Kunming

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       Kunming is the provincial capital of Yunnan Province. It’s mild weather makes for perhaps the nicest year round mix of temperate winters, Pacific Northwest like shrouds of fog and cool San Francisco like summers in China. Kunming is also known as the "City of Spring" or "City of Flowers". The local governments enlightened policies on green spaces and parks helps maintain a balance in the face of population growth and a booming construction industry. Kunming is an ideal base from which to explore Yunnan Province and has many attractions and comforts for the Western traveler.

The Wujiabei Airport
    Kunming’s airport (KMG) is located in the city proper 3 miles away from the city center. It’s a 15-20 minute ride from downtown or the Green Lake area depending on the time of day. Taxis queue on the first island as you leave Arrivals. Taxis are metered and will cost approximately 20 RMB – 30 RMB to the center of town, bus service via the 52, 67 and 78 at 1 RMB is also available.
   The airport has excellent connections to all major cities in China as well as smaller airports within Yunnan. There are daily direct flights on Thai Air and China Eastern to and from Bangkok (BKK). Flights to and from Hong Kong and Singapore can also be found. The best fares once inside China can be found through local travel agents that offer discounted tickets that far surpass what is available on US or Canadian travel websites.
    Convenient connections to Vietnam are also available.

Train stations
    The Kunming Railway Station is at the far southern end of Beijing Xi Lu just past the bus station, which you will see on your right. Taxi fare from downtown should be less than 15 RMB and can take 10-15 minutes or longer depending on traffic.
    The Kunming North Railway Station is for those traveling on to Vietnam. An overnight train departs for Hanoi every Friday and Sunday.

Long Distance Buses
    Yunnan has a fairly extensive highway system that makes bus travel in almost any direction convenient. Whether you are heading to Dali and Lijiang to the north or Simao and Xishuangbanna to the south, both are comfortable and not overly time consuming trips.
    There are four major long distance bus stations but the South Bus Station is the most useful and comprehendible.
    The South Bus Station is just two blocks from the Kunming Railway Station on Beijing Xi Lu. This station has the largest number of departures for regional destinations. Buses are of two types, Regular and “First Class”. Comfort and speed are the differentiating factors but both are well managed with a host, free water, an occasional American movie and bathroom stops along the way.

Flower and Bird Market
     Originally, in 1983 the Flower and Bird Market was a site for selling flowers, birds, pets, insects and goldfish. It has since evolved into a  tourist/leisure spot for shopping, and trading without compromising any of it’s local flavor. Located on Yongdao street with the Bank of China Headquarter office looming in the background one can explore long and narrow streets filled with flowers, rare plants seeds, Bonsai trees, woodcarvings, ornamental birds, various kinds of bird food, birdcages tropical fishes, goldfish and red carp. The Jingxing Gallery and Shops in the midst of the market has a fabulous array of ethnic art, jewelry, antiques, ink stones, porcelain, pottery and jade. There is a fair amount of leeway in pricing so make sure you bargain hard.
     Teahouses and shops selling local delicacies, such as sweet wine, fried spiral shells, braised bean curd and others are located throughout the market. It’s open roughly from 9am-6pm, but all of the individual shopkeepers keep whatever hours they like.
    One can also walk two blocks south of the market to the Kundu Entertainement area where there are many bars and restaurants perhaps a bit more suitable for the Western palette. Kundu is located on Xin Wen Street and though Kundu is open all day it’s really in the evening that it comes alive. Jin Bi Square a ten minute walk to the south along Jin Bi Road is definitely worth a visit after the Flower and Bird Market. Also an evening entertainment center, restaurants and stores are open all day.

Computer Street (Yuan Xi Street and One-Two-One Street)
    It’s not quite Akihabara Electric City but it seems that there are thousands of shops (perhaps hundreds really) along this 10 block shopping area. Almost every kind of made in China and foreign brand consumer electronics, computer, camera and computer periphery equipment can be found here. The atmosphere is almost festive with several new large buildings just opening in 2008 that are worth visiting if this is an area of interest for you. Great deals on individual components, hardware and software can always be found. Hours are generally 9AM – 5PM.

Wen Ling Street and Wen Hua Street
    This is Kunmings unintentional version of the Khao San area of years gone by in Bangkok. Stretching for about five blocks up from Yunnan University and than another three blocks to the right, this is where college students, expats, local residents, foreign language teachers and the “cool” people get together through out the day and into the evening. It has everything from French cafes to Indian restaurants, perhaps the best cinnamon rolls in Yunnan Province (Mazagrain), a host of Korean restaurants, an English bookstore (Mandarin Books upstairs), DVD stores, bars and host of bakeries most notably “Just Hot” on Jian She Road. For those in need of other Western foods and treats visit Pauls Market at the end of Wen Hua Street.

Movie, Entertainment and Restaurant Area (Bei Cheng Xiao Qu)
    Heading north down Beijing Road takes you to a new area in Kunming ideal for shopping and walking. At the intersection of Beijing Road and Bei Chen Road you will find the Fortune Shopping Mall. At the time of this writing the Bei Chen movie theatre provides the best state of the art comfortable place to see the latest in Chinese and dubbed Western films. Turning left out of the malls rear entrance are many restaurants and interesting shops. Turning right on Beichen Garden Walkway you will come to The Silver Spoon Café, hands down, the best western food and desserts without any compromises in Kunming. Turning to your left outside the Silver Spoon Café takes you to Bei Chen Middle Road. Where a relaxed wide street of interesting boutique shops, day spas and other stores await you.

TCG Nordica at Chuang Ku
    Kunming’s very own Scandinavian art galley, performance space and café. TCG Nordica Gallery is situated in a large former factory space with 21 foot high ceiling. They exhibit international contemporary art with an emphasis on China and Scandinavia.
    TCG Nordica’s performance stage presents high quality unique performances in music, dance, drama, poetry and film. Besides weekly performances highlighting the best of young artists, TCG Nordica also organizes international art festivals such as contemporary jazz music night and poetry festivals.
    TCG Nordica’s Cafe Corner is a cosy destination for interesting conversations and get togethers with friends and family.
    For a schedule of programs visit their web site at www.tcgnordica.com