@DantheMan: I agree with Natsymir, Huating Temple's arhats are as bold and expressive than those at Bamboo Temple, if not more so. Not sure how they compare in originality, as Huating's were apparently inspired by Bamboo's. One area in which Huating undoubtedly one-ups Bamboo: It has rubing.
Not sure if Natsymir means Kunming's four main urban districts or Kunming municipality when saying all the temples in Kunming, but Panlong Temple (盘龙寺) on the south end of Dianchi near Jinning is one of the largest and best-known temple compounds in the Dianchi Basin. I'm not an expert on it, but it seems to be one of the more important temples for Kunmingers - it is packed with locals who usually drive there from the city. Definitely worth including in your temple hunt, in my opinion.
Nice work Ben. I've wondered about this area every time I've taken the train from Kunming to Guangzhou. I always keep my eyes open around 5:30 or 6 to make sure to catch a few seconds of the remarkably tall waterfalls on the east side as they catch the late afternoon sun... some of my favorite scenery in southwest China. Will go there next time I'm passing through - thanks for scoping it out first!
It's hard not to feel that once the oil refinery in Anning goes online people will talk about Kunming's once-blue skies the way older residents talk about swimming in a clean Dianchi.
My favorite Tengchong-style restaurant in Kunming. Their ersi and erkuai are trucked over from Tengchong and are the real deal — Kunming ersi and erkuai do not compare.
The restaurant itself is a bit jumbled, but there are a couple of tables outside in the courtyard that are nice to sit at when the weather's pleasant.
Don't believe them when they say they don't have lufu.
Xingyi: Guizhou's peaceful Karst paradise
发布者Nice work Ben. I've wondered about this area every time I've taken the train from Kunming to Guangzhou. I always keep my eyes open around 5:30 or 6 to make sure to catch a few seconds of the remarkably tall waterfalls on the east side as they catch the late afternoon sun... some of my favorite scenery in southwest China. Will go there next time I'm passing through - thanks for scoping it out first!
Interview: Mr Chelonian
发布者Last saw them at the Speakeasy in 2008, one of the more memorable performances I saw there. I hear they're still a very good show.
Kunming battling Chinglish
发布者Best one for me was in the old airport in the late 90s: "Warmly welcome foreign fiends"
How bad is Kunming's air?
发布者Interesting to compare Philippe's air pollution shot from this article with the worst one I could find five years ago:
www.gokunming.com/en/blog/item/483/kunming_goes_car_crazy
It's hard not to feel that once the oil refinery in Anning goes online people will talk about Kunming's once-blue skies the way older residents talk about swimming in a clean Dianchi.
Around Town: Business closings during Spring Festival
发布者Tusheng Shiguan is closed until the 15th.