@bosnian, well we could say that the original poster is implying that reverse discrimination is also evident in China, at least in the case of this club.
Also, as I mentioned before, China is not so bad when it comes to these things (at least not anymore). Although one poster mentioned discrimination occuring at a swimming pool (although that is not government sanctioned of course) although such practices are rare from what I've seen (apart from opportunistic overpricing, but that's a different story altogether). In any case, most businesses in Yunnan see so few foreigners there would be no point in trying to charge different rates, either more or less. Apart from the French Cafe, Salvador's etc. which receive foreigners everyday, the vast majority of businesses here have maybe 1 foreigner a day or less.
I find different pricing regimes based on nationality offensive, even if foreigners get in for free or for less than locals - generally it is the other way round, but even in this case it's not really acceptable.
Anyway, I second the comment above; I'd much rather go to a tourist attraction in China where I won't be charged extra by a greedy, racist government [like Thailand] that only sees tourists as dollar signs and which is why the only thing that matters to that government is that they can get as many tourists as possible —> this year the target is 19 million, next year maybe 25 and in 10 years perhaps more than the population of the country itself, who knows?
Anyway, I digress, so back on topic. Would I want to go to this club because I'm going to get a discount? Not necessarily...I'll just go to any club with my friends because either a group of people will invite me to join in their drinking parade and/or I might even offer to buy the second round of drinks for them. It didn't work last time, because everyone was so drunk by 4am that they weren't able to drink anymore, although at least I offered to pay, which was civil of me i guess.
Actually, at the foreigner's dorms at YUN although they feature paint peeling off the walls and damaged cabinets etc. at least you get a private bathroom with a hot water shower. The Chinese student's dorms just adjacent to the foreign student's dorms feature 8 students to a room and a shared bathroom for i don't know how many students with a stench you can smell 10m away. Privacy is an alien concept and it's only a bit better for foreign students who have 2-4 people per room (usually 4).
At Yunnan University there is a greater diversity of nationalities. There are more Koreans and more westerners than at YUN.
I think going overland would be a fun experience, though after factoring in all the costs, it may be cheaper (if only slightly) to fly to Mandalay or Yangon, both of which can be reached from Kunming on non-stop flights. In fact, the only international flight departing and arriving at Mandalay airport originates in Kunming (China Eastern).
Closed? I think if you get a visa arranged beforehand, with the right permits and guide (should be arranged from Kunming if possible) you can go in (at least exit China for Myanmar). I don't think visas on arrival are an option, or ever were an option for this crossing.
I hear a guide is also supposed to accompany all foreign visitors heading south of the border town of Mu-se until at least the town of Lashio, 8 hours south. Also, I doubt such a busy border crossing would be closed; the town of Mu-se is just an extension of China anyway and the vast majority of China-Myanmar trade flows through this crossing.
Get more information by contacting a Kunming travel agency and the Myanmar consulate here in Kunming.
@flengs, what do you mean by being fed up with the "foreigner-local" relations? Some of them seem quite superficial, but it depends on what level the relationship is. When both parties speak at least one of the other's languages really well, then mutual understanding will increase of course, however, this is rarely the case as few foreigners can speak Lao (except for a few words maybe) and few Laotians can speak very good English.
An interesting read. I first came to Kunming in mid-2009 and by then the changes were already made. I actually live just off xue fu lu and everytime I'm in a car or taxi (except late at night) we have to go the long way round starting on yi er yi, passing by hongshan bei lu and finally onto xue fu lu. In the reverse direction it's a straight route direct to yi er yi that takes all of 5-6 minutes outside or rush hour; in the original direction going back home it takes about double that. Good for taxi drivers (they get more money!), good for bus patronage but a little annoying for the average commuter affected by this everyday. Anyway, nothing wrong with it, it's just the way it is now - i never realized it used to be different before!
Geezer, where did you hear this? Would be really sad if it was true. I too have thought about such a business and indeed have also considered xishuangbanna, which is one of the nicest parts of all of China. However, all things being considered, I find it much easier to set-up something in SE Asia.
First of all, Thais are foreign tourists too if they are outside of Thailand. Anyway, nice article, I wish these people lots of success. I think it would be nice if there were more westerners (and foreigners in general) travelling in Xishuangbanna, because right now it's a world away from neighboring Laos and Vietnam. In fact, even though it's so restrictive, I find it easier to come across other travellers in Myanmar than in Xishuangbanna...why is that? I look forward to the day you can find a central backpacker district in Jinghong that looks like its equivalent in Laos filled with hundreds of western backpackers.
What do you mean by "foreigners"? Everyone who is a non-citizen of Myanmar and wants to travel there is a foreigner. I doubt Burmese citizens require visas to return to their homeland.
Horrible tasteless, thick-crusted "cardboard" like pizzas that are a far cry from what they should be like. Way overpriced too. Wine may be good, but why bother when the nearby Prague Cafe makes much better pizza at a more reasonable price?
Great Mexican food and ice cream, excellent Raspberry smoothies and an overall good atmosphere. Can't do much about the low ceilings on the second floor, but the early closing time could be adjusted, after all, the nearby French Cafe closes at 1am.
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Getting Away: Luang Prabang
Posted by@flengs, what do you mean by being fed up with the "foreigner-local" relations? Some of them seem quite superficial, but it depends on what level the relationship is. When both parties speak at least one of the other's languages really well, then mutual understanding will increase of course, however, this is rarely the case as few foreigners can speak Lao (except for a few words maybe) and few Laotians can speak very good English.
Major Kunming traffic arteries converted to one-way roads
Posted byAn interesting read. I first came to Kunming in mid-2009 and by then the changes were already made. I actually live just off xue fu lu and everytime I'm in a car or taxi (except late at night) we have to go the long way round starting on yi er yi, passing by hongshan bei lu and finally onto xue fu lu. In the reverse direction it's a straight route direct to yi er yi that takes all of 5-6 minutes outside or rush hour; in the original direction going back home it takes about double that. Good for taxi drivers (they get more money!), good for bus patronage but a little annoying for the average commuter affected by this everyday. Anyway, nothing wrong with it, it's just the way it is now - i never realized it used to be different before!
Getting Away: Jinghong
Posted byReally nice city.
First-hand account: Setting up a guesthouse in Xishuangbanna
Posted byGeezer, where did you hear this? Would be really sad if it was true. I too have thought about such a business and indeed have also considered xishuangbanna, which is one of the nicest parts of all of China. However, all things being considered, I find it much easier to set-up something in SE Asia.
First-hand account: Setting up a guesthouse in Xishuangbanna
Posted byFirst of all, Thais are foreign tourists too if they are outside of Thailand. Anyway, nice article, I wish these people lots of success. I think it would be nice if there were more westerners (and foreigners in general) travelling in Xishuangbanna, because right now it's a world away from neighboring Laos and Vietnam. In fact, even though it's so restrictive, I find it easier to come across other travellers in Myanmar than in Xishuangbanna...why is that? I look forward to the day you can find a central backpacker district in Jinghong that looks like its equivalent in Laos filled with hundreds of western backpackers.