Introduction

CHINA is divided into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 1 special administrative region. It has a broad territory of 9.6 million square kilometers and a large population of more than 1.2 billion.

The 23 provinces - Hebei, Shanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Hainan, Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

The 5 autonomous regions - Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Tibet Autonomous Region.

The 4 municipalities - Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing. One special administrative region - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

China is an attractive destination that cannot be ignored, with a rich heritage, spectacular natural scenery, diverse traditions and colourful folklore. Its splendid civilisation of unique depth endows the country with an inviting charm and an air of mystery. With a history spanning thousands of years and a wealth of natural reserves, China's tourism resources are as huge and varied as the country itself. The country boasts 56 ethnic minorities and it is this multiplicity of cultures that enriches the visitor's experience. Many of the ethnic communities welcome travellers to join in local festivals and celebrations. It reveals an intriguing blend of the old and the new as the future straddles the past, welcoming a modern lifestyle, while still honoring its ancient traditions.

Yunnan

YUNNAN is the sixth largest of China's 23 provinces. Its towering ice mountains adjoin Tibet and Burma in the northwest and lush jungles bordering Laos and Vietnam in the south. Half of all China's animals and plant species can be found in Yunnan, and its nearly 40 million people include members of 26 different ethnic groups - a third of its total population.

In western Yunnan mighty ranges fan south from Tibet's border, channelling some of Asia's greatest rivers through immensely deep canyons. The Salween, the Mekong and the Yangzi race side by side far below the snowcapped peaks, barely 80 kilometres(50 miles) apart.

Getting to Yunnan

In the early part of the 20th century, Yunnan was almost inaccessible to foreigners. The arduous overland trip up the Yangzi River to Chongqing (Chungking) and south through brigand-infested mountains to Kunming was considered too dangerous. Most travellers chose to take the sea route from Hong Kong to Haiphong, in Vietnam, and the French-run railway from Hanoi to Kunming. However, it is now reached easily by air, train and overland.

By Air

China Yunnan Airlines offer comfortable and convenient service direct to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. Their modern fleet of Boeing 737s and new wide-body 767s fly from Kunming to 41 regional destinations.

Thai International Airways with a daily flight from Bangkok to Kunming and also serving Chiang Mai en route on Thursdays and Sundays is an ideal "gateway "to China from Southeast Asia. Flights between Hong Kong and Kunming leave almost daily by either China Southwest Airlines or Dragon Air. Singapore's regional airline, Silk Air, flies to Kunming on Thursdays and Sundays. Kuala Lumpur and Macau will be linked directly with Yunnan in the near future. A long standing weekly flight continues to be maintained between Yangon (Rangon) and Kunming.

For tourists already inside the country, China Yunnan Airlines run regular flights between Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Jinghong and most major cities in China including Beijing, Guangzhou, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu and Hangzhou.

By Train

The engineering feat of linking Yunnan by rail to the rest of China was tremendous, only accomplished in the 1960s and early 1970s. Mountains, ravines and landslides were overcome. Now that trains are safe and comfortable, the railway is a spectacular way to enter Yunnan.

Three classes of accommodation exist on all long-distance trains, known as "soft sleeper" (first class), "hard sleeper" (second class) and "hard seat" (third class). Groups travelling under the care of -our local representative -Diethelm Travel Yunnan Co., Ltd. ride first class; this provides clean, comfortable European-style compartments with four soft berths, lace curtains and porcelain teacups, which all add a quaint charm. Bedding is provided and each carriage has a washing room with running water and a western-style toilet.

General Information of Visas

Every tourist must get a visa to go to China, but this is usually an easy, trouble-free process. Tourist visas for individual travellers can be obtained directly through Chinese embassies and consulates. Two passport photographs and a completed application form are necessary. Visa fees vary considerably, depending on the source of the visa, and on the time taken to get it.

The visa gives you access to all China's open cities and areas. Internal travel permits to closed or restricted areas are generally obtained through the Foreign Affairs Bureau or the Public Security Bureau or the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in the provincial capital. Regular business visitors are eligible for a multiple re-entry visa which may be obtained with the help of a business contact in China.

Climate and Clothing

Yunnan has one of the best climate in China and Kunming is known throughout the country as "Spring City". Temperatures there rarely reach freezing in winter, and the days are crisp and sunny. The rainy season lasts from late May through August, but on most days there is sunshine between the showers. Spring and autumn are sublime. The high altitude causes some fluctuations of temperature, and nights are generally chilly.

Clothing should be simple and consist of layers which can be added or removed as temperatures vary during the day. A sweater and light jacket will be useful and stout, comfortable shoes are recommended. Special items to bring to Yunnan include sunscreen lotion and sun glasses against the intense sunlight, and a hat. The high, dry plateau is likely to cause chapped lips and cracked skin; lip salve and skin cream should not be forgotten.

Travel to the southern part of Yunnan Province requires light, cotton clothing suitable for the tropics. Travellers to Dali, Lijiang or Zhongdian in the northwest of the province should take gloves and a warm coat or jacket between October and March.

Currency

The Chinese currency, referred to as Renminbi or RMB, is denominated in Yuan. The exchange rate is approximately US$1 = Rmb 8.00.

Holidays

In contrast to the long calendar of traditional Chinese festivals, modern China now has only three official holidas: May Day, 1 October, marking the founding of the People's Republic of China, and Chinese New Year, often called the Spring Festival which comes at the lunar new year, usually in late January or early February.

Communications

Mail in Kunming, incoming and outgoing, is reliable and quite fast if sent by air mail. Telegrams can be sent from post offices, the international telephone service is getting steadily better and is best from major hotels. Fax is now common.

Language

Mandarin is China's official language, spoken by more than 700 million people. It is the most widely spoken language in the world. Although technically within the Mandarin-speaking region, Yunnan has its own colourful dialect which outsiders find difficult to understand.

Tipping

Widely practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills. At airport, porters charge RMB 10.- per bag.

Local Time

GMT+8 hours.

Dinning in Yunnan

With a history of several thousand years, China is one of the most ancient civilizations in the world. Chinese cookery, similarly, occupies a unique place in the world's culinary art.

A variety of cuisines have formed out of different local products, climates, traditions and eating habits throughout the centuries. Like music, dance and drama, Chinese cookery is regarded as a form of art. It is an important part of the Chinese culture. Chinese culinary pays special attention to the selection of ingredients and the color, smell, taste, appearance and combination of dishes. Even the ways of eating are worth studying.

In order to give travellers a true feeling for the country and its diverse regional gastronomic variations, Diethelm Travel features interesting local restaurants whenever possible in its itineraries. These are carefully selected, for hygiene as well as gastronomic considerations. In some countryside areas, however, dining opportunities are still very limited. Travellers are advised against eating from street or market stalls, however tempting these may seem. Again, never drink tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.

Shopping/ Souvenirs

Best buys include bright clothing and embroidered accessories of Yunnan's minority people. Aprons, shoulder bags, embroidered shoes, headdresses and belts are particularly attractive, including tea, Chinese medicines and dry mushrooms.

Jewellery is generally not up to international standards for design and workmanship and buyers should check that "gold" is, in fact, gilded silver.

Bargaining is essential for all souvenir shopping, if travellers are to obtain reasonable prices.

Domestic Travel

Domestic air services have improved greatly over recent years. China Yunnan Airlines run regular flights between Kunming, Lijiang, Dali and Jinghong. Diethelm Travel guests will travel usually by China Yunnan Airlines and by airconditioned car or bus. In remote areas, however, airconditioned vehicles may not always be available and travellers should be advised that the quality of roads varies throughout China, from good to bad. Due to road conditions in some certain areas, long distance overland travel generally takes longer than the traveller might expect - averaging only 40-50 km/hr. Baggage allowance on domestic flights is limited to 20kg. Excess luggage can be left in Kunming hotels for collection on return from upcountry.

Restricated Areas

Most areas of Yunnan are now open for foreign visitors. Access to some remote or border areas, however, is still subject to government or military permission. In such situations HT&T will obtain the necessary permits, based on passport information contained in clients' booking forms.

Hotels

In spite of the building boom that is creating new hotels up to international standards for the first time in key touristic centres, accommodations in Yunnan still vary in quality and, during high seasons, availability. HT&T clients will generally receive hotel reservations priority, but HT&T cannot guarantee specific hotel requests upcountry and reserves the right to substitute accommodation of the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel is not available. Clients are advised that accommodations, especially in upcountry or remote locations, may not always be up to international standards.

Customs and Formalities on Arrival

Regulations are now generally relaxed for tourist travellers arriving by air in Kunming. Visitors should have completed immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and must submit these on arrival. All foreign currency (in excess of USD 2,000.-), travellers cheques and jewellery, cameras etc. must be recorded on the customs form and may be checked on departure.

A HT&T representative or guide will meet travellers on arrival, afterairpor4 immigration and customs control points have been passed. In the arrival hall our representative will display a HT&T sign and / or names of guests or their group for ease of recognition.

Duty free allowance is 200 cigarettes and one quart of wine or spirit. Note that export of antiques, art objects and gems without official dealer's receipt, is strictly prohibited. Baggage may be X-rayed or inspected before departure.

Health

No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Yunnan and, if travelling to remote or border areas, travellers should check with their doctor or a travel immunisation clinic regarding the advisability of innoculation against typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis.

Airport Tax

International: RMB 90.- per person (US$12) Domestic: RMB 50.- per person (US$6)