May 4, 2010 - Cultural Diversity vs. Theme Parks in Disney World

Today I could pick up my visa extension which sets the ground for my hike through the “Tiger Leaping Gorge”. Still I had one day to spend in Kunming and had seen most of the recommended places except for the “Yunnan Minority Village”, an exposition of the culture and habits of the 25 minorities living in Yunnan. ... First I considered it interesting to have a look at the cultural diversity – the rites and rituals the different minorities still cherish, but when I walked through the park I was kind of disillusioned.Today I could pick up my visa extension which sets the ground for my hike through the “Tiger Leaping Gorge”. Still I had one day to spend in Kunming and had seen most of the recommended places except for the “Yunnan Minority Village”, an exposition of the culture and habits of the 25 minorities living in Yunnan. ... First I considered it interesting to have a look at the cultural diversity – the rites and rituals the different minorities still cherish, but when I walked through the park I was kind of disillusioned....

May 3, 2010 - My Birthday in Kunming - Teaching Table Manners

In order not having to refrain from birthday congratulations, yesterday, I bought a Chinese prepaid SIM card which opens up completely new ways of communication with the people at home.In order not having to refrain from birthday congratulations, yesterday, I bought a Chinese prepaid SIM card which opens up completely new ways of communication with the people at home....

May 2, 2010 - No Fleshly Pleasures in Shilin

Shilin, the “Stone Forrest”, is a Unesco World Heritage Site located 120 km South East of Kunming – so it was quite a trip to get there (about 2,5 hours by bus). ... Basically, it consists of a huge number of Karst Stones spread over an area of 2 km in radius.Shilin, the “Stone Forrest”, is a Unesco World Heritage Site located 120 km South East of Kunming – so it was quite a trip to get there (about 2,5 hours by bus). ... Basically, it consists of a huge number of Karst Stones spread over an area of 2 km in radius....

May 1, 2010 - Climbing on the Sleeping Beauty - Xi Shan Mountain in Kunming

As it is in Germany, the first of May, Labor Day, is a national holiday in China, too.As it is in Germany, the first of May, Labor Day, is a national holiday in China, too....

Apr 29, 2010 - No Beer Garden - Kunming Garden Exposition

Because basically I had nothing important to do, but to wait for until I could collect my visa extension, I decided to visit the Garden Exposition in Kunming, although the Lonely Planet said it would only be interesting for gardeners (I have already been to several parks and the most important example of Chinese gardening in Shanghai – so, I think I can consider myself an expert…). ... Unfortunately, when I entered the Expo Area after having paid 100 Yuan entrance fee, I realized that the Expo originally was on in 1999.Because basically I had nothing important to do, but to wait for until I could collect my visa extension, I decided to visit the Garden Exposition in Kunming, although the Lonely Planet said it would only be interesting for gardeners (I have already been to several parks and the most important example of Chinese gardening in Shanghai – so, I think I can consider myself an expert…). ... Unfortunately, when I entered the Expo Area after having paid 100 Yuan entrance fee, I realized that the Expo originally was on in 1999....

Apr 28, 2010 - Golden Temple

##photo=Etrance to the Golden Temple## Today it was time for the next Taoist Temple, “The Golden Temple” which is hidden in a Pine Forrest on top of the Singing Phoenix Hill. From the top of the Bell Tower you had a beautiful view over Kunming. ... For the most part the park was not really crowded and comparably peaceful until I ran into a school class that seemed to have chosen the Golden Temple as their departure for a school excursion.##photo=Etrance to the Golden Temple## Today it was time for the next Taoist Temple, “The Golden Temple” which is hidden in a Pine Forrest on top of the Singing Phoenix Hill. From the top of the Bell Tower you had a beautiful view over Kunming. ... For the most part the park was not really crowded and comparably peaceful until I ran into a school class that seemed to have chosen the Golden Temple as their departure for a school excursion....

Apr 27, 2010 - Restart the Engine - More Sightseeing in Kunming

Around 9 a. Since neither the blood test nor the ECG showed any signs of a heart muscle inflammation nothing would stand between me and my trekking tour through the tiger leaping gorge, thanks god! Now, that my health issues had been attended to, I could continue with the exploration of the town and surroundings of Kunming. ... Moreover, you can see the Xi Shan – the Western Hill aka “Mountain of Sleeping Beauty” on whose top the Dragon Gate being the unofficial emblem of Kunming can be found. ...

Apr 26, 2010 - Health Issues in China

Today finally I could issue my visa extension at the local PSB.Today finally I could issue my visa extension at the local PSB....

Apr 25, 2010 - Nothing Much

Thus Sunday was reserved for pure relaxation.Thus Sunday was reserved for pure relaxation....

Apr 24, 2010 - What the Old Man Still Could Do

This day nothing really exciting happened.This day nothing really exciting happened....

Apr 23, 2010 - Crazy Guy and Chicken Feet

I arrived in Kunming early in the morning at around 5:30 a. ... m.I arrived in Kunming early in the morning at around 5:30 a. ... m....

Nov 25, 2009 - Kunming

Wed 25 Nov 2009 GUILIN to KUNMING Before our afternoon flight to our next town, Kunming, we ventured for a morning's climb up DieCai Hill. ... Kunming is world-famous for its abundance of camellias, orchids, azaleas and primula. ... I was so convinced that I actually thought it was a peacock on stage - but then I had been drinking some rice wine beforehand! Fri 27 Nov 2009 KUNMING to CHONGQING Today we started off with a visit to the Western Hills - about 15 kms from Kunming city, alongside the western shore of Dianchi Lake. ...