I've been to many stores in Kunming looking for earplugs (not the kind you listen to music with, but the kind you use to block out noise).
It seems that the concept of earplugs simply doesn't exist in China.

Pharmacy - no luck
Wal-Mart - no luck
Carrefour - no luck

Anyone have any more ideas for this desperate boy who wants to sleep at night without people yelling in the street and waking him up at 4 am?

I might have a brand new never used pair that I got as part of my in-flight kit from many years ago. I'll see if I still have it. It's not top of the line but should keep you sane for a while until you can find an alternative.

Try the Watson Shop next to Carrefour in the centre. I bought them from there about 2 years ago. Good luck.

beizhan...checked Watson this evening. They didn't have any.

Tonyaod - thanks for the offer

I think I may have found the answer - taobao.

I've never used it before. Guess now I have reason to start.

taobao indeed (i'm kinda addicted)

guide to buying earplugs on taobao (i knew i'd read this somewhere, and finally found the link):

taobaofieldguide.com/[...]

Big problem in China. I have searched everywhere, including many other cities. No luck.

I went back to the US and had a pair custom made for me in LA. Not much help to you here, but apparently the Chinese don't go in much for most safety products.

BTW, I couldn't even find any in Bangkok. However Bumrungrad has a dept there that will custom make them, but they are expensive.

This explains so much ...the Asian tollerence of noise is beyond western comprehention..

In China you buy earplugs in shops selling work safety gear, I have bought them for my workers in my old factory in Kunming.

look for 劳保用品 shops NOT 保健用品 ha ha!

You can buy them on the third floor at the Hump. But they don't like to sell them to non-guests because they have limited supplies.