Hi! I was just wondering about the availability of gas canisters for hiking stoves in Kunming and Yunnan as a whole?
Also, if anyone has been hiking up around Dali, would they recommend using a multi-fuel stove or just a gas canister stove? And if a multi-fuel stove is recommended, is it possible to purchase one in Kunming?
Thanks!
Personally, I prefer multi-fuel stoves.
They heat faster, are not affected by cold and wind as much, and you can always find fuel. I have been to a lot of gas stations, and they have a large teapot (believe it or not) that they use to fill motorbikes. It would be easy to fill a fuel bottle this way.
I have only seen gas stoves using something like a large aerosol can. There are camping shops in Dali that may be able to supply you, but I could not guarantee it.
CAVEAT
It is bush-fire season, you would not be allowed naked flames on the mountainsides in most of Yunnan.
the problem with the gas stoves ( not sure about others ), you cant take them in train with you when u travel. Not sure about busses. U cant even take a knife with u, which is really anoying.
I think all combustible materials are banned from trains, the same regulations as air travel. Even small town bus stations now have x-ray scanner for luggage, if you are travelling on the long distance coaches.
If you are only going to Dali, and surrounding area, try to buy a stove in Dali. There are a couple of outdoor clothes stores. Maybe one of them sells stoves, but you may not be able to use it on the mountain; if that is what you were planning.
Thanks Alexez and tigertiger for both your responses! Both are extremely helpful.
Hmmm I think a multi-fuel stove will probably be best, I might have to bring one from home. We are also heading to Yubeng/around Deqin, Yading Nature Reserve, and a walk around Gongga Shan.
A few months back I was able to purchase a butane-propane mixture gas bottle (about 1/2 liter size) at a camping store on Longxiang Jie in Kunming. (Many camping stores don't stock these, though.)
As others have noted, transporting these on public transport can be a problem.
To Alex256
A while back, German Democratic Republic produced petrol stove called Jewel. It costs 11.20 DM, equivalent of 1.2 Eur. Sure that changed "a bit" but is it still available. I bought one using eBay from Austria for 40 Eur, i.e. little bit over 300 RMB. similar one is here:
www.ebay.com/[...]
Wow, if it was "German Democratic Republic" it must have been a long time ago. GDR was the name for the very UNdemocratic East Germany, which ceased to exist in 1990.
I bought one of those Jewel's back in the 80's. Bloody marvellous. Self pressurising and would boil a pint of water in just over a minute. Even in sub zero temperatures.
To tigertiger
I had one ages ago (paid original price) and a few years back I bought another one mostly out of nostalgia. Nevertheless they were powerful, used I think 1/3 liter of petrol and were able to work for 45 minutes with that amount. I timed that once :-)
