Language student studying Chinese in Kunming city of Yunnan Province China. Loves learning foreign l...
Language student studying Chinese in Kunming city of Yunnan Province China. Loves learning foreign language, making new friends and drawing cartoon illustration, probably because I love Japanese anime (p.s : This new layout sucks bad)
Member since:26.07.2008
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I've been living in Kunming city the capital of Yunnan province for around one and half year so far, studying Chinese language and also doing some traveling on the surrounding area, and still hasn't covered the whole province. Yunnan is one of the most southern part of China bordered with Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. There are 25 minority groups in Yunnan province, each has their own culture, live style, food and many more, making Yunnan province to be one of the culture rich province in China.
The weather in Yunnan province varies from place to place, the most southern part which is Xishuangbanna is very tropical. The biggest tropical rain forest of China is located in the valley area here. In this tropical rain forest, many unique, ancient, peculiar and endangered kinds of tropic animals and plants live, structuring many wonderful ecological sights. More than 10 minority groups live in Xishuangbanna, such as Dai, Hani, Bulang, Jinuo, Lahu, Wa, and Yao, etc. Among these ethnic groups, the populations of Dai and Han ethnic groups are the largest. The famous Pu Er tea came from this area. While Xishuangbanna is tropical, Li Jiang which is more to the north is rather temperament with cool mountain breeze and clear rivers flowing through the areas. And since Yunnan is on the southern part of the Yellow river, all buildings are not allowed to have central heating or air conditioner except for high class hotels. So you may find it rather cold during winter in less expensive hotels. But since the weather in Yunnan is rather stable, not too cold during winter and not too hot during summer, so it's not that bad.
There are many places to visit in Yunnan province alone:
Kunming city (昆明市) : The capital of Yunnan province and is likely to be where you'll land if coming to Yunnan (Li Jiang and Da Li also have small airports). A relatively small city in Chinese standards, located about 1900 meter above sea level and
also known as spring city as it feels like spring the whole year there. Kunming has many nice parks to visit and they are all relatively cheap. There's the World Expo Horticultural Garden on the north side of the city. The famous saying about this city is "Whole year is like spring, but once it rains it feels like winter". Very wet around late June to Mid August, so keep this in mind if you are planning to visit. The people here are friendly though they don't speak much English or any other languages.
Shi Lin (Stone Forest) : Shi Lin (石林) is a set of karst formations in Shilin County, in the Yunnan province of southwest China, approximately 85 km (2 hours by car) from the city of Kunming. The rock formations look like trees made of stone, creating the illusion of a forest made of stone. It became the UNESCO World Heritage and is protected for its beauty.
Jiu Xiang Caverns (九乡) : Not too far from the Stone Forest there's a large cavern systems called Jiu Xiang Caverns. Some ancient primitive civilization was found in the caverns. Between the Stone Forest/Jiu Xiang Caverns and Kunming city, there's a town called Yi Liang (宜良) which is also quite famous for the roast duck in southern part of China.
Minority Park : South West of Kunming city there is the minority park where you can see all the minorities living in Yunnan province, their houses, their culture and even tasted their foods. It is located by a big lake called Dian Chi (滇池), once beautiful but now heavily polluted from farm pollutions.
West Mountains (西山) : Xi Shan translated as West Mountains is located on the west of Kunming City, there's a local bus from the city to Xi Shan. On the top of Xi Shan there's the famous Dragon Gate, may sound majestic but it's not that grand honestly. But it's a nice place to visit, and it's not too far from the city.
Da Li (大理) : About 5 hours on bus journey north west of Kunming lies the Da Li county, famous for the Da Li old city and the Er Hai (洱海) lake. The old city itself is beautiful with clear rivers running through it, but it's a pity that it has become so touristic that almost everywhere is shops and the like. Da Li has the Three Pagodas that worth visiting and also the Cang mountain (苍山) which is quite nice to visit.
Li Jiang (丽江) : A bit further from Da Li there's Li Jiang old city, also famous for tourists, and like Da Li it has beautiful clear rivers running through this city. But also like Da Li is it rather too touristic. The surrounding areas are nice to see too, so it's not that disappointing.
An Ning and Mi Le (安宁 & 弥勒) : 2 smaller cities about an hour to 2 hours by bus from Kunming each in different directions, but both famous for the natural geothermal hot springs (no sulfur stinky-nes). Nothing much about these two places aside from their famous hot springs.
Fu Xian Lake (抚仙湖) : About 60 Km from Kunming there's a big lake called Fuxian lake, the lake is still clean and you can actually swim in it. There's a type of fish that became the local delicacy. Recently archeologist found that there are ancient ruins underneath the lake. There is a legend of pegasus sighting around the lake :-)
Shangri-La (香格里拉) : Located at point where Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan all meet lies Shangri-La (Paradise in dream). In the past, Shangri-La was called Zhongdian or "Jiantang" in Tibetan. There is a Chinese saying that goes like , "The earliest sunrise is seen in Shangri-La; and the most unique place is also there". Once you visit, you will fully appreciate the meaning of this saying. In addition, the warm welcome of the residents of this land will make you feel at home. Shangri-La is a land full of natural wonders.
Sha Xi (沙溪) : Located about 3 hours bus ride from Li Jiang there's a small valley called Sha Xi, there's no direct transport to Sha Xi, you must first go to the nearest town which is called Jian Chuan (剑川) then take the local
Pictures of China in general
Da Li Old Town
mini bus from there. It has an old city which is still well preserved and hasn't changed to be a rather touristic place. It's a very beautiful valley with several villages scattered in it. It's the last surviving old horse tea trail and not well known yet even to the Chinese people. But I've been there and it's a beautiful place.
Regarding foods, almost everywhere in Yunnan province eats spicy food, like in Si Chuan they also eat Si Chuan pepper which gives you a numb feeling if eaten too much in the mouth, it has a very nice smell though. And in many large cities or famous for tourist, you won't have any problem finding western foods. But the local foods are amazing, at least you should try it once in a while, be warned though, for westerners it's well known to have stomach problem after eating the local foods for the first time. Yunnan has tons of varieties of edible mushrooms, especially during summer to autumn time, you can even get the king of mushroom that the Japanese called Matsutake here relatively cheaper (not that cheap for local prices). So for mushroom lovers, best to visit Yunnan in summer to autumn time. Pizza Hut, Mc'Donalds and KFC are available he..he..he..he.
Language will probably be the main barrier when traveling in Yunnan. Unlike Beijing, Shang Hai or other world famous cities in China, the Yunnan people don't speak much English. Even for those who speaks Mandarin like me finds it difficult to communicate with the locals sometimes as they have their own accent. But they are very warm and welcoming towards foreigners, especially who can speaks their language a bit :-) . Best to make friends with the locals who speaks English or other language from internet first he..he..he..he.
Expenses are relatively cheap in Yunnan province, everything here is cheaper compared to Shang Hai or Bei Jing. The products are gorgeous such as the vegetables and fruits, the weather is nice, living costs are quite low, making Kunming city is a place for foreign students to study Chinese. Most of the locals are quite honest, they don't rip foreigners off aside from the touristic places. My British flatmate often went to the local market to buy groceries and he never got ridiculous prices.
Accommodations are easy to find from roadside motels to 5 stars hotels especially in Kunming city. Some are quite well known by travelers already from guide books. But, do not be surprised if the 5 stars one doesn't really fit your category of 5 stars hotel, most of the Chinese beds are ranging from firm to hard rock, you may find it rather uncomfortable. One thing I found that most westerners are having difficulties with the bathroom. Many still using old style squatting toilets, so if you are planning to stay in a hotel and they don't speak English, just say 马桶 (ma tong) which means western style toilet he..he..he..he. Oh and public toilets are probably the most horrifying place for most westerners, I can almost say "enter with your own risks" *grin*.
Shopping is not a big thing in Kunming, so for travelers who loves to shop, probably will be a bit disappointed. Unlike Hongkong, Shang Hai or others shopping cities, Kunming is rather laid back, of course you will still find shopping mall with famous international brand such as Versace, Gucci, Rolex and others. Regardless it has many interesting minority handicrafts as selections of souvenirs.
Nightlife as far as I know only available in Kunming and other touristic cities such as Da Li and Li Jiang. There are many bars and clubs to go to and the locals fond of drinking and be social with foreigners. The locals also love KTV (Karaoke), and often spend a lot of time with friends and families in there.
Transportation is quite easy, especially in Kunming city, the bus system is quite well organized. But to travel around outside Kunming, a bit knowledge of Chinese is required if you are planning to do everything on your own. Some travel agents can speak English and can arrange everything for you for a fee. Taxi in Kunming city uses meter, with an extra charge of 1 yuan for gas per trip (the drivers don't speak English) at the moment. But you can always show the driver the place you want to visit, they will drive you to the place.
Should you need medical treatments, there's an international hospital on the north east part of Kunming called "Richland international hospital", some of the staff there can speak English and will be your interpreter as you consult with the doctor (some of the doctors also speak English). But if you wish to experience the local hospital, go to the government ones, do not go to the private ones.
This is all I can think about which are significant enough to write, since Yunnan province alone is a BIG place, and will take ages to write everything in details and may even bore readers because it's too long he..he..he..he. So if you are planning to visit China, Yunnan province is one the place to visit. Have a good trip 一路顺风 (yi lu shun feng).
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Advantages: educational,pleasant surroundings,good access for dissabled Disadvantages: There are few bus-services locally, and one should be prepared for a hike if not driving
JHPRUSHTON 29.07.2000 ·
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