopover takes about 10-15 hours
- flight from Hanoi to Lijiang with stopover costs about 200-300 USD/pp
- Lijiang Airport is about 30 km south from the city, from the airport to the city is possible to go by bus, taxi
- Book and buy your flights from Hanoi to Lijiang on Baolau ➜ or 12go.asia ➜
- airport in Hanoi: Noi Bai International Airport
- airport in Lijiang: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Hanoi to Lijiang in China:
1. How to book train tickets or flights from Hanoi to Lijiang?
2. How long does it take to travel from Hanoi to Lijiang?
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- Travel by train from Hanoi to Lijiang (via Lao Cai, Hekou and Kunming) takes about 25-35 hours.
- Travel by plane (with stopover) from Hanoi to Lijiang takes about 10-15 hours.
3. How far is Lijiang in China from Hanoi?
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- Travel distance from Hanoi to Lijiang is about 870 km by plane and about 1220 km by land.
4. How much does it cost to travel from Hanoi to Lijiang?
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- Travel by plane (no direct flights) from Hanoi to Lijiang costs about $200-300/pp.
- Travel by train (via Hekou) from Hanoi to Lijiang costs about $50-200/pp (depends on the type of train).
5. What is the best and fastest way of transport from Hanoi to Lijiang?
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- The best and fastest way of transport from Hanoi to Lijiang is to travel by plane. But you should know – there are no direct flights between Hanoi and Lijiang, so you can travel by plane e.g. to Kunming or Chonqging and take another flight to Lijiang Sanyi International Airport.
6. Is it also possible to travel by bus from Hanoi to Lijiang?
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- Teoretically it is possible to travel by bus, but definitely it is better to travel by train, avoid the bus.
7. How to travel by train from Hanoi to Lijiang?
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- Travel by train to Lijiang in China from Hanoi in Vietnam has 3 steps: 1.step – train of Vietnam Railway from Hanoi to Lao Cai (cross the border to Hekou town in China), 2.step – train of China Railways from Hekou North to Kunming, 3.step – train of China Railways from Kunming to Lijiang. Travel time by train is totally about 25-35 hours.
8. Which interesting places you can visit in Lijiang?
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- There are various interesting places for visit in Lijiang, e.g.: The Old Town of Lijiang – Dayan Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain + Blue Moon Valley, Shuhe Ancient Town, Lugu Lake, Mu’s Residence, Baisha Village, , Lijiang Murals, Mufu Palace, Lijiang and other sites…
9. What are the main attractions to explore in Lijiang?
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- Lijiang is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. The Old Town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a major attraction with its well-preserved ancient architecture, canals, and cobbled streets. Black Dragon Pool, with its crystal-clear waters and views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, is a popular spot for photography. The nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain offers opportunities for scenic hikes and cable car rides. Additionally, the Baisha Village, Lashi Lake, and Shuhe Ancient Town are worth exploring for their unique charm and cultural significance.
10. Can I visit nearby destinations from Lijiang?
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- Yes, Lijiang is a gateway to other stunning destinations in Yunnan province. One popular side trip is a visit to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest river canyons known for its dramatic scenery and hiking trails. The enchanting town of Shangri-La, with its Tibetan culture and breathtaking landscapes, is another popular destination accessible from Lijiang. You can also explore the beautiful Pudacuo National Park, home to lakes, forests, and rare wildlife. These destinations can be reached by road or organized tours.
11. Are there any unique cultural experiences in Lijiang?
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- Lijiang is known for its rich ethnic minority cultures, particularly the Naxi people. You can immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting the Dongba Culture Museum, which showcases the Naxi culture, art, and traditions. Attending a Naxi music performance, known as „Dongjing Music,“ is a unique cultural experience. You can also explore the ancient Naxi villages, interact with locals, and learn about their traditional way of life. Don’t miss the chance to taste local Naxi cuisine, which includes dishes like Naxi Baba (a type of pancake) and Yak meat specialties.
12. What is the best time to visit Lijiang?
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- The best time to visit Lijiang is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is generally mild and pleasant. During these months, you can enjoy comfortable temperatures and clear skies, ideal for exploring the city and its surrounding attractions. However, Lijiang can be visited year-round. It’s important to note that the city can get crowded during Chinese holidays and weekends, so planning your visit accordingly is advisable.
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🎫 Book your train tickets / flights from Hanoi to Lijiang + Schedule:
(You can book another route, e.g. Hanoi > Lao Cai, Kunming > Lijiang…)