Got scammed three times to finally understand! This is how you should really travel in Yunnan!

Last time on my Yunnan solo trip, I kept hitting pitfalls:
❌ Dali’s subway is inconvenient, taxis are expensive and took detours 🚖
❌ Got ripped off 300 yuan at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 😤
❌ Lijiang homestay was all “photo tricks,” so frustrated I had to drag my luggage and find a place on the spot 🥲
Exhausted from the trip 💨, no money saved, and a terrible experience overall!
This time, after comparing many options, I chose a Ctrip private car tour 🚗
(Mainly because I saw a discount! After a 10% off and an additional 1288 yuan off 💰, I wanted to see what’s different about traveling by private car)

Unexpectedly, the experience exceeded my expectations!!!
1️⃣ Route: Kunming — Dali — Lijiang — Shangri-La
No pitfalls this time at all. The driver-guide is a local who knows exactly which attractions to visit and when to avoid crowds! No overcrowding, the driver took us directly to the spots and gave explanations along the way.
Dounan Flower Market 💐 — No need to spend a fortune here, got three romantic bouquets for just 10 yuan.
Dali Ancient Town 🏯 — The driver didn’t take us to touristy restaurants but to a hidden alley where we had authentic wild mushroom hotpot (so fresh! No fake stuff).
Erhai Lake 🌊 — We rolled down the windows and enjoyed a leisurely drive, soaking in the freedom and comfort of Erhai. Whenever there was a spot to park, the considerate driver stopped anytime to help us take photos 📸. The itinerary was well planned, covering both East and West Erhai in just two days.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain 🏔️ — With the help of the local driver-guide, we avoided being tricked into paying extra for shortcuts like last time. We smoothly reached the summit. The car trunk even had oxygen tanks, super reassuring. Climbing this sacred and majestic mountain again, I felt no resentment from past scams, only happiness and satisfaction~
Songzanlin Monastery — Away from the city noise, bathing in the monastery’s bell sounds, deeply feeling the solemnity and sanctity of Tibetan culture, my heart filled with reverence and peace.

2️⃣ Pick-up and drop-off by car throughout the trip, no worries about getting lost 😃
And he even took photos—many of my beautiful shots were taken by him 👍
When communication with locals was difficult, he acted as a translator.
Really lucky to meet him this time; traveling with locals truly makes a difference!!!

3️⃣ Freedom without exhaustion, truly enjoying the trip!
Last time I was so tired every day I fell asleep instantly at the homestay 😴
This time I leisurely ate and explored every day, like on vacation. Just notify the driver when you want to leave, no rushing at all 🌿☀️

💡 Turns out private car tours are so great—time-saving, worry-free, and not expensive. Next time I’ll try it in other places too 👍