Thanks so much for responding, AandT and moondog. I did forget to write that I plan to spend a couple days in BKK or PVG or wherever I fly into from the States just to rest up before continuing on to KMG.
I have been investigating various airlines like TG and CZ and am shocked by the high prices (about $600 r/t) and the weird routing with long layovers (like 10 hours in some cases). Any suggestions for the most direct airline to KMG after I spend a couple days in BKK or PVG or wherever?