Fruits as well, for example 3 dragon fruits for 10 rmb at the fruit vendors in Shilin Street. Market prices in Chenggong obviously take into account low student budgets.

I forgot to include those delicious calamari/squids in my aforementioned 28 yuan buffets.

Yesterday was my first time scouting Chenggong District. @Cahzriel is right, air quality is much better here than in inner city, Spaciously desolate, local businesses should be relieved college students will be returning en masse around March 4th through the 10th.

Absent in forum discussions, and not specifically mentioned by Jared Foxhall nor by Patrick Scally/Benjamin Campbell in the other Chenggong article, is Shilin Street Barbecue City, Shilin Street (仕林街) is a landmark of eateries stretching an entire block of nearly half a kilometer.

Highly recommended are the 28 yuan per person spicy Chongqing-flavored DIY stir fry buffets near the south end of Shilin Street (bordering JingMing S. Road). All-you-can-eat shrimps, clams, fish (for pescatarians like myself), marinated meats, and large selections of veggies cooked on a giant pan at your table for only 28rmb is nonexistent in KM city center.

Listed by @Philou, Shilin Street is ~600 meters southeast of KRT station YiKang South Rd. (谊康南路) C Exit, or ~600 meters northeast of University Town (大学城) KRT station B Exit:

www.gokunming.com/en/listings/item/33831/shilin_street

Just a heads up, passengers on the KRT train en route to Kunming South Railway Station may have to get off and switch at Chunrong Jie (春融街) for the university town stations. This juncture may be confusing for first-timers.

Just announced... construction of high speed rail from Kunming to Dali is complete. Pending finalization/tests, won't be long now till the new line becomes operational. Travel time will be 2 hours!

Great news! Hong Kong just voted to ban all ivory sales. HK was a major ivory trading hub and a loophole black market for Chinese Mainland buyers.

Persistent anti-ivory campaigns will hopefully diminish ivory demands among Chinese elites, thereby reducing elephant poaching around the world, particularly in Africa. It's estimated ~30,000 elephants are killed by poachers every year.

Shark fin demands/appetite in China supposedly dropped 70% over the years as a result of similar public education from celebrities on social media.

These gentle giants are one one my favorite animals in the world. Too bad I didn't come across any wild elephant migrations during my Xixhuangbanna visit. I wouldn't mind if they bumped round our vehicles like toy cars for a close up encounter.

Btw, props to Kunming's Yuantong Shan Zoo for improving the elephant/lion/bear captivity areas. The skywalk overhead view is an nice addition for visitors. The playful baby elephant was adorable and a must-see.