China
China, officially known as the People's Republic of China, covers an area of about 9.6 million square kilometers and is the world's third largest country after Russia and Canada. With approximately 1.3 billion inhabitants, the Chinese population accounts for one-fifth of humanity and is consequently the largest country by population. Ninety-two percent of the population is Han Chinese, with the remaining eight percent comprised of 55 different ethnic minorities. The geographical vastness of China reveals spectacular landscapes with three principal features: the forest of the east, the steppes and deserts of the north and northwest, and the high plateaus of Tibet and Qinghai.

Customs Regulations
Importation of all kinds of narcotics, weapons, pornographic media and any material harmful to state interests is strictly prohibited. Antiques may only be exported with a certificate or a receipt from an officially licensed shop. Baggage may be X-rayed or inspected before departure.

Yunnan Particularities
Yunnan, the sixth largest of China's provinces, lies in the southwest part of the country. Towering ice-capped mountains adjoin Tibet and Myanmar in the northwest, and lush tropical rainforests border Laos and Vietnam in the South. Yunnan offers some of the most picturesque topography and diversified culture in the world. It is home to 25 different ethnic groups, a third of China's ethnic minorities, and half the country's plant and animal species.

With a unique array of fascinating ecological resources, including snow-capped mountains, lakes and hot springs, tropical rainforests, as well as a healthy climate and the friendly people, Yunnan is one of the most alluring destinations in China.

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 and south through brigand-infested mountains to Kunming was considered too dangerous.  Most travelers 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. China Yunnan Airlines offer comfortable and convenient service direct to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. Their modern fleet of Boeing 737s and 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. Also, a new flight from Chiang Mai to Kunming is now available with Bangkok Airways twice a week. Flights between Hong Kong and Kunming leave daily on China Southern Airlines or three to four times per week with Dragon Air. From Kunming, there exist direct flights to Kunming to Yangon and Mandalay (Myanmar), Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Macao, Hanoi and Vientiane.

Travelling in the Province
Although airlines accepts reservations in advance, confirmation with departure times and flight number will be definitely known only when tickets are purchased. Shanghai-South-Eastern Airlines has a good network, serving all major cities within the province and operating a brand new fleet of Boeing 737 and 767 planes in the country. Baggage allowance on domestic flights is limited to 20 kg.

If domestic air services and road conditions in certain areas have improved greatly over the recent years, long distance overland travels generally take longer than the traveler might expect. New roads have been opened and are being under construction. A new expressway links Kunming to Dali in 4-5 hours and continues westwards to Baoshan (2 hours). To the south, a motorway allows travelers to reach Yuxi in only over an hour, therefore reducing the time of travel of our southwards itineraries. 

Long distance transportation will be provided with air-conditioned buses or vans. In remote areas however, air conditioned vehicles may not always be available and travelers should be advised that the quality of roads can range from good to bad. Many of the vehicles' back seats are not equipped with safety belts.

Train transportation is also a way to discover the country. Since 1999, a train route links Kunming to Dali daily (day and night train with soft and hard sleepers). The most famous line built by the French at the turn of the 20th century and  linking Kunming to Hanoi is not operated anymore.

In order to give travelers 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. Travelers 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.