• Lijiang Huayang Language and Culture School
• WildChina
• Dune Cafe
• Empire Foreign Language School
• Chicago Coffee
• Kunming Yu-Cong Enterprise Management Company
• China Highlights
• Keats School
• IC Holiday Serviced Apartments
• Ganesh Bar & Restaurant
• Bakery 88
• Sandra's
• Tenwest Mandarin School
• Chapter One
• The Box
• JKH Design
• Huiying Dental Clinic
• Heqi Serviced Office Provider
• Salvador's Coffee House

Latest Comments

• • August 19, 2010
  • Interview: Chen Jianxuan
    

    The most friendly man in Kunming. Having left Kunming, he is one of my favorite memories. I am so pleased that he has a new four-legged friend. I wonder if this publicity will help him to find his son - I hope so.
    Thanks Chris.

• • August 3, 2010
  • Prostitution raid angers inconvenienced customer
    

    Well. Mr. Corrupt Party Member of the "Sichuan People's Congress", if that is true, and you are indeed doing tax-paid business, why not do it in the business office - and does it matter if the police are nearby if your business is legitimate?

    Of course, we can't say anything because you were led there by your Kunming tax-paid cadres. Ho, hum. :-(

• • June 17, 2010
  • Kunming minimum wage to rise to 8 yuan/hour
    

    I often wonder why wages are negotiated as a percentage. This is ridiculous; 22% = 1 yuan!

    Now, without any fanfare, the boss will increase his wage by 22%, even though his purchase of rice and vegetables cost the same.

    After all, isn't this the reason for wage increases.

    Please stop the world, I want to get off.

• • June 9, 2010
  • Kunming Fair: An overview
    

    It's not surprising that the Kunming Fair is just as unorganized as ever.
    Having visited on previous years, there is little initiative to visit again.
    I might point out that the reason for the absence of a ticket booth is due, in my opinion, to anybody who is anybody in Kunming being given neck tokens (tickets) by friends of friends (if you know what I mean?). My previous experience indicates that the booth staff recycle their passes many times back through the fence.
    Only in Kunming!

• • May 31, 2010
  • Yunnan preparing warily for China smoking ban
    

    Nice article, Dan.
    As someone with a relationship with the medical profession in Kunming and knowing of the unfortunately high level of smoking by MDs, could I suggest replacing the cigarette butt photo with a photo of a cigarette-smoking doctor - It shouldn't be too dificult - perhaps even a collage of photos. ;-)

Latest Forum Posts

• • September 1, 2010
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > what qualifications you need to translate chinese to english...
    

    I detect that English is your mother-tongue which is the main requirement (International regulations mandate that one must translate into one's own language - something usually disbelieved in China - although this requirement varies for interpreters).

    A Masters (Translation) degree is useful, especially if you wish to join a translation society but, having said that, students could join, and it is a great way to conduct the essential networking.

    In addition to a language degree, it is almost essential to have another technical qualification, for example, a basic engineering or science college certificate.

    I do not think that "most" translators work for free but, in China, you will need to exert enormous effort trying to convince industry that Chinese translators of Chinese into English produce terrible work (You may wish to consider editing).

    It takes many, many, years to gain the required experience, but do not give up because it is a great profession ... and quite lucrative in Europe and North America.

• • July 30, 2010
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Patriotism
    

    It has been my experience that the word 'hate' is used continuously by English-speaking Chinese, both young and old. When discussed in class, one discovers that weaker similes, e.g., dislike, have not appeared in their vocabulary. So, don't worry too much about it - you probably don't like every Chinese person that you meet.

    Try to discover if the mother is a Buddhist, and explain that 'hatred' is sinful. ;-)

    Oh, and ignore liwei's comment.

• • July 27, 2010
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Beware US Consulate Chengdu
    

    High JJ and Janice; Should you have not already thought of it, a link to this Forum in your correspondence may be useful to indicate that you're not alone.

• • July 24, 2010
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > About copywrite and royalties...
    

    Oh, THAT Salvador Dali! :-(

• • July 24, 2010
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > About copywrite and royalties...
    

    A Salvador Dali Cafe in Latvia?

Latest Reviews

• • Bernie
    July 30, 2010
  • Kunming > The Box
    老夫子

    ... antipasto ....

    ;-(

• • Bernie
    April 17, 2008
  • Kunming > España Restaurant
    西班牙餐厅

    During a recent visit, the untidy owner was still outside chain-smoking cigarettes to what must have been great embarrassment for the respectable doorman and other staff. Regardless, of one's order the policy here seems to be to serve the meat or fish without vegetables (two thin slivers of carrot and one very small piece of lettuce as decoration does not satisfy my 'good food' guide.

    I repeat my earlier comment about ordering only the apertizers, and the main course later. You'll still get the main courses delivered over a 15 minute period.

    Someone really must do something about the owner's lethargy because this could be an excellent restaurant otherwise!

    ------------------------------------------------
    22nd October, 2007
    I have a love-hate relationship with this restaurant. It has many imperfections, yet I often return. The upper-class atmosphere is created by a cosy European decor which, at my last visit, didn't extend to the third floor, unfortunately. Nevertheless, it is never crowded or noisy, and a nice place to take one's wife . . . or mistress. Personally, I prefer a window table on the second floor.

    The service is polite, and there is an English language menu, but the staff only speak Chinese. The owner has some useful knowledge of Spanish, but he seems to spend most of his time smoking outside.

    The menu contains many Spanish items, of course, together with other items that provide a variety of Meditteranean food. Although the cuisine is varied and enjoyable, there is a background sense that the cook is Chinese -- it is only the owner with Spanish experience. Worthy of mention is the availability of wine by-the-glass. At my next visit I'll ask about a bring-your-own-wine policy.

    My greatest peeve here, is the staff's inability to understand the European preference for different courses (A nation-wide problem). I'm not sure if you'll believe this story but, last time, to the surprise of the waiter and humour of all the staff, we ordered only an appetizer. When that was eaten, we ordered our main course and wine. We gave an explanation, but this was met with a blank stare that was a picture suggesting the strangeness of foreigners.

• • Bernie
    March 17, 2008
  • Kunming > Prague Café
    布拉格咖啡馆

    Last week, I visited this place (my friends go there) and, once again, it took exactly one hour to receive my lunch order -- after many reminders. When I complained loudly, the waitress simply smiled and said nothing. By the way, this happened at 1:30 pm and it wasn't busy.

    This is another Wen Lin Jie eaterie that believes it unnecessary to have a working owner/manager.

    ------------------------------------------------------------

    13th October, 2007
    But there are times when the service is terribly slow.

• • Bernie
    March 3, 2008
  • Kunming > Teresa's Pizza
    特蕊沙匹萨

    In deference to the attack by 'oyarsa' in November, 2007 regarding my deliberate zero rating, I have decided to amend it (and the review). That anyone could award a '5' to any place on Wen Lin Jie suggests partnership or ignorance of good food.

    -------------------------------------------------------------
    3rd October, 2007
    Comment: Why go here when there's Pisa Pizza just a few doors to the east. Poor quality of food and very disinterested management and staff says it all.

• • Bernie
    February 26, 2008
  • Kunming > Mazagran Café
    水井咖啡屋

    Actually, it's a great alternative to most places, not just Salvador's. I keep trying different dishes and they're all excellent -- some, would easily win the just-as-mother-made award. The reason, not surprisingly, is that it is family-run with experienced, European-trained cooks. There is no alcohol (because it's a cafe) and no cigarette smoking. The huge open windows enable endless watching of the world going by.

    -----------------------------------------------------------
    13th October, 2007
    Must remember that this cafe is closed on Mondays.