Service at a restaurant
by hooiluangoh
This is a common expenrience shared by many foreigners in Kunming's chinese restaurants: the rice does not come in time.
You may order 5 dishes, with steamed white rice as the staple. The dishes are served accordingly, but they make you wait for the rice, which is served when you have almost finished all the dishes out of hunger.
The restaurant could be filled with an awful lot of waiters, standing by the door greeting, by the table waiting. However, when you need something, you will see everybody is blind to your signal, however hard you wave your arms. They have gone day-dreaming away, and you may have to tap their shoulders to wake them up from the hypnotis. Ask for the "fapiao" when you pay (if you spend more than 10 yuan). Fapiao is a government issued invoice, to ensure the business pay their service tax. To encourage patrons to claim this invoice, there is a "scratch and win" section on the invoice. You may win an instant RMB 5 (which is the most common), or get some exciting moments at least, scratching it.
Kunming Airport hosted the Flying Tigers
by bpacker
This is a little known fact but during World War II, Kunming Wujiaba Airport actually accomomdated the legendary "Flying Tiger" squadron led by U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Claire Lee Chennault. If you pop down to the hip drinking joint (The Hump over the Himalayas) you can see pictures of the locals toiling to level the fields for the planes to land on .
Green plums - a must buy in Spring
by hooiluangoh about Any fruit stall
Fruit stalls are good to visit in Kunming, especially for an "orang kampung" from Malaysia. I never thought green plums could taste so good, until I accidentally bought some while waiting for my bus.
They are wonderfully sweet. RMB 2.50 to RMB 5 per KG. (about 15 fruit - good buy eh ?) Do make sure the vendors' weighing scale is accurate. Watch that, because if you don't, chances are you will be cheated.
Pubs & restaurants by the lake
by victorwkf
Along the road next to the famous Cuihu Lake of Kunming lies many pubs and restaurants. During night time, this area is very crowded with people enjoying themselves, having meals and having entertainment.
English Corner
by Rob_Cuzner
Thomas' Foreign Langauages School "English Corner" is held every Tuesday and Friday starting at 6PM with a free dinner, then around 7PM there is a performance of Chinese music, dance, etc. After that, small groups are formed for a free discussion. I first attended this English Corner about 6 months ago and now I'm organising it. I recommend English Corner to anyone who has come to China, as it is a great place to communicate with Chinese people. The Chinese people who attend have a great level of English, bar the odd grammatical mistake. They all come from different circles of life, and are great to spend an hour or two to sit down and chat with over a beer, coffee or tea.
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Land beyond the rest stop.
My friend Leena
Preparations for the wedding photographs.
The Cute girl
