Dear Malaysian friends, are you eager for a unique trip to explore the distance full of mystery and charm? Yunnan, a colorful place located in the southwest of China, is waiting for your arrival with open arms.
I. Travel preparation:
• Visa: Apply for a Chinese tourist visa in advance. Just log in to the official website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Malaysia, follow the clear process guidelines, prepare passports, visa application forms, photos and other materials, and apply in advance to easily start this dream trip.
• Currency exchange: Yunnan uses RMB, and it is a good idea to exchange part of RMB at banks or exchange points in Malaysia. After arriving in Kunming, currency exchange can also be carried out at the airport, bank and urban exchange point. At the same time, it is recommended to bring a UnionPay card. Most banks' UnionPay cards can be withdrawn at ATMs in Yunnan, but it should be noted that there may be a certain handling fee. In addition, mobile payment is very popular in Yunnan today. WeChat payment and Alipay can be used in many attractions, restaurants and stores, and you can bring a small amount of cash when traveling.
• Ticket reservation: Follow the official websites and ticket reservation platforms of major airlines. You can fly directly from Kuala Lumpur to Kunming, or choose transit flights to other cities in Yunnan.
• Item preparation: Prepare clothes according to the itinerary and season, such as thick coats in plateau areas such as Yulong Snow Mountain; prepare common drugs, sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrellas, etc. Yulong Snow Mountain is quite high, and some friends may encounter altitude sickness. Take anti-highland reaction drugs such as Hongjinga one week in advance, avoid strenuous exercise after arrival, and give the body enough time to adapt. If you have headache, dyspnea and other symptoms, take a rest in time and seek medical help if necessary. In high-altitude areas, remember to replenish a small amount of water many times to keep your body in good condition.
II. Traffic Guide:
•Airplane: Kuala Lumpur International Airport has direct flights to Kunming Changshui International Airport. If you go to western Yunnan, there are also flights to Lijiang and Xishuangbanna.
Direct flights: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) has direct flights to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), operated by AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and other airlines, with a flight range of about 4-5 hours. For example, some AirAsia flights depart at night and arrive in Kunming in the early morning, allowing you to fly at night without delaying the day. Transit flights: If there is no suitable direct flight, you can choose to transfer to Yunnan through Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Bangkok. In this way, not only can there be more flight time to choose from, but also more choices for destinations. For example, you can fly to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport first, and then transfer to Kunming, Lijiang or Xishuangbanna. When transferring in Guangzhou, you can also use the waiting time to shop at the airport duty-free shop. If your itinerary is concentrated in western Yunnan, it is more appropriate to fly directly to Lijiang Sanyi International Airport or Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport. At present, there are charter flights operated by Xiangpeng Airlines from Kuala Lumpur to Lijiang, three times a week, which greatly facilitates passengers who want to travel directly to Lijiang. It can save the time of transit in Kunming and get to the destination faster to start the journey.
• High-speed rail: You can fly to Guangzhou or Nanning first, and then transfer to the high-speed rail to Kunming. After arriving in Kunming, you can take the high-speed rail to Dali, Lijiang, etc.
Transfer from other cities in China: Yunnan's high-speed rail network is increasingly developed. If you fly from Malaysia to Guangdong or Guangxi in China first, you can choose high-speed rail to enter Yunnan. For example, it takes about 6 hours to take the high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Kunming South Station; it takes 4-5 hours from Nanning East Station to Kunming South Station. The scenery along these two high-speed rail journeys is different, and you can enjoy the scenery of different regions.
Provincial high-speed railway line: After arriving in Kunming, the provincial high-speed railway can help you easily go to Dali, Lijiang and other popular tourist destinations. The high-speed railway from Kunming to Dali takes about 2 hours and Lijiang in about 3 hours. This method is fast and comfortable, and allows you to enjoy the pastoral scenery of Yunnan during the journey. In addition, in addition to the high-speed railway from Dali to Lijiang, there are also ordinary trains. Although the speed is slightly slower, the ticket price is relatively more affordable.
• Highway: Tourists who have plenty of time and like to explore can choose to drive by themselves, through Thailand and Laos, and enter Xishuangbanna, Yunnan from Moding Port; they can also choose cross-border buses to Jinghong from Luang Prabang, Laos or Vientiane to Xishuangbanna.
Southeast Asia self-driving route: If you have plenty of time and love adventure, you can drive north from Malaysia, pass through Thailand and Laos, and enter Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China, through the Moding Port in Laos. This route allows you to enjoy the scenery of Southeast Asian countries along the way and experience different customs, but long-distance driving needs to be well planned in advance, including vehicle maintenance, visa processing (visas through the country) and understanding of local traffic rules.
Cross-border buses: Some travel agencies provide cross-border bus services from Laos and Vietnam to Yunnan. For example, there are buses from Luang Prabang, Laos or Vientiane to Jinghong in Xishuangbanna. After arriving at Jinghong, you can continue to go to Kunming or other cities. Taking a cross-border bus can communicate with passengers from different countries and feel the local characteristics at the stop, but the journey is relatively long and may be bumpy on the way.
III. Recommendation of scenic spots:
• Kunming: Visit Jinma Bijifang, Cuihu, Kunming Old Street, Xishan, Yunnan Ethnic Village, Shilin, Jiuxiang and other scenic spots.
• Dali: Bask in the sun and taste local dishes in the ancient city of Dali, ride along the scenic road around Erhai Lake, enjoy the lakes and mountains of the double corridors, and also go to the three towers of Chongsheng Temple, Butterfly Spring and other scenic spots.
• Lijiang: Visit the ancient city of Lijiang, visit Sifang Street, Dashi Bridge, Bar Street, Mufu and other small scenic spots, go to Yulong Snow Mountain to experience the magnificent snow scenery, and also go to Lugu Lake to experience the Mosuo style.
• Xishuangbanna: Go to the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to enjoy the rich tropical plants, go to Manting Park to experience the ethnic customs, and visit the Xishuangjing of Gaozhuang to experience the unique architectural style and night market atmosphere.
IV. Food recommendations:
•Kunming: cross-bridge rice noodles, bean flower rice noodles, wild mushroom hot pot, flower cakes, etc.
• Dali: Erhai fish, Bai Sandao tea, milk fan, shredded food, crispy rice cake, etc.
•Lijiang: preserved pork shabu hot pot, Naxi grilled fish, chicken bean jelly, Lijiang bacchi, etc.
• Xishuangbanna: Dai-flavored pilaf, lemongrass grilled fish, pineapple purple rice, Dai's barbecue, etc.
• Lugu Lake: pork, Surima wine, dried grilled fish, etc.
V. Schedule:
• I will take the direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kunming as a starting point and plan an 8-day route for you covering the special attractions of Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Lugu Lake. I hope you have a good trip in Yunnan.
•First day: Arrival in Kunming
Fly from Kuala Lumpur to Kunming Changshui International Airport, take an airport bus or taxi to the downtown hotel to check in and take a break. Go to Kunming Old Street, stroll along the ancient streets, enjoy the buildings of the Ming and Qing dynasties, taste special delicacies such as bean flower rice noodles and small pot rice noodles, and feel the old Kunming customs. Visit Jinma Bijifang, a landmark building in Kunming. After taking photos, stroll around nearby Nanping Street to experience the local lively atmosphere.
•The second day: Kunming-Dari
Take the bullet train to Dali. After arrival, go to the Erhai Ecological Gallery, rent a bicycle and enjoy the scenery of the Erhai Sea. On the way, you can stop at the dragon niche wharf and other places to take photos. In the evening, you can stay in the ancient city of Dali, visit the ancient city, enjoy the night view of the ancient city, and taste delicious food such as shredded food and crispy cakes.
•Third day: Dali
Take a boat tour of the Erhai Sea, enjoy the lakes and mountains of the Erhai Sea, stop at Little Putuo Island on the way, and visit the island. In the afternoon, we will go to the ancient town of Xizhou, where many traditional Bai residential buildings are preserved. You can visit attractions such as Yanjia Courtyard and taste Xizhou rice cake.
• Day 4: Dali - Lijiang
From Dali in the morning, I took the bullet train to Lijiang, and after arriving, I went to the ancient city of Lijiang to check in. Visit the ancient city of Lijiang, visit Sifang Street, Mufu and other attractions, experience the charm of the ancient city, and taste delicious food such as pork spic hot pot and Naxi grilled fish in the ancient city.
• Day 5: Lijiang
Go to Yulong Snow Mountain, book tickets for the big ropeway in advance, take the ropeway up the mountain, enjoy the magnificent snowy mountain scenery, and punch in at an altitude of 4680 meters. After going down the mountain, go to the Blue Moon Valley and enjoy the clear bottom of the lake, which is blue and beautiful in the sun.
• Day 6: Lijiang-Lgu Lake
Take the tourist shuttle bus to Lugu Lake, which takes about 3-4 hours to enjoy the scenery along the way. After arriving at Lugu Lake, take a boat tour of Lugu Lake, enjoy the natural scenery in the lake, and visit attractions such as Liwubi Island. In the evening, attend a bonfire party at Lugu Lake to experience the culture and life of the Mosuo people.
• Day 7: Lugu Lake - Lijiang
Get up early to enjoy the sunrise of Lugu Lake, and then take a walk by the lake to feel the tranquility and beauty of Lugu Lake. After returning to Lijiang in the afternoon, you can move freely in downtown Lijiang and buy some specialties.
• Day 8: Lijiang-Kunming- Malaysia
Return to Kunming by bullet train, arrive in Kunming, go to Kunming Changshui International Airport, check in, return to Malaysia by flight, and end a pleasant trip to Yunnan.
VI. Accommodation Suggestions
• Kunming: It is recommended to live near Kunming Old Street or Nanping Street, with convenient transportation and many delicious food around.
• Dali: You can choose to live in the ancient city of Dali or the seaside to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ancient city and Erhai Lake.
• Lijiang: It is recommended to live in the ancient city of Lijiang and feel the charm of the ancient city.
• Lugu Lake: You can choose to live in an inn by the lake and enjoy the lake view.
7. The best time to travel in Yunnan
• Spring (May-May): The temperature gradually warms up, and the average temperature is between 15-25℃. At this time, flowers are in full bloom all over Yunnan, which is an excellent time to enjoy flowers. The Yuantong Mountain in Kunming is full of cherry blossoms, the rape flower fields in Dali are golden, and the sea of azaleas in Shangri-La is dazzling, which contrasts with the majestic snowy mountains, forming a picturesque beauty. You can go to Cuihu Lake, the ancient city of Lijiang and other places to feel the vigorous atmosphere of spring. However, spring is also the rainy season in some parts of Yunnan. Remember to bring rain gear when you go out.
• Autumn (September-November): The weather is cool, the average temperature is between 10-25℃, the autumn is cool, and the sky is particularly blue. The ginkgo village in Tengchong is full of golden yellow, the inner forest of Pudacuo National Park is full of forest, and the scenery of the Nujiang Grand Canyon is becoming more and more magnificent in autumn. This period is very suitable for going to these places and enjoying the colorful colors of autumn. And compared with the peak tourist season, there are relatively few tourists at this time, so you can enjoy the journey more comfortably.
If you have a specific area you want to go, the time choice is different:
• Kunming: The climate is mild all year round, and it is suitable for visiting in all four seasons. But March-October is better. During this period, there are many ethnic minority festivals, which allows you to experience the local culture in depth. It is also a harvest season for fruits and flowers. It is full of fun.
• Dali: Spring (March-April) is the best tourist season, and "Good scenery in March in Dali". Not only is the climate pleasant, but there are also many Bai festivals and festivals with strong national customs.
• Lijiang: It is suitable for spring, summer, autumn and winter. You can enjoy flowers in spring, avoid the heat in summer, and different scenery in autumn. There is plenty of sunshine in winter, and you can feel the warm winter.
• Shangri-La: From the end of April to the beginning of May is the best. At this time, the azaleas all over the mountains are blooming and beautiful. It should be noted that the rainy season begins in June, and rainy days may affect the playing experience.
• Lugu Lake: It is best to go in spring and summer. The climate is warm in winter and cool in summer, but September is better. The rainy season has just passed, there is less rain, the road condition is good, and it is safer to travel.
• Xishuangbanna: It belongs to the tropical rainforest climate, with the best from October to June of the following year. This is the dry season, and the climate is warm and comfortable, avoiding the humidity and heat of the rainy season. If you want to experience the Water Splashing Festival, it is most appropriate to go in mid-April, but prepare in advance to welcome the happy "wet body".
Yunnan has a rich and diverse climate and has a unique charm in all seasons. Choosing the best time to travel to Yunnan depends on your preference for scenery and experience. Generally speaking, spring and autumn are the first choice for most tourists. At this time, the weather is pleasant and the scenery is charming.
VIII. Precautions
• High anti-reaction prevention: Yulong Snow Mountain is at a high altitude, and some people may have altitude sickness. Prepare anti-altitude reaction drugs in advance, such as Hongjingtian, etc., and avoid strenuous exercise before going up the mountain.
• Sun protection measures: Yunnan has strong ultraviolet rays, and you need to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and other sunscreen products.
• Weather changes: The weather in Yunnan is changeable, bring rain gear with you, pay attention to the weather forecast before traveling, and arrange the itinerary reasonably. Kunming is like spring all year round, and the temperature difference between day and night in Dali, Lijiang and other areas is large. The temperature is even lower in Yulong Snow Mountain and other plateau areas. Be sure to bring warm clothes. Xishuangbanna is located in the tropics and is hot all year round. In summer, you need to take measures to prevent heatstroke and cool down, and carry light and breathable clothes. Check the weather forecast for the destination before traveling, and prepare suitable clothes and equipment according to the weather.
• Respect local customs: In areas where ethnic minorities live, respect local customs and religious beliefs.
• Language communication: Yunnan mainly uses Mandarin Chinese to communicate. Although the service staff of some tourist attractions may have some simple English, the popularity of English is limited in some niche places or daily communication. You can download some translation software in advance, such as Baidu Translation, Youdao Translation, etc., to facilitate communication. If possible, learning some simple Chinese daily language, such as asking for ways, ordering dishes, etc., will make the trip smoother.
• High altitude response: Yulong Snow Mountain is at a high altitude, and some people may have altitude sickness. Prepare anti-altitude reaction drugs in advance, such as Hongjinga, and it is best to start taking them one week in advance. After reaching the high altitude, avoid strenuous exercise and give the body time to adapt. If you have altitude sickness symptoms such as headache and dyspnea, you should rest in time and seek medical treatment if necessary. Pay attention to water in high-altitude areas, but do not drink a lot of water at a time.
• Diet differences: Yunnan cuisine is rich, but the taste is different from that of Malaysia. Some dishes may be spicy. If you can't eat spicy food, you should inform the waiter when ordering. There are many wild bacteria in Yunnan. When eating wild mushroom hot pot and other fungus dishes, be sure to ensure that the fungus is completely cooked to avoid poisoning caused by eating uncooked wild bacteria. In addition, when eating at roadside stalls or small restaurants, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by eating unclean food.
• Respect for cultural customs: Yunnan is a multi-ethnic settlement, and the cultural customs of the Bai people should be respected in Dali. For example, the three teas of the Bai people have specific drinking etiquette; in Lijiang, the Naxi people have a unique culture and should respect their traditions and taboos; the Mosuo people in Lugu Lake have their own unique customs such as walking and marriage. Do not judge the local customs at will. If the local people or religious places are involved when taking photos, they should first obtain consent.
Friends of Malaysia, the beautiful scenery, delicious food and multiculturalism of Yunnan are waiting for you to explore. Pack your bags, embark on this journey full of surprises, and leave your own good memories in the south of the colorful clouds!