Getting out there is a bit tricky. They run shuttles every day from out on Renmin Xi Lu, but I forget the exact name of the place they run from. If you can speak Chinese or get a friend to help you, you can call and find out. A minivan ride out there and back should be around 200-300 yuan.
Hi Robbs. I don't want to toot my own horn too much, but the mountain I wrote about in the GoKunming blog a few days ago, Changchong Shan, is one of the best choices in Kunming for convenience, being relatively uncrowded, and accessibility. You can get there on the bus in 20-30 minutes from Wenlin Jie. Here is the post: www.gokunming.com/[...]
Since I wrote this article I've found a much better route up the mountain: Turn left off Longquan Lu just north of Linyu Lu (霖雨路) and directly after the Shabaying (Longquan Lu) [沙坝营(龙泉路)] bus stop.
You'll skirt around the right side a workshop of some sort and go past a car repair place. When the road forks go right and climb the road to a temple.
Go around the left side of the temple and onto a path. Descend a little and then climb again, taking a right when you come to a T in the road (left leads you to the military base—don't got that way).
Keep following the path upward and then after some flat and a slight downhill you'll go through a quarry and rejoin the main road right before the disgusting fake rock.
Saw what I am guessing to be the railway being constructed a month or so ago during a ride from Kunming to Fumin via Anning. Looks pretty legit...very flat and straight with lots of tunnels and bridges.
We initially had some difficulty getting information about where to get tickets and the prices. Now, unfortunately, we've finally learned that the event is sold out.
Anybody who was here for the Australia vs. China World Cup qualifying match a few years back can tell you the tickets for major sporting events move in mysterious ways.
Are you sure it's on the north side. I'm familiar with the one on the south side (the side that faces downtown Kunming), but I've poked around quite a bit on the ridge line to the north and never run across any military facilities.
On another note, they appear to be in the process of paving section of the road to the top, maybe even the whole thing eventually. The days of Changchong being a peaceful getaway may be numbered.
One of the more unique hotpot experiences available in Kunming. The higher priced cuts of yak meat, including the yak carpaccio, are excellent.
It's also about as vegetarian friendly as hotpot gets because each person gets an individual pot and there is a (purportedly) vegetarian broth available, as well as a range veggies and good highland barley noodles.
The Yunnan courtyard-style restaurants like Laofangzi, Deyiju, etc are generally up to the task for a solid meal at a somewhat higher-than-average price.
Airuochun is yet another of these options, but perhaps a little ahead of the pack, especially for its tasty pork and pigeon offerings.
Getting away: Changchong Mountain
发布者Since I wrote this article I've found a much better route up the mountain: Turn left off Longquan Lu just north of Linyu Lu (霖雨路) and directly after the Shabaying (Longquan Lu) [沙坝营(龙泉路)] bus stop.
You'll skirt around the right side a workshop of some sort and go past a car repair place. When the road forks go right and climb the road to a temple.
Go around the left side of the temple and onto a path. Descend a little and then climb again, taking a right when you come to a T in the road (left leads you to the military base—don't got that way).
Keep following the path upward and then after some flat and a slight downhill you'll go through a quarry and rejoin the main road right before the disgusting fake rock.
New high-speed rail line to link Kunming with Dali
发布者Saw what I am guessing to be the railway being constructed a month or so ago during a ride from Kunming to Fumin via Anning. Looks pretty legit...very flat and straight with lots of tunnels and bridges.
Interview: Xiong Chaozhong
发布者We initially had some difficulty getting information about where to get tickets and the prices. Now, unfortunately, we've finally learned that the event is sold out.
Anybody who was here for the Australia vs. China World Cup qualifying match a few years back can tell you the tickets for major sporting events move in mysterious ways.
Getting away: Changchong Mountain
发布者Yikes, Stork; sorry to hear about that.
Are you sure it's on the north side. I'm familiar with the one on the south side (the side that faces downtown Kunming), but I've poked around quite a bit on the ridge line to the north and never run across any military facilities.
On another note, they appear to be in the process of paving section of the road to the top, maybe even the whole thing eventually. The days of Changchong being a peaceful getaway may be numbered.
Getting away: A morning ride up Baohua Road
发布者^Marc, I just tried your climb this morning. Awesome!
The valley it goes up is really pretty and there were great views from the top of the parts of Kunming that weren't shrouded in fog.
This might be my new favorite; I can't believe I've done Bamboo Temple so many times without trying the side road.
I still don't reckon it's as difficult of a climb as the Baozhu Si hill, though.
-Dan