Start here: Read the China Travel Essentials guide first for internet, payments, apps, maps, transport, reservations, and foreign-guest hotel check-in.
Yunnan is a province, not a compact city break. Choose one corridor rather than trying to connect every famous place. The complete Yunnan guide compares Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Xishuangbanna by season, altitude, transfer time, attraction value, and traveller type.
Use the guide’s route combinations to build a 5–7 day trip, a 9–12 day classic route, or a slower family and photography trip. Before booking, also read the China Travel Apps step-by-step guide for Meituan, maps, DiDi, payments, and reservations.