There used to be a shop or two,,in the XiNan Construction supply Market that did woodwork (like fancy door frame carvings etc),they had larger workshops nearby, just walk around the market till you see them.

In the past If you worked for a NGO or you had the right background but low income you could apply for a LARGE discount for KIA, I guess this is something to do with the 'belief' that KIA was set up initially to help the large number of foreign missionary families here. Not sure if this discount is still available but I think it is.

Compared to most international schools in China KIA is about 40% of the normal rip off price, and then after the NGO discount,,,its dirt cheap. If you don't want your kids in a local Chinese school (which is still MUCH cheaper than KIA even if Laowai kids have to pay 10-20K,,,remember to bargain, you should be able to get the fees to 10K,, ) then your only options are KIA or home schooling.

There is a children s amusement center on the Goldfish island in the middle Greenlake park,its fun for kids,but pretty loud.

Just like Liumingke says, in China if you don't know the price then generally you will pay too much. Have you noticed that often people in Kunming will ask "how much will you sell this to me for?" Often there is often no real set price, its based on what they seller thinks they can get away with.

The only difference between western and Chinese Uni's is that in a western Uni there are most likely to be publicly available written rules about fees. State Run Chinese Unis like Uni's in other countries charge less for citizens as they are government funded,no racism factor.

tommckay1478,, you have two options,one is to find out the price other foreign students are paying and get your money back,the other is to not worry about it. Blaming the Uni for something that is normal in China won't help.

I would say that 800rmb/month plus board and food is a fair market price,,maybe a little bit over what most Ayis are getting. I would suggest you give her free trip(s) home (I mean pay her bus fair if she is not from Kunming) once a year or so as a good way to keep her happy.