On a nice partly cloudy day like the last few, rent/borrow/own a bike and ride to the west entrance of HaiGeng Park via DianChi and GuanJing roads. There is a wonderfully quiet and pretty back road that parallels DianChi if you're up for exploring it out. Go on a weekday and you can even sneak a ride on top of the tourist walkway on GuanJing for some pretty scenery. Once at the park, pay a 10rmb entrance fee and then go have lunch/snacks inside the park. Better yet, is to go as a group and rent a bbq slot or picnic on the grass. The water will most likely be smelly green now, but when it's not, HaiGeng is even nicer. You can ride out of the east exit and explore the nearby sports complex and then make you're way home on XingTi Rd.
The weather and ability to see blue skies is a big reason so many foreigners reside in a tier 2 city of this size. So I like to take advantage of the climate by taking in the pleasant parts of Kunming.
Pulling teeth is much easier, less painful, and possibly less bloody than trying to get cash back from a Chinese merchant.
Try for the 2nd repair. Albeit, they will try to charge you another 200 to 300 rmb for yet another screen/visualizer part. Here you will have to be very demanding and willing to make a scene. Bringing a friend(s) along wouldn't hurt.
If you went to the shop the next day after your faulty repair, you should have a good chance at obtaining a 2nd repair for free. If the problem didn't fully manifest itself till several days later or you waited to complain, then this is much more problematic. Essentially, this now becomes a tug-of-war between how willing you are to make a scene and the Chinese shop owner's obstinacy.
In Shenzhen, the repair shop I frequent for my iPhone would most likely take a 2nd look at it for free. They would repair it without charging me for another expensive part if I start and continue to badger/scream at them they used a crap/wrong part to start with. However, I speak fluent Chinese and have used this shop more than once.
As a practice, I wouldn't have my smartphone or Apple products repaired in Kunming except at an authorized repair shop or the big chains mentioned above. Of course those places all charge considerably more.
It's relatively new (1 year old as opposed to many) and further out. It does get busier on the weekends, but much of that is concentrated in restaurant row. If you're ever in the vicinity, definitely worth a hour stroll.
"But again, by saying GK avoids anything remotely controversial implies subterfuge, which is probably the most reproachable offense in journalism. Can you substantiate this?"
On your second point, that's quite easy. Simply take a look at which forums end up with the "thread locked." No one expects GoK to be hard hitting journalism, but we also don't want self censorship or reading stuff that follows the party line.
I think Scally made an honest mistake. As usual, the cover up ends up worse than the crime. He has apologized publicly, profusely and personally to ludwig. I'll still look forward to Scally's articles.
Most airports in China have the last shuttle bus depart when the last flight arrives. Whether they do this as a courtesy or it's a rule of law, I don't know. But it's very comforting.
The 28rmb salad bar buffet is the best meal to be had in Kunming for that price. Killer onion rings as part of that salad bar! Starts at 5pm Mon-Sat. They don't restock a dish if it runs out, but it's rarely an issue because there are so many others and no dish runs out unless you show up past 7'ish on a fri or sat.
Their steaks are Chinese steaks, and not a Western level of cut of meat, but the Korean dishes are excellent.
The only reason it's 4 and not 5 stars, is I live far away, and maybe the quality of the steak. Of course it was only 50rmb for a steak, potatoes, and a salad bar buffet included.
Oh yes, the staff are really nice, but it's not fine dining, so they don't rush to take your order or bring out water. The place is more relaxed, so give'em a hollar or just grab a menu and some silverware yourself.
Snapshot: Yuanbo Bird and Flower Market
Posted byIt's relatively new (1 year old as opposed to many) and further out. It does get busier on the weekends, but much of that is concentrated in restaurant row. If you're ever in the vicinity, definitely worth a hour stroll.
Interview: punk band Hell Yeah
Posted bySaw them play at the Fuxian festival. Great energy and great stage attire. F' yeah! Too drunk to f'
Recipe: Spicy taro and greens
Posted byI see very few taro recipes, so this looks mouth watering.
Kunming to become more civilized
Posted byIf the chengguan look like the ones in the picture, I will be happy to obey:)
Nobel laureate Mo Yan's Yunnan connection
Posted by@helface
"But again, by saying GK avoids anything remotely controversial implies subterfuge, which is probably the most reproachable offense in journalism. Can you substantiate this?"
On your second point, that's quite easy. Simply take a look at which forums end up with the "thread locked." No one expects GoK to be hard hitting journalism, but we also don't want self censorship or reading stuff that follows the party line.
I think Scally made an honest mistake. As usual, the cover up ends up worse than the crime. He has apologized publicly, profusely and personally to ludwig. I'll still look forward to Scally's articles.