Forums > Travel Yunnan > Running in Lijiang A "520" (我爱你) running/jogging venue is being held today at Zhongji Hai, to the west of Lijiang stadium of Gucheng district.
Zhongji (中济) is an enormous 173 acres (1050 mu) newly erected park connecting both north and south Zhongji resovoirs. It touts a spacious jogging/biking path that meander continuously for over 4km in an infinity shaped loop. The lap encompasses not only green and lake spaces with backdrop of the gorgeous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, but all state of the art facilities Zhongji park offers for the public free of charge; skate park for skateboarders and even a dirt obstacle course mound for bicycles like those seen in the Summer Olympics. A 15 to 20-meter rock climbing wall, a small croquet field, soccer field, tennis courts, badminton courts, basketball courts, modern playgrounds for kids, plethora of wooden plank bridges, walking trails, viewing decks and seating areas. Even a spanking new Olympic size pool swimming facility across the street to the East.
The Lijiang city government splurged on this one.
Forums > Living in Kunming > Any Serious Coffee Place to Visit in Town? Per May 1st annual tradition, the coffee festival (dubbed “正儿八经咖啡节”) is being held outside Tongde Kunming Plaza for the third or fourth year running. Free coffee tasting of local and international coffee brands. Reportedly 80 coffee merchants/vendors are participating in this wuyi holiday festival at the intersection of Beijing Lu and Baiyun Lu:
www.gokunming.com/en/listings/item/33580/tongde-kunming-plaza
Forums > Living in Kunming > Flowers in bloom For weeks now, jacaranda (蓝花楹) trees have been brimming with purple flower petals, now welcoming wuyi holiday travellers. Even a giant lavender petal consisting of 600 drones lit up Wuhua pedestrian street last night around 20:30. The 16-minute light show in the sky, like a squadron of UFO invaders, may be an one-off performance.
Forums > Travel Yunnan > Kunming Airport ”China to replace PCR test requirement with antigen test for inbound travellers
BEIJING, April 25 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that all inbound travellers will only need to show COVID-19 antigen tests result taken within 48 hours before boarding flights starting April 29, dropping the PCR test requirement.
Currently, China requires inbound traveller from some countries to take PCR tests before entering the country.“
www.reuters.com/[...]
Forums > Food & Drink > Bread in Kunming BON APPÉTIT bakery chain in Kunming recently contracted a supposed big deal French pastry chef to upgrade their inventory. The Frenchman was flexing his culinary muscles on douyin livestream in front of BON APPÉTIT bakers. Expect a few new varieties from their stores in the near future.
A basket of baguettes was seen next to above-mentioned German bread at Hema grocery inside Metown shopping center at the intersection 白龙路 and 白塔路. Both didn't appear sweetened.
Grand Hyatt Hotel is coming to Kunming (at Spring66 Tower 2). Looking forward to their restaurants and baked goods:
www.hanglung.com/[...]
China-Laos railway now connecting cities of Kunming and Vientiane
Posted byLike this railway, Beerlao lager is also a joint venture (Carlsberg Group with the Lao government) and one of the most prominent brands in Laos. A national treasure worth protecting ;)
The brewery company's 10% shrinkage during summer wet seasons may be attributed to the poor road conditions scattered throughout most of Laos. One of the infrastructural problems that needs to be addressed at the ministerial level.
The "three hours" bottlenecks for passengers in Moding is a wrinkle to be ironed out... granted the two extra shared vehicle trips (jacked up fares on the Lao side) between Boting, the border checkpoints, and Moding could now be bypassed.
The Lao government needs to stop turning a blind-eye to their custom officials, not to mention the consulate staff in Kunming, from threatening passengers and pocketing extra fees for themselves.
China-Laos railway now connecting cities of Kunming and Vientiane
Posted byBeginning sometime next month in April, the Laos China Railway trains will seamlessly cross borders without the hassles of disembarking for border checkpoints.
China-Laos railway now connecting cities of Kunming and Vientiane
Posted byGood news. Starting next Wednesday on March 15, passengers can book tickets for the Laos-China Railway on their mobile devices (via the "LCR Ticket" app, available on Play store or Apple).
Currently, reserving train seats for the Laos' rail portion have been hectic as local scalpers have dominated the station queues, reselling train seats to Luang Prabang at double or triple rates.
www.thestar.com.my/[...]
China-Laos railway now connecting cities of Kunming and Vientiane
Posted byTo update, passenger high speed rail trains connecting from Kunming into Laos have begun since earlier this year... and runs further into Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang (an UNESCO World Heritage-listed town), and Vientiane provinces.
A good post on places to visit along the way:
www.traveller.com.au/[...]
Recent talks with Thailand-Laos rail network cross-border connections from Vientiane:
www.bangkokpost.com/[...]
COVID-19 vaccinations for expats in Kunming available until July 18
Posted byAlthough Omicron has already been ripping through Kunming, the word is that the fourth vaccine, in the aerosol form of inhalable or spray, may be rolling out in Yunnan for the general public at the end of the month or the next.
I hope prior to lunar new year, the more vulnerable elderly in rural outskirt villages, where health services are relatively dearth, will also have access to these updated vaccines when they congregate in town markets every five days during traditional "ganji" to sell their homegrown produce.