get on to Thai Airways' Kunming office. they often have deals which work out fairly good value. check the airline's website for baggage rules - every airline is different, and policies regarding bicycles are particularly difficult to deal with. watch out for words like "recognised" when talking about bike bags/boxes. i.e. it needs to look like a bike bag, not just be a bike bag by virtue of having a bike in it :)
A. yes. i hear that, strictly speaking, the amount of time given to you upon entry is at the border guard's discretion. so, in theory, you could ask nicely at the border for more days. i'd not bank on it though.
A1. Next to the Kunming Hotel. The consulate is listed on this site.
A2. apply between 9am and noon. get back two days later, if i remember rightly. might even be next day. i paid CNY230 for a 60 day (EU passport). this is issued with an 'enter before' date that's a few days after you say you plan to enter the kingdom.
A3. passport, two copies of application form, each requiring photo, passport copy, plus another simple summary form
B. 30 days
B1. US$37. payment in other currencies is permitted, it appears from a printed list that i snuck a look at, but it works out a bit more expensive. i'm pretty sure CNY is possible, but to be sure, i'd show up with the greenbacks.
B2. passport, photo (maybe 2, i forget)
this information is current as of early November for the Thai consulate in Kunming and November 30th for the Laos border crossing at Mohan-Boten.
@bucko - would love to look at your Mile info some more, as i'll be travelling to Mile soon, but having to press 'stop' every page turn on your tune of a guy who sounds like he's having trouble curling one out is doing my nut. 我的两份
the launch of the new bus stations was rather rushed and haphazard, but i think it is a good move.
now, we just need the rest of the infrastructure to catch up - not just transport links, but also ticketing - downtown ticket offices (like with train tickets), or a ticket infrastructure that any authorised travel agent can interface to (like with air tickets) would be great. having to trek out to the bus station to buy tickets and then trek back a few days later to take the bus is less than efficient.
in the limit as δt approaches zero (and as the sum of all my beers approaches ∞), can i get Newton-Raphson sauce on my iterated ribs? (mmmm, apples; goes great with pork)
the light rail line construction is coming along fast over there (caiyun bei lu), with a lot of elevated platform in place, but no rails yet. the new Luosiwan market is right next to the line. the south bus station (currently a temporary structure) is over there too.
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.
Did Kunming's bus station reshuffle create more illegal taxis?
Posted bythe launch of the new bus stations was rather rushed and haphazard, but i think it is a good move.
now, we just need the rest of the infrastructure to catch up - not just transport links, but also ticketing - downtown ticket offices (like with train tickets), or a ticket infrastructure that any authorised travel agent can interface to (like with air tickets) would be great. having to trek out to the bus station to buy tickets and then trek back a few days later to take the bus is less than efficient.
GoKunming Weekend Preview
Posted byin the limit as δt approaches zero (and as the sum of all my beers approaches ∞), can i get Newton-Raphson sauce on my iterated ribs? (mmmm, apples; goes great with pork)
Yunnan news roundup
Posted byi saw roadside trees being hosed with water yesterday. i also smelt it, so it seems Ouyang is on to something.
Hundreds of shopowners protest Luosiwan demolition
Posted bythe light rail line construction is coming along fast over there (caiyun bei lu), with a lot of elevated platform in place, but no rails yet. the new Luosiwan market is right next to the line. the south bus station (currently a temporary structure) is over there too.
Launch of ASEAN China FTA to propel Yunnan's rise
Posted by"Yunnan agriculture may face increased competition for certain goods from farmers in countries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia."
if it's a caveat, you're assuming that competition in the marketplace is a de facto bad thing?