Neighboring the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Lijiang has only be easily reachable since becoming a popular tour destination at the end of the 1990s. The earliest vehicle in the region was the horse caravan to Tibet which passed through the Ancient Tea-Horse Avenue all year round. Long journeys through a dangerous natural environment were a great challenge for those caravans.To promote the development of the local economy and communication with other cities, the local government has continued to pay great attention to improving transportation. As one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites of UNESCO, Lijiang attracts a large number of travelers all year round. Catering for the needs of a greater number of travelers from home and abroad, Lijiang has provides improving public transportation, although it possibly has a little way to go to catch up with other large cities in China. Getting there By AirLijiang Airport (LJG) is located about 28 kilometers (about 17.4 miles) to the south of Lijiang City, having an elevation of about 2242.6 meters (about 7357.6 feet). The airport was constructed in 1995, and now is one of the busiest mid-sized airports in Yunnan Province. Currently, there are connections from Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Guiyang. However, most visitors prefer to fly to Kunming first, then get to Lijiang by air or by long-distance bus. Kunming Wujiaba International Airport provides more domestic and international services.When you arrive at Lijiang Airport, travel to the city is by airport shuttle bus or taxi. The shuttle buses run between the airport and the civil aviation ticket office in Lantian Hotel. The fare is about CNY15 per person. From there you can get to the Old Town by taxi for CNY10. The bus journey takes about half an hour. Alternatively, you can travel to the Old Town directly by taxi for about CNY80. By Long-Distance BusAt present, the most convenient way to reach Lijiang City is by bus. Located at the interface of Yunnan, Sichuan provinces and Tibet, Lijiang has set up a relatively complete highway system extending in all directions. It is easy for visitors to travel between Lijiang and other tourist destinations of Yunnan Province, such as Kunming, Dali and Shangri-La. Additionally, there are regular buses running between Lijiang and Panzhihua of Sichuan Province everyday.There are four coach stations in Lijiang serving scheduled long-distance buses daily.Lijiang Transport Service Center Bus Station is located at Changshui Road to the southwest corner of Lijiang Old Town. The No.1 and No.3 city buses can take you to the station directly. At present, it has the most bus lines and has opened several ticket offices in Lijiang City. Here is some detail for reference:Lijiang --> Kunming: Day buses depart hourly from 08:20 to 11:20. The fare is between CNY153 and CNY 180. It will take you about 8 hours to reach Kunming City. On the other hand, there are night sleeper buses leaving here at 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30 and 20:40 with a fare of about CNY139. The whole journey is about 10 hours.Lijiang --> Dali: About every 30 minutes, a bus departs to Dali with the fare ranging from CNY35 to CNY50.Lijiang --> Shangri-La: Buses leave at 07:30, 8:00, 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:00 and 16:00. The fare is about CNY35 per person.Lijiang --> Tiger Leaping Gorge: Every morning, a bus departs to Tiger Leaping Gorge for CNY24 per person. It returns to Lijiang at about 13:30 to 15:00, so you'd better ask the driver for the exact time in advance. The whole journey will take you about 3 hours.Lijiang --> Lugu Lake: At 9:30 am, an express leaves for Lugu Lake for CNY60. The returning bus usually departs at 10:00 am costing CNY50. The journey takes about seven hours.Lijiang --> Panzhihua: Buses depart at 07:10, 07:30, 07:50, 08:20, 11:00, 13:30 and 18:00. The fare is CNY45 to CNY68.Lijiang Tourism Bus Station is close to Naxi Hotel in Changshui Road, with expresses to Kunming for CNY153 and Dali for CNY50 at 08:30, 09:00 and 10:30.Lijiang Express Bus Station is in Shangri-La Avenue, mainly serving Kunming at present.Lijiang Guluwan Bus Station is near Heilongtan Park in the north of the Old Town. Buses to Kunming, Shangri-La, Daju and Xiaguan of Yuannan Province as well as Panzhihua of Sichuan Province are available here. Getting around By City-busOwing to the city's more prosperous tourist industry, the city buses of Lijiang have made a great progress in recent years. There are more than 10 bus lines running in Lijiang City, connecting every corner of the new district, except for the Old Town where no vehicles are allowed to enter. The ticket fare is from CNY0.5 to CNY1. Every morning, the No.7 bus departs from Hongtaiyang Square in the north of the Old Town to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The fare is about CNY15. Also, No.8 which departs from the Department Store runs a circular route. By BicycleSome hotels in Lijiang City rent bicycles to visitors who would like an unrestricted trip by themselves. Usually, the rent is CNY15 for a day. By TaxiAlthough not a large city neither in size nor in population, Lijiang has about one thousand taxis. A small taxi is CNY6 for the first 3 kilometers (about 1.86 miles) and then CNY1.6 for every additional kilometer (about 0.62 mile). A Santana taxi is CNY7 for the first 3 kilometers and CNY1.8 for each additional kilometer. Generally speaking, you can bargain for a reasonable price with the driver if you just travel in the urban area. If you want to go to a further destination, the car can be rented cheaply except during the tourist peak season.