Kunming does not have a marathon. China has marathons in Beijing (October), Shanghai (November 30th), Macau (December), Hong Kong (February) and Xiamen (March). Other than the Shanghai date, which i've already looked up for 2008, others are approximate and based on previous years. I understand there's also one in Dalian, but i haven't run it, and i don't know when it takes place.
Of these marathons, i'd recommend Xiamen over all others, as it's an interesting city that's relatively cheap and straightforward to visit, and the supporting crowd is lively. Hong Kong would be the one to avoid, as it's a lonely course with little to no crowd access.
If you're after a PB (PR) time, maybe Shanghai, as i think it's the flattest.
Kunming's altitude, weather and healthy eats make it a great place to train. Good luck!
David's suggestion for mountain biking is wise - there's lots of good riding around Kunming, and the bike buys a lot of freedom.
travel-wise, Yunnan has plenty to see (Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian, Deqin, Jinghong, Yuanyang), and there are land border crossings with Laos and Vietnam. for a long time, there's been talk of a boat along the Mekong from Jinghong into Thailand (the Mekong forms the Lao/Burmese border, so travel along the river avoids the need for visas for these countries) but i'm unsure if this route still exists.
ever looked out of the window on a flight over China? i never saw so many reservoirs... does this imply impending doom at the hands of the country's climate, or just that the mechanics of extracting groundwater are not practical in these parts?
one way, or another, i think China's water supply is an issue we're going to hear more of over the coming years...
damn! that's a lot of dams... i was tickled to see in an earlier water-related GoKunming post that the Yunnan University Asia International River Center chief scientist is named He Daming...
no-one's reviewed this place for nearly 3 years! i think i know why: it's solid. a bit boring maybe, but they get the job done: food on the table in good time, attentive staff, wide selection of items. the 'Prague Breakfast' is a fine feed, still good value after the recent price increase.
i joined friends here on the weekend. they were getting food and playing a game. the pizzas looked great, but my friends advised me to avoid them, saying they tasted bland.
having made a selection, it took 20 minutes for the staff to tell me that my choice was no longer available. as my friends had nearly finished their game, we then all took our business elsewhere.
helpful advice:
- if someone arrives, give them a menu
- sort out the beer selection
- if i speak to you in Chinese, speak back to me in Chinese
i've recently rediscovered this place. it's a little hit and miss, but i have to say that with a little experimentation, you can find some quality food here. while not perfect, the vindaloo is the best i've had.
i first sampled the Silver Spoon burgers a few weeks back - not bad at all, though i was unconvinced that they were 1/2 pound. another visit yesterday, and this time i was persuaded... definitely a fat burger. i was very happy with my cheese and bacon burger. diners with large appetites, be warned - you'll need a side of something to make a meal - the burger is just a burger - no fries.
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Kunming summer fashion: less is more
发布者ok, the flight's booked...
Mekong River drying up
发布者ever looked out of the window on a flight over China? i never saw so many reservoirs... does this imply impending doom at the hands of the country's climate, or just that the mechanics of extracting groundwater are not practical in these parts?
one way, or another, i think China's water supply is an issue we're going to hear more of over the coming years...
Will we lose Tiger Leaping Gorge?
发布者damn! that's a lot of dams... i was tickled to see in an earlier water-related GoKunming post that the Yunnan University Asia International River Center chief scientist is named He Daming...