Dazzer, Geezer, Liuming, Magnifico, 123go - If it sounds like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck or a Gaoxing. I also thought this was Gaoxing but then I checked that Crazy has 195 previous forum posts, and he has only been here since April. Busy guy for a newbie right Tonyaod?

Yes, it is true, this is a valid question - if OP was 17 years old or even 22 years old. I thought you were in Beijing before? Let me see? At least 3 months in Kunming and how long in Beijing? How long does someone have to live in China before they are NO longer called Newbies?

Chingis, I agree with your plea to the moderator.

All the restaurants that lined the road leading to the entrance have now been demolished. Locals have lost their homes and businesses that once thrived on this street. Big business moving in and the working man/woman gets booted out.

There was a time not too long ago when private cars were allowed in to the Hua Ting Temple, Tai Hua Temple and Dragon Gate. Now, no cars are permitted and the road has been closed except to those who want to walk the 7 km to the top.

Bus 6, 51, and 94 all go to the Gao Yao bus stop where a new staging area has been built. Here everyone is herded into the Green Bus (15 Yuan one way or 25 Yuan round trip) that will take you to the Lower Dragon Gate Cable Car office.

When you disembark from the Green Bus you must purchase a ticket for Dragon Gate for 40 Yuan as well as a ticket for the cable car (25 Yuan one way or 50 Yuan round trip). You can skip the cable car and walk if you like.

I recommend you take a bus to the Gao Yao bus stop where you can find local drivers in minivans who will take you to the Upper Dragon Gate Cable car office for 15 Yuan. The minivan drivers are NOT permitted to use the road that has been made for the Green Bus. No one can use this road any more. The locals have found a way to get you to the Upper Dragon Gate office by using a back road that goes through Bi Ji Guan Village.

I think using the minivan driver (15 Yuan) is much better for 2 reasons. 1 - You dont need to purchase a cable car ticket (Save 25 Yuan) to take you up because the driver will take you to the top Gate which is at the top of the cable car and directly in front of the Dragon Gate entrance. 2 - You are helping the locals who have been stripped of their livelyhood by the new Green Bus.

www.hugoyunnantravel.com/des_kunming.asp?page=3

A new ticket office has been built and the old ticket office that was 20 meters from the main gate has been demolished. There was nothing wrong with the old ticket office but the new ticket office has been convenietly placed 2 km from the main gate of Stone Forest. So now, in addition to the 175 Yuan fee, you must also purchase an electric car ticket for 25 Yuan unless you want to walk 2 km to the Main Gate.

Anyone who has been to the Stone Forest knows that this an all day event if you really want to see and appreciate all that the Stone Forest has to offer. I was there 2 weeks ago and we spent 7 hours to walk the entire Major Stone Forest. I personally do NOT want to begin the day by walking 2 km from the ticket office to the main gate.

www.hugoyunnantravel.com/des_kunmingB.asp

At first I was disturbed to see this thread which calls for more rules and even censorship but I was quickly delighted to see mature replies like that of Tiger who briefly and dircetly stated - If it ain't broke, dont fix it. Well done! Also, Laotou, you eloquently stated how more rules and censorship are not needed. I am glad to see some members still follow the best rule of all - Live and let Live.

At times I find some threads which I dislike for some reason or other but I find that Self censorship is the best - I just move on and continue with my life and not allow a few words on a screen to occupy space in my mind.