Kunming

We've been in Kunming for one year, risked our lives in its crowded streets, showered under its never-ending rains, bought tons of stuff in each of its shopping malls, burned incense in each of its temples... It's a great place, a colorful modern city with some beautiful old thing and wonderful people. What else? Go check our reports from the PRC.

How to get there: the capital of Yunnan is well connected by air to most cities in China. It takes around 3 hours and 1450 yuan to get there from Beijing. Kunming's airport has also international flights to Thailand (Bangkok and Chiangmai). From Kunming you can fly to most touristic spots in Yunnan, like Dali, Lijiang and Xishuangbanna. By train it will take more than 50 hours to get to Beijing, 40 to Xi'an and 30 to Guilin. Kunming bus station is just outside the South (main) railway station.

Hints and tips: many places to go, many lessons to learn. Anyway the people in Kunming are usually nice and helpful. Unlike other cities in China, Kunming's taxi drivers know where to go. Buses are frequent but not very easy to use. If you get around by bike, be aware that Kunming has a wild traffic and some very steep ascents. And don't park your bike outside parking areas if you'd like to see it again! Just keep in mind that in the "Ethernal Spring City" the weather is tricky. Whatever the season, it's always pleasant in the sun and freezing in the rain... and it can rain really often. All pictures taken by Diana Lavarini and Anna Del Franco in April, 2000. Camera: Minolta Dynax 500si, 80-210.

 

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Sinophilia was born in 1998 as a meeting-point for China-lovers. In these years we have managed to build a database of essential information on the Chinese culture, adding here and there a few more specific essays on Chinese art, history, language and religions, and some useful tools.

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