Good points JanJal.

Yicai's China Business Network (CBN) published these tier rankings and were reposted by CPC's state-level news agencies China News Services (CNS) and China Daily. These collaborative avenues are one of many unofficial, SOE propaganda arms of Beijing to boast economic progress for Chinese social media dissemination. So it is safe to assume rankings were granted green light from the top.

The state may not publicly endorse new tier rankings through official diplomatic channels, but would implicitly back such proxies for the purpose of (1) instilling consumer confidence with arbitrary data beyond flat growth indicators without appearing self-aggrandizing. (2) Justifying infrastructural investments for select cities such as BRI gateways like Kunming. (3) Attracting FDI and employers to fuel development like you said. (4) Distracting public attention from trade war, economic slowdown, stock market, bad debt, and housing bubble jitters.

Kunming is now decreed a Tier 1 city

Perhaps 48hr emergency for Kasia.

To avoid annoyance of solicitation and embarrassment, a 24 hour vending machine equipped with birth controls pills placed right outside 一心堂 pharmacy. Can't remember if machine carries this specific product. Exactly location can be found on this map:

gaode.com/place/B0FFHIDEQM

健之佳 is the cheaper among the bunch and would usually carry Mafulong as it's a popular product.

Check out pharmacies nearest you with this map listing:

gaode.com/[...]

@alienew

Qunar has always been cheaper than Ctrip for flight deals. Qunar APP will automatically alert you of the best deals and/or when fares have dropped to your designated price.

As for hotel bookings, don't bother with Ctrip. Take advantage of current Booking.com promotion.

Get US$25 (162CNY) off every hotel booking worth over US$50 (~324CNY) for participating hotels using referral link:

booki.ng/2Kibiis