Went to the China Unicom store on Bai Yun near Beijing Lu today. Not a place to shop for phones. Very few on display and did not recognize the brands. Did see "Galaxy SIII" banners/signs at the mobile phone market on Dong Feng Xi Lu but did not go and look at them. I am uneasy about buying anything there after being shown iPhones for 800rmb a few months back.
@yuanyangren
You are right as far as china goes. A credit card is a must. I have several US debit cards but they can't used without giving a lot of 'security' info.
In China, buy at amazon.cn. Free delivery and COD. Safe as you pay when it gets to you. Service is pretty good.
For airline tickets CAYA provides the type of service we had in China, in Beijing anyway, years ago. They come to you to collect the money and hand you an unnecessary E-ticket. And, as I said, I have always got the elong price.
I used elong for several years, then it was bought by expedia and went to hell. I do not have a credit card and they ask too many questions anyway.
I get my tickets from CAYA, a KM travel agent. I check elong for flights and prices then call CAYA which is listed on GoK. Every time I get the elomg price. They deliver and take cash.
@TICexpats
All that you say is pretty much right on.
I have no interest in reporting anyone to the authorities and would not advise doing so. We all do what we need to do to get by.
After following the tax enforcement project for about six years, I can see illegally working expats being squeezed out as a byproduct of tax enforcement. Also remember on the other side of the coin is the school that hires illegal teachers. These schools are not paying most of the taxes due.
By deporting foreigners it makes the news. Doing quiet collections on a school by school basis creates awareness in the business community. There is a lot of propaganda benefit in this as the major tax element is social security tax. All of this plays well with the huge majority of the average Zhou Chinese guys.
Down the road, when all Chinese businesses experience enhanced enforcement, the tax revenue increases should be massive and perhaps workers will benefit as labor law compliance increases.
But then again, TIC.
@debaser
Saw your last post and now the picture begins to clear. With the new insight, the narrative has changed.
They seem to be interested in creating a super-legal means of controlling expats. We all are so rich and are paid too much and are taking too many jobs.
Given that visas, work permits and residence visas are all locally issued they can define local regulations as suits local conditions.
My question: Is this going to be released as an official position/action, in writing, and published in accordance with the relevant China laws?
No results found.
Good for quality, but pricey, hand tools.
Be aware they will push whatever they are selling. Some of the staff have no idea about the technical side of appliances.
I went there to buy a stove. I repeatedly told them I would be using bottled gas. They sold me a stove. When I went to my local gas guy, I learned there are at least three kinds of gas sold. Luckily, B&Q did not deliver as promised. I went back to the store and discovered they had sold me a stove they needed to be hooked up to the gas main. I got my money back.
The sales lady was almost in tears, 没有问题！I don't know if it a safety or design issue, but I would think B&Q would know and care.
Last week had an 8:45am flight.
Subway starts at 9am. I have no idea where to catch an airport express bus. Eight taxis refused to go to the airport. After almost an hour standing on Beijing Lu took a black taxi, this dude drives slower than my mother, 120 yuan.
Flight back was delayed so I learned the subway stops running at 6:10pm.
Getting a taxi back was easy, more taxis than customers. Taxi was 87 yuan including 1o yuan toll, airport to Beichen area. Yes, he took a longer route than necessary.
Kunming imagines being a gateway for international travelers. New airport but hard to get to and from it.
World Class Airport, NOT!
Tonight "Peacock", a performance by Yang Liping (杨丽萍), to begin her world tour, 8pm, 100-1680 yuan at Yunna Haigeng Auditorium.
Saw this lady perform at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, in California, in 1995. Quite a good and interesting show.
I'm going to try to make it.
Not so good. Kimchi had a very sour taste. Other food was nothing to brag about. I don't think I would go back.
This bus station is not located as indicated. It is further North!
20 years in Yunnan with Jim Goodman
发布者Yes, yes. All shut up so the troll can continue with his dumb ass comments.
Inside a pu'er tea factory
发布者My second wife, self described tea expert, says pu'er tea was developed by the Brits. The tea was formed into cakes for the long trip to England. The fermenting occurred by accident but the tea was washed and sold anyway. It turned out to be improved by the process.
I've asked and tried to confirm this with no success. There is a lot of tea lore around but almost nothing about the origins of pu'er cha. Sometimes pu'er cha is called 'red tea' but there is, locally, a red tea which is not exactly p'er tea, and quite expensive. Locals seem to refer to fermented pu'er as 'black' tea. For a time, I thought the difference was between Yunnanese people and folks from the north and east, then I bought some 'red' tea in Banna. It is different and quite nice. Also different is the tea sold by Dai and Ahaka people.
This article is excellent. Follow-up articles on local tea products/indutry would be great.
Yuxi-Mengzi: China's newest railway
发布者AlPage, damn I'm getin old. Thanks!
Yuxi-Mengzi: China's newest railway
发布者Which Kunming train station does this train depart from?
Inside a pu'er tea factory
发布者Great photo essay! Thanks.