well that's how they promote. they may have had a flight at 203 kuai, but of course that will be immediately be booked within an hour of announcement (same in Chengdu when they started out). So nothing unusual here. Also pay attention to the booking conditions (check if date change, cancelation, name change are possible).

what sangush said plust they should be 1 kuai (used to be 5mao) and a 10min power charge lasts you 3km max

@misfit

I can tell you for Chengdu, which usually has more cultural events than Kunming (although Kunming is catching up now). Even IF/WHEN you contact the venues (regularly) they don't sent in their stuff most of the time. It sucks, because you have to push them to promote themselves, basically begging them to make more people to know and come (and eventually gain reputation & increase business). I can assure that is a lot of annoying unsatisfying work.

But a lot of times there is no information available at all, especially events that are not primarily commercial like the one in question. Because then the venue and everyone is already paid, and they don't necessarily want a lot of people, just give face. And then you read about it the next day in the newspaper, and be like wtf how come I haven't heard about it?

Try finding a Chinese event calendar that covers all kind of events in Kunming (live rock, theatre, exhibition, dining, sport, etc.). Probably the only site that has more events listed would be douban (in Chinese), but that's about it.

@misfit

You had the change to submit this event, as did anyone including the event promoters. Events, even bigger event with famous people have outside 1st tier city usually have shitty promotion, that is hardly the site's fault, but the event promoters'. Blame them.

Creating a portal that only means work and no money? Unless it's motivated by some political or religious doctrine it will not work.

I could think of several options.

There are sleeper buses (i saw some RMB70-120 from beimenzhan 19-23hours!, but there should be more sleeper buses leaving from other stations).

use baidu.com/ zhidao.baidu.com search "成都到昆明大巴" for example

But you could also try to first make it to Panzihua halfway and from there check more options.

You could've sent your bikes by train (RMB70) 2-3 days earlier and then ride back South.

Flying doesn't have to be expensive (especially the very day of Spring Festival the 22nd has many cheap flights)

I see return flights for RMB400 and less (plus tax) till the 25th of Jan. and starting from February 1st

flight.qunar.com/[...]

Hitchhiking is another option, and for foreigner it's easy
gochengdoo.com/[...]

And ride sharing is getting more and more popular, but there are too many Chinese sites to list, so alternatively you could also post a classified on gochengdoo.com