Though not high by the standards of major Himalayan peaks, Langtang Lirung is notable for its large vertical relief above local terrain.

On October 24,1978 Seishi Wada and Pemba Tsering Sherpa from a Japanese expedition made the first ascent of the mountain via the East Ridge.

[3] According to the Himalayan Index, there have been 14 ascents of Langtang Lirung (in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, and 1995), mostly by the Southeast or Southwest Ridge routes; and 13 unsuccessful attempts on the peak (these may be underestimates).

On 9 November 2009, Slovenian mountaineer Tomaž Humar, who was on a solo climb (the expedition started on 5 October) via the South Face, had an accident during his descent.

[7] On 30 October 2024 Czech climber Marek Holeček and his Slovak partner Ondrej Húserka achieved the first successful ascent of Langtang Lirung via the peak's east face.