I'd like to start a thread exploring some of the better routes around town for running. Ideally any route on this thread should have minimal car traffic (I know this is tough to do here) and maximum green space.
Let me start with my current favorite new route, which starts at the Yunnan University West Gate and finishes at the Haigeng Olympic Training Facility:
1. Head downhill from Yunnan University's west gate and cross Yieryi Dajie via the elevated passenger walkway.
2. Head west (left) on Yieryi Dajie to the Xizhan roundabout and continue on to Huancheng Xi Lu.
3. Follow Huancheng Xi Lu as it curves southward to Xiba Lu.
4. Take Xiba Lu westward until it curves southward and becomes Xihua Lu.
5. Take Xihua Lu west until you've reached the end of the road, then head left (south).
6. After approximately 250 meters you will cross a river - immediately after crossing the river, take the stairs on your right to the riverside path below.
7. Follow the riverside path for several kilometers until it hits Dianchi Lake and becomes a lakeside promenade.
8. Follow the promenade south until it ends at a street.
9. Go left (east) on said street until you hit Haigeng Park - pay 8 kuai and run along the lakeshore until you hit the east gate.
10. Cross the street and run into the Haigeng Olympic Training compound. In the little shop in the center of the compound there is a fridge full of supercold Gatorade, Amino Supli, Water, etc. At this point you've run about 18 km.
11. Continue past the shop and past the soccer/football fields on the north side of the compound, exiting out the north and heading left to Xingti Lu (兴体路).
12. Take Xingti Lu north until it reaches a T-intersection, head left (west) toward the roundabout - stop, stretch and take a taxi home.
Total distance: 21.4 kilometers
Any other good routes out there? They can start anywhere in the city... the more creative the better.
Fog shuts down Kunming airport, strands thousands
Posted byJust came back from the airport for the second day in a row... my 10pm flight was delayed to 11:30 and it seemed like no flights were managing to take off. Didn't want to spend another five hours at the airport waiting for my flight to be canceled, so I left.
There were several departure gates with angry crowds wanting to get out of Kunming. One small group was chanting "We want to go home!", they were being escorted away from their departure gate by the fuzz.
I saw a few lines of 50 or more people waiting for hot water to drink or for instant noodles. The airport's food and beverage facilities were doing brisk business.
I called the flight info hotline (96566) several times before going to the airport and after arriving and it was out of service.
Given the state of the airport tonight, I would suggest that anyone with flights tomorrow assume that there is a chance your flight will be delayed or canceled tomorrow. If there's any way to avoid checking luggage, I would recommend it. Should your flight be canceled, you won't be in the mood to wait an additional hour or two for your bags.
Interview: Deng Ling
Posted by@blobbles: No changes to the article text were made.
Deng Ling requested a different photo at the top of the story because she said the original pic, which I shot the day before she left for London, made her look "like the old woman on the Hongdouyuan sign".
Anyway, I passed her request on to current GK management and they kindly complied.
Forest fire burns near Kunming
Posted byThursday we were wondering why the haze was so bad despite reports that the fire had been extinguished... until we saw this:
"A forest fire in southwest China's Yunnan Province started again Thursday morning, the local forest fire prevention headquarters said Thursday.
The fire was rekindled in Wangjiatan forest in Anning, a county-level city on the outskirts of the provincial capital of Kunming. The fire is currently under control, and nearby villages haven't been impacted, Cao Long, chief of the Yunnan forest armed police said."
english.cri.cn/6909/2012/03/22/2021s688540.htm
American fugitive and environmental activist sentenced to prison in Dali
Posted byAn update on Solondz's situation in the US:
seattletimes.nwsource.com/[...]
Lijiang to launch international flights this year
Posted byFlights between Kunming and Taipei began at the end of 2008:
www.gokunming.com/[...]