1. The appropriate time is May, June, September and October. It is not advisable to go there in July and August, which is the rainy season. Rains could ruin the road from Lhasa and Yecheng (which is in Xinjiang) to Ali. It is sometimes the rainy season as early as in May in the Yecheng-part of the Xinjiang-Tibet highway. The conditions of the roads from Shiquanhe Town to the counties in Ali Prefecture are not good. Since the Xinjiang-Tibet highway will be blocked by snow during winter and spring (from late October or early November to early April), it is impossible to go there during the time.

2. Highway transport is the main transport in Ali.

3. In Ali, the standard of accommodation is poor. Baths are only available in Shiquanhe Town.

4. The Ali diet belongs to the system of Chiang cuisine. Chiang cuisine tastes salty, light, fresh, sour and delicious. The Chiang food can help people adapt themselves to the cold climate of the plateau. It is expensive for tourists to have dinner in Ali. Due to the poor conditions along the way to Ali, tourists should also take along with them some food, such as honey, condensed milk, spices, ship biscuits, canned food, chocolate, fruits (apples), vegetables (such as carrots, cucumbers), drinking water, instant noodles, hams and so forth.

Special Touring Regions: