Safety Tips in Yunnan Sheng

While in Yunnan, expect the unexpected! Some of the toilets (even in Kunming bus terminal!) are still using the old fashioned type without doors! Basically, everyone is doing his business squating in a row over a drain. When you are squating, you will be able to see your neighbour's face. Don't look down to the drain!

Near the border with Guizhou, I saw one roadside sign that warned people to watch out for fake uniformed police. If you are a foreigner, you should not take for granted that a person in what seems to be an official uniform is necessary a police officer. Police departments and stations are ubiquitous throughout Yunnan, even in very small villages. If in doubt, insist on going to the police department. That's a safer bet then turning over your passport and/or exposing your possessions to a possible imposter.

I can report that in eastern Yunnan, particularly along the border with Guizhou, there has been a rise in drug traffic and use. Crime is on the rise and the number of guns and other assault weapons in this area are increasing. I know this because of the obvious public announcements and warnings everywhere, and also based on a conversation with a local police officer in this region.

This is not to say that eastern Yunnan is not a worthwhile place to travel to (it is), but you should be more vigilant. The biggest risk is petty theft from addicts looking to get money or valuable items to sell.

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The weather is cooling all round the year at places near to Kunming and Dali, which are considered as relatively flat land. Once you head up to the mountain areas e.g. Shangrila (Zhongdian) and Deqen, you need to check for the wearher condition, especially during winter time where the roads leading to these mountain areas are blocked by snow. As for southern region such as Xishuangbanna, the weather is generally cooler during November to March.

Be careful when in Yunnan about the sun. It shines brightly and burns there are worse than in more norther altitudes. Even in the Winter you can burn easily. Compounding this problem is the fact that not all cities sell sunscreen. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and apply it liberally!

Lack of fitness and oxygen intake affects many travellers to altitiudes above 2500ms. Many have a higher tolerance and experience it at higher levels say 4000 to 5000 mtrs upwards.
Syptoms of AMS incude headaches, nauseas, giddiness, shortness of breadth and in extremely high attitude cases, it can lead to oedema (swelling of the brain). People who aspire to climb that high would know about AMS but the first timers who have not been to high altitude regions like Tibet and high Yunnan, go a bit easy with your first few days up the mountain. Drinks lots of fluid(not alcohol) and go slow and steady.

It does not affect everyone but if you are hit, you would need medical advice and help and should descend as quick as you can.

Lack of fitness and oxygen intake affects many travellers to altitiudes above 2500ms. Many have a higher tolerance and experience it at higher levels say 4000 to 5000 mtrs upwards.
Syptoms of AMS incude headaches, nauseas, giddiness, shortness of breadth and in extremely high attitude cases, it can lead to oedema (swelling of the brain). People who aspire to climb that high would know about AMS but the first timers who have not been to high altitude regions like Tibet and high Yunnan, go a bit easy with your first few days up the mountain. Drinks lots of fluid(not alcohol) and go slow and steady.

It does not affect everyone but if you are hit, you would need medical advice and help and should descend as quick as you can.

pls pls pls avaoid visiting popular sites over weekends or chinese national holidays.. the crowds are crazy!! as the ppl of china becomes more affluent, many of them travel domestically.. i went to the stone forest (shilin) over a weekend and the whole experience was marred by people, people and more people.. especially at the entrance, there were local sellers trying relentlessly to get everyone into one of the local costumes for photos.. then, there are the visiting tourists who elbow themselves to the front of queues.. spit everywhere.. hog views with endless poses for photos.. sigh!! it is best to just avoid this and truly enjoy the real treasure of the stone forest..