Book Jade Dragon days ahead, and give yourself a day at altitude first

The Glacier Park cable car climbs to 4,506 metres and its real-name tickets sell out days in advance in season. Book on the official account, and take the passport you booked with.

Lijiang itself is at 2,400 metres. Arrive, walk slowly, drink water, and leave the mountain for your second or third day. Oxygen cans are sold everywhere up there; the better prevention is not going straight from a plane to a cable car. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should think hard about this one.