Yunnan 2024-2025: An Unexpected Highland Adventure and Real Experience

Preface: A Spontaneous Journey Full of Surprises and Challenges

If you ask me whether Yunnan is worth visiting, I will answer without hesitation: "Yes, but be fully prepared."

The starting point of this trip was a bit rushed. Departing from Hong Kong, there were no direct flights to Lijiang, so we chose to transit through Shenzhen. My husband said he would handle the private car arrangements, while I was busy helping our daughter prepare for her exams, with no time to look into the itinerary—looking back now, this was probably the first "foreshadowing" of the entire trip.

Departure: The Haste and Anticipation at Shenzhen Airport

The scale and design of Shenzhen Airport are impressive. In the early morning, only a few restaurants were open for business. We grabbed a quick bite, took our daughter to the restroom, and obediently waited to board. At that time, we had no idea that the next few days would be a test of physical endurance and willpower.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: A Harsh Lesson in Altitude Sickness

A Wrong Decision

If you plan to bring children to Yunnan, remember my lesson: Never head straight to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain at 3,356 meters above sea level on the second day of your trip. For children who live in the city and rarely exercise, this is nothing short of a disaster.

My husband completely overlooked the issue of altitude sickness and arranged this itinerary directly. Because I was busy handling our daughter's holiday homework, I didn't have time to research it either. As a result, we only learned from the driver in the car that we should have started inhaling oxygen an hour before departure—but we had only 20 seconds left before getting off.

What is Altitude Sickness?

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) typically occurs when rapidly ascending to altitudes above 2,500 meters. The body's response to low-pressure, oxygen-deficient environments includes a faster heartbeat, rapid breathing, increased blood pressure, more frequent urination, and mild headaches. If the body cannot adapt, symptoms worsen within hours:

• Headaches (often on both sides of the head, worsening when bending over or getting up)
• Nausea, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia
• A feeling similar to a severe hangover
• Irritability, loss of appetite
• Swelling of the face, hands, and feet

More severe consequences include High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). The former can appear within 12 hours to 3 days; the latter is the number one killer at high altitudes. Symptoms include reduced exercise capacity, difficulty breathing, blue lips or fingernails, and coughing up light pink sputum.

Our Personal Experience

As we boarded the cable car for the Glacier Grand Cableway, our daughter's face had already turned pale, and she was drowsy. My husband still hadn't realized the severity of the problem, and I was dizzy myself. As soon as we got off the cable car, my daughter and I kept inhaling oxygen and finally decided to descend immediately. Fortunately, her condition improved after going down, but this "flash visit" to the snow mountain made me fully understand: If you're physically weak, don't push yourself.

Transportation and Accommodation: The Love-Hate Relationship with Private Car Hire

Private Car Experience

My husband chose to hire a private car, but we only visited one or two attractions per day, and the driver departed very late—this travel style left me quite puzzled. Worse still, he kept saying the weather wasn't cold, but as soon as I stepped outside, the biting wind hit me. The difference between minus 5°C and minus 10°C is truly significant.

The car itself was uncomfortable too. At 165 cm tall, I had to keep my legs bent every time I rode, constantly shifting positions. The driver would rush to open the door as soon as we arrived at a destination, leaving me no time to wrap scarves around myself and my daughter or put on jackets. The wind outside was strong and carried dust, so we caught colds as a result.

Lijiang Jinmao Yiyi Hotel · The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

This hotel was one of the best memories of the entire trip. Spacious, clean, with stunning views, and a terrace so comfortable that I didn't want to leave. The hotel also had an animal area, and the children had a blast playing there. Every flower and blade of grass was as beautiful as a poem or painting—no wonder the ancients could write so many moving verses.

We had hotpot for lunch at the hotel. Each room could seat four tables of guests, and hotpot was perfect when the wind was strong. Breakfast was also very hearty, and we even went to the supermarket to buy some unfamiliar fruits to try.

Blue Moon Valley and Jade Lake Village: Unexpected Moments of Tranquility

Blue Moon Valley

Located at the eastern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley was originally called White Water River. The lakebed is made of white mud, and when it rains, the water turns white, hence the name. The ticket included a basic lunch, and after eating, we slowly took in the scenery.

Jade Lake Village

Known as "the first village under Jade Dragon Mountain," Jade Lake Village is one of the earliest settlements of the Naxi people and the best-preserved ancient village. The village has many cafés, though prices are on the high side, but the scenery and atmosphere are excellent. We visited two—one sold homemade pastries, and the other was a popular check-in spot—both were very comfortable to sit in. I also bought some crystals. As it began to get dark, I realized the horse-riding area was a bit of a walk away and closed at 6:00 PM at the latest.

The beauty of Yunnan requires time and physical strength to savor slowly. There are many mountain paths, and the soles of my shoes wore out—reminding everyone to wear comfortable walking shoes.

For dinner, we had wild mushroom hotpot. Actually, most restaurants are similar, so there's no need to seek out famous ones. The most representative souvenir from Yunnan is flower cakes (鲜花饼)—you must try them.

Baishui Terrace and Shangri-La: The Ultimate Test of Physical Endurance

Baishui Terrace

The terraced, milky-white flowing platforms look light blue under the sunlight, breathtakingly beautiful. We chose to ride horses up the mountain, and the horse handler even took photos for me—though I was a bit worried the horse might find me too heavy.

The Unexpected Turn in Shangri-La

I was completely exhausted by dinner time. Our daughter had walked too many mountain paths that day and started vomiting and running a fever at night. I touched her forehead every few minutes, gave her oxygen sprays and medicine. Watching her feeling unwell, we decided to cancel Tiger Leaping Gorge and Songzanlin Monastery, and head to Dali the next day.

The Diqing Moonlight City Indigo Hotel was actually quite nice. Breakfast was very distinctive, and the rooms were spacious and clean. Butter tea (酥油茶) is a traditional Tibetan drink made with butter and strong tea, known for its warming and invigorating effects.

Dali: From Gloom to Sunshine

Dali Ocean Hotel

Worried that our daughter might get bored, my husband booked a family-friendly hotel. The hotel was large, but the hallway lights only turned on when the door opened, which was quite inconvenient. There were two beds, and the bathroom wasn't big. The hotel had very few guests, feeling more like a place for tour groups. The biggest hassle was that there was nothing nearby—my shoes broke, and the driver took me to the city center to buy new ones (a 31-minute drive), then just left me there, and I had to figure out my own way back to the hotel.

Cangshan Mountain

We chose the Gantong Cableway, a single-line circulating detachable gondola with 6-person cabins, offering views of Qingbi Stream, Seven Dragon Maiden Ponds, and other attractions. When the weather is good, sitting in the cable car feels like floating in a fairyland, with mountains and waters like a painting. If you have the energy, you can buy the full round-trip cableway ticket to Xima Pond, but we only took the Gantong Cableway and had tea on the mountain—which was already a great joy in life.

Xizhou Ancient Town

Located in the northern part of Dali city, Xizhou Ancient Town is famous for its Bai ethnic residential architecture. The Yan Family Grand Mansion is a classic example of the "three rooms with one screen wall, four courtyards with five skylights" layout. Tie-dye (紮染) is a renowned Bai folk craft, using plant dyes to create blue patterns on white cotton fabric.

For lunch, we had home-style dishes, which were a bit spicy. I specially ordered scrambled eggs with tomatoes for our daughter. A little boy shared some fruit with her, and I gave him a small pack of snacks in return. Remember to leave Xizhou Ancient Town before 6:00 PM, and the tie-dye experience takes about two hours.

Our Bai driver took us to buy freshly baked crispy flatbread (破酥粑粑). Both the sweet and savory versions were delicious, but the sweet one was especially amazing—absolutely a must-try!

Shuanglang Ancient Town: The Most Beautiful Scenery, The Worst Experience

Accommodation Nightmare

Shuanglang is located on the northeast shore of Erhai Lake, offering stunning views of Cangshan Mountain in the distance. We had booked the PARALLOGE HOTEL, but upon arrival, we found that our room had been given to someone else, and there was no similar room available to swap. We waited for nearly an hour, and only three lower-tier rooms were offered. Our luggage had already been moved to the second floor, and I was running up and down with our daughter. By 6:30 PM, nothing was settled—I was exhausted, hungry, and furious.

Photo Experience

The hotel included a photo session in Yunnan ethnic costumes, and I paid extra for makeup. After changing clothes, I waited eight minutes for the makeup artist, who took twenty minutes to do my makeup, and then the photographer disappeared for over ten minutes. After waiting nearly half an hour in total, I finally started shooting, which took another two hours from start to finish. The photos turned out terrible, and my husband laughed at me, saying I looked like something out of "Avatar." My sincere advice: Find a professional photography studio; don't settle for convenience.

Conclusion: Lessons from Yunnan

Although this trip was full of twists and turns, the beauty and diversity of Yunnan remain unforgettable. Here are my biggest takeaways:

1. Plan your itinerary gradually: Start from lower altitudes to give your body time to adapt.
2. Altitude sickness prevention is essential: Inhale oxygen in advance, avoid spicy food and alcohol, and don't wash your hair.
3. Choose your transportation carefully: While private car hire is convenient, make sure to confirm the vehicle type and driver service.
4. Accommodation choices matter: Especially when traveling with children, consider the surrounding facilities.
5. Wear comfortable shoes: Yunnan has many mountain paths; a good pair of shoes is a necessity.

If you're planning a trip to Yunnan, I hope this honest account helps you avoid the pitfalls we encountered. Prepare well, and this land will reward you with its most enchanting scenery.