I'm back from a trip around Yunnan, and I want to share some honest thoughts based on my personal experience

Here are some travel tips for you guys: 1. Don't go on a self-driving tour. The attractions in Yunnan are quite scattered, and parking is not easy. Driving yourself can be very tiring. 2. Don't join a tour group. There are many pitfalls with tour groups, and the pace is fast, so you won't enjoy yourself as much. Do your research online and you can have a great time traveling freely in Yunnan. 3. You must take a trip around Erhai Lake in Dali. Following the lake will connect you to all the scenic spots, and it's incredibly romantic and healing. 4. The food prices around Erhai Lake are quite expensive, so it's best to bring some snacks. When you're hungry, you can replenish your energy right away. 5. Don't go for the professional photography at the Gaozhuang Xingguang Night Market, as it's crowded and just a production line without much originality. You can rent an outfit and find many photo spots on your own. 6. Visit the Lijiang Ancient Town in the evening. You can see the charm of the ancient town during the day and the colorful lights at night, which are great for photos. 7. Definitely do not buy jewelry near the scenic areas. Many are fake imitations and not cheap. 8. Don't go to the Tianshengqiao Film and TV City. There's not much to see, and it's all about selling things, with heavy commercialization. 9. Book your tickets for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in advance, otherwise, you'll have to queue for a long time to buy tickets on-site. 10. Allocate a full day for the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and try the glacier cable car, which takes you directly to the viewing platform at 4680 meters. 11. There are many airports in Yunnan. It's recommended to start at Kunming, where the transfer station is very convenient. 12. If you're not familiar with Yunnan, it's suggested to travel this route: Kunming - Dali - Lijiang - Lugu Lake - Shangri-La. This way, transportation is much more convenient. 13. Remember to bring your ID card and student ID. Many scenic spots require an ID card for entry, and student IDs offer various discounts. 14. Definitely do not trust the low-priced travel groups sold on the streets. There are many pitfalls, and you'll have more fun traveling freely with a good plan. 15. Don't buy the local specialties in the ancient towns. They are expensive and not tasty, and many are just one-off tourist traps. 16. The weather is very cold now, so make sure to wear enough clothes to avoid catching a cold from the trip. 17. Bring one or two bottles of oxygen and some cold medicine, especially when playing in the snow mountains, as it's easy to catch a cold. If you do catch a cold, don't go to the snow mountains again. 18. Book your hotel or homestay a day in advance to save time and for convenience. ☞ Accommodation recommendations: Kunming: It's advised to stay near the Dongfeng Square subway station, which is close to attractions and convenient for travel. Lijiang: The ancient town can be noisy, so it's not recommended to stay inside. You can find accommodations around the ancient town. Dali: Staying near Erhai Lake is recommended, where you can see the beautiful lake and enjoy the romantic sunrise and sunset. Shangri-La: Choose to stay near the Dukezong Ancient Town for convenient transportation and relatively affordable prices. Xishuangbanna: It's recommended to stay near the Gaozhuang Xingguang Night Market, where you can find delicious food everywhere and won't be able to stop eating. ☞ Special snacks: Rose grilled milk fan, tender pork ersi, Yunnan hand-grabbed rice, Naxi rice cake, A Cup of Dali, Xizhou baba, Dali jar jar milk tea, Guandu baba, tofu rice noodles, fire-roasted meat bean powder, butter tea, bagged tofu, Yiliang roasted duck, wild mushroom hot