"I Love Sports" is 800 yuan/year, never packed and on the lower end of Kunming gyms in terms of upkeep - bathroom and changing area is a little malodorous and there are no showers. That said, their weights are as heavy as any other gyms and they have a nice little green area with a good view of Kunming where you can stretch and relax. Not bad if you're into cheap/no-frills.
I've been also been to Powerhouse and Impulse, both of which are part of international gym chains. Both are cleaner and more pleasing to the eye than I Love Sports, and both of them cost a little more... can't remember off the top of my head exactly how much for a year. Tianhao is along the same lines but rather small.
What area do you mean when you say 'northwest part of town'? Kunming's big enough that most of the gyms listed could be considered in the city's northwest. The most northwestern gym listed would be the Kunming Municipal Gymnasium Fitness Center on Huancheng Xi Lu near Jiaoling Lu. Hope that helps.
I don't know if Kunming can be compared to Shanghai very easily... if you're looking for nice green surroundings, chances are you'll want to check out the Cuihu/Green Lake area or Beichen in the north. Younger foreigners tend to favor around Cuihu and families tend to live in Beichen, but more families are beginning to move the Cuihu area.
Dongfeng Lu, Renmin Lu and Beijing Lu are slightly similar to Huaihai Lu and Nanjing Lu in that they're developing into Kunming's CBDs. These streets will add more amenities and conveniences in the coming months/years and are already better than most other parts of the city in terms of transportation. Newer residential developments on these streets tend to have more green spaces than the average Kunming xiaoqu.
@Danmairen: Thanks for the kind words. Regarding CQ's population, you are correct. I leave out terms such as "municipality" or "prefecture-level city" when I feel their omission will not confuse readers.
@Ocean: More cars on the road is fine for me, as long as the sidewalks aren't full of electric bikes. Definitely not trying to "hang a goat's head and sell dog meat" but I did genuinely enjoy the Chongqingness of Chongqing. That said, I was certainly pleased to be back in Kunming afterward.
Congratulations to GoKunming reader Michael Holmes, who is the winner of the Pullman Lijiang getaway.
Michael is studying bees at Yunnan Agricultural University, his harrowing tales of bee attacks and his dedication to scientific pursuits warmed our cold, cold hearts.
Of the more than 80 entries we received, there were several that would have won - had they sent their phone numbers as instructed in the giveaway rules.
Thanks to everyone who entered, we wish we had more vouchers to give away this time, but we're planning on more giveaways in the future, so watch this space.
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.
Getting Away: Chongqing
发布者@Danmairen: Thanks for the kind words. Regarding CQ's population, you are correct. I leave out terms such as "municipality" or "prefecture-level city" when I feel their omission will not confuse readers.
@Ocean: More cars on the road is fine for me, as long as the sidewalks aren't full of electric bikes. Definitely not trying to "hang a goat's head and sell dog meat" but I did genuinely enjoy the Chongqingness of Chongqing. That said, I was certainly pleased to be back in Kunming afterward.
Getting Away: Shuanglang
发布者This is an interesting look at the recent changes in Shuanglang:
www.christaylorwriter.com/blog/item/7/changes_lakeside
Giveaway: Two nights at the Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa
发布者Congratulations to GoKunming reader Michael Holmes, who is the winner of the Pullman Lijiang getaway.
Michael is studying bees at Yunnan Agricultural University, his harrowing tales of bee attacks and his dedication to scientific pursuits warmed our cold, cold hearts.
Of the more than 80 entries we received, there were several that would have won - had they sent their phone numbers as instructed in the giveaway rules.
Thanks to everyone who entered, we wish we had more vouchers to give away this time, but we're planning on more giveaways in the future, so watch this space.
Kunming in 1944: The photos of Dr Clinton Millett
发布者@RyanChris: please send links if you have them... many of our readers can read Chinese
Kunming in 1944: The photos of Dr Clinton Millett
发布者@Chicanohek: Here are some interesting photos of WWII-era Chongqing:
www.china-underground.com/[...]