Latest Comments

• • March 28, 2007
  • Luxury trains to debut in China in 2008
    

    Oh, baby, I can't wait to get myself a luxury train ticket to Yunnan and get out of Beijing for a while. But I had to wonder what a 'luxury train' entails:

    "The suites will feature an en-suite bathroom with shower, mini bar and in-room entertainment system with music, TV and satellite internet. A butler is on call throughout the journey..."

    Sounds pretty posh. Now if only they could get some hot tubs onto the thing I'd be sold.

• • November 24, 2006
  • Kunming toilets in the news
    

    dude, maybe your bathroom is ALWAYS dirty??? something to consider. ;)

• • November 20, 2006
  • Organic food sprouting in Kunming
    

    If you are interested in the farm but need some English-speaking assistance, contact Pesticide Eco-Alternatives Center at peac.office@gmail.com. Just explain what you want to know and someone will get back to you.
    -- Even

• • November 18, 2006
  • Ma Li and the Kunming underground
    

    If Plateau Reaction is the translation they chose, their meaning comes through clearly -- here on the plateau, a reaction to life, society, etc, or whatever. At the same time, though, I thought it would be interesting for non-speakers of Chinese to catch the double meaning. Really, a very well chosen name in Chinese, but it doesn't come through with only one translation :)

• • November 16, 2006
  • Ma Li and the Kunming underground
    

    Just thought I'd mention that the name of the studio, 高原反应, might be better translated as "Altitude Sickness" although the other translation is indeed correct.

Latest Forum Posts

• • May 14, 2008
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Earthquake Assist
    

    oh yeah. the donation goes to China Red Cross for the immediate effort in Sichuan

• • May 14, 2008
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Earthquake Assist
    

    Let me translate that last one for everyone in case they missed it elsewhere: You can donate 1 or 2 RMB by sending a text message to 1069999301 with a "1" or a "2" in the message body. I just did it and it works - you'll get a followup message in Chinese thanking you for your donation.

• • April 18, 2007
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Banks
    

    I have a suggestion -- give up. It is impossible to find a bank with no international withdrawal charges. On the other hand, of major national banks, there is a range of how much you get charged. Here's what to look for:

    ATM withdrawal fees: Your bank will charge you something for international withdrawal. This can range from 1-3% of every withdrawal (you take out 100 RMB, they keep 1-3RMB as a fee). Some banks have fixed rates - maybe US $3-5 per withdrawal - this is really crappy, because then even if you only withdraw 10 bucks, they will still charge you 5 for the service.

    Currency conversion fees: Some banks charge 1-2% or give you a really bad $US to RMB conversion rate. This is a sneaky way of them charging you even more on top of the ATM withdrawal fees.

    Credit cards often have some of these fees too -- check international use charges on the credit card and also see if they raise the rate for cash advances (good in an emergency) if you do it internationally.

    Wells Fargo is undoubtedly the worst. I currently bank with them -- and between 0 interest on checking and the outrageous ATM fees, they get an F-.

    I have heard good things about Citibank. Anyone have a banking success story?

• • November 25, 2006
    
  • Forums > Food & Drink > Decent Indian
    

    that green (coriander/cilantro) chutney.
    channa masala, dhal: delicious and vegetarian, which is worth catering to since many travellers and expats are.
    don't leave out the breads either (i would kill for chapati
    luckily it seems like lamb and chicken are both readily available in kunming.
    take advantage of stuff that's available locally -- seasonal mango chutney, fresh mango lassi, do something with tamarind
    sweet spiced rice deserts
    spiced ice cream (cinnamon, coriander, generic "chai" flavor) -- maybe salvadors would sell it to you?

• • November 20, 2006
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Hospitals and Matresses
    

    If you're considering going in for some cheap non-essential procedures while you're here in Kunming... don't. Honestly the nearest quality hospitals you'll find are in Bangkok and Hong Kong. As for Kunming's hospitals, I have heard a long chain of horror stories -- many from people who are fluent in Chinese, and can explain exactly what they need/want.

    If you are feeling pretty ill and need some attention, I'd suggest getting in touch with the doctors with Project Grace for advice, or emailing your family doctor back home. If you can tell the hospital/pharmacy exactly what you need, you're better off.

    My understanding is that first affiliated is as good as it gets here (note that they are SOS's partner hospital in Kunming). If anyone else has more tips... PLEASE, they'd be very welcome.

• The Old Theatre Inn
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• As You Like
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• Moondog
• GoKunming
• YMCA Club 1933
• Slice of Heaven
• Kingsway Tented Resorts
• Bakery 88
• Camel Bar
• The Mask
• Kunming College of Eastern Language and Culture
• My Favor Restaurant
• Chapter One
• Wonders Of Yunnan Travel
• O'Reilly's Irish Pub
• Salvador's Coffee House
• Wangtianshu Restaurant & Deli
• Tenwest Mandarin School
• Cacao Mexican Restaurant
• Flying Tigers Restaurant
• Kunming Yu-Cong Enterprise Management Company
• Huiying Dental Clinic