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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Lijiang
Altitude Sickness
Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 12:28 PM UTC
Hi,

Planning to Kunming then Dali for 2 days and Lijiang to visit many places around there. I am worried about the height as I am sensitive to altitude. Please need advice from those who have ever been there. To go to Shangrila, any problem ? And what about Jade Dragon snow mountain ? If I go there, but stay on ground without taking the chairlift up the mountain. I know that I may have to carry oxygen tube or chinese medicine but will this really help ?

Thanks.
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Lijiang
Re: Altitude Sickness
Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 01:43 PM UTC
It is really hard to tell how altitude affects each person. I did a tour from Kunming to Lijiang to Dali then back to Kunming and was ok. Most people don't feel much when you reach Kunming (I think it is just above 2,000m?) but when you get to Lijiang, you may feel slightly lightheaded. Just make sure you keep hydrated and take it easy. Some people on my tour rented some oxygen when we went up the mountain. I didn't need it but we were only at that altitude for a couple of hours, so we were fine. Oh, our tour guide told us to eat candy too but can't remember why. The altitude change between Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang is noticeable but not too much (under 500m, I think)

When we went to Lhasa after (I think that is around the same altitude as Shangri-la?), the altitude really hit us. Felt pretty larthargic and had to do everything in slow motion for the first day. Some people acclimatize faster. I think we were pretty ok by day 2.

You can ask your travel doctor about altitude pills. There are side effects and may not be suitable (or work) for everyone. You do have to take them a few days to a week prior to your trip so don't leave it too late. Nothing beats hydration and rest and time to acclimatize. Don't overpack your schedule if you are worried.

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Lijiang
Re: Altitude Sickness
Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 02:21 PM UTC
I would suggest that you see a doctor who is knowledgable in altitude medicine, rather than asking us amateurs here at VT for medical advice.

Doing well at altitude is all about acclimatization, giving your body time to adjust to altitude by producing additional red blood cells to (partially) compensate for the reduced oxygen levels experienced at altitude. This takes time and cannot be rushed; between two to four weeks, so far as I understand it.

Your ability to acclimatize, so far as I understand it, is in large part genetic, so if you have trouble with altitude, there is nothing you can do about it. The advice I was given was to get to lower altitudes, if my body was having problems.

So if you know you are going to have problems; why are you planning to go?

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Lijiang
Re: Altitude Sickness
Posted: Sun January 29, 2012 06:22 PM UTC
As said, everyone acclimatizes differently to altitude. You may be fine at certain height, but if you go even a bit higher, you may or may not experience altitude sickness.

Definitely check with you doctor first about your general health condition and whether you are fine to go up to high altitude.

And make sure you don't get sick before you go higher up. A minor problem could become more serious at high altitude. This happened to me at Lhasa. I had a sore throat the night before I took the flight to Lhasa, and it had turned into a really bad cough and I had to cut my trip short as the doctor advices me not to go any higher up.

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Lijiang
Re: Altitude Sickness
Posted: Tue January 31, 2012 01:46 PM UTC
Thanks everybody for the advice. Yes, I do have a problem at Pokhara in Kathmandu, Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, Doi Inthanon- Thailand, Jungfrau in Switzerland but surprised not at Zermatt in Switzerland and neither in Juizhaikou in China. I have been to Kunming and visited The Stone Forest, but did not feel anything in Kunming.

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Lijiang
Re: Altitude Sickness
Posted: Tue January 31, 2012 01:47 PM UTC
Thanks everybody for the advice. Yes, I did have a problem at Pokhara in Kathmandu, Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, Doi Inthanon- Thailand, Jungfrau in Switzerland but surprised not at Zermatt in Switzerland and neither in Juizhaikou in China. I have been to Kunming and visited The Stone Forest, but did not feel anything in Kunming.

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Lijiang Hotels

  • Mulaoye Hostel
    No.66 Zhongyi Alley, Guangyi Street, Dayan Town, Gucheng District, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100
  • Nanmen Hotel
    No.1 Guyou Alley, Nanmen Street, Old City, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100
  • Post Hotel
    No.1 Minzhu Road, Old City, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100
  • The Bridge Hotel Lijiang
    Minzhu Road, Dayan Town, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100
  • Tianlong Hostel
    No.56-59 Guanyuan Alley, Guangyi Street, Dayan Town, Gucheng District, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674100, Chi