Thank you so much for such an informative guide. I am planning to go in mid March. I hope it won’t be too cold! I am looking forward to watching part 2.
What a wonderful and informative video of your trip to Yunnan. I really loved it, and I think of going there too. And I think it's better than an organized tour. By the way how many people were in your group and what's the approximate cost per person in S$? Which was the best part and worst part of your trip? Thanks.
Glad you like it. Yes, we love to travel on our own, planning our own itinerary and seeing the world at our own pace and time. 3 in our group and about S$1k per person (excluding air ticket, travel insurance, data roaming). We had a great time on this trip even though we had to miss some places due to limited time. We like Shangri- la best, immersing in nature. Lijiang is too commercial especially the Jade dragon snow mountain tour, just too crowded.
Thank you for you kind reply. There's no better way than to travel on your own. You go where you like, eat the food you like and meet the locals, You just cant do that on a guided tour. Its always rushing here and there. We plan to travel to Yunnan somewhere in mid April next year and your videos and commentaries are very helpful indeed. Thank you once again and keep this up on your next and future travels.
I plan to go Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Shaxi and in the midst of finalising accomodation. You have said you stayed at Floral hotel in Shangri-la. May I have the exact name of the hotel as it seems there are quite a few Floral hotels in that area. Or best, may I have the link. Thank
Thanks for sharing your trip to Yunnan. Nice video. May I know which month you visited? Can you please share the local tour you joined and the private driver that you hired?
Thanks. Glad you like it. We went in April. 2024. Our local tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was arranged by the Hotel . You can check with the hotel you book. We did not engage any private driver. They charge CNY500 per day generally. We took DiDi mostly, more economical. You can book DiDi via Alipay App.
Hello! Do you think it's possible to travel to yunnan without tour if we only speak limited chinese? (intermediate speaker - chinese level around hsk 4)
To travel independently, you will need the Baidu App for navigation and the Didi App to book a private hired car. The Baidu App is only in Chinese. While the DiDi App has the English version, I am not sure how well it works. Nevertheless, you may check with your hotel. Some hotels do help their guests book local tours and transport. Hope this helps.
We arrived at Kunming Airport very early that day at around 2+am. So, we wanted a relaxed day since we would be tired. Considering the number of places we wanted to visit on this trip, we would only have time in Kunming for the Stone Forest and Western Hills. That would be too tiring to do on the first day. By proceeding to Lijiang, we could rest on the train, spend some time at the ancient town and still be able to turn in early that day. The day was not wasted.
You reached Lijang in the morning. Assuming that the hotel check in time is afternoon 3pm, where do you put your luggage? Also which hotel you stay and is it expensive?
Can do the check-in first and if room is not available yet, can leave luggage at hotel. We stayed at Xilu Xiaoxie Inn in Lijiang Old Town. Generally ok except for the sound insulation. Not expensive, about CNY200 per night.
Here you go: 3 Days Lijiang Day 1 - Kunming Airport, Lijiang Ancient Town Day 2 - Zhongyi Market, Baisha Ancient Town Day 3 - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Show 3 Days Shangri-La Day 4 - Dukezong Ancient Town, Guishan Park Day 5 - Balagezong Day 6 - Songzanlin Monastery, Yila Grassland, Napa Lake 1.5 Days Shaxi Day 7 - Shaxi Ancient Town Day 8 Morning - Shaxi Friday Market 2.5 Days Dali Day 8 Afternoon - Xizhou Ancient Town, Erhai Eco Corridor, Erhai S-Bay Day 9 - Shuanglang, Little Putuo Island, Lixiangbang - Santorini, Dali Ancient Town Day 10 - Dali North Market, Cangshan Mountain Jizhao Temple 2 Days Kunming Day 10 Evening - Kunming Old Street Day 11 - Kunming Stone Forest Day 12 - Kunming Western Hills Dragon Gate
Thanks, btw which month of the year in that video? If i plan to go december any tips or tricks as i plan to go with 2 young kids and 2 elderly. Thanks!
Our trip was in April 2024. Dali & Kunming were warm, Lijiang comfortable while Shangri-la was a little cold. So in December, expect Shangri-la to be very cold. Being on highlands, UV radiation is strong, air is dry, and we may be subject to altitude stress. So drink plenty of water, and apply body lotion and sunblock. Go slow upon arrival to let the body adapt to the altitude. May experience dry eyes too. All hotels and inns we stayed in, except one, provide complimentary bottled water. For accommodation, avoid those where cold air may seep through cracks. No joke to catch a cold at high altitude. Regarding Oxygen can, this cannot be brought to the train. Also, be aware that there are fake oxygen cans for sale. Whether you need oxygen can depend on individual. But for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tour, the tour agent will provide. Bring along your own toilet paper. Most public toilets run out of paper fast. All use mobile payment. Did not see anyone using cash. So, do download both Alipay and WeChat. The bank card we use offers a good exchange rate. See the link in the description box for more info.
@@holidayingyourway513thanks again for all tips and detail. Btw, any reliable website for tour package and transport? As i'm having hard time to explore different option. For e.g Didi ride vs train/bus for 6 of us. As my itinerary of 12 days, i plan to go this route. Didi ride from kunming airport Stay 3 days in Kunming Kunming to Shangri-la via bullet train AStay 3 days in Shangri-la Shangri-la to Lijiang via train or DiDi ride? stay 4 days in Lijiang Lijiang to Dali via train or DiDi ride? Stay 3 Days in Dali Dali to Kunming airport via bullet train return back SG. Easy to get DiDi ride 7 seaters to fit 6 of us with luggages? TIA 🙏
For Shangri-La to Lijiang & Lijiang to Dali, travelling time will be shorter by train. I do not know if it is easy or not to get a 7-seater DiDi ride. Getting a chartered car (包 车）for the whole trip might be a better option for a group of 6. We ever explored this option and average charge is about CNY500 per day. Go to 携程旅行 App which is commonly used by the local Chinese tourists.
We originally planned to visit that place. However, going from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge and then to Shangri-La was not economical. It is probably doable to do a day trip from Lijiang. There is a bus to go there but I have no info
In your video, you said the entrance ticket to some of the scenic areas is half price for seniors. Does this apply to foreigners or only to China citizens
Yes, we got the hotel to help us book the ticket 3 days in advance. We learnt that it is difficult to book on our own online. The chances are slim and almost nil. Just too popular and it restricts the number of visitors per day to the Glacier Park
Might not be relevant to you as the hotels we stayed in are room for 3. Most of our bookings are through Booking.com. Perhaps you can check there for the current rate.
We bought the ticket before we flew at www.12306.cn using our email account for verification as we wanted to catch an early train. However, we were successful only after many attempts.
We paid CNY598 per person. It was a private tour and it included: - Round trip transportation - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Ropeway & Glacier Park - Blue Moon Valley - Impression Lijiang Performance - Yak Steamboat Lunch - Internal Bus Service - 1 Oxygen Can - Dow Jacket Rental Other options like group tour, car sharing are available too
How to didi private transport in China if we don’t have a China telephone number in our Alipay or WeChat account? We use our Singapore handphone number whilst in China
@@chinmc6398 We did not bring any CNY. We link our international Visa card "WISE" to Alipay and WeChat Apps and our payments are through these Apps. WISE Card exchange rate is good. I have provided the link in the description box if you want to know more about WISE.
Hi, your video is so informative and i basically just copied your itinerary. i know your ep2 video is not ready, but is it possible for you to send me your itinerary first？ so I can book all my hotels asap. Going in Aug :)
We did not bring any cash. So I am not sure. We use WiSE card which is ver convenient. Exchange rate is better than money changer’s and we can choose to convert at the point of payment
Thank you so much for such an informative guide. I am planning to go in mid March. I hope it won’t be too cold! I am looking forward to watching part 2.
I’m glad that you find the video useful. Part 2 is available. Go to my channel.
Just came from the route you took. With this it’s like walking trough memory lane as your narration is better than our tour guide
Very detailed!! Thank you this is very helpful for self/solo traveling
Thanks. Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. Looking forward to Part 2
Thanks so much for detail & clear guidance!
Thank you. A well documented and informative diy trip.Keep it up and have many safe holidays.
What a beautiful adventure😍
I like to visit this place too I need to save more money to reach my goal I am poor but I Love to travel
You will get the chance. All the best!
Wonderful …thank you
What a wonderful and informative video of your trip to Yunnan. I really loved it, and I think of going there too. And I think it's better than an organized tour. By the way how many people were in your group and what's the approximate cost per person in S$? Which was the best part and worst part of your trip? Thanks.
Glad you like it. Yes, we love to travel on our own, planning our own itinerary and seeing the world at our own pace and time.
3 in our group and about S$1k per person (excluding air ticket, travel insurance, data roaming).
We had a great time on this trip even though we had to miss some places due to limited time. We like Shangri- la best, immersing in nature. Lijiang is too commercial especially the Jade dragon snow mountain tour, just too crowded.
Thank you for you kind reply. There's no better way than to travel on your own. You go where you like, eat the food you like and meet the locals, You just cant do that on a guided tour. Its always rushing here and there. We plan to travel to Yunnan somewhere in mid April next year and your videos and commentaries are very helpful indeed. Thank you once again and keep this up on your next and future travels.
Anicent modern beautiful freedoms great china 🇨🇳 in the world 🌎
I plan to go Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, Shaxi and in the midst of finalising accomodation. You have said you stayed at Floral hotel in Shangri-la. May I have the exact name of the hotel as it seems there are quite a few Floral hotels in that area. Or best, may I have the link. Thank
Flora Hotel - Shangri-La Blue Sky
No. 70, Dava Road, Jiantang Community, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Shangri-La, 674400
Wow, thank you for a good and informative video, where is the place for fish soup dinner, planning to go in sept
Thanks. It is at Zhongyi Night Market.
Name of Restaurant - 五湖汽锅鱼 (Five-Lake Steamed Fish).
You have fun in Sept.
Thanks for sharing your trip to Yunnan. Nice video. May I know which month you visited? Can you please share the local tour you joined and the private driver that you hired?
Thanks. Glad you like it. We went in April. 2024. Our local tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was arranged by the Hotel . You can check with the hotel you book. We did not engage any private driver. They charge CNY500 per day generally. We took DiDi mostly, more economical. You can book DiDi via Alipay App.
Nice and informative video, it helps a lot, especially transportation and fees.
@@holidayingyourway513 so you can ask about the tour to your hotel and they will arrange it for you?
Yes, you can check with the hotel
Hi, can we buy separate tix for Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Show or all comes in package?
Yes, we can
Hello! Do you think it's possible to travel to yunnan without tour if we only speak limited chinese? (intermediate speaker - chinese level around hsk 4)
To travel independently, you will need the Baidu App for navigation and the Didi App to book a private hired car. The Baidu App is only in Chinese. While the DiDi App has the English version, I am not sure how well it works. Nevertheless, you may check with your hotel. Some hotels do help their guests book local tours and transport. Hope this helps.
@@holidayingyourway513 thankyou very much! 😊 great video btw very helpful 💕
Awesome - can’t wait for part 2. Did you have problems with the altitude?
We had no problem with the altitude 😀
This is a wonderful video and guide. Thank you! I would like to know what is the best time of the year to go to Yunnan. When did you go?
Not sure when is the best time. We were there 2nd half of April 2024. Lijiang / Shaxi cooling, Shangri-la slightly colder, Dali/ Kunming warm
Your video is very informative for 1st time tourist. When are you going to release part 2.
will get it done soon. Meanwhile, click the notification bell to receive alert when new video is uploaded
Hi just curious why you started in Lijiang instead of Kunming? It is better from Lijiang to Kunming?
We arrived at Kunming Airport very early that day at around 2+am. So, we wanted a relaxed day since we would be tired. Considering the number of places we wanted to visit on this trip, we would only have time in Kunming for the Stone Forest and Western Hills. That would be too tiring to do on the first day. By proceeding to Lijiang, we could rest on the train, spend some time at the ancient town and still be able to turn in early that day. The day was not wasted.
Which navigation app did you use? Is google maps usable?
We used Baidu map. Google map is not usable.
When was your trip? I'm trying to gauge how cold it would get if I visit in October.
It was in April. Lijiang was cool, Shangri-la was a little cold while Kunming and Dali were warm
You reached Lijang in the morning. Assuming that the hotel check in time is afternoon 3pm, where do you put your luggage?
Also which hotel you stay and is it expensive?
Can do the check-in first and if room is not available yet, can leave luggage at hotel.
We stayed at Xilu Xiaoxie Inn in Lijiang Old Town. Generally ok except for the sound insulation. Not expensive, about CNY200 per night.
Hi, I'm planning to visit Yunnan this coming mid July. May I have your itinerary to follow? Thank you for the informative video.
Here you go:
3 Days Lijiang
Day 1 - Kunming Airport, Lijiang Ancient Town
Day 2 - Zhongyi Market, Baisha Ancient Town
Day 3 - Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Blue Moon Valley, Impression Lijiang Show
3 Days Shangri-La
Day 4 - Dukezong Ancient Town, Guishan Park
Day 5 - Balagezong
Day 6 - Songzanlin Monastery, Yila Grassland, Napa Lake
1.5 Days Shaxi
Day 7 - Shaxi Ancient Town
Day 8 Morning - Shaxi Friday Market
2.5 Days Dali
Day 8 Afternoon - Xizhou Ancient Town, Erhai Eco Corridor, Erhai S-Bay
Day 9 - Shuanglang, Little Putuo Island, Lixiangbang - Santorini, Dali Ancient Town
Day 10 - Dali North Market, Cangshan Mountain Jizhao Temple
2 Days Kunming
Day 10 Evening - Kunming Old Street
Day 11 - Kunming Stone Forest
Day 12 - Kunming Western Hills Dragon Gate
Thanks for sharing very informative video, how about toliet accessiblity in mountain area and the cleaness, pls?
Toilets are available and clean but may encounter no toilet paper
Thanks, btw which month of the year in that video? If i plan to go december any tips or tricks as i plan to go with 2 young kids and 2 elderly. Thanks!
Our trip was in April 2024. Dali & Kunming were warm, Lijiang comfortable while Shangri-la was a little cold. So in December, expect Shangri-la to be very cold.
Being on highlands, UV radiation is strong, air is dry, and we may be subject to altitude stress. So drink plenty of water, and apply body lotion and sunblock. Go slow upon arrival to let the body adapt to the altitude. May experience dry eyes too. All hotels and inns we stayed in, except one, provide complimentary bottled water.
For accommodation, avoid those where cold air may seep through cracks. No joke to catch a cold at high altitude.
Regarding Oxygen can, this cannot be brought to the train. Also, be aware that there are fake oxygen cans for sale. Whether you need oxygen can depend on individual. But for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain tour, the tour agent will provide.
Bring along your own toilet paper. Most public toilets run out of paper fast.
All use mobile payment. Did not see anyone using cash. So, do download both Alipay and WeChat. The bank card we use offers a good exchange rate. See the link in the description box for more info.
@@holidayingyourway513thanks again for all tips and detail.
Btw, any reliable website for tour package and transport?
As i'm having hard time to explore different option.
For e.g Didi ride vs train/bus for 6 of us.
As my itinerary of 12 days, i plan to go this route.
Didi ride from kunming airport
Stay 3 days in Kunming
Kunming to Shangri-la via bullet train
AStay 3 days in Shangri-la
Shangri-la to Lijiang via train or DiDi ride?
stay 4 days in Lijiang
Lijiang to Dali via train or DiDi ride?
Stay 3 Days in Dali
Dali to Kunming airport via bullet train
return back SG.
Easy to get DiDi ride 7 seaters to fit 6 of us with luggages?
TIA 🙏
For Shangri-La to Lijiang & Lijiang to Dali, travelling time will be shorter by train.
I do not know if it is easy or not to get a 7-seater DiDi ride.
Getting a chartered car (包 车）for the whole trip might be a better option for a group of 6. We ever explored this option and average charge is about CNY500 per day. Go to 携程旅行 App which is commonly used by the local Chinese tourists.
Very informative video. Where is the fish soup restaurant located? or the name?
五湖汽锅鱼 (Five-Lake Steamed Fish) at Zhongyi Night Market
@@holidayingyourway513 - thank you so much
Get lot of information before travel to Yunnan
You didn't go Tiger Leap stone. Is this place in Lijang or Shangri-la? How do go there from Lijiang
We originally planned to visit that place. However, going from Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge and then to Shangri-La was not economical. It is probably doable to do a day trip from Lijiang. There is a bus to go there but I have no info
At 4506 (meters?) do you need the oxygen "bag" or "bottles"?
That depends on individual. For us, we did not have to use it. Anyway, if you join private or group tour, an oxygen can will be provided.
Do you need a travel permit ( like Tibet ) to visit Shangri-La ?
Visiting Shangri-La does not require a travel permit
In your video, you said the entrance ticket to some of the scenic areas is half price for seniors. Does this apply to foreigners or only to China citizens
It applies to foreigners too
Can you list the hotels you stayed for the whole trip?
Lijiang - Xilu Xiaoxie Inn
Shangri-La - Floral Hotel
Shaxi - Wuyuenian Renwen Inn
Dali - Dali Yunxi Boutique Inn
Kunming - Fairfield Kunming
Thanks a lot
Did you take along oxygen cans. Where to buy this oxygen cans and its cost
Yes, it is included in the tour package we booked. Lucky for us, we didn’t have to use it.
did you booked Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Glacier Cable Car ticket few days earlier?
Yes, we got the hotel to help us book the ticket 3 days in advance. We learnt that it is difficult to book on our own online. The chances are slim and almost nil. Just too popular and it restricts the number of visitors per day to the Glacier Park
Hi can you release part 2 pls thanks
Not ready yet. Will get it done soon
You stayed in 5 different inn/hotels in different towns. May I know how much you pay for each of them.?
Might not be relevant to you as the hotels we stayed in are room for 3. Most of our bookings are through Booking.com. Perhaps you can check there for the current rate.
Which app did you use to book all your hotels ?
携程旅行 (ctrip.com) App - Shaxi
Booking.com App - All others
How much you spend including food, transportation andhotel for 12 days?
About CNY5,100 per person (all except air ticket, insurance, data roaming)
Hi the speed train from kunming to Lijiang , is bought in advance or on the spot ?
We bought the ticket before we flew at www.12306.cn using our email account for verification as we wanted to catch an early train. However, we were successful only after many attempts.
Thank you !
建议你提前购买，因为大理丽江是中国热门旅游路线尤其马上到来的就是学生暑假，不提前购买很容易买不到票！我就是云南人，有什么不懂的可以问我❤
@@holidayingyourway513 can you book tickets via some apps like wechat or alipay? without going to the website?
Looks like we can buy ticket via Alipay App under “TripAir-Train” icon. Didn’t know that
😊How much do you pay per person in total for the day tour to Jade Dragon snow mountain which your hotel booked for you
We paid CNY598 per person. It was a private tour and it included:
- Round trip transportation
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Ropeway & Glacier Park
- Blue Moon Valley
- Impression Lijiang Performance
- Yak Steamboat Lunch
- Internal Bus Service
- 1 Oxygen Can
- Dow Jacket Rental
Other options like group tour, car sharing are available too
@@holidayingyourway513 can the tour guide speak english?
There is no tour guide.
How to didi private transport in China if we don’t have a China telephone number in our Alipay or WeChat account? We use our Singapore handphone number whilst in China
We used the International Roaming Data only
Did you convert any China currency, Yuan, to bring along with your trip?. If yes, have you use to pay for anything
@@chinmc6398 We did not bring any CNY. We link our international Visa card "WISE" to Alipay and WeChat Apps and our payments are through these Apps. WISE Card exchange rate is good. I have provided the link in the description box if you want to know more about WISE.
Is it possible to connect gmail, Watsapp and RUclips with hotel wifi?
With hotel wifi - no. International roaming - ok
Hi, your video is so informative and i basically just copied your itinerary. i know your ep2 video is not ready, but is it possible for you to send me your itinerary first？ so I can book all my hotels asap. Going in Aug :)
Give me another 1 to 2 days. It is almost done
@@holidayingyourway513 thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️
Ep 2?
will get it done soon
meanwhile, click the notification bell to receive alert when new video is uploaded
Hi! May l know if cash is still accepted?
We did not bring any cash. So I am not sure. We use WiSE card which is ver convenient. Exchange rate is better than money changer’s and we can choose to convert at the point of payment
cash is no problem.
现金接受的！只是有机会碰到没有零钱来给你找补，有生意不做就是傻子😂