China travel
- Kunming Kunming is the capital of Yunnan province in Southwestern China. The city is 1900 metres above sea level and has a soft mild climate. The people in China call Kunming therefore the 'Spring City'. Downtown Kunming is a pleasant area with a square with Chinese arches (picture right). From here starts the main shopping area with pedestrian streets, department stores, Pizzahut, supermarket Carrefour. It seems that underground are also a lot of small shops.
- airport Wu Jia Ba International airport is only 15km from Kunming.
- taxi Start rate for the first 3 kms is 8 Yuan.
- bus There are 4 long distance bus stations in Kunming.
It takes about 20 minutes to get from the airport to the centre of Kunming. International flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
Kunming downtown
For each kilometer more, 1.8 Yuan will be added. A taxi from the airport to Kunming is about 20 Yuan.
- The South Station: main bus station opposite Nanyao railway station
- The bus station at the railway station square
- The Western Station
- Huangtupo Station (outside Kunming)
In August 2007, we arrived from Lijiang by double-decker bus. Our fare was 196 Yuan including a hot meal with the other passengers in a restaurant along the road. The cheapest fare was 175 Yuan (smaller chairs). Our ride from Lijiang took 8.5 hours (7.30 - 16.00, 500km). From Dali to Kunming is entirely by highway and took only 4 hours. I guess that hostels in Kunming can make bookings for buses to Dali or Lijiang or at least know where to buy the tickets.
'business class' chairs in our bus
- Kunming attractions - Stone Forest
- shopping - Department stores and shops downtown (Carrefour department store)
- hotels Luxury hotels are the Kai Wah Plaza International and the Green Lake Hotel.
- train The main railway station in Kunming is the Nanyao Station, 4km from the city center. Two night trains go to Guilin every day. Journey takes between 18-23 hour. To Dali: one day train and two night trains every day. Journey is between 8-9 hours. About 5 trains daily into the direction of Chengdu. Travel time is between 18-23 hours.
Kunming downtown
Famous attraction 90km south of Kunming. Due of erosion and the weather the rock stones have got all kind of shapes. Best way to go is by train. (departure 8:28, arrival 9:55) Admission is 55 Yuan. - Bamboo Temple: Buddhism temple on the Yuan Mountain (15km)
- Dianchi Lake: largest lake of Kunming
- Golden Temple: largest copper temple in China
- The Western Hills: panoramic views, temples, cable car
- Expo Garden
- Taihua Temple
- Yuantong Temple
- markets: flower & bird market(Guanghua Street, Zhengyi Road), Nanyao market (near the Nanyao train station: tourist souvenirs), the Golden Horse and Phoenix Memorial Archway Jewelry Market (large jewelry market in Jinbi Road).
The New Era and the Sakura Hotel are good 4 star hotels near the city center. The Hump Hostel and Cloudland International Youth Hostel are popular hotels for backpackers in Kunming.
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