The email above is specifically for american citizen services, hence the ACS in the moniker...
The email above is specifically for american citizen services, hence the ACS in the moniker...
@duke
Try it again - sometimes the ISP (Internet Service Provider) just can't get to the site.
The US Embassy China and consulates are all attached to a .org.cn domain name - so the sites aren't picked up the the Great Firewall, unless they violate local Chinese internet laws.
I connected to the website without any problems.
WEBSITE
china.usembassy-china.org.cn/embassy-consulates/guangzhou/
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR US CITIZENS
Telephone:
+86 20 3814-5775, within China
Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov
The consulates and embassies are ALL supposed to maintain a 7/24 telecom presence, but because of COVID - they may be running reduced services (your tax dollars at work). If you can't connect to Guangzhou - call the main embassy in Beijing.
Finally - there's a "US Citizens in Yunnan" WeChat group - which used to be operated by the Chengdu consulate and is sort of moderated by Kunming denizens with some sparse moderation by the US Consulate Guangzhou.
FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
Kunming has a volunteer consulate deputy. The Guangzhou consulate and the US Embassy MAY want to add their information to the gokm listings section as a US citizen courtesy.
Other foreign nationals may also wish to add their consulate and embassy information to the gokm listings section also.
I quit playing decades ago - but I still enjoy hitting balls at the practice ranges. It's kind of zen.
As for green fees aka course prices - ¥300-400 for 18 holes is actually inexpensive compared to western green fees - which were over double that amount over 20 years ago...in the USA.
But golf courses are environmentally hideous. They pour fertilizer and insecticide cocktails on the courses to maintain the green look - which then leeches into the ground water and eventually our drinking water.
Many golf courses today are migrating towards environmentally sustainable practices - such as organic fertilizers and insecticides, planting bug-repellent shrubs, bushes, and ground covers, etc - but these practices are expensive and drive up the costs of course fees.
I thought I'd start a thread on golf driving ranges - locations, costs, etc.
Right now I know of two, one at Kunming Sports Stadium in Xishan and the other (I think) at Tuodong Sports Stadium in Panlong.
Not sure about the fees, cost per bucket of balls, and membership dues if any.
We have an expensive washer/dryer combo (Panasonic). The dryer has never worked properly (probably an altitude thing. One of the problems is it takes a ≥7kg load but can only dry 3.5kg (duh) and SOMEONE overloads it regularly.
To get around utterly useless service guy - we bought a soft closet which comes with an external hot air blower (like a big hair dryer). I still use the W/D combo to tumble the dried clothes to "soften them up".
They typically sell for ≥CNY 200+ but with the double 11 holiday coming up - you might be able to get a deal. Your laundry may still come out stiff (as though it's starched) as Kunming water seems rather exceptionally harsh.
We also bought some lavender water online (hit or miss on this one as some lavender water we've bought smells more like some kind of noxious weeds) which adds a nice natural lavender scent to your laundry.
The air dryer can also be used to quickly heat up your room in winter - just beware the electricity bills and the rapid dehumidifier side effects.
Wifey also likes to hand wash a lot of clothes as she claims our expensive low-water washing machine doesn't wash our clothes clean (because SOMEONE overloads it - it's a side loader and SOMEONE loads it like a top-loader).
For heavy laundry items such as bath towels and sheets - you'll have to "flip" the laundry inside a few times to dry the "insides".
I don't believe any bed bug can survive inside that sauna...
Hope this helps.
No results found.
Fuxian Lake is a major vigorously and rigorously protected potable (drinkable) water source. It's host to a plethora of fresh water food, BBQs and the Hilton Hotel overlooks the lake. Behind the Hilton is a rather large collection of villas (HK style), many with basements, garage (not necessarily connected to your home though), and lap pools, if the lake is too far to walk (it's about 1-2km away).
The lake surroundings are a future development site for Yuxi City, so should be interesting to see how the city develops, while complying with the national protection of water resources.
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...
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.
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!
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.
Kunming's bike share options: A user guide
Posted byI seem to see quite few people, including kids, using the various systems, so in that regard, assuming it's economically sustainable, I personally think it's a great idea, with tremendous social value.
As for the very valid issues raised above, the system will have some growing pains as the operators and the cities learn to coexist with this new emerging social and business model.
Interview: Kunming Keats School co-founder Liu Zier
Posted byGreat article and introduction to Keats. I noticed the article did NOT touch on employee loyalty and retention programs (at the cost of profit). Keats may wish to address this kind of core infrastructure in the future, at the appropriate time.
Popular night market locations closed, ban appears permanent
Posted byAlthough the street markets were somewhat interesting - I'm actually glad they cleared them off the sidewalks and are also clearing the streets of illegally parked cars. The area around wenhua xiang looks and feels much more relaxed now.
Fall from grace complete, Qiu He sentenced to prison
Posted byVery sad to hear about Qiu He. Accomplished so much for this city during his short tenure.
Yuxi begins experiment as one of China's 'Sponge Cities'
Posted byFinally - the beginning of separation of sewage from rainwater. Now - if they could only monetize the system in some manner, so they won't need to raise taxes.