Guides
Guides
The things locals know and first-timers learn the hard way — cable-car bookings, altitude, what to order, which tours to avoid — explained for visitors from abroad.
Honest guide · 6 min read
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: is it worth it?
Cable-car tickets, queues, weather and altitude at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain near Lijiang, and what to do instead on a cloudy day.
Honest guide · 5 min read
Shangri-La without altitude sickness
How to reach Shangri-La (3,200 m) comfortably: go up in steps via Lijiang, take an easy first day, and know which symptoms mean go down.
Honest guide · 5 min read
What to eat in Kunming (and how to order it)
Rice noodles, wild mushroom hotpot, barbecue and flower cakes in Kunming, plus QR-code ordering, spice levels and allergy phrases in Chinese.
Honest guide · 5 min read
Why we skip shopping-stop tours (and what to book instead)
How cheap Yunnan group tours are paid for by shop commissions, how to spot one, and how to travel by train, driver or local guide instead.
Getting ready for China?
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