Hi. Just got to Kunming and wondering where, if anywhere, it is possible to buy foreign food/goods and real organic food that isn't ridiculously overpriced. Also, fun stuff for kids to do? Any good restaurants in the area near KIA? Thanks.

For children, Kunming has a zoo in the city centre with small amusement park there as well.

Another wildlife park is in northern suburbs of the city. That's where Kunming's panda is.

There is another amusement park with a little bigger rides at Daquan Park.

Metro supermarket is usually the best place to get imported foods but it's in Beichen (in the north but quite near the subway stop). Take your passport if you go there as you may need to join before you get in. Many of the 'western' supermarkets such as Wallmart carry imported stuff which varies in price from reasonable upwards. for bread and other baked goods you could try the Wicker Basket. I think Salvador's on Wenhua Xiang (near Green Lake) still do organics. Check out Paul's shop while you're there. Sorry, i have no idea about anything nearer KIA. Oh, and welcome to Kunming!

If you live at KIA you are about 3km from NanYa shopping area, which is north up DianChi Road, and then next intersection after RiXin Road.
There is a Carrefour there that has a pretty good selection of imported foods and also has a dairy cabinet. Perhaps the widest selection of goods in Kunming now.
For frozen veg, and meats Metro is perhaps the best.
Wicker basket just next to KIA will be your best option for bread, as mentioned above.

Some ideas for things young kids can do:

www.gokunming.com/en/forums/thread/9815/entertaining_a_toddler

DO NOT GO TO KUNMING ZOO!!! I went there, suspicious of the 15rmb entry fee, and I could not stop crying. These poor endangered animals are trapped in tiny concrete floor cages, pacing back and forth or hiding in the corner. There was a porcupine collapsed in the sun.... porcupines commonly come out at night and it is unnatural for them to be seen during the day. The zoo is a sad place.

agree. people need to stop supporting zoos. wildlife parks maybe are ok, but zoos are like prisons.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes, excellent film about cages. Revenge of the Lawn, excellent book about...

The KM Zoo is the KM Zoo - it will continue to function in its decrepit state whether gokm readers boycott or not, as it serves as an entertainment venue for the uneducated masses of the poor, who don't know any better and perhaps don't particularly care. Compassion seems to always take a back seat to spectacle - regardless of country or culture.

That being said - I've been wondering how to re-finance a zoo upgrade - add more "outdoor" enclosures - still a cage - but a BIGGER cage where the animals can somewhat roam about more freely - and at least see blue sky and the sun and moon above.

The San Diego Zoo was a pioneer in this area and even has a "night zoo" (never been...yet) to the smaller crowds of nocturnal people can observe the normally nocturnal animals (who are considerably more active - especially during feeding time).

Still a cage - but a significantly more humane cage - an "open air" cage.

Any realistic, feasible ideas from the gokm group would be appreciated.

On the Zoo, which is off topic, it is a great big open green space in the middle of Kunming full of trees. Its needs to be kept this way. Plenty of developers would love to put high rises here. It needs upgrades and improvements as green space too.