I found Kunming to be a facinating City, as i was fortunate enough to have met a very lovely lady from Kunming, she was also very smart and came from a reputable family, her name is Wan Bo, her Father was known as the famous Doctor in Kunming, her Mother taught Taxidermy, one Brother was a Policeman, another brother a Driver for a large Hotel, and her Sister a western Doctor, we met on many accasions as i was going to China on Business, because i met her Family i was taken to many places the average tourist would not see, i found Kunming to be a facinating City.
I am also writing a book and my story will be published in more detail, i have started Posting about my life at www.ianslifedownunder.com
Interesting places around Kunming
Some of the places to see in kunming, Stone Forrest, The Great Lake this can be seen from the air and covers a large area at the base of the Mountain, the Mountain is a good way to spend a day, i dont recommend going by the local bus, we caught a taxi and he took care of our bags and waited for us to finish site seeing for the day just US$50.
Another trip to kunming, wan Bo and me walked down the mountain, there were steps all the way down to the lake, some of the steps were washed away, on reaching the bottom of the Mountain we road on a Donkey cart for about a kilo meter, then caught a ferry on the Lake back to the City.it was a great day,
Walking down the Mountain almost' killed me, my legs and knees were ceasing up, i don't recommend you do this walk unless you are fit or do a lot of walking. but the Mountain is worth spending a day.
Kunming City is old and new i have seen both, it had a major uplift between 95-97. The biggest Horticulture Fair ever in China was held in Kunming in 1997, before the Fair the City Built a New Airport and seven 5 Star International Hotels, the disappointing thing was they were not used to full capacity because America bombed the Chinese Embasy in Bosnia by mistake and this had a great efect on the Horticulture Fair, as many Americans thought it unsafe to go there. Countries from all over the world represented there Country by building a unique building based on there culture. the old houses were demolished to make way for this development, it is a shame to see many old buildings being demolished, but Kunming is a interesting City and still has a lot of the old China. and with many International Hotels, i believe it is the gateway to China.
At the time i was going to Kunming there were not many westerners going there, as Kunming had not yet been opened as a Destination to Westerners by the Chinese Government, i only visited Kunming to see Wan Bo, i will tell you a little story about one of many experiences i had in China, we would eat out on the street at small eating houses so to speak, as i found them most facinating, i could use chop sticks better than most chinese as i was told in Guangzhou, people at other tables would look at me about to use chopsticks, and surprised i could use them so well, they were talk between them selves and always with a thumb up gesture commonly used in china, it must have been a real turn on for them to see a westerner using chop sticks. I enjoyed my visits to this interesting old City. During the invasion of china by the Japanese, all the books from University's in Eastern China were taken to Kunming for safe keeping, this is why kunming has great universitys with a extensive libery's, so i have been told.
My early days in Kunming was in the old City, and i appreciate haveing seen the old and new, they said Kunming was growing up. if you intend going to China i suggest go through Kunming then to other destinations from there, go through Singapore as Kunming is directly north in Yun Nan Province.
I am also writing a book and my story will be published in more detail, i have started Posting about my life at www.ianslifedownunder.com
Interesting places around Kunming
Some of the places to see in kunming, Stone Forrest, The Great Lake this can be seen from the air and covers a large area at the base of the Mountain, the Mountain is a good way to spend a day, i dont recommend going by the local bus, we caught a taxi and he took care of our bags and waited for us to finish site seeing for the day just US$50.
Another trip to kunming, wan Bo and me walked down the mountain, there were steps all the way down to the lake, some of the steps were washed away, on reaching the bottom of the Mountain we road on a Donkey cart for about a kilo meter, then caught a ferry on the Lake back to the City.it was a great day,
Walking down the Mountain almost' killed me, my legs and knees were ceasing up, i don't recommend you do this walk unless you are fit or do a lot of walking. but the Mountain is worth spending a day.
Kunming City is old and new i have seen both, it had a major uplift between 95-97. The biggest Horticulture Fair ever in China was held in Kunming in 1997, before the Fair the City Built a New Airport and seven 5 Star International Hotels, the disappointing thing was they were not used to full capacity because America bombed the Chinese Embasy in Bosnia by mistake and this had a great efect on the Horticulture Fair, as many Americans thought it unsafe to go there. Countries from all over the world represented there Country by building a unique building based on there culture. the old houses were demolished to make way for this development, it is a shame to see many old buildings being demolished, but Kunming is a interesting City and still has a lot of the old China. and with many International Hotels, i believe it is the gateway to China.
At the time i was going to Kunming there were not many westerners going there, as Kunming had not yet been opened as a Destination to Westerners by the Chinese Government, i only visited Kunming to see Wan Bo, i will tell you a little story about one of many experiences i had in China, we would eat out on the street at small eating houses so to speak, as i found them most facinating, i could use chop sticks better than most chinese as i was told in Guangzhou, people at other tables would look at me about to use chopsticks, and surprised i could use them so well, they were talk between them selves and always with a thumb up gesture commonly used in china, it must have been a real turn on for them to see a westerner using chop sticks. I enjoyed my visits to this interesting old City. During the invasion of china by the Japanese, all the books from University's in Eastern China were taken to Kunming for safe keeping, this is why kunming has great universitys with a extensive libery's, so i have been told.
My early days in Kunming was in the old City, and i appreciate haveing seen the old and new, they said Kunming was growing up. if you intend going to China i suggest go through Kunming then to other destinations from there, go through Singapore as Kunming is directly north in Yun Nan Province.
