User profile: michael2015

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Money transfer

@JanJal
Thanks for the reply.

1. Which bank are you using?

2. Can you receive SWIFT funds in CNY?

CCB has been a great bank for me with this single exception, as they seem to enjoy having me come in person EVERY time to complete the transfer into my FOREX account. It's super annoying and is the reason I keep looking for legal alternative ways to import offshore USD funds without this really troublesome process.

I live part time in a rural county outside Yunnan - and the CCB bank here specifically told me non-Yunnan CCB cards and Yunnan CCB cards are not the same, so I'll have to return to Yunnan to process any SWIFT transfers. They also told me I need open a new CCB account in this province, in a larger city and then travel there any and every time I need to clear the SWIFT funds, personally.

@Livinginchina
Wester Union requires a personal trip to a western union branch with your passport. I'm really lazy and want to do everything electronically, if possible.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Money transfer

For years I've tried to transfer funds from abroad directly into CNY and each time it's failed. Finally gave up and just used SWIFT to transfer USD directly, which requires a trip to the main branch EVERY time to clear the funds for transfer into my account (USD savings), then convert to CNY. The process is much smoother these days, now that they're used to me and is down to about 20 minutes, not including commute time and waiting in line at the bank for the special window that handles international wire transfers. Previously I had to clear the wire, then go get a ticket and wait for the regular transactions window to convert - but seems they've streamlined the process (for now) and I can do everything with the same staff that clears the international wire xfer.

I've successfully used Xoom to transfer CNY to friends, but it's a PayPal company and comes with a slew of nominal fees which add up over time, so not an ideal situation for regular transfers. It's also kind of a pain for your friends. Xoom to myself was rejected for an unknown reason and I included the message that it's a transfer to myself - but I'll try again using JanJal's message instead. SWIFT transfers are a major problem if you're traveling as you'll need to go to a main branch in whatever city you're in AND you'll need to be in a major city, assuming it's even possible (probably only with significant difficulty if at all).

If you're married to or have excellent financial trust relationships with a Chinese citizen - there's an alipay mechanism to transfer USD to CNY from abroad, but I've never been able to get it registered - they say it's "not available" for foreigners...unless you have a green card with a somewhat normal ID card number.

Swapsy works pretty well but it'll cost USD 10-20 to buy "swapsy credits" which permit swapsy trades and as noted in my previous message, many P2P traders won't accept transactions from PayPal China users as it incurs Paypal fees. So you'll need an offshore PayPal account also - so you can add swapsy/paypal traders to family & friends which doesn't incur PayPal to PayPal fees.

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Forums > Living in Kunming > Chinese Yuan into Foreign Currency

1. Chinese friends can convert CNY into USD with restrictions. There used to be a way for Chinese nationals to convert CNY<->USD on alipay using an associated app. For CNY 10k - it's nominal so lower probability of fraud but your mileage may vary (YMMV). You can also ask other expats with USD who may want to buy your CNY. Use xe.com or some other agreed upon FOREX platform to determine the exchange rate at the time. Any nominal spare change can be made up with a cup of Salvadors et al coffee, as a courtesy. See item 7...seems I was repetitive.
2. Your bank can convert your account into an international currency account and you can convert CNY into USD and store it in your chinese bank account.
3. SWIFT (international wire transfer) it to your US bank. SWIFT fees are typically USD 30-35 (≥ CNY 180-200)+ whatever usurious hidden charges your US bank will charge you. There's also the transportation costs to & from your bank and the 20 minutes to 4 hours you'll need to cool your heels in the bank (wear a mask) while they do this for you the first time - which is always a pain - however SWIFT is the safest and gov approved mechanism for moving funds internationally. SWIFT is usually a 24-48 hour process from the time the wire is posted on SWIFT.
4. Paypal China to Paypal USA - this is a bit tricky and you may incur taxes from both China and the USA for the transfer, even if it's to yourself. You'll also incur several nickel and dime PayPal service fees, currency exchange fees, etc etc etc. My PayPal account was registered in china with PayPal Singapore (don't ask why), so I can directly withdraw CNY from my chinese bank and it's converted into USD in PayPal for a nominal fee. Paypal does NOT pay interest on funds sitting in PayPal. You can NOT link a PayPal China account with a PayPal (any other country) account - so you'll need a VPN to register another PayPal (eg Usa) account and you can then send money to yourself (make sure to annotate it as a transfer of funds to yourself to try to avoid exit taxes).

5. International currency trading platforms such as xoom (a PayPal company).
6. P2P (peer to peer aka private party to private party) such as Venmo.

7. Friends with USD wanting to buy CNY. Use xe.com or similar apps to see the current exchange rate. Last time I checked it's around CNY 6.4 ~ USD 1.

Safest path is to SWIFT the funds from your bank to your US bank account. Many of the online institutional forex (foreign exchange) sites charge a nominal transfer fee PLUS a nominal surcharge on the FOREX (eg trading CNY 6.3 per USD 1). At about CNY 10k - the SWIFT fees and the hassles and micro charges are roughly a wash - so SWIFT is safer, State approved (SAFE aka State Administration for Foreign Exchange) and as long as you transfer it to yourself - should incur no taxes - go to your local bank for SWIFT and FOREX details.

I use CCB as their FOREX reflects the current FOREX posted on xe.com.

Others have historically reported no speed bumps using ICBC.

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Comments

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Wow - thanks for the update(s). This opens a brand new line of journalistic travel reporting fog gokm. What to see & do around each station (temples, eateries, entertainment, etc).

Look forwards to the municipal subway exit travel reporting (for tourists and locals alike).

And you can also do travel video spots for the local tv channels - chinese love (I think) to see foreigners who can speak reasonably fluently and whom are delighted with the local culture(s).

I'm just glad we can finally (maybe) get to dianchi without grabbing taxis, didiche or buses.

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Central government mandates general or qualitative requirements, It is then the responsibility of various provinces to implement quantitative results.

How would one structure sustainable pilot projects, to demonstrate such diversity - to include funding and finance? Each ecosystem is diverse from the next - so to initiate a project requires finance to study the current (or previously existing) bio-diversity, to develop a sustainable plan to move forwards with responsibly and sustainably managed resources.

This requires access to academic and commercial resources - who won't work for free.

Alien's solution is direct, but probably not scalable, sustainable and therefore feasible (too many people - reduce population).

When presenting an issue or problem, it's always a good idea to have at least three potentially feasible solutions for discussion and implementation.

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@east
Concur with your assessment - but fossil fuels are a known depleting asset, hence the long-term (perhaps beyond our lifespan) national impetus behind these assets.

Also agree that hydropower construction can be infinitely more LEED-ish in their construction behavior.

On that note - many of the more heavily polluting industries such as mining, refineries, etc can be made significantly cleaner through energy based solutions - which we have yet to witness generally in China.

For example, pollution from Guangzhou's fossil plants can energy-assisted technologies currently in use in developed countries - so that's perhaps a hybrid solution that benefits both parties - assuming one can find the funding to implement such technologies AND the project owners are sufficiently motivated to implement such cleaner technology supplements/complements - aka central government mandates, grants, and subsidies.

As for the legendary Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) - those usually come with FIT (Feed in Tariff) agreements - hence the short-term nature of these agreements. We've seen globally that FIT programs are short-term solutions to encourage market entry, but are non-sustainable.

As for grid congestion - that's an issue of planning. As you've noted, China and even developed countries still have not developed the technologies to enable efficient long-distance transmission of power.

Hydropower isn't going away - so the best solution is to hybridize and try to work with what we have to minimize all the valid issues you've raised and do our best to render these systems more ecologically harmonious - example hybridized sluice - where we can still sustainably maintain the downstream environments at a safe but sustainable level.

Too often, commercial and environmental interests stand diametrically opposed and commercial interests typically dominate.

So if you have viable suggestions that can be presented to the NDRC, I'd be more than willing and interested to discuss and perhaps help frame the projects and finance (in English, regrettably), along with potential downstream domestic government and pseudo-government investors, to add to hopefully create a potentially overwhelming sustainable, scalable, and feasible solution that NDRC can in good conscious mandate.

It's not a perfect solution - but perhaps a good first step to more responsible resource utilization and management and infinitely better than standing still, diametrically opposed.

I suppose this would be called "managed wetlands" or something like that (as opposed to eliminated wetlands) - assuming the issue is downstream wetland ecosystems.

Feel free to PM (private mail) me to discuss how to move forwards - perhaps even generate multi-lateral support.

While it may not seem apparent, ALL governmental infrastructure projects require feasibility studies, which include social and environmental impact studies - so the first starting place is to examine those studies, to understand the current standard government logic and behavior in approving and or waiving of those social and environmental costs.

To access this information, you'll absolutely need a strong commercial or government partner - the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Again - the objective is to change the working model so we're all actively working together as opposed to butting heads (with a little central government mandate to help encourage the reticent).

Reviews

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Took the family here to stroll around and there's a LOT of walking. Many of the stores appear closed, but the bar street nestled inside seems quite well populated.

We chose the Japanese restaurant near the entrance (there are many entrances). The food and service was quite acceptable - from the fruit salad, tuna salad, curry pork cutlet, and the ubiquitous California Sush Rolls (you can buy the small size or the large size).

It rained a little while we were there, which helped drench the heat and humidity. When the sun came out - it was HOT.

If you're lucky, you'll occasionally see people (usually women) wearing minority clothing being photographed by professional photographers. There's also a small photographer's store where you can rent various ethnic clothing and have professional pictures taken (maybe the two are related...now that I think about it).

There's also the ubiquitous game centers (shooting galleries etc) for the kids and unaccompanied teenagers.

It seems the most popular venues were the prolific food courts - but that's probably related to it being lunchtime when we visited. The place is clean and plenty of antiqued door fronts (the wood panels) for those photo shoots.

Capping off the visit, one must of course take pictures on the bridges crossing the lily ponds and the landmark temple spire. We didn't make it to the surrounding temples. Maybe next time.

Transportation is everywhere - but make sure you have your mobile phone ride share app working, just in case you hit rush hour.

Again - for now - it seems many vendors were closed - but I'm positive that'll change again as the economy begins to rebound.

Excellent way to spend a half day as opposed to the kids faces glued to their mobile devices...fresh air, good food, plenty of people watching, and walking...walking...walking...

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Took the family here a few days ago. Wonderful place to go walking with lots of snack & drink kiosks (along with chairs and tables) to rest frequently. This zoo is similar to most other large open air zoos with reasonably spacious enclosures. This place is HUGE so be prepared for a LOT of walking. Consider wearing sensible hiking or walking shoes. Your feet will be grateful.

Entrance fees when we went still cny100 for adults and kids cny70. Feeding the animals at the managed venues - cny30 per site...per child. Monkeys can be fed by tossing carrots and sliced apples into their enclosure - which is good. Monkeys famous for flash mobbing. Can be terrifying for kids (and adults). Even in the enclosures, you can clearly see they're territorial and aggressive. Bullying is displayed frequently enough for teaching moments for the kids (cuz there are monkeys in all schools everywhere in the world).

MOST people bring their own food and drink, as the kiosks are quite expensive. Example a cny5 drink outside is cny10 in the zoo, so expect most everything to be twice as expensive. I had a bbq chick drumstick (leg?) for cny25...ouch.

Bring carrots. LOTS of carrots. The zoo has several managed (paid) and unmanaged petting areas for most semi-domesticated animals, such as the Alpacas (seriously cute), deer, giraffes (ok...you can feed the giraffes on an elevated platform, but probably difficult to "pat" the animals. It's kind of spectacular to actually see giraffes face to face - these animals are simply vertigo inducing huge and tall.

The seal show was nice - typical of seal shows everywhere. Seals are kind of like the dogs of the sea. Friendly and ravenous appetites so easily trainable.

Lots of cheap touristy souvenirs to buy the for the kiddies (and relatives kids).

HIGHLY recommend taking the bus tour - they basically zoom around picking up and dropping off customers (they check your e-ticket at every pickup site) at entrances and exits to walking enclosures. They'll drop you off at roughly 15 minute walking sites. NO need to rush and you can grab ANY bus upon emerging from the walking enclosure sites.

Of course, the ultimate attraction always the lion and tiger exhibits at the top of the mountain.

Bring a fan. It gets hot. We were fortunate as the sky was mostly overcast so the temperature was generally cool, but heated up almost instantly whenever the sun peeked out of the clouds.

Bring LOTS of water. Most veteran tourists have their own liter bottles of water. Bring your own umbrella. When the sun comes out - it's HOT. Bring a wide brimmed hat if you're into comfort over vanity. SUNTAN LOTION never goes astray.

Aside from that - typical Chinese group site with everyone rushing the buses and ticket counters. Not so much rushing for the food venues, so seems the elevated prices keep that comfortably in check.

All in all - GREAT place to take the kiddies (or a date if you both know you're into each other - cuz you'll be spending an entire day together). The Outdoor Zoo seems exceptionally well designed with plenty of both managed and unmanaged (eg walking deer along the roadside and the stroll through the peacock "garden").

Easy cab or shared ride out and back. Taxis aplenty when you're ready to leave (just walk past the parking lot gate - they'll be waiting for you). You should consider dining out or delivery at the end of the day.

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Took the kiddies here again.

1. It's FREE.
2. NO knives, lighters, sharp objects, etc. There's a place in front to check bags, luggage (if you're traveling), etc - but the exit is in the rear of the monolithic building, so it's a bit of a hike to walk back around to the checked storage area (it's also FREE).

THIRD FLOOR
We went straight to the third floor - History and artifacts of Yunnan (mostly). Rich history - lots of original sculptures etc removed from grottoes and displayed in the museum. Lots of English language titles and occasionally some explanatory text in English.

SECOND FLOOR
This is the evolution floor with lots of petrified artifacts - sea life mostly, lots of recreations of animals and environments from pre-man times.

There are coffee shops and dining areas on the first floor and drink vending machines on the second and third floors. The place is HUGE so a great place to take the kiddies and walk around until they're tired. They'll probably enjoy the dinosaur exhibit on the second floor the most. Wait a few minutes and the dinosaurs will roar and move their heads and maybe pretend to chew (open and close their maws).

PLENTY of parking and unfortunately NOT close to any subway station, so you'll have to grab a cab or rideshare but seems taxis and transportation are aplenty in the city and surrounding environs.

And...it's FREE for now. Museum closes at 5pm so make sure you leave by 430-445 so you can hike back to the storage area if you checked anything in as they also close at 5pm.

Enjoy!

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This is a great place to walk around and generally kill time while shopping for nothing in particular. Nearby is the Paulaner Brewhouse for super fantastic food, coffee and drinks, outdoor patio dining or just hanging and people watching.

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DATE
2022.01.17

SUMMARY
Just popped in for the annual to biennial visa health check. Cost was CNY 487 - don't forget to bring at least THREE (3) visa pictures and your mask.

As usual, there are TWO health codes to display - the usual kunming/yunnan green QR code and the green "Arrow" code.

ARRIVAL
I went late in the morning, but still managed to shuttle through all the departments and get out before lunch.

I used didi to get there and the map now correctly shows the rear parking entrance as the destination drop-off point. You can also take the subway to a nearby station, and walk walk walk walk walk - it's actually not too far but it will elevate your blood pressure and pulse (BPP) - so make sure to rest 5-10 minutes to allow your BPP to drop back to resting state.

Upon arrival at the main gate, you'll do the usual check-in procedure - mask, sign-in, green QR code, temperature check.

Once inside - Present your passport, green QR code, and green (hopefully) arrow code. Scan the QR codes on your left as you walk in if you don't have these prepared already. The staff will then pass you an application form. Walk over to the wall of stand-up desks to your right, fill out the forms, then stroll over to the clerks to present the form. They'll print out a sheet of bar coded labels for your tests, take your digital picture, attach everything together with a paper clip, then direct you to the cashier to pay CNY 487 (WeChat, alipay, bank card, etc) Don't know if they still accept cash.

HEALTH CHECKS
Hike up the the 2nd or 3rd floor to start the battery of tests:

3rd floor

Chest X-ray

Physical (height, weight, BMI/body mass index)

2nd floor

ECG

Sonogram

Urine test

Blood Test

Eye test (color blindness and eye chart)

Dental

Heart (pulse, blood pressure)

I may have missed a few like the OB GYN...

It seems they also have a COVID/NAT (nucleic acid test) center in a shipping container lab outside the health center - but I didn't bother jogging over to check if it was still operational. In retrospect, should've checked, as the hospitals are jam packed with Chinese New Year travelers.

RESULTS PICKUP
The test results are ready the afternoon of the second day. The facility seems sparsely busy even though they service both foreigners and nationals. There were rarely lines or noticeable waits beyond a few minutes, with at most 1-2 people ahead of you.

Staff are always nice, polite, professional and tirelessly patient for those of us with limited to no communications abilities.