User profile: GoK Moderator

User info
  • Registered
  • VerifiedYes

Forum posts

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Temporary drivers licence in Yunnan

Interesting indeed.

However, it looks like the only difference in status is that you don't need to be a resident in China. It may be that you still need to take the theory test for Chinese driving regulations, the info provided in the links suggests this is the case.

If I am correct, then you can get a temporary driving licence if you have some purpose to drive, part of a tour perhaps. I assume then you would be in a hired or borrowed vehicle.

For most of us, who have a temporary certificate of residence from the local police, the temporary drivers licence offers no advantages over the permanent one.

Although one of the posts in China moto, suggested it was to buy a motorcycle in another province. This is a way of buying larger engined motorcycles, I have seen 1000cc sports bikes in China (not legal in Shanghai but I have seen them with other province plates).

0
Forums > Food & Drink > "Wedding Banquet" venues?

Diana's has a buffet, has nice decor, and is not expensive.
They are on Dongfeng Xi Lu near the centre.

Downside, not much for meat eaters.

Mostly Chinese dishes.

But from what I understand (if this is a Chinese wedding) they will expect a sit down with all the trimmings, Bai Jiu, and cigarettes on every table; but the Hong Bao will cover the costs. Even if it is a working class wedding, no expense is spared. Especially if this is the brides first wedding.
I don't know what the expectation is for a second wedding.

At one wedding I went to in Guizhou, they collected 450RMB per head from guests as they entered the hall.

I am glad I got married in UK.

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Importing to China

I would suggest you use a shipping agent/import company. They charge fees, but will not see you wrong, as they do all the paperwork.

I think the larger ports also have bilingual websites with some information on customs duties. Shanghai, Shenzen, Dalian, Beijing.

Local consultancies are 10 a penny, and most are not worth 2 cents. Many will just take your money and give poor advice. Possibly based on an Ebay purchase they once made, that was delivered by UPS. I jest not. I would suggest caution if approached in response to your classified add. But would accept referrals from other expat companies that import.

It might help to know what you are thinking of importing, in what quantities, from where, by what mode of transport, and through what port?

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Solutions other than VPN

I think the only other solutions are offered by Quantas, Air Asia, Air France, Virgin, United, etc. etc.

It really is frustrating, and now even paid for VPNs are going down it is depressing.

Classifieds

No results found.

Comments

I don't think the courts are uneducated. I think more cynically. The amount owed is $14k. I bet the owners are still driving flash cars and own several properties. The company may not have assets to pay, but I bet the owners do.

I have just come back from a quick trip around that area, and spent one afternoon and night in Dali. Dali has found a new identity.

I have visited Dali several times over the years, and like many people on here was disappointed with what I saw. The slow commercialisation of Dali, leading to a schizophrenic (not one thing, not another) mess.

On my recent visit, the street vendors had gone the really low end food places had mostly gone. The city was busy, and for a mid-week just before CNY that was surprising. It was not a frantic busy, everything was moving smoothly and working well. Even noise seemed to be down, and I found it a lot less stressful.

There is a sort of gentrification among traders. There are more upmarket shops. There are many more shaokao (national trend) and most of these are chains, rather than small independents. Many of the small family food places have redecorated and are not the old dim and dismal places that they used to be. The commercial development has also spread into other streets.

Dali is not the Dali of old, but it has found a new identity. This new identity may not be to everybody's taste, but I found the city a much nicer place to stay, than I did 3 years ago.

@Janjal, your argument contains many assumptions and additional requirements (story tellers etc). If we cannot provide the additional resources your suggested strategy would require and you cannot get China's rural poor to demand answers; again we have a moot point.
Comparing EU farmers, who are business owners who learn to work the system for profit with the rural poor, Is perhaps a case of chalk and cheese.

Of course material wealth is not the only measure, but it affects many other measures, and is a predominant feature in a capitalist system.

Perhaps it is human nature to want more than we have now, in capitalism this includes having more than the guy next to us. If we have more now than we had before, there is likely to be a sense of achievement/progress/increased security/satisfaction/happiness in that fact alone,. It is also a very simple qualitative measure for almost anyone.

Q. Do I have more than last year. A. Yes/no. If yes, has my relative position compared to my neighbors also improved? Am I content/happy with this?
In reality the questions are not even asked, they are not even out there, but they are part of the zeit geist. In cities with stronger economic growth the answers to the questions are going to be yes for more people. Chengdu is such a place. It is only when the personal costs of achieving this wealth are perceived to outweigh the advantages of the new wealth that people start to question it, but that comes later.

Reviews


By

A reasonable choice of lumber that has improved over time. Fancy hardwoods like walnut, and mahogany are in abundance. There are some plywood and rubber-wood boards available. There are also some kiln dried imported softwoods and merbao available. Some of the lumber is very green, so look for the kiln dried if you need stable timbers.


By

Echo everything said by others.
Breakfast great and the serve from 8am. Most other places say 9am and they still are not ready.
Sandwiches are cheap 22-32, and really packed full of filling. We got some sandwiches for a day out, the only mistake I made was ordering two, as this was too much. These are seriously good sangars, and they are wrapped in alu foil.


By

In fairness to Metro, they are a wholesalers, and not really a supermarket. Hence the need for a card, which can be got around.

They have improved in the year I have been away. They now carry a more consistent range of imported foodstuffs and they also seem to have sorted out the mported milk supply.

They have a wider range of electrical appliances now, there is a coice of more than one toast. There is also a better range of seasonal non foods, like clothes, shoes, garden furniture and camping gear.