Altitude Tips for Yunnan and Sichuan Tours
Golden Tropics Travel · Updated
Many of the most beautiful places in Yunnan and Sichuan are high above sea level. Coming from Malaysia, where most of us live near sea level, it helps to know what to expect and how to pace yourself.
How high are the popular places?
These are approximate heights. Your tour may visit some of them, and viewpoints can be higher than the town itself.
- Kunming: about 1,900 metres
- Dali: about 2,000 metres
- Lijiang Old Town: about 2,400 metres
- Shangri-La: about 3,200 metres
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain glacier park: about 4,500 metres
- Jiuzhaigou: about 2,000 to over 3,000 metres
What you might feel
Above about 2,500 metres, some people feel mild symptoms such as a headache, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, poor sleep or a lower appetite. These usually ease within a day or two as your body adjusts.
How to feel your best
- Walk slowly and take breaks, especially on the first day at a higher place.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on the first night.
- Eat light meals and get enough sleep.
- Keep warm: it is colder at altitude, even when the sun is strong.
- Use sun protection, as UV is stronger at height.
- Portable oxygen is sold at high viewpoints such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain; many travellers carry a can as a precaution.
Health conditions and when to get help
If you have a heart or lung condition, high blood pressure or are pregnant, speak to your doctor before booking a high-altitude tour, and tell us when you book.
If symptoms become severe, such as a strong headache that does not go away, vomiting, confusion or difficulty breathing at rest, tell your tour leader straight away. Going down to a lower altitude is the most effective remedy.