In the very north of the city I’ve become increasingly aware of an intense and sustained cleaning effort. Mostly this involves various sized motorised vehicles, each fulfilling a different purpose. Most notably large modern road cleaners with targeted use of water, unlike their predecessors, and these pass-by up to three (3!) times a day between early morning and about 23:00.These are followed by smaller mechanical vehicles designed to get into the nooks and crannies at the edge of the road to suck up any litter and fallen leaves.

Pavements get similar and equally effective cleaning though less frequent, again using more mechanisation than I’ve noticed in the past. This has not put the manual cleaners, with their long brooms and dustpans, out of work since they follow up, seemingly just in case an odd leaf or cigarette butt has sneaked past the heavy mob. All of this has been accompanied by deep cleaning of heavy pedestrianised areas such as bus stops. One day this week one team, consisting of a man and woman manning a modern high pressure hose van spent two periods, each consisting of about two hours, deep cleaning one single bus stop. Noticeable the male member of the team mostly observed. Walking from where I live to the nearest subway, a brisk walk of twenty minutes, there was barely a fallen leaf or twig to be seen.This is not some tourist spot but just an ordinary part of the northern suburbs. Really impressive stuff and I’m guessing this is not unique to this location?

I have not seen it yet, but they are doing a lot of roadside work here in the South at the moment.
The only other thing that might cause this level of activity is a VIP visit where VIP buses will use the route.

Also if there's an EXPO coming to town where visitors from different countries are coming this might prompt them to do this.

At the intersections of north bejing road they are installing racks of flowers which i was told are going to be permanent. They spent a lot of time digging the weeds in the boulevards along the panlong river road near our home and are going to plant flowers. Was told by person who has contract for planting several million rmb of flowers in the north that this is a general beautification project and is suppose to be ongoing.

You probably know or don't know Alien. Maybe not knowing? : )

Tiger is right I think. This usually happens before an official visit. Shops get told to clean up their fronts and unsightly things are ordered to be taken down.

once again you don't know, so why post????

Most of change i am seeing is focused near the Panlong river. From Linyu road to the Waterfalls park they have added or in processing of adding 6 restroom facilities. They have planted a lot of new trees along the river, and replaced, or cleaned the sidewalks on either side of the river. Last year they added traffic lights on the roads on either side of the panlong. With so few places to relax outside in kunming i think officials are trying to make this an attractive place for people to walk, bike or just sit by the river.

Nice new mega church along pan long north too now.

I thind,there is a campaign of "creating a beautiful city with good hygiene and be civil" (创卫）going on nation wide. in Guilin, GuangXi, where I am staying, on and off, the last 3 months. in the area I am staying, the footpath has undergone repaving, cleaning and cars and bikes parking on the sidewalk towed away...... army of water trucks have been working hard almost hourly cleaning the street and showering the city with fine mist to reduce the fine particles in the air. on top of that,

special police forces have been deployed to catch people jaywalking, e-bike violating traffic laws.... huge tents are set up in major intersections to 'educate' people who got caught for traffic offence by giving them books to study and some are required to hand copying the rules hundred of times on writing pads. amazing......... :-))))))