Thanks, @Magnifico, have u been in kunming/yunnan long?

yeah. few years now. but good climate doesn't make up for a bad job, so i'm making plans to extricate myself from here.

but your situation is different. you're only coming for one year, presumably to learn chinese and absorb culture.

maybe a more remote part of yunnan would be a better cultural experience than kunming.

it's a greasy jungle out there, nat.

Kunming culture? Most larger Chinese cities are devoid of any traditional culture.
I look around and what do I see? Bars, cafes, teahouses (mostly modern chains), fast food outlets (some are Chinese brand chains), shopping malls, supermarkets, lots of cars (not all imported), old ladies line dancing (not always to non-chinese music), theme park type cultural attractions (and even these are rare in the larger cities).

Have to agree with @Magnifico. Head out into the rural areas if you can, and if you are not dependant on earning a higher wage.

@Tiger: sounds like 'modern development' - occurs faster in China than virtually anywhere - very mixed bag - cf US cities & the 'developed' world generally - where 'higher wages' come from - want more of the same?

Kunming is a great city, by the way. Some people here just like to complain about everything.

@Neddy: I agree.

Folks have mentioned looking for work (teaching) in rural areas of Yunnan. Could anyone recommend any areas or schools in particular? Would working in rural areas considerably diminish my chances of taking affordable Mandarin classes?

In a word,no, unless you go to really remote villages. However,finding a suitably qualified teacher will be harder.

I have seen several job offers in a primary and middle school in Zhaotong. Cant get more rural than that. However, if you want to learn Chinese you will have to do it on your own, not in a school setting. I am not aware of any chinese schools anywhere except here in Kunming. If you look, I am sure you can find some job offers in other parts of Yunnan but they are typically in middle school - terrible place to teach as far as I am concerned but some people can stomach this.

Thanks to both of you for your encouraging responses. HFCAMPO - what was the primary/middle school in Zhaotong? Are you familiar with it?