Forums > Living in Kunming > Mixed couples with children and their education

Hi Mandrake,

Thanks for starting this post!
I'm in the same boat and we've decided it'll be one of the Yunda or Shida primaries (or maybe Hongqi or Changchun primaries) - all top Chinese primary schools and then off to boarding school overseas at 12 if the kids seem the type to handle it. If not, we'll go all the way here.
In regards to these schools, I've tutored/taught ex-students of theirs and they may be 'exam-factories' but their students cream every other student in Yunnan. Shida Fuzhong is ranked the 37th best school in China which is nothing to sneeze at - direct admission to top local and chinese universities is an entirely possible outcome.

However, I think that we're in a different situation to lot of expats as we gave our kids Chinese citizenship and a Kunming hukou anticipating this decision.I understand that if you enter these schools on a foreign passport it's easy BUT the school fees are significant, around 40,000 a year (so I heard). If you're Chinese you either need an apartment in the right place, an exam score or money AND always guanxi to get your kid a place.
As far as I know the private situation for private schools is pretty grim - there's KIA which was originally of American Christian missionary origin though now (according to ex-teachers) sold out to rich chinese. There's also a lunatic Korean christian school up north (by lunatic I mean bible quotes in their math textbooks) which I wouldn't even consider. KIA costs 100,000RMB a year or some crazy thing like that.

Forums > Living in Kunming > Structual inspection for apartment?

Hi guys,

I'm going through the process of buying an apartment in Kunming.

I am wondering if any other purchasers of property did an inspection for structural soundness of the building before purchase?

If so, who did you use? Would appreciate any information or contact details. Thanks in advance

Forums > Living in Kunming > Foreigner Bank Loans/Credit Cards

Although I should add that this is property in China,I don't think they would consider anything overseas. Also, they may have some residency requirements, how long you've lived in China etc. In any case, I've always found the help desk at this China Bank (just a little way down from Yunnan Provincial Museum on the way to Nanping Jie, opposite side) to be the most helpful and informative. I think the girl speaks English.

Forums > Living in Kunming > Foreigner Bank Loans/Credit Cards

I asked at the bank about a month ago (China Bank, Dongfeng Xilu downtown).If you have fixed assets (i.e. property) they will lend you 60% of the value of the property at 8-9% no questions asked. Just bring the deed and your done.