Getting out there is a bit tricky. They run shuttles every day from out on Renmin Xi Lu, but I forget the exact name of the place they run from. If you can speak Chinese or get a friend to help you, you can call and find out. A minivan ride out there and back should be around 200-300 yuan.
Hi Robbs. I don't want to toot my own horn too much, but the mountain I wrote about in the GoKunming blog a few days ago, Changchong Shan, is one of the best choices in Kunming for convenience, being relatively uncrowded, and accessibility. You can get there on the bus in 20-30 minutes from Wenlin Jie. Here is the post: www.gokunming.com/[...]
Hi Valerie, thanks for the kind words. I don't specifically remember encountering any solo woman travelers, but Myanmar is a very safe place to travel from a personal security perspective.
Here is a copy of the Yunfest 2011 schedule that GoKunming received on March 19. We can't vouch that it is the most recent version, but it may prove useful to some of you: www.gokunming.com/downloads/pdf/yunfest2011.pdf
For navigation, we bought two books of Chinese-language Yunnan road maps from a bookstore and made a careful study of Google Maps and Google Earth before starting. Most maps are out of date and we had to do a lot of navigation guesswork along the way. We used gps and gprs on our phone to check our position on Google Maps where service was available, and the compass I had strapped on my handlebar was very useful for making sure were were generally headed in the right direction.
One of the more unique hotpot experiences available in Kunming. The higher priced cuts of yak meat, including the yak carpaccio, are excellent.
It's also about as vegetarian friendly as hotpot gets because each person gets an individual pot and there is a (purportedly) vegetarian broth available, as well as a range veggies and good highland barley noodles.
The Yunnan courtyard-style restaurants like Laofangzi, Deyiju, etc are generally up to the task for a solid meal at a somewhat higher-than-average price.
Airuochun is yet another of these options, but perhaps a little ahead of the pack, especially for its tasty pork and pigeon offerings.
Getting Away: Mandalay
Posted byHi Valerie, thanks for the kind words. I don't specifically remember encountering any solo woman travelers, but Myanmar is a very safe place to travel from a personal security perspective.
Traveler loses Lonely Planet, stranded at Salvador's
Posted byIt's not me, Chingis. Wu Ming said he smelled like body odor and was cursing about fapiaos.
Preview: Yunfest Documentary Festival 2011
Posted byHere is a copy of the Yunfest 2011 schedule that GoKunming received on March 19. We can't vouch that it is the most recent version, but it may prove useful to some of you: www.gokunming.com/downloads/pdf/yunfest2011.pdf
Getting Away: Biking to Xishuangbanna
Posted byMap of the route: ditu.google.com/[...]
For navigation, we bought two books of Chinese-language Yunnan road maps from a bookstore and made a careful study of Google Maps and Google Earth before starting. Most maps are out of date and we had to do a lot of navigation guesswork along the way. We used gps and gprs on our phone to check our position on Google Maps where service was available, and the compass I had strapped on my handlebar was very useful for making sure were were generally headed in the right direction.
Insect cuisine: Bugging out in Kunming
Posted byGuo Duomi had career obligations outside of Kunming. We also miss his wonderful contributions.