There are lots of cheap mountain bikes here for less than 200quid. Used bikes even less. You can then flog these on when you leave.

Reading a number of articles over the last few weeks.
This is a sensitive period. There is a big Buddhist festival, lasting one month, that usually attracts protesters. There has just been an anniversary of a big event in Chinese recent history. There has been an 'inflammatory incidents' in the region in the last week or so.
Add to this there is a big changeover of leadership coming up in Beijing.

This closing of access has happened before at sensitive times, and has always only been a temporary measure. I am sure the tour groups will be allowed back in after a period of time.

Give them a chance, this is the consultation process. Rushing to an answer ain't so hot.

I don't feel too sorry for local teachers.
There is an old joke.
'How do you know when you have been in China too long?'
'When you no longer ask how the guy earning $400 a month can afford a Mercedes'.

There are lots of ways local teachers can earn extra money. My Chinese daughter had an English teacher who told all her students that their English was bad and they all needed extra lessons. They were told they must go to 'this man' for 2 hour lessons on the weekend, at 100rmb per hour. 'That man' was her brother, he did not speak English, but he 'knew the test'. Other young teachers in the private schools steal clients and teach extra lessons at home. In many schools local teachers get free food, and in some they get free accommodation
The younger Chinese teachers who are not making money outside class, just have not worked out a way to do it yet. Or they are lazy (rare in Kunming, not) and still living off mom and pop. Living at home is normal for locals, even after marriage. A luxury most foreign teachers don't have.

Ah! so you are intending to work illegally. And really want to abuse the student visa to the maximum.

If you have a student visa for a Kunming university and are studying in Kunming and doing a little work on the side to help pay for your studies this is a bit naughty.
If you have a student visa for a Kunming university, you aren't studying, and you will be working in another city you are really extracting urine. You deserve to get bounced.