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How to get fromChiang Rai to Lijiangby bus, train, or plane

Find Transport to Lijiang

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There are 4 ways to get from Chiang Rai to Lijiang by bus, train, or plane

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Local Bus, bus, train via Chuxiong

    best
    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang khongbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Huay Xai - Bokeo Station to Oudomxaybus bus
    3. Take the train from Oudomxay station to Kunming Southtrain train
    4. Take the train from Kunming South to Chuxiongtrain train
    5. Take the train from Chuxiong to Lijiangtrain train
    21h 58m
    ¥563–1,207

  2. Local Bus, bus, train

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang khongbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Huay Xai - Bokeo Station to Oudomxaybus bus
    3. Take the train from Oudomxay station to Kunming Southtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Kunming West to Lijiangbus bus
    27h 16m
    ¥518–1,123

  3. Bus, fly to Lijiang Sanyi Airport

    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Maibus bus
    2. Fly from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG)plane plane CNX - LJG
    14h 8m
    ¥655–3,449

  4. Bus, fly to Diqing Shangri-La Airport, train

    1. Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Maibus bus
    2. Fly from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to Diqing Shangri-La Airport (DIG)plane plane CNX - DIG
    3. Take the train from Shangri-La to Lijiangtrain train
    14h 31m
    ¥1,380–3,954

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) flights

Calendar26Weekly Planes
Duration10h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket¥588Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Chiang Rai to Lijiang.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,541.1 km
  • Duration: 21h 58m

What companies run services between Chiang Rai, Thailand and Lijiang, China?

There is no direct connection from Chiang Rai to Lijiang. However, you can take the bus to Chiang khong, drive to Huay Xai - Bokeo Station, take the bus to Oudomxay, take the taxi to Oudomxay station, take the train to Kunming South, take the train to Chuxiong, take the train to Lijiang, then take the taxi to Lijiang. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chiang Rai to Lijiang via Chiang khong, Huay Xai - Bokeo Station, Oudomxay, Oudomxay station, Kunming South, Kunming South station, Dashuying, West Bus Station, and Kunming West in around 27h 16m.

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