Another reason we love Yunnan is because we can travel there twelve months a year.  Its high elevations and temperate climates allow for seasonable weather virtually year-round in most of the province.  Much of Yunnan receives strong sun at midday due to the elevation, but the many mountainous regions are also prone to inconsistent weather patterns, so a light raincoat is recommended.  The tropical climate of Xishuangbanna in southern Yunnan is warm year-round, and can become very hot and humid from February to May.  In the extreme elevations of northwest Yunnan at Shangri-La and Deqin snow is common from December to March while July and August represents the rainy season.      

Sichuan is much simpler.  Travel in western and northern Sichuan is only possible from early April to November as winter in Sichuan’s mountains is not pleasant.  Even in summer nights can be very cold on the plateau.  Visiting Chengdu and other sites in the Sichuan Basin as well as the Liangshan mountains to the south is possible year-round.  Like Yunnan, the Sichuan sun can be very strong at high elevations any time of year. 

Chengdu has three seasons.  Temperatures almost never drop below freezing making room for plenty of warm and often humid summer weather between late May and early September.  Countless pleasant days of weather are reliable from February to June and September to November.    

Be sure to refer to packing lists when preparing for your trip. Different seasons require different clothing options, and when you book your trip we will advise you and what to expect from the weather during your journey.

The most convenient way to fly to China is to take a direct flight to Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. Many major cities around the world have direct service to these destinations including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, and Sydney among others. Beginning in May 2006 KLM began offering service twice a week from Amsterdam direct to Chengdu. Be sure to book well in advance to catch this flight.

Direct flights from North America take around 12-13 hours. From Europe, the flight takes 8-10 hours.

Connecting flights to Chengdu, Kunming, or Lijiang are available from Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. All Overland tours begin at one of these three destinations. These connecting flights range from 2 to 3.5 hours in length.

Overland Travel is able to procure your tickets for you, though we find that many travelers have their own preferences for travel times, cities and airlines. We allow our customers to purchase their own airfare and will work our tour around their schedule. Searching travel sites such as Expedia or Orbitz is always a good way to look for airfare, especially to compare prices.

Overland Travel offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from small local guesthouses to luxury hotels, giving you the ability to decide. In destinations away from cities, we encourage using local guesthouses and homestays, adding to the local flair of a destination that we know will enhance your experience. Often times, these places provide home cooked meals and warm Chinese hospitality that you may not experience from the larger hotels, and experiences such as these will truly make your visit to China more memorable.

Still, we recognize that in the larger cities our travelers may wish to have the comforts of a 4 or 5 star hotel, and this can easily be accommodated in most destinations. These hotels will adhere to the standards that you expect from international hotels, including fine dining options, room service and business facilities

When we are in towns and cities it will be easy to arrange meals in a variety of excellent restaurants. In big cities such as Chengdu, Kunming and Lijiang, there are plenty of pan-Chinese and even pan-Asian choices. In rural and mountain areas we’ll often stop at local restaurants for lunch when we’re on the road. Many of these restaurants allow guests to pick their own fresh produce to be used in cooking. If we are hiking, we may prepare a picnic lunch or eat in a local home.

If there are vegetarians in your group, please be sure to let us know well in advance. China is rich in vegetarian cuisine due to the common usage of tofu, and readily available fresh produce for stir fried dishes, soups, and even vegetarian hotpot or barbecue.

No, travelers should never drink tap water, but bottled water and boiled water are very readily available, and quite inexpensive. There should not be any problem with finding water that is suitable for drinking.

Yes, the amount of time and number of chances for shopping will be dependent on your personal preferences as every traveler places a different level of importance on this aspect of their trip. Since so many Yunnan and Sichuan destinations play host to a different ethnicity, the types of souvenirs that you can buy will vary from place to place. One can expect to see a variety of jewelry, clothing, art and handicrafts that reflect the various cultures and customs of southwest China.

Southwest China borders Myanmar, one of the world’s leading suppliers of high quality jade, providing an opportunity to purchase some of the finest jade jewelry and sculptures at a relatively low cost. Silk clothing of local design is unique and popular. Art is also popular, as traditional painting styles depicting Chinese folklore and natural images are a favorite souvenir for travelers.

In the destinations outside of the larger cities, local products such as traditional tribal clothing and intricately embroidered handicrafts can be found in different varieties in each place.

Yes, most hotels and guesthouses offer laundry services at an affordable price (guest houses being significantly less expensive), and you should not worry about this on your journey. For this reason, we encourage you not to pack too much, given the limited space available in the vehicles.

The standard currency used in China is known as the Yuan or Renminbi. You may hear it referred to as “yuan” or “kuai”, which are both commonly used in speech throughout China. As of July 2008 the value has been fluctuating at around 6.8 RMB to 1 US Dollar.

Click here for up current currency exchange rates

While ATMs can be found in all but the most remote destinations in China, often times they do not accept foreign bank cards for transactions. We encourage you to check with your bank before your trip, and if this poses a potential problem to make sure that you have enough cash on hand for what you plan to purchase.

The best places to exchange money are local banks or hotels that may offer currency exchanges. Airports usually have high fees for exchange, so banks are a better option for the most recent and beneficial exchange rate. We will let you know which hotels may offer this service prior to your visit. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to exchange any form of foreign currency for goods and services in China.

The ability to use foreign credit cards in China is typically limited to luxury hotels, restaurants and high-end souvenir shops. While Overland Travel will cover most of these expenses, you should not rely on the ability to use your credit card when shopping for small gifts or meals. Cash is the most commonly used form of currency, and should you wish to make a small purchase it will most likely be required of you to use cash. Please plan in advance for this by exchanging your currency for RMB.

We also advise against the use of traveler’s checks, as this is also uncommon in Southwestern China and you may find their uses to be scant.

All guides carry mobile phones which can receive international calls. Overland can also arrange for guests to carry a mobile phone on which they can make and receive international calls. All towns and cities also have affordable 'phone shops' which offer international call service. Generally calls to North America, Europe, or Australia cost between .25 and .50 cents (USD$) per minute. Many 4 and 5 star hotels will also offer international calling service.

China is one of the safest countries in the entire world. Day to day street crime is virtually non-existent. Punishments for criminals are very harsh, and economic opportunities are increasing for everyone in globalizing China. Crimes specifically against foreigners bring even harsher punishments. Still, as anywhere in the world, it is always wise to keep your wits about you and an eye on your bag in crowded, public places, especially guests wandering on their own without the company of a Overland guide.

The standard voltage in China is 220V/50Hz and the standard wall socket has three-connectors. Many hotels use 110V to appeal accommodate foreign visitors, but travelers cannot rely on every hotel having this feature. Travelers from the USA can find if their products such as iPods and digital cameras are compatible with Chinese voltage by reading the label on the plug. All travelers are encouraged to double-check all of their electric belongings for compatibility prior to departure. Electricity converters are commonly available and affordable (in USA and Europe), so if you are unsure if your products are compatible, it would be best to bring a converter just in case.

Treks in Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces generally range between 2,000 and 5,000 meters in elevation (6,000 - 17,000 feet). All of the treks follow established paths, so rock climbing experience is not necessary. However, before signing up for any trek it is very important to maintain a healthy, physical condition, as oxygen becomes thinner and thinner as elevation rises. While trekking guests will only need to carry a daybag with personal effects such as water, sunscreen, and a camera. In high elevation areas it is natural to expect cold nights and warm days with strong sun when the sun is shining. Sunscreen is a must on sunny days with high elevations. It is very rare to encounter heavy rains outside of the summer months of July, August, or September.

All treks include both professional guides from the Sichuan Mountaineering Association as well as local guides who often work in conjunction with the SMA to form a capable, reliable, and experienced team. The local guides, who are often members of the local ethnic minority such as Tibetan or Yi, will also be responsible for the horses or mules that carry the equipment and supplies along the route. The guides may also help to shoulder the load. During treks we will often be camping out, and each guest can have the option of his or her own tent each night. Adventurers may also have the opportunity to stay in a local mountain village or even a monastery. However, conditions in either of these places will be very basic with unattached bathroom facilities. Large groups may have the luxury of a specialized cook to prepare meals while camping out. Meals for smaller groups will be prepared by the guides.

Yes, you should have no difficulty finding time or a place to use the internet. Many guesthouses and hotels provide internet access. In addition to this, internet cafes are common in most cities and offer rates that are typically around 5-10 RMB per hour or even less. While it may be slower than you are accustomed to, convenient access to the internet should pose no real logistical challenge for you. Your guide can always easily assist you in finding a nearby internet cafe.