Kunming
Overview
The capital of Yunnan it is known as the Eternal Spring City. If you go there during wintertime, you will better regard it as the Winter City. It is really cold and the city is not prepared for it, probably because most of the time they enjoy a pleasant temperature, but really, if it’s cold it’s very cold everywhere as they don’t have any kind of heating.
Besides that, it is a really modern city with plenty of skyscrapers, commercial streets, modern shops and cafés… it doesn’t really look like China and it is probably one of the most Westernized cities in the country. You can spend one or two days there to see the really worth Buddhist temple and wander around a bit, but you’re most likely to use it as a hub to visit the province of Yunnan.
Besides that, it is a really modern city with plenty of skyscrapers, commercial streets, modern shops and cafés… it doesn’t really look like China and it is probably one of the most Westernized cities in the country. You can spend one or two days there to see the really worth Buddhist temple and wander around a bit, but you’re most likely to use it as a hub to visit the province of Yunnan.
Sightseeing
-Golden Horse Memorial: In front of The Hump hostel. It is a big square featuring two huge Chinese gates in front of each other. You find similar gates all over China and they are really beautiful, with Chinese traditional architecture. If you happen to be near the place, pay it a visit, otherwise nothing special.
-East and West Pagodas: South of the Golden Horse Memorial, these two pagodas are not really worth the walk. You cannot get inside them and they are not impressive at all.
-Yuantong Buddhist Temple: The best sight of Kunming. This Buddhist temple is really worth a visit. What makes it special is the beautiful lake it has inside. You enter through the main gate into a park and after crossing a big gate you find the temple surrounded by the lake. You’ll see people lighting candles and incense and you can enter everywhere except the monks’ houses.
Outside the temple there are a lot of shops selling everything related to Buddhism: Buddhas, incense and so on. 10 yuan per person.
-Green Lake Park: A typical Chinese Park where people play mahjong, cards, do fitness, Tai Chi, sing, etc. The special thing about this park is that it has a lake and thousands of seagulls. You will see people feeding the seagulls, taking pictures of them, you can even buy souvenirs related to seagulls. It should be called Seagull Park instead of Green Lake Park. It is close to the temple, so you can spend some time there.
-East and West Pagodas: South of the Golden Horse Memorial, these two pagodas are not really worth the walk. You cannot get inside them and they are not impressive at all.
-Yuantong Buddhist Temple: The best sight of Kunming. This Buddhist temple is really worth a visit. What makes it special is the beautiful lake it has inside. You enter through the main gate into a park and after crossing a big gate you find the temple surrounded by the lake. You’ll see people lighting candles and incense and you can enter everywhere except the monks’ houses.
Outside the temple there are a lot of shops selling everything related to Buddhism: Buddhas, incense and so on. 10 yuan per person.
-Green Lake Park: A typical Chinese Park where people play mahjong, cards, do fitness, Tai Chi, sing, etc. The special thing about this park is that it has a lake and thousands of seagulls. You will see people feeding the seagulls, taking pictures of them, you can even buy souvenirs related to seagulls. It should be called Seagull Park instead of Green Lake Park. It is close to the temple, so you can spend some time there.
Accomodation
We stayed at The Hump hostel. Unless you are in a really low budget, avoid this place. The only good things are that it is the cheapest place in town (110 RMB the room) and it is centrally located. It wants to be a Chinese hostel, but it is not. Staff are not nice nor helpful, the bar and restaurant are extremely overpriced and the internet is not working at all. If you are there in winter, prepare to freeze, as the only warm thing you get is an electrical blanket.
In addition, they offer a free pickup service from the train station, but nobody came to pick us up even if they promised to. Then, they just said they couldn’t find us at the station.
So, if you go to Kunming, go wherever but not to the Hump, it probably used to be a good place, but not anymore.
In addition, they offer a free pickup service from the train station, but nobody came to pick us up even if they promised to. Then, they just said they couldn’t find us at the station.
So, if you go to Kunming, go wherever but not to the Hump, it probably used to be a good place, but not anymore.
Food & Drink
Noodles and noodles everywhere. Besides that, the typical Chinese restaurants everywhere and some food stalls scattered around town. A bit more pricey than the rest of China everything. There are also quite a lot of McDonald’s and KFC, plus expensive trendy cafés.
Transportation
We got to Kunming after a 22-hour train from Chengdu for 260 RMB for a hard sleeper.
To get out, we headed to Jinghong by bus. There are plenty of buses going there from the South Coach Station. The ticket costs 230 RMb and the trip takes between 9 and 12 hours, depending on what time you take the bus: if it’s during day time it will be quicker, as the overnight bus stops for 3 or 4 hours for the driver to sleep. The bus is a sleeper one, so it has bunk beds.
To move around the city you have a useful metro line (more are under construction) and also buses. You will need them to go to the train or bus stations, but to the main sights you can actually walk.
To get out, we headed to Jinghong by bus. There are plenty of buses going there from the South Coach Station. The ticket costs 230 RMb and the trip takes between 9 and 12 hours, depending on what time you take the bus: if it’s during day time it will be quicker, as the overnight bus stops for 3 or 4 hours for the driver to sleep. The bus is a sleeper one, so it has bunk beds.
To move around the city you have a useful metro line (more are under construction) and also buses. You will need them to go to the train or bus stations, but to the main sights you can actually walk.
Safety
We read that there are some scams and pickpocketers in Kunming but didn’t suffer any problem. Totally safe.
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