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Glossary

Altitude Sickness on a China Trip

Your itinerary climbs higher each day, and you want to know what to watch for with family.

Plan a gentler climb

Altitude sickness is the body’s reaction to less oxygen at height. It can cause headache, tiredness and breathlessness, and it affects fit people as well as the less fit. It is the main health risk in Tibet, where travellers are advised to acclimatise for 1 to 2 days in Lhasa before going higher[1]. That source is a travel agency, so treat it as planning guidance, not medical advice.

Where you meet it on a trip

You meet it on routes in Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet. The Old Town of Lijiang sits at 2,400 m[2], Shangri-La city at roughly 3,160 m[3], and Lhasa at about 3,656 m[4]. Kunming is much lower, which is why many Yunnan routes start there.

A practical tip

Climb in steps. Order your stops from low to high, keep the first night at a new height quiet, drink water and avoid heavy meals and alcohol. Seniors, and anyone with heart or lung conditions, should see a doctor before booking. Leave a spare day in your plan so you can slow down if someone feels unwell.

Our guide on altitude sickness on Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet routes goes deeper, and the guide to pace and stamina for seniors covers daily rhythm.

If your route climbs past Lijiang, tell us who is travelling and how they cope with stairs, and we will help you reorder the stops to climb gradually.

Ask about my route

Read next

  • TermOld Town (Guzhen) in China

    What guzhen or old town means in China, where you meet them such as Lijiang, what to expect, and a few practical tips on crowds, altitude and shopping.

  • GuideAltitude Sickness on China Routes

    Which stops in Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet are high, what altitude sickness feels like, who should be careful and how to order your nights safely.

  • GuideA China Trip That Seniors Can Enjoy

    How to build a China trip for seniors: gentle regions, short train hops, low altitude, rest days and honest limits on stairs, queues and long days.

  • GuideYunnan Weather Through the Year

    Yunnan weather across the year for Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La, with wet and dry seasons, altitude and what each season means for photographers.

Questions Malaysians ask

What does altitude sickness feel like?

Common signs are headache, tiredness, poor sleep, nausea and shortness of breath on slight effort. Mild symptoms often ease with rest, water and a slower pace. If symptoms worsen, or someone is confused or very breathless at rest, descend and seek medical help.

Is Lijiang high enough to worry about?

It is high enough to take seriously. The Old Town sits at 2,400 m, and Shangri-La is higher at roughly 3,160 m. Most healthy travellers adjust with a gentle first day, but seniors and anyone with heart or breathing conditions should speak to a doctor before booking.

Should I take medicine for it?

That is a question for a doctor, not for us. Some people ask about preventive medicine before travel. Tell the doctor your route, heights and health history, and follow their advice. Do not take medicine just because a friend did.

Sources

  1. China Highlights, checked 2026-10-19
  2. UNESCO World Heritage Centre, checked 2026-10-19
  3. Wikipedia, checked 2026-10-19
  4. Wikipedia, checked 2026-10-19

Rules, schedules and prices change. Confirm with the official source before you travel.

Thinking about China?

If your route climbs past Lijiang, tell us who is travelling and how they cope with stairs, and we will help you reorder the stops to climb gradually.

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