GanLanBa is about 45 mins from JingHong by bus. It's three working Dai villages which you can wander around. You now have to pay an entry fee into the area, and there are evening dance shows at a central building (plus fake "water splashing" every day, a sad elephant/camel etc), but it's easy enough to avoid the tour-guided crowds, especially during the daytime. You can also sleep in some of the traditional Dai family houses which is fun, if basic. I haven't been for about 5 years, and it might have changed (for the worst), but I enjoyed it when I went and it's interesting enough to keep the children busy (temples, trees to climb, etc). There are also a lot of hotels with nice swimming pools in JingHong, if that's your thing.
It's a limited time (45 mins? I forget how long exactly), but plenty. You only get one question at a time, though there is the chance to go back to earlier questions at the end (if you can remember their number). No paper or pen allowed.
They eventually managed to get the computers to return to the question where they crashed with scores/answers intact when I was there. It happened 2-3 times though and was disconcerting at first! Maybe they'll have sorted this by now - I took the test 3-4 months ago.
...no questions about trucks, buses etc.
...about 60% of questions are "A, B, C, D", the others are "right or wrong"
...you don't see what questions you got wrong
...about 3-4 questions about mechanics
...about 50-60 people take the exam at the same time (on seperate computers, which regularly crash!)
I don't know how long you have to wait if you fail twice. Thankfully I passed second time!
I'd also be interested to know if such a travel agency can also arrange visas for other countries eg Mongolia, Bangladesh.
Also, does anyone know why all the rich Chinese folk in Kunming are suddenly holidaying in the Maldives these days? Is there a new direct flight? Some all-in deal? No need for a visa there??
I've heard that Kunming's senior citizens are a bit miffed that their Free Bus Passes don't work on the new 2RMB buses? It does give the rest of us a chance for a seat though!
@yuanyangren: Good point. Never occured to me before. Mind you, I think being constantly badgered in the street by passing taxi drivers might be worse than occasionally being ignored or refused. Tough call.
I think I must live in the right part of town! Mind you, pedantically speaking "more than an hour" is a far cry from "20 or so minutes" or even "up to an hour". I'm all for more taxis and buses though. Someone stop throwing more cars onto the Kunimg streets!
Price is now 100RMB for adults, 70RMB for children.
Some of the animal areas are as far as 10+km from the entrance - you can buy a hop on/off bus ticket for 60RMB per person, but there are also clearly marked walkways for those who are full of energy.
Everything inside is pretty expensive - consider bringing a picnic.
Many of the animals are in large outdoor enclosures. Some are caged. The park calls itself a safari, but this is not a "drive your car amongst the animals" thing. It's more like a decent western zoo.
There are places to handle/be photographed with animals, for a fee. Also, some kids amusements.
The animal show is free, but a waste of time (unless you love watching goats, sheep, pigs, horses etc!!).
Good labelling i English thorughout.
Prague cafe used to be my favourite cafe in Wenlin area but I went for lunch there today after a few months away and it's really gone downhill (new owners?). The menu was a photocopy, the food was lacklustre and much more expensive than before, the decor was dull and the service so-so. I won't be back there anytime soon.
It's open! And it's free. And its terrific for kids.
The museum is surprisingly interactive (although only 2/3 of the attractions are working) and modern (VR, simulators, touchscreens, etc). Sadly, no English on any of the displays but the fun is in trying to work out how the exhibits work and what they are supposed to be showing. Well worth a visit.
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Kunming facing age crunch
发布者I've heard that Kunming's senior citizens are a bit miffed that their Free Bus Passes don't work on the new 2RMB buses? It does give the rest of us a chance for a seat though!
Kunming addresses taxi shift change troubles
发布者@yuanyangren: Good point. Never occured to me before. Mind you, I think being constantly badgered in the street by passing taxi drivers might be worse than occasionally being ignored or refused. Tough call.
Yunnan's tobacco dilemma: revenue vs health
发布者I wonder if smoking is China's way of redressing the gender imbalance?
Kunming planning on adding more taxis soon
发布者...private cars, that is!
Kunming planning on adding more taxis soon
发布者I think I must live in the right part of town! Mind you, pedantically speaking "more than an hour" is a far cry from "20 or so minutes" or even "up to an hour". I'm all for more taxis and buses though. Someone stop throwing more cars onto the Kunimg streets!