昆明 '春城无处不飞花,寒食东风御柳斜'
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Kunming Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Today's Kunming weather forcast
Kunming Seasons
With its perpetual spring-like weather all year round, Kunming is known as the "City of Eternal Spring".
Kunming has one of the mildest climates in China, characterized by short, cool dry Winters and long, warm and humid Summers, but much less hot than the lowlands.
Rainy Season - Rainy Season is between May and Oct. The city has a mean annual rainfall of 1,000 mm, with an annual Sunshine period of 2,250 hours and an annual Frost-free period of 230 days.
Kunming is the political, economic, communications and cultural center of Yunnan, and is the seat of the provincial government. It is also home to several universities, museums, galleries and other important economic, cultural, and educational institutions. The headquarters of many of Yunnan's large businessesare in Kunming as well. It was important during World War II as a Chinese military center, American air base, and transport terminus for the Burma Road. Located in the middle of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Kunming is located at an altitude of 1,900 m above sea level and at a latitude north of the Tropic of Cancer. It covers an area of 21,501 square km and its urban area covers 6,200 square km. Kunming has an estimated population of 5,740,000 including 3,055,000 in the urban area and is located at the northern edge of the large Lake Dian, surrounded by temples and lake-and-limestone hill landscapes.
What to see
Yunnan Stone Forest. Like Guilin, the capital of Guangxi Province, Kunming is also well known for its beautiful and peculiar, breathtaking and unique natural landscape. Among these dramatic sites, Yunnan Stone Forest , which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kunming city and requires only a three-hour drive, is known best by the tourists. These magnificent stone masterpieces, various strange and steep intricate formations, and countless labyrinthine vistas make Stone Forest (Shi Lin in Chinese) worthy of the fame as the 'First Wonder of the World'. And there goes a local saying: 'It is a waste of time without being in the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming'.
Dianchi Lake, the largest lake of Kunming, enchants people with its cyan water and peaceful environment. It is a favorite with those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
A visit to the Golden Temple is strongly recommended. It is the largest copper temple in China. Here you can see something of the origins of Taoism as the temple is located on Fengming Hill, the home of the Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony).
The famous Buddhist Qiongzhu Temple (Bamboo Temple) with its most outstanding artistic features and surrounding bamboo forest should be included in your itinerary.
Jiuxiang Scenic Spot, Jiuxiang Scenic Spot is 20 sq km in area and includes 5 tourist attractions, Diehong Bridge (5 km southeast from Jiuxiang Street, famous for the karst caves, the twin waterfalls and the huge natural stone dam cluster), Dasha Dam (consisting of picturesque karst caves and thick forest), Sanjiao Cave (5 km north of Jiuxiang Street, famous for the karst caves), Alu Long [a scenic area 6 km west of Jiuxiang Street, famous for the excavated Yi Nationality cliff paintings of Qin 221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties] and Mingyue (meaning the bright moon) Lake.
Provincial Museum - admission free - the museum has several permanent exhibitions on the history of the Kunming area and contains a collection of artefacts dating back over 2500 years. The collection is excellent, the exhibition visually spectacular & has a large amount of information in English. This really is a great museum.
Kunming City Museum, a simple museum whose main attraction is a central pillar taken from an old temple (now destroyed) and other relics from the Dian kingdom (a tribute state of the Western Song dynasty). Admission free, and includes a tour. As at August 2006, the main attraction, the fossil & dinosaur exhibition is currently undergoing complete renovation & is not open for visitors. A large part of the museum is taken up by a series of shops selling fossils/minerals (warning : many of the fossils are fakes) plus overpriced Chinese paintings, textiles, porcelains & some furniture.
Climate
Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate with little change in temperature throughout the year. The temperature averages about 15 degrees C. in the urban area, 19.7 degrees C. peaks in the summer and 7.5 degrees C. troughs in the winter.
The rainy season is between May and Oct when 85% of the annual rainfall of 1000mm falls. Due to Kunming's moderate humidity and temperature, as well as the plentiful sunshine the city receives, Kunming is known as the "Spring City" and is green throughout the year.
Dining
What to eat
Forget about diet, various kinds of food will make you never want to be on diet.
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Over-the-Bridge Rice Noodles (guoqiao mixian): It is a typical Yunnan local flavor that could only be tasted in some parts of Yunnan. The Over the Bridge Rice Noodles has along history and it carries with itself a vivid love story.
This famous dish consists of several courses and a big bowl of chicken soup with very thick oil on top to keep the heat for cooking the food items, including raw pork, cooked chicken pieces, pork liver, slices of squid and slices of carp for the first course to be dipped into the boiling hot soup. Vegetables are then added afterwards as the second course, and the rice noodles follow as the last course. It is a kind of snack food in Yunnan . Surely enough , you are eager to have a taste of Yunnan Over the Bridge Rice Noodles. -
Steam Potted Chicken with Tienchi & Steam Potted Chicken with Cordyceps: In the old times , there used to be a restaurant famous for its steam potted chicken. Later they created a new variety with gastrodia tuber in the soup, becoming one of the well known local nutritious dishes in Kunming. Early in the Qianlong Era of the Qing Dynasty, the steam potted chicken became popular among the common people. Jianshui County has a long history in producing the best pottery ware in Yunnan. Pots produced in this county has different shapes and forms.
The steam pot has a hollow tube fixed in the center, up to the height of the pot. Food including the raw chicken pieces, ginger, salt and so forth are put around the tube and the pot is placed onto a bigger pot with boiling water underneath. Steam will come up from the small hole in the middle to heat the food in the pot. The Chicken will be ready about three or four hours. The same method is used to cook other food and will increase the flavor of the dish. -
Yiliang Roasted Duck: Have you ever heard that the Yiliang Roasted Duck can be compared with the famous Beijing Duck? Only they are roasted each in their own way. Therefore, they have different tastes. The "Goujie (dog street) Roasted Duck" produced in the Goujie Street of Yiliang is extraordinarily delicious, with the crispy and yellowish skin, soft and tender duck meant, has a special slight flavor of pine needles.
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Xuanwei Ham is also famous as Yunnan Ham, one of well-known hams in China. The history of Xuanwei ham dates back to the fifth year of YongZheng times in Qing Dynasty (AD 1727). Xuanwei ham won a prize at the Panama Fair in 1915. In 1923, Mr. Sun Zhongshan wrote an inscription "Yin He Shi De" (which means "eat properly for a sound mind") for Xuanwei ham and taste it at a food competition held in Guangzhou. Xuanwei ham has been selling well to Southeastern Asia and European countries.
As a rule, the Xuanwei ham is processed during the winter. Select the best pork leg and press out the pork blood completely. Rub it with salt and smoke or air it dry after the salt permeates to a certain depth of the pork. Try to test the pork leg in three when the surface of the pork turn in green. The quality standard is to have the ham fragrance from three needles punched in the pork. Cut the ham open from the middle, it looks bright in color and has a clean fresh color. It can be preserved well in cellar with low moisture or in a warehouse with good air conditioning. Xuanwei ham can be bought from any big or small stores. If not convenient for travelling, it is possible to by canned Xuanwei ham. -
The sweet Tonghai peapowder candy is a famous traditional snack. It is very easy to get it from any store and shopping stand. The ingredients of the sweet Tonghai Peapowder Candy is made of quality white sugar, rice cerealose, and roasted peapowder(broad bean or pea).
Where to eat
Along Wenlin Jie there are many "western" cafes and restaurants. These include "Salvadors" (which is on Wenhua Xiang, just off Wenlin Jie), "French Cafe", "Prague Cafe" and many others. This street is commonly known as "western street" and the taxi drivers know it well!
Salvadors has great coffee and ice-cream, French Cafe has cheeseburgers which are always in demand. Prague has great breakfasts. Also, all of them have Wi-Fi access.
In the Kunming Flower and Bird Market, there is a great pizzeria set in a Qing dynasty courtyard house. The prices are more expensive than eating local dishes, but the atmosphere and quality of the food are outstanding. To find it, head to the flower and bird market and as you walk round, keep your eyes peeled for their sign above the stalls.
Vegetarian Restaurant, a few doors to the left of the Kunming Zoo main entrance on Yuan Tong Lu, serves somewhat pricey imitation meat dishes from a 1,500 year-old tradition. Dishes range from 3.5 to 98RMB. The crispy "duck" is especially good.
Get around
Bus
There are more than 50 bus lines covering almost every area in the city. It costs only 1 RMB to take a public bus throughout Kunming. The last shift usually leaves 22:00 to 22:30 pm. Passengers should get on a bus from the front door and get off from the back door. Today most buses are self-service; correct small change is required.
Taxi
Taking a taxi is convenient. The fare for Santana is 8 RMB for the first three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and 1.8 RMB for each additional kilometer. After 22:00, the flag-down-rate increases to 9.6 Yuan and 2.7 RMB for every additional kilometer (about 0.6 miles). The flag-down-rate of a mini taxi is 7 RMB for the first three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and 1.6 RMB for every kilometer (about 0.6 miles) thereafter. Note: inside each taxi is a distinctive animal image that identifies taxi ownership. Keep the image in mind in case you leave something behind.
Car Rental
Confident tourists can rent a car. We suggest tourists collect full information before deciding to rent a car. Rental prices range from 120 RMB to 300 RMB for a four-seat vehicle. We suggest renting a car with a driver who can also serve as tour guide; in addition you will save on your deposit, which is 500 RMB to 1000 RMB for one car with a driver, but at least 5000 RMB deposit for a vehicle without a driver.
Bicycle Rental
Renting a bicycle is another option. Many hostels in Kunming offer bicycle rentals at about 2 RMB per hour and 15 RMB for a day. The deposit for an old bike is 200 RMB, 400 RMB for a new one. Cycling around the city is gaining in popularity since Kunming city is not big; travel by bicycle is convenient, economical and good for the environment. Tourists are reminded to secure bikes when parking them.
Sleep
For money-savers
As always with Chinese cities, there are number of so-so budget options around Kunming's train station. The Golden Bridge/Jinqiao Hotel isn't a bad option, with rooms starting at 40RMB. Along Beijing Lu are a number of similar zhaodaisuos, just look for the or signs.
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Camellia Hotel, 96 East Dongfenf Road, Tel: 0871-3163000 (6008). A long standing relatively cheap hotel/hostel. It is on Dongfeng Donglu a few blocks east of Beijing Lu. Dorms are 30RMB, doubles 80RMB to 200; prices are fixed and, at least for the doubles, include an excellent breakfast. Rooms are clean, staff is polite and most speak excellent English. Showers, laundry, and somewhat pricey internet/business services are available. Laos maintains its consulate in the main building on the ground floor from which you can obtain visas. edit
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City Cafe, half a block West of Camelia Hotel on the North side of the street. A cafe, bar, and erstwhile guesthouse off Dongfeng Donglu. Upon last inspection it was still renting rooms, however it has occasionally shut down for unknown reasons in the past. Doubles should go for about 20 to 30 RMB and vary in cleanliness. The staff is very nice, though very little English is spoken. There have been a couple complaints of dishonest behavior by the owner concerning the cafe.
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Hump over the Himalayas is a cafe, bar, and hostel on Jinbi Lu. It is on the third floor and has a balcony where you can have drinks while overlooking Jinbi Square. Dorm beds are 30RMB per night with a 25RMB deposit for the key. The staff speaks some English. The breakfeast is no longer free, but they have a great selection of western style plates.
Mid range
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Spring City Inn (also known as Yunnan Machinery Hotel). A new hotel built in a quiet courtyard off busy Baita Lu. Fantastic value, exceptionally clean twin rooms, nice staff, a/c, breakfast included. Standard rooms with ensuite bath are 138RMB (June 2006). For laundry service go just around the corner to the Aoma Meili Pub (10RMB/kg).
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Fairyland Hotel, 7 km from airport nearby Yuantong Temple, Tel: +8608716353777.. 180RMB/day with breakfast and free internet.
For money-blowers
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Green Lake Hotel, Cui Hu Nan Lu 6, Tel: (0871) 515 8888 (Fax: (0871) 515 3286). A modern, luxury hotel. The bar has a panoramic view of Green Lake Park, and private car tours of the area are also offered. 293 rooms.
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Harbour Plaza Hotel, Hong Hua Qiao 20, Telephone: (0871) 538 6688 Fax: (0871) 538 1189. On Green Lake Park, with 3 restaurants and 2 bars, in a quiet location. 315 rooms.
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Kai Wah Plaza International Hotel, Beijing Lu 157, Tel: (0871) 356 2828 Fax: (0871) 356 1818. A large, elegant hotel with glass lobby, panoramic views, and a shopping center next door. 555 rooms.
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Zhen Zhuang Ying Binguan, Beijing Lu 514, Tel: (0871) 316 5869 Fax: (0871). A very beautiful hotel in a large garde, the Chinese president and other high-ranking officials stay here when in Yunnan, but not much English is spoken. 86 rooms.
Entertainment
Shopping
What to buy
Kunming is famous for local handiwork including ivory and woodcarving.
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Kunming ivory carving with a more than 40-year history is an exquisite handiwork offering plane and three-dimensional carving. Carved ivory birds, flowers and images are valuable and popular as collections and precious souvenirs.
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Wood carving in Kunming is exhibited mainly in wood furniture including chairs, benches and tea tables. Furniture with enchased marble is classical and elegant.
Where to buy
Nan Yao Market, the largest open market dealing primarily with local specialties and handicrafts, ideally located beside the railway station and long-distance bus station, is closest to downtown.
The four-story traditional Yunnan Curio Building located in Nanping Lu houses old Yunnan artwork. The Jinma Biji Archway is itself an attraction in Jinbi Lu. Here many stores offer handcrafts of various nationalities. Both are ideal souvenir venues. Tip: you can bargain with the storekeeper in the above markets.
Kunming Department Store is conveniently located in Dongfeng Xi Lu, the center area of the city. You can buy all kinds of daily commodities there. Qian Cun Department Store, located in Renmin Zhong Lu, is a new and modern store popular with tourists.
If it is not convenient to find an Internet bar to contact friends and relatives, posting a letter or card is still the usual way. Yuanan General Post Office (Address: 229, Beijing Lu) is the largest post office in Kunming. Here you can find various kinds of postcards as well as stamps.
Situated in Jing Xing Jie, the Bird and Flower Market is a glimpse into local life. The market has become a must-visit destination offering pets, curios, artwork, handcraft, etc.
Nightlife
At night, after all day of hard working, Kunming people know well how to enjoy their spare time.
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For those people resident in Kunming who is enthusiastic about nightlife, Kundu night market will be the most familiar to them. It is a place that concentrates on dinning, tourism, shopping as well as culture. Here you can find Teahouse, coffee house, Internet bar, local snacks and so on, aiming at different kinds of people. Its location is right beside the Yunnan University. See the below carefully chosen activities:
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Hump Pub: The most famous in Kunming supplying all sorts of wine, beer, also internet service, and performance by an energetic band on weekends. Here is a gathering place for the tourists to exchange travel experience. If you are lucky enough, you may even encounter some expert on traveling. Address: Luyou Shangsha, Jinbi Lu
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Face to Face Coffee House: It is run by a famous local painter, thus be full of cultural atmosphere. Tasting a cup of coffee here, you'll also have the chance to communicate with some artists, view and admire the host's works. On every Friday, the bar will hold art performance and intercourse.
Kunming Food
Kunming Food
Cross-the-bridge Rice Noodles - This typical Yunnan local flavor boasts a history of more than 100 years. It consists of several courses, prepared by adding raw ingredients into a hot broth.
Steam Potted Chicken - It is one of the popular snacks found in the night snack market in Kunming. The raw chicken pieces, ginger, salt and so forth are put in the pot and smoked over a charcoal fire.
Featured Kunming Restaurants
Nanya Fengqing Yuan
A spacious and classy venue.
Add Dianshi Road
Tel 464 9928
Hours 10am to 10pm
Jinbichun Restaurant
With a long history of over 100 years, the hotel building is a Shiheyuan-courtyard - a gray, brick outside wall and a wide yard. It offers authentic local flavors.
Add No 5, Dahuajiao Alley, Dongshi Street, Kunming
Hours 8:30am to 11:30pm
Kunming Entertainment
Shopping
Kunming is famous for local handiwork including ivory and woodcarving.
Ivory Carving - With a more than 40-year history is an exquisite handiwork offering plane and three-dimensional carving. Carved ivory birds, flowers and images are valuable and popular as collections and precious souvenirs.
Wood Carving - In Kunming, wood carvings are exhibited mainly in wood furniture including chairs, benches and tea tables. Furniture with enchased marble is classical and elegant.
Where to Buy
Bird and Flower Market - The market has become a must-visit destination offering pets, curios, artwork, handcraft, etc. which is a glimpse into local life.
Kunming Department Store - It is conveniently located in Dongfeng Xi Lu, the center area of the city. You can buy all kinds of daily commodities there.
Nightlife
At night, after all day of hard working, Kunming people know well how to enjoy their spare time.
Kundu Night Market - A place concentrated on dinning, tourism, shopping as well as culture. Here you can find Teahouse, coffee house, Internet bar, local snacks and so on, aiming at different kinds of people. Its location is right beside the Yunnan University.
Kunming Map
Map of Kunming
Click to view larger map
Map of Attractions in Kunming
Click to view larger map
Kunming Transportation
Get In
Air - Kunming Wujiaba International Airport has managed to connect the city with other places within Yunnan, in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou etc.), and even around the world (Bangkok, Singapore etc).
Railway - There are two railway stations in Kunming. The main railway station (also known as Nanyao station) is located about 4 km from the city. The Northern Railway station might be useful for those seeking a further trip to Vietnam.
Coach - There are four major long distance bus stations in Kunming with the South Bus Station and Railway Square Bus Station the most useful and important.
Get Around
Public-bus
It's very convenient to tour around Kunming by bus. Most of the buses in the city start at 6am and end at 10:30pm.
Fee 1 Yuan
Taxi
Taking a taxi is easy here too.
Fee From 8 Yuan
Lake Dianch - With crystal clean water, ripple lake surface, boats sailing on the lake looks like a glittering pearl set on a mountain basin and reflects the surrounding mountains and the blue sky.
Stone Forest - An extraordinary masterpiece of arts. Its topographic landscape features magnificence, strangeness, which makes Stone Forest in Kunming "First Wonder of the World".
West Hill - Being a sleeping beauty mountain, it boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists with the tranquility and marvelous scenery.
Kunming Highlights List
Natural Scene
Historical Site
Cultural Site
Nightlife
Day Entertainment & Sports
Shopping & Leisure
Kunming Highlights
Karst Landform
The Karst Landform is a feature created on the Earth's surface by the drainage of water into the ground or by its discharge at springs.
Stone Forest
Diecai Hill
Reed Flute Cave
Fubo Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill
Dragon Palace Scenic Area
Crown Cave
Seven Star Park
Fengyu Cave- Duxiu Peak
Yinshui Dong Village- Silver Cave
- Pagoda Hill
Multi-colored Bay- Mural Hill
- Snail Hill
- Forest of Odd-Shaped Peaks
- Wangfu Rock
- Maolan Karst Forest Natural Conservation
city highlights
Cross-the-bridge Rice Noodles
Having originated in Mengzi County of Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the Cross Bridge Rice Noodles dish boasts a history of more than 100 years. With continuous renovation by chefs specializing in Yunnan Cuisine, the dish has enjoyed growing fame both at home and abroad, and every visitor to Yunnan should definitely try the famous snack besides taking in the breathtaking natural scenery.
Kunming FAQ & Travelers's Tips
Weather
Transportation
Shopping
Travel
Other Hints
- Tips for you to have a pleasant tour in Kunming
- Is it easy for me to make a call?
- Toilet Facilities
- Keep healthy
- Emergency
- Useful Numbers
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Is Kunming's weather like Spring all year round?
Kunming belongs to the subtropical plateau monsoon climatic zone; the annual average temperature is 14.7 and the yearly precipitation is 1,024 mm. It has the best climate of all Chinese cities, popularly known as the "Spring City". Kunming does not have severe winters or hot summers and the natural features of the four seasons are clearly defined. For the visitor, this means that Kunming is in bloom all year and a year round destination.
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Noitce this when you take a bus
Stand close to the door to get off at the next stop, otherwise, the bus driver does not stop.
Noitce this if you plan to rent a car
Foreigners must have a Chinese driver's license. We suggest tourists rent a car with a local driver to avoid going crooked road.
Avoid buying fake goods
Fake goods are prevalent on the streets of Kunming and while they might seem like tempting purchases, beware that you could be faced with their being impounded and charges brought against you when attempting to bring them back into your home country.So, please try to avoid buying goods from peddlers on streets. Instead, please choose large stores as your shooping places.
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If you have bought some ivory or ivory handicrafts...
As a rule, ivory and ivory articles are forbidden to be taken out of China. In China, bring out ivory articles or ivory carving needs strict checkup. The testimonial issued by relative governmental department is required.
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Is it safe to travel in Kunming?
The city of Kunming is a safe place to be with low levels of crime and few obvious threats to visitors. Like any big city however, it has its rogue element so the usual caveats with regards to pickpockets and bag snatchers apply. Keep money, wallets, purses and personal items of value well hidden and in hard to reach places. Avoid frequenting run-down or sparsely populated areas especially at night and be particularly conscientious with regards to personal safety if you are a lone female traveller.
Tips for you to have a pleasant tour in Kunming
You should also wear sunglasses to shad their eyes from ultraviolet ray.
When the lack of oxygen at high altitude occurs, it is necessary to take good rest or receive treatment by sucking oxygen.
The southwest is an area where the minority nationalities live in compact communities and their culture, customs and habits vary from place to place. Attention should be paid to the following situation.
- The Dai nationality resent outsiders entering their stockade village on horse back;
- in the Jingpo village, the place where the Jingpo (Chingpaw) nationality hang the ox head cannot be touched;
- when seeing logs placed at the door of the va (wa) nationality, one must avoid putting on short pants, must not step on the threshold, not to spit in the presence of other People and what is more, one must not hurt animals and birds at random.
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Is it easy for me to make a call?
While public phones are easily found in small shops along streets in Kunming, we suggest tourists make low-cost IDD or DDD calls in post offices or telecom buildings.
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Toilet Facilities
Most toilets in Kunming charge no more than 0.5 yuan. Tourists can find free sanitary toilets in some large department stores or fast food restaurants.
Keep healthy
Be wary of where you choose to eat in Kunming, hygiene standards at street vendors and some restaurants may not meet western standards and you could end up with a whole lot more than just a portion of fried rice if you're not careful.
Water from the tapsshould be avoided for drinking purposes and for brushing teeth and bottled water, which is cheap, can be found everywhere and should be used instead.
Health care in Kunming's public hospitals is below what is considered international standard so visitors requiring medical care are advised to make use of the newly-opened Richland International Hospital.
- Emergency Numbers:
- Fire: 119
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Ambulance: 120
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Police: 110
- Traffic: 122
- Fire: 119
- Useful Numbers:
- Weather forecast of the scenic spots: 16800122
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Zip code inquiry: 3139491
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Consumption Complaint: 12315
- Kunming Tourism Complaint: 3164961
- Weather forecast of the scenic spots: 16800122
Known in China as the 'City of Eternal Spring', domestic and foreign tourists relish the temperate climate and comparatively pristine air of Kunming. In addition to its own charms it serves as a hub from which to explore Yunnan province.
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