telephones
by xaver
The thing impressed me more going around Kunming was the incredible amount of cellulars shops.One next to the other one, I tried to count them but I soon gave up.This impressed me, because the feeling I had in this city was just that people were absolutely not willing to comunicate, but, seing the number of telephones they sell, I must have been wrong, I probably was in the temple of comunication and did not realise it, may be my cellular was switched off or had some problems with the local net:-)
Ask for an invoice, and you stand to win $$
by hooiluangoh
China's value added tax stands at 17%.
However, due to the lack of a proper book-keeping system, many chinese businesses would love to charge you the 17% and keep it in their own pockets instead of paying it to the governement.
So what does the governtment do ? They invent these invoices which businesses must buy from them and give to customers as proof of purchase. Then of course, if the invoices are of no use to you, you won't request it, and it's back to square one for them.
So the government invent lottery invoices. You scratch them, and that may bring you money and prizes. Now this is enough incentive for you to ask for them at a restaurant.
Unfortunately on in restaurants you can obtain lottery invoices. In other places (supermarket, taxi), it's just a boring little piece of paper.
Next time when you pay for your meals, and if it is over RMB5, ask for them. They are called FA(1) PIAO(4). My friend won RMB 5 and the whole restaurant knew about it !
The Western Hills
by Dizzydean
The Western Hills, about 15 km from Kunming city, lie along the western shore of Dianchi Lake. It stretches from north to south for about 40 km. the Western Hills is a forested and lovely park which is perfect for hiking. Some of the major sites include: Huating Temple (Huating Si), an ancient Buddhist temple that was originally a retreat for the local ruler; Taihua Temple (Taihua Si), with its charming orchard courtyard; Sanqing Pavilion (Sanqingge), a Daoist temple dedicated to that religion's three major deities; and Dragon Gate (Longmen), a collection of Daoist caves and sculptures.
We recommend taking at least half a day to climb the Hills and explore the various sites along the way.
The Western Hills Park is located 16km southwest of Kunming city on the shores of Dianchi Lake. Bus No. 51 and No.6 both reach the the park. A taxi costs around RMB50 and takes 40 minutes from the city center. There is a cable car linking the Dragon gate and the Yunnan Nationalities Village. Two way tickets cost RMB60 and a one way ticket costs RMB40.
Take a taxi from RMB8
by hooiluangoh
There are plenty of taxis in Kunming (about 6000 or 6700 to be exact, the extra 700 licences were issued after the 1999 expo). They are usually 10 year-old cars with real worn out seats. Sometimes the seat cover is a towel. Other times you think your butts are touching the road. But they are available anywhere. You can flag one down easily. Fare starts from RMB8, or RMB7 for smaller cars which will be phased out by the end of 2004 I think.
There is a 20% surcharge after 10pm. Fare starts from RMB9.60 , and the unit rate after that has already included the surcharge. Hence you pay according to the fare displayed on the meter.
Delicious custard puff at Harbour Plaza
by hooiluangoh about Ground floor coffeehouse, Harbour Plaza Hotel
Typical hotel coffeehouse setting. But the dessert is worth mentioning. "Napolean slice"
Try the custard puff. It's custard sandwiched between layers of fluffy pastry, and topped with some jellified slices of plum or whatever fruit that fancies the decorator.
At RMB 8 a piece, it's heaven to eat that with a cup of black coffee.
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Morning dance in the park
Yunnan Guo Qiao Mi Xian
another pic of them
Outgoing center near Dong Feng Li
