Preparations

HOW TO GET TO RISING DRAGON MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL
First you will have to shop around for the cheapest International flight to either Kunming, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing or even Bangkok. Then you will need a 2nd flight to Kunming City. From Beijing, Shanghai, and Kunming you can fly direct to Dali City but we recommend flying to Kunming and then take the 2 hour speed train to Dali. Once you get to Dali, if you will make your own way to RDS (it's easy & cheapest) you will need to head to The Dali Express Bus Station (大理快速汽车客运站) and buy a ticket to Yong Ping Town (永平县). There are busses every hour to Yong Ping with the last one approx. 18:30. 
VISA
Since opening we have helped thousands of students obtain visa's to enter China and attend Rising Dragon School. No matter if you are planning on staying with us short term for a few months or long term for several months we will send you an invitation letter so you can obtain the correct visa for your stay and become the next Rising Dragon. Visa rules change quite frequently but it is now possible with the RDS invitation letter to obtain long term visas if you are from the UK or USA with most other countries able to get a 6 month visa. For 1 and 2 month stays you can almost always get a tourist visa without the need for an invitation letter.
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VACCINATIONS/ INOCULATIONS
The following are recommended by several health clinics from around the world to anyone traveling to China: Hepatitis A, B and Typhoid. 2 doses recommended for anyone born after 1956 if not previously given for MMR. Revaccination recommended every 10 years for Tetanus-Diphtheria. Japanese Encephalitus is recommended for people staying in rural areas, we are in a rural area but feel the risk is very low which leaves this one optional.
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Malaria can be a risk at altitudes of below 1500m, our altitude is close to 1800m so not a problem however as we are only a 3 hour drive away from the Chinese-Burma border which is a malaria risk area you may want to take malaria medication if you plan on visiting the border areas or going into Burma for the weekend.
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Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in China, the government requires travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present-to-present proof of yellow fever vaccination. If you will be traveling to one of these countries where yellow fever is present before arriving in China, this requirement must be taken into consideration.
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Overall because of our altitude and the clean area we are located in there isnt much risk of anything but its always best to be on the safe side. We also recommend bringing insect repellents and Diarrhea medicine.
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TRAINING AT OUR KUNG FU CAMP IN CHINA
To make it easier and to settle into the training smoother at our martial arts school you should do some whole body training before you arrive - You can follow along to some of our workouts on the RDS YouTube channel which will be similar to what you will be doing during your stay with us.
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CLOTHING
Most of the time you will be training so you will mostly need training clothes such as Tracksuits, T-shirts, Shorts, Vests and sweat shirts etc. On your days off there are beautiful scenic spots to visit in and around YongPing Town so bring some casual clothes too. You can also buy training clothes/ shoes here at RDS!          BUY OFFICIAL RDS MERCH!
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LOCAL WEATHER
Considering our altitude our weather and the general weather in Yunnan Province is excellent. The summers are not too hot and the winters not too cold and all year round there are beautiful, colorful flowers blossoming. You can expect an average temperature of 20°C year round with the coldest drop during winter months average around 5°C which is only early morning and evening, once the sun rises its nice again.
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TRAVEL/ MEDICAL INSURANCE
Medical costs locally are very cheap and our students very rarely have to go to hospital apart from a common cold now and again but you never know what is around the corner so we recommend in case of serious accident or illness/ injury that you carry out a full medical/ travel insurance for your duration of time with us and time spent travelling. Plus your insurance will also cover you for the inconvenience of theft or loss of possessions.