7 days in Yunnan (things that you should know!)
If you are thinking to go China, Yunnan should be in your list! I honestly prefer Yunnan over Guangzhou etc
BUT I would like to give y’all some tips
my trip was Kunming>Dali>Lijiang>Shangrila
1. Book a driver - but not from a tour agency
This is what I wished I had done!! And just find a driver in xhs but we thought it was quite hard to trust a driver in xhs
Our driver just keep lying to us and brought us to different places e.g tea places (offering us free tea tasting but it was to lure you into their factory 🙄 even gave us bad attitude when we didn’t buy a lot)
and other crazy places (uncle’s house but end up asking us buy their home grown herbs for few hundred dollars, we have to buy a bit to escape 😭)
driver was quite friendly but I really hate the lies
Although it’s easier to plan with tour agency, as all I did was I wrote down the places I want to go and a rough itinerary and they helped to see and edited.
Communicate effectively and let them know and plan well!
2. Go during cold weather, like Dec/Jan and avoid peak season. I actually went during early sept which was the end of the rainy season so it didn’t rain so much. Avoid Aug rainy season + school holiday for China people
3. Go horse riding! It’s quite cheap, but I would prefer not to wear the traditional outfit 藏服 and do your horse riding it’s more comfortable. Beware that the service there it’s really bad so don’t rent ur outfit from there. And hire your photographer somewhere else. The photographers there are bad and out to earn money.
4. There’s a lot of photospots in Dali, so just go xhs and research and if you don’t know exactly where’s the place, just show it to your driver! They know it well. The 6th pic, was by a local photographer there at the spot, and he only charges $2 per photo. YES sgd $2!!! You only pay for what you want. He does some quick editing too on your pics.
5. Tour Dali in one day!
There’s two side of Dali 大理, and everybody suggested to stay for 2 days. Tbh if your are not cycling the whole day or sightsee you don’t need to. Just find those photo spots that you want to go and ur driver will plan for you. We did that and I think we went to 5 or 6 different places in one day.
6. Altitude is high here
It’s different from your skiing kind of altitude yea, so please research before you come, especially if you are heading to yulong snow mountain, Meili snow mountain etc. 2 of my friends had altitude sickness when they reached Lijiang. Headache, tiredness, diarrhoea etc
Oh and you can’t wash your hair for the first night if you reached Lijiang. Or you are planning to go to the mountain. For first timer, it’s recommended that you plan your route from Dali, Lijiang then to Shangrila, by slowly increasing the altitude you are letting your body adapt.
7. Sunblock is a must
Or umbrella. Hat. Cap. Jacket. I literally use my umbrella everywhere hahahaa as we are very close to the sun. The UV rays, you will get sunburn if you don’t take care. That’s why people there are so dark. So take note, Especially Lijiang and Shangrila. Cover yourself from head to toe 😅 it was so hard planning my outfit 😆
Overall it was a fun trip I give it a 7/10!! There’s a lot of cafe to explore in Dali and Shangrila too so that’s why I chose to go Yunnan. Something different from cities!! Heh ok ciao I will upload my reel here too ~
Comment if you have any qns 👇
When planning a trip to Yunnan, especially if you're traveling with family or in groups, it's wise to consider transportation options in detail. Public transport may be limited in some areas, so hiring a private driver (preferably not through standard tour agencies) can provide flexibility and a more personalized experience—just watch out for upsells like overpriced tea tastings or herbal products. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to boutique guesthouses, with Dali and Lijiang offering charming stays near scenic spots. Booking in advance helps during peak periods, although visiting in the off-season like December or January means fewer crowds and often better prices. For the itinerary, starting at Kunming and gradually moving to higher-altitude destinations like Lijiang and Shangrila is smart to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness. Remember to pack sun protection such as hats, sunblock, and even umbrellas for unexpected sun exposure at high elevations. Horse riding is a popular activity, but avoid renting traditional outfits at the riding spots to dodge poor service and inflated costs. Instead, bring your own comfortable clothes and find a photographer separately to capture your memories affordably. Lastly, dive into local cafes and explore the vibrant culture of Dali and Shangrila—it's a refreshing change from big cities and adds a relaxing vibe to your exciting adventure. Don't hesitate to ask locals or fellow travelers for recommendations; their tips can often lead to hidden gems!
