I have just applied for a 3-month Chinese non-degree program

at Xi'An Northwestern Polytechnical university and I am still waiting for the admission package. The program should start on 1st March but I have booked a flight on 9th February to visit some friends in Kunming before that. I was told that, if I enter China too early, the university won't have the time to change an X1 visa into a residence permit, so I should cancel my flight and book another one later. Is this the only solution or do you know if there is any alternative? I have paid a fortune for my flight and it would really be a shame to waste it...
Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards
Giulia