Though some of the information is bound to be inaccurate or invalid, I think the whole idea of wikipedia and the internet as a whole is that each individual must make his or her own decisions about what to believe. The problem with arbitrarily blocking access to information is that it ignores this ability that is inherent in all intelligent people. Also, the CCP might take issue with what's written about the Long March or the May 4 movement, but so do many young Chinese. When these objectionable sites are blocked, these people are stripped of not just the information, but their ability to counter it with their own opinions and views. I think that much of the anger shown by young Chinese intellectuals during this year's torch fiasco stemmed from the feeling that they have no voice in the international debate about China, and that no one in the West listens to them, assuming that they are all blind victims of propaganda. I think that the filtering of information is highly detrimental to the cultural and political development of the country. But of course, that is the point, isn't it?
Jeff
Blackberry works in China, but only as a bundle package. It's pretty easy to get a SIM card that has internet service, but GPS is tougher. If you want to use the specific blackberry service, you might want to wait until you get here.
Palms and other smartphones are for sale, unlocked in Kunming.
It is possible. Go to the airport and ask at the information desk. They can direct you to the quarantine/control center that can issue you the shots and certificate you'll need to show customs in the US. My cousin did it and it works.
Good luck.
I'm a pretty heavy smoker, but I'd keep coming to Sal's if it went smoke free anyway. It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to walk out to the raised part in the front, and a lot of the smokers seem to hang out there anyway.
The food is good enough and enough of the clientele are non-smokers that I think Sal's could pull it off no problem.
The only thing that would "alienate" the smokers would be going smoke free with a vengeance, i.e. banning it on the outside bar as well as inside.
I wonder how much, if any discussion there is in the Yunnan govt about the composition of forests and how that affects forest fires.
Around Kunming and central Yunnan at least, many of the forests are full of non-native eucalyptus trees, which have evolved to encourage fires to squeeze out other species.
I can see why they planted so many of these trees. They grow fast, are highly drought-resistant, and the goats don't seem to eat them, so they were useful for holding the soil in place and mitigating some of the horrible deforestation the province has seen. But it's definitely time to start reintroducing some of Yunnan's native species, which have also adapted to long dry spells, but would hopefully be less of a fire hazard (and also promote the recovery of native plant and animal species).
An exciting new gallery space built from an old factory warehouse in the Paoluda Creative Industry Park. Looking forward to seeing what they'll do with it.
Preview: 2015 Chengjiang Lakeside Music Festival
发布者@scally: Right on. I'd delete the first comment if I knew how.
Preview: 2015 Chengjiang Lakeside Music Festival
发布者Nice. Here are a couple of nitpicking points:
- This is actually the third installment of the music festival, though it's got some new management this time.
- Fuxian is east, not west of Kunming
Province nervously monitoring forest fire season
发布者The hotline for fire is 119, but I'm sure they'll patch you through or send word along if you call general emergency (110) or information (114).
Make sure to note the highway, direction and closest km marker.
Province nervously monitoring forest fire season
发布者I wonder how much, if any discussion there is in the Yunnan govt about the composition of forests and how that affects forest fires.
Around Kunming and central Yunnan at least, many of the forests are full of non-native eucalyptus trees, which have evolved to encourage fires to squeeze out other species.
I can see why they planted so many of these trees. They grow fast, are highly drought-resistant, and the goats don't seem to eat them, so they were useful for holding the soil in place and mitigating some of the horrible deforestation the province has seen. But it's definitely time to start reintroducing some of Yunnan's native species, which have also adapted to long dry spells, but would hopefully be less of a fire hazard (and also promote the recovery of native plant and animal species).
Just a thought...
Infrastructure money continues to pour into Kunming
发布者@AlexKMG: I was thinking the exact same thing. What use could Dianchi possibly have for a wharf?