1.I`d like to bring something as small gifts to the people I will meet in China, what will be alright?
If you will just send something to some one who has helped you, things like postcards of your country will be fine, nothing expensive and they will be really happy about that. If you meet lovely little kids, you may give them something like a balloon bought on street, and some little items. They might be quite shy to accept it. Don`t worry about that, Chinese people are quite friendly to foreigners. Bringing gifts to Chinese is not really a must. And if you could take photos with them and give them a copy, they will be very happy.
2. How to get there?
There are 2 ways to get there from Chengdu by land.
A:Chengdu-Dujiangyan-Woolong-Mt.siguniang-Xiaojin-Danba-Bamei-Tagong-Xinduqiao-Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng-Yading
B:Chengdu-Ya`an-Tianquan-Erlangshan tunnel-Kangding-Xiduqiao-Yajiang-Litang-Daocheng-Yading
You can take the bus at Chengdu xinnanmen tour bus center to kangding and then change the bus to Daocheng there.It takes 2 days to get there. Usually it is not easy for a foreigner to take the bus there for the long way and problems caused by language. You are warmly welcomed to join our groups which make things much easier.
3. What can I eat in Daocheng ?
Since most of the places along the road to Daocheng are located in Tibetan area, you can not expect too much of the food there, vegetable is especially rare. Our suggestion is that you carry some snacks with you ,you will find nothing could be more delicious than those sancks when you travel in Tibetan area.
4. What about the altitude on the way to Daocheng?
On the way to Daocheng, you will pass by 7 moutains with an average altitude of more than 4000m. The sea level of Daocheng and Yading are all above 4000m too.
5. Who are easily get altitude sickness?
People who have got high blood pressure, heart disease and coronary heart diseases should be careful to travel in this area.
6. How to avoid altitude sickness?
Prevention of altitude illnesses falls into two categories, proper acclimatization and preventive medications. Below are a few basic guidelines for proper acclimatization. If possible, don`t fly or drive to high altitude. Start below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and walk up.
If you do fly or drive, do not over-exert yourself or move higher for the first 24 hours.
If you go above 10,000 feet (3,048 meters), only increase your altitude by 1,000 feet (305 meters) per day and for every 3,000 feet (915 meters) of elevation gained, take a rest day. Climb High and sleep low.
If you begin to show symptoms of moderate altitude illness, don`t go higher until symptoms decrease ('Don`t go up until symptoms go down').
Stay properly hydrated. Acclimatization is often accompanied by fluid loss, so you need to drink lots of fluids to remain properly hydrated (at least 3-4 quarts per day). Urine output should be copious and clear.
Take it easy; don`t over-exert yourself when you first get up to altitude. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating the symptom.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol and other depressant drugs including, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and sleeping pills. These depressants further decrease the respiratory drive during sleep resulting in a worsening of the symptoms.
Eat a high carbohydrate diet (more than 70% of your calories from carbohydrates) while at altitude.
The acclimatization process is inhibited by dehydration, over-exertion, and alcohol and other depressant drugs.
Diamox (Acetazolamide) allows you to breathe faster so that you metabolize more oxygen, thereby minimizing the symptoms caused by poor oxygenation.This is especially helpful at night when respiratory drive is decreased.
Dexamethasone (a steroid) is a prescription drug that decreases brain and other swelling reversing the effects of AMS. Dosage is typically 4 mg twice a day for a few days starting with the ascent.
