Kunming Travel Forum

Hello VTers
I'm planned for Kunming from Shanghai on late night of April 16. And next two days (April 17, Thursday& 18, Friday) I want to utilize for sightseeing at Kunming.

I booked the hotel at Royal Garden, very near (about 400 meter) from Kunming airport.

Would you pls suggest me any itinerary for those 2 days. I don't want to miss any must seeing places, communities and enjoyable areas. Also suggest me very nearby electronic market from where I can buy an LCD TV.

I would be grateful for your any tips and plans.
Thank you.

are there any locals in kunming that can give me some travel tips please? I am a photographer covering an international football match on wed ,so time is precious.hope someone can help.

looking for local knowledge re shopping and eating out in kunming next week.

Hi fellow VTers,
Will be making my way to Kunming early next year and would appreciate if you can help me on the following :-

I will be in Hanoi and would like to get to Kunming either by train or bus. Is there one ? I know that there's a train running from Hanoi to Lao Cai near to the border of Vietnam and the province of Yunnan. Do I take another train upon arrival at LaoCai? Any details of the transport - the time and how many hours and the fare?

Thanks lots!

:0) feejin

Hi. I will be going to Kunming in Dec for a overseas community project in a village in Yunnan. How is life in the villages of Yunnan? What are the things I will need to take note of? Packing list?

Thanks
JT

Hi all,

Needs some advice.

I will arrive at Kunming airport at 6:10am on China Eastern. Is it advisable to buy tickets to Lijiang on the spot? Are the ticketing booths open that early?

Thanks in advance.

Planning to spend 2 days in Kunming, one for the Stone Forest and the other for the West Hill. Questions
1. How to go to Stone Forest without joining tour groups?
2. From what I read, West Hill is big. Will we get lost without a map? and where can I get a one?

I am going to Kunming, Dali & Lijiang come October this year. 1 of the itenary includes JiuXiang caves. I didn't see any mention on this place in most website. Now am wondering what is it to expect there. Can anyone give me some guide?
Thanks.

Hi - I was wondering if anyone would be able to direct me to somewhere where I would be able to get a private guide. We're looking to venture outside the city area into the country side. Any recomendations would be greatly appriciated.

btw, we're looking to travel sometime around the 14th-17th.

Thanks

Jon

Hi,

I have a weather question on Yunnan. I am planning about 16 days trip to Yunnan, mainly to Kuming, Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian and maybe Banna. Just want to check how is the weather is like. There are two periods i m looking at. Either the 3rd aug till 19 aug or 26aug till 9sep. I understand is aug is rainy season. May i know the places i m visiting, how heavy is the rain? i m ok with drizzle. Also does it rain the whole of aug?

Thinking of doing some trekking, so would welcome sunny weather. Thanks for any replies.

What are the prices of original CDs in music stores?
I have bought what I believe to be an original CD with the hologram, a 2 CD compilation album of western music at the price of only 17 yuan.

if the price of original Cds are that low, what is the price of pirated CDs and DVDs?

I found a website called China Highlights and they say they can get me a private tour/private car/private guide to YuanYang from Kunming (1 day tour) for $359 US. This includes the drive to and from YuanYang, overnight accomodation at the Yunti Hotel, and some meals. Does this sound like a good deal?

I am going to Kunming late Febuary for language studies, but have not yet got a place to live. I know it can probably be fixed when I get there, but I would rather not be bothered when I'm starting my studies... So, if anyone knows any wabsites (in english) where available apartments are posted - or even better, know about any available apartments (I'm only one person, and I don't mind sharing) - that would be great!!

It would also be great to meet other people living in Kunming when I get there :)

Thanks for any help,
Karstein

Am thinking of crossing from Vietnam to Kunming at Lao Cai/Hekou, but I've heard the train doesn't run thru there anymore. Anyone know? Is there an alternative, e.g. train to border, then bus?

I will be in Kunming March 8 2006. I want to try to get to YuanYang to take early morning photos (or early evening photos) of the YuanYang rice terraces. I only have 24 hrs to do this (by bus or other method). Does anyone know the bus schedules from Kunming to Yuanyang, and from YuanYang back to Kunming? Where do I get the bus from? Is there a tour company that can take me out and back in a day? I don't need a lot of time to explore--I can get quite a lot of photos done in about 1-2 hrs, regardless of the weather conditions. I'm booked at the Camellia hotel however they could not tell me much about YuanYang.

Hi there, I am going to China two times next year and have only time to visit either Sichuan or Yunnan - I am wondering if it is better to visit Yunnan in April and Sichuan in August or Sichuan in April and Yunnan in August? I am concerned about rain more than the hot weather as I will like to see more of the nice outdoors. I will be in China in April for the first two weeks of April and also in the last 2 weeks of August. Thanks!

Hi,
I will like to buy some winter jackets (down jackets) in Kunming city. Can I get it at very good prices at the markets? Any places other then the markets that sells jackets at good prices?

I have heard of Nanyao market, Luosiwan Market, etc. Which market can I buy stuff at better prices generally? Which market caters more for locals and which for tourist?

Are these markets open at night? Which market opens at night, and until what time?

Thanks.

we are presently packing our bags for Kunming-Dali-Lijiang. Be there next week. I understand a light jacket would be fine for the 15 C weather, but does anyone know whether we would need winter clothings for Yun Long Mountain? If yes..could we rent or buy them inexpensively? Don't want to take unnecessary load. Thanks.

Does anyone know whether we could tour both JiuXiang caves and Stone forest in 1 day? We're thinking of hiring a cab (Rmb200-250??) to take us there and back?

Dear All,

Our flight was finally confirmed! Horray...will be in Kunming next Sun. Anyway, does anyone know whether Kunming have shopping malls like those in Beijing...e.g. XiTan, Hong Qiao, Ya Siu, etc,? Need to plan this into the tour for shopaholic wife and kids.

Besides, if we arrive in the wee hours of 6am (Kunming time)...would we be able to get transport to the city? Anyone with good and safe suggetions?

thanks.

Dear All,

Sorry for the trouble, but does anyone know whether there are Bank of China offices in kunming, Dali and Lijiang? As far as I know from our travels in China, only BOC permits currency exhanges. If there are, address please? thanks.

Dear All,

my family and I (2A 2 C) would be in Kunming-Dali-Lijiang for 9 days from 14-23 Oct 2006. Would like to know whether it is safe for children to wander in malls? Other info needed...

1. Does this program seem reasonable to do in Kunming?
- day 1 (visit DianChilake and Western Hills)
- day 2 (Stone forest and Jiuxiang scenic area)
- day 3 (cultural village)
- day 4 (coach to Dali for 2 days) - good to visit or not? so many mixed reviews?
- Day 5 (coach to Lijiang)
- Day 5-8 (Lijiang - old City, black dragon pond, Jade mountain, Tiger Gorge)
- Day 9 (fly back to Kunming in morning)

2. Would chartering a taxi (four persons) to these places expensive? price range?

3. How can I purchase tickets from Lijiang to Kunming? I understand plenty of tourist during the period. don't want to get stranded in Lijiang.

4. Anyone..has any idea whether there's an update website or brochure on the admission fees to these places?

thanks a million.

iracubet

Dear members...

I hope someone can help with an answer - how much did it cost recently to fly to Beijing from Kunming, one way ticket? Can somebody reccomend an agency where to book, since I haven't been in Kunming for years already? Or is it better to do it at the airport?
Thanks a lot in advance,

vesna

Being a westerner, I'm a real lover of good quality breads, buns, rolls........wondering if I'll have difficulty - once living in Kunming, sourcing a top quality bakery for fresh baked breads (multigrain, whole wheat etc.), dinner rolls, baguettes and the like ? How about delicious desserts like fine cheesecakes, french pastries, fruit pies ? Are there good local sources of these ?
Or maybe I should start up a bakery business upon arrival ?

Hi,

I'm planning on travelling to Kunming at the end of the year for a couple of months to study mandarin. I am thinking of studying at the Keats school but was wondering if anyone has been there or heard any positive/negative comments about it. Any help would be much appreciated!

Serena
(Sydney)

Dear Fellow travellers,

I am wondering what sorts of transportation methods are available in travelling from Kunming to Shangri-La?

If you could possibly post:

mode of transportation
cost
time for one way
convenience level

thanks for all of your help!

~cap

Dear all,

Please please please if anyone can help me - I'm planning on going to Yunnan for my final year medical elective but am having difficulty establishing contact with hospital doctors in Kunming. I am looking for someone specific who will be able to direct me to the appropriate application procedure. Letters to the hospital and medical college havne't been replied to for a while and I have no reliable/valid email address.

Please help!
Thanks,
Claudia x

hi. my wife and i are coming to kunming in february next year. we want to buy a couple of bikes so that we can bike from kunming to laos and vietnam. we don't need the best bikes, just fairly good ones. is it possible to buy bikes easily in kunming? and also other accessories like panniers, helmets,etc. do you know if there are any places to buy used bikes second hand? also, do you know how much they cost? i have heard that biking is very popular in kunming. we are very excited to visit. thank you for any information you can give us! - chesley

Hello fellow travellers!

I will be arriving in Kunming within the next couple of weeks and was wondering if anybody who has been (or is currently residing) in Kunming knows of any foreigner (ie english speaking) church assembly?

Thanks for your help!

I hv to go to Kunming to United World College, Sha Tin.

How to get there & how much it will cost?