Right, almost 99% do it in Kunming, 1% do it in XiaGuan (nice place).

In 1995 I have got my "Temporary Driving Licence 证号 950017" which was valid one year. I passed my driving test while speeding in an old black Volga throughout Kunming, scaring the two examiners almost to death. No theory test needed, because I was totally illiterate these days. I am still embarrassed and I am thankful for everybody who helped me through the procedures, however I will not disclose any details.

As gmail has been on and off these days - even when using vpn - I have set up Google Gears " gears.google.com/ " . Google Gears then creates a local offline copy of your Gmail account onto your Desktop and keeps it synchronized whenever there is access.

Give it a try, I like this piece of software quite a lot ...

There is a shop and an optician's practice adjacent (north/west) to the big hospital in XiChangLu. They have a variety of imported frames and lenses from Essilor. A few of our friends and we ourselves got our varifocus photochromic spectacles there and service and quality was just excellent. Prices depend on what you need and what you want, expect price tags from 3.500 to whatever ....
The shop is called : 天明视觉 in the 西昌路295
0871 - 5312888, 5329563

What you have got is a temporary 'Student Visa' and you will need to apply for you long term visa within 30 days after arrival.
First you need a confirmation letter from your school, you should also be registered with a KunMing address and this address has to be verified by your local community police, you also need to pass a medical checkup, then take some photos along with your application,- and, oh yes, finally, 400 Yuan is the right price for a 10 months Student Visa.
Don't overstay your temporary visa, you may have to pay a hefty fine,- and in the worst case, they will send you straight back home.
Relax, all these regulations are not very different from those in your home-country ;-)