Slightly unrelated question, but why does it seem like GoKunming publishes so few articles and features now?

It used to be several per week now it's only maybe a couple per month.

I'm guessing maybe coronavirus restrictions making it harder to visit places to write about them?

Still seems like even with that we could read more about things and life going on around town in Kunming? Just curious about this change as it was a major draw to the website for me in the past.

I think the road should be alright.

I haven't been on it this year but several locals have all told me it is now quite passable.

Unfortunately don't have a more current number for Aluo, but he should be pretty easy to locate in Dimaluo and all local drivers know where his guest house is.

The road from Dimaluo in Gongshan to Deqin is open but still not paved and bad in wet weather.

Rather than spending your entire trip in cars, I would highly recommend considering trekking for three days from Dimaluo to Cizhong, also in Deqin.

Much better scenery this way.

Aluo who has a guest house in Dimaluo can arrange the trek and guides for you or guide you himself.

Also, definitely no need for a sleeper bus from Dali to Fugong.

Easily completed in one day and as others have said much prettier this way.

The Nujiang Valley is not to be missed.

Don't travel it by night.

A note as well that you wouldn't be flying from Deqin to Kunming.

You will need to hire a driver (3 hours) or take the bus (4 hours) from Deqin to Shangri-La which is where the closest airport is if you want to fly out that way.

The GRE is administered in Kunming in a test center at Yunnan University's old/original campus near Green Lake and Wenhua Xiang.

Seats and availability for tests there are scarce though so early registration is a good idea.

Thai Airways also flies direct to Chiang Mai every Sunday and Thursday and they are far better than China Eastern.

For years this was the only service to Chiang Mai until it was discontinued in 2009 and China Eastern then introduced theirs.

Last year Thai brought back this twice weekly service (a stop-over on the daily Bangkok route) to compete a bit with China Eastern which is great because they are indeed far better.