Welcome to our honest review for flights to Lijiang, specifically taking the Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern route.
Planning a trip to Lijiang can be a bit tricky when it comes to flight options, especially if you’re flying out from Malaysia. In this review, we’ll be sharing our experience taking the Shanghai Airlines (FM) + China Eastern (MU) route from Kuala Lumpur to Lijiang, which includes an overnight transit in Shanghai. We’ll also cover our return journey from Lijiang to Shanghai on Spring Airlines, a popular low-cost domestic carrier in China.
From the flight routes, layover experience, and meal offerings, to the seat comfort and entertainment options on each leg, this guide will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and help you decide which airline setup might work best for your own travel plans.
Flights to Lijiang: What are your options?
Before we get into the details of our own flight experience, here’s a quick overview of the main airline options available for getting to Lijiang from Kuala Lumpur. Since there are no direct flights, most routes involve at least one stop and may require an overnight layover depending on your chosen connection. Below, we break down the most common carriers, their transit points, baggage allowances, and what to watch out for when planning your journey.
The first option is the Shanghai Airlines + China Eastern route, which takes you from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai via Shanghai Airlines, and then onward to Lijiang on a China Eastern flight. However, this option often requires an overnight stay in Shanghai before your morning flight to Lijiang. For baggage, economy class includes one 23kg checked bag, and business class allows two bags at 32kg each.
Another alternative is Air China, which offers routes transiting through Beijing (PEK) or Chengdu (TFU). The Chengdu option might require an overnight stay too, but that’s great if you want to add a little Sichuan food adventure to your itinerary. On the way back, there are a few configurations with different departure times, but many still involve overnight transits depending on your connection timing.
China Southern Airlines is another option, flying via Shenzhen (SZX) or Guangzhou (CAN). These routes sometimes line up more conveniently, with minimal transit times. Though you may want to book this airline as early as possible, as many locals tend to grab up all the Economy seats, leaving you with Business. Their baggage policy is also standard: one 23kg bag in economy, and two 32kg bags in business.
Our Experience – Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai by Shanghai Airlines
Our journey started with a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai, operated by Shanghai Airlines aboard a Boeing 787. At first glance, I was pleasantly surprised by the leg space. It felt roomy, with a good fist-width gap between my knees and the seat in front. The seats were cushy enough for a medium-haul flight, and the in-flight entertainment was decent. We had access to a fair selection of movies, including international hits like The Hunger Games and Tenet, as well as a good mix of Chinese titles and even a Hong Kong thriller, L Storm.
As for food, we were given two meal options: buttermilk fish with rice, or chicken noodles. The fish dish was, frankly, forgettable. The rice was soggy, the fish mushy, and the vegetables didn’t look too fresh. On the other hand, the chicken noodles were a step up: with decent flavours and with texture, although a bit oily. The salad side is some shredded chicken with corn and carrots, which added some crunch and a touch of freshness. But the fruit was exactly the kind of small pleasure you want on a long travel day, it’s cold and sweet.
Overnight stay at Dazhong Airport Hotel
Because our connecting flight to Lijiang was early the next morning, we booked a room at Dazhong Airport Hotel, which is actually inside the airport terminal. For what it is as an a layover hotel, it exceeded expectations. We got the Superior Room. which had two single beds, and the space was surprisingly generous. They provided full toiletries including towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, a comb, shampoo, and body wash, which meant we didn’t need to dig through our luggage. That alone made the brief overnight stay more bearable.
We didn’t try the breakfast buffet, but it was available for a CNY48 top-up per person, offering a mix of Western and Chinese fare. One big plus: just beneath the hotel, inside the airport, there’s a food court and convenience stores, so grabbing a late dinner or some snacks wasn’t a problem.
The downside? It’s not the quietest place to sleep. Depending on which wing your room is in, you might hear the occasional plane taking off or the rhythmic thud of vehicles crossing speed bumps. If you’re a light sleeper, you’ve been warned. But for us, we needed only a few hours of sleep, which did the job.
Flight from Shanghai to Lijiang by China Eastern
The next morning, we boarded our flight from Shanghai to Lijiang, operated by China Eastern on a smaller Airbus A320. Compared to the previous flight, the comfort level took a noticeable dip. The legroom was tight, with barely a three-finger gap, making the seating feel cramped for the 4-hour journey.
The seats were stiff and upright, and no matter how I tried to adjust or lean, I could never quite get comfortable. It was the kind of seat that constantly had you fidgeting to find a better position, but without much success.
There was no seatback entertainment system, so be sure to have your own entertainment ready if you’re planning to fly this route. We ended up relying on downloaded shows and music to pass the time, which is definitely something to keep in mind for future travelers.
Meal service was relatively quick and featured a basic but decent breakfast. The main dish included an omelet, which was a bit on the salty side, but it sort of paired with the mini baguette served alongside. There were also potato cubes and a chicken sausage, which rounded out the warm components of the meal.
For dessert, we received a small cup of red bean and barley pudding, along with a yogurt. In a moment of improvisation, we mixed the two together, which actually gave the dessert a much better texture and flavor balance. It worked surprisingly well.
The tray also came with the usual garnish of broccoli and a cherry tomato, which didn’t quite tempt us, so we passed on those without a second thought.
Flight from Lijiang to Shanghai by Spring Airlines
For our return journey from Lijiang to Shanghai, we chose Spring Airlines, and if there’s one thing we’d do differently next time, it’s this. Spring’s Airbus A320 offered close to no legroom. Seats couldn’t recline, and I felt like I was pressed right up against the seat in front. It was reminiscent of old-school budget airline travel, but worse.
There’s no in-flight entertainment and no complimentary food, though you can purchase hot meals like rice with braised beef or marinated pork, along with drinks and snacks ranging from CNY 5–40. Our advice? Eat before boarding.
Our flight was delayed by nearly an hour, so we took the opportunity to grab a quick bite at the airport. We went for grilled sausage and chicken skewers, which are typical Chinese-style street snacks. Taste-wise, they were pretty much what you’d expect: flavourful but a little on the oily side, in my opinion.
Thankfully, Lijiang Sanyi Airport has a decent variety of food outlets near the gates, including skewers, soup noodles, braised pork rice, and more. It could be a lifesaver before the rather cramped and long flight.
Flight from Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur by Shanghai Airlines
The final leg of our journey, from Shanghai back to Kuala Lumpur, was once again with Shanghai Airlines, this time operated on a Boeing 737. Compared to the earlier flights, the aircraft felt slightly older, and legroom was still tight, roughly a two-finger gap between knees and seat. That said, the seats were noticeably softer and more cushioned than what we experienced on Spring Airlines, offering a bit more comfort for the longer flight duration.
There was no in-flight entertainment system, so this was another case of headphones on and relying on downloaded content to pass the time. If you’re flying this route, having your own shows or music is a must.
As for the in-flight meal, it was a rerun of the chicken noodles we had on the first leg of our trip. The noodles were serviceable, warm and filling, but nothing particularly memorable. What stood out more (in a bad way) was the side dish, which consisted of a cold chicken and pickled cabbage salad, topped with a slice of ham and a single cherry tomato. The salad lacked seasoning, the ham tasted artificial, and the tomato didn’t appeal to us, so we left it untouched.
Thankfully, the fruit portion was consistent with what we had before. The chilled slices of watermelon were refreshing, sweet, and easily the best part of the meal. A small comfort, but one we appreciated after a long travel day.
Final Thoughts: Shanghai Airlines + China Eastern Flight to Lijiang
This route may work well for budget-conscious or younger travelers who are okay with a bit of inconvenience and don’t mind an overnight layover. The experience is manageable, but not without its challenges. One major consideration is that during the overnight transit in Shanghai, you’ll need to collect and carry your luggage with you, even if your connecting flight is with the same airline. For families with young children or travelers with a lot of baggage, this can quickly become exhausting.
Sleep can also be elusive. Although the airport hotel is convenient and reasonably comfortable, the noise from airport operations can disrupt rest, and with early morning flights, there’s usually little time to truly relax. Add in long hours on planes with minimal legroom and limited entertainment, the overall journey can feel taxing, especially for those not used to extended travel days.
That said, for solo travelers, backpackers, or adventurous couples, this routing can offer some flexibility and cost savings. The short overnight transit in Shanghai is enough to reset before continuing onward, and if you plan ahead with snacks and entertainment, the in-flight experience becomes more tolerable.
Hence, for travelers planning a stay at Kelab Med Lijiang, this itinerary may be a bit rough around the edges, but it can be an accessible way to get to the resort, especially since there are no direct flights unlike Club Med Guilin.
Alternatively, a more comfortable option would be to extend your layover in Shanghai by a day or two. Not only would this give you time to rest properly, but it also opens the opportunity to explore one of China’s most dynamic cities. From the historic Bund to futuristic skyscrapers, vibrant street food scenes, and world-class shopping, Shanghai is a destination worth visiting in its own right. Turning the transit into a mini city break could add real value to your journey for both in experience and comfort.
In short, while this route isn’t perfect, it can work well depending on your travel style and priorities. It’s a trade-off between cost, convenience, and comfort, but with the right mindset and a bit of planning, it’s a route that can still deliver.
