Forums > Travel Yunnan > Travel to Wuhan Sleeper trains generally are not bad.
I prefer the soft sleeper as there are only 4 to a berth and the berth door locks. And the bed is softer. Toilets are cleaner, more to do with the class of passenger.
The hard sleeper is 6 to a berth but not much head room, and the end of the berth is open to the corridor. People may also play cards till late and drink.
I am not sure if there is a bullet train to Wuhan, CRH train.
The only other things I can say about the sleepers is.
Soft sleeper get the top bunk as the bottom bunk is also seating, and you have to wait for others to go to bed.
Hard sleeper, middle bunk as the top bunk has the least headroom.
Keep valuables inside your outer layer of clothing, including phones etc.
I never get much sleep on the sleeper and have a stiff neck and feel like crap for several days after a trip.
Forums > Living in Kunming > Rental agents near Green Lake Real estate is a very localised market here. Almost by the neighbourhood.
Go to the neighbourhood you like and look in all the realtors' windows. You will soon see that 80% of the property is common to all of them.
There are some bigger chains here, like 21st Century, but they will be less likely to negotiate over the finders fees and deposits.
Some however will work harder than others.
Don't just say I am looking for something how much, you will get stung. Ask to see specific properties from the window cards, as the rent is already marked on them.
The market here is not regulated. Don't expect high levels of professionalism. Some agents are helpful, others are just pap.
Forums > Living in Kunming > Natural Gas versus Electric Hot Water Heaters Ref gas/elec bills differential
They are probably only using gas to cook for about 15 minutes per day. And a shower twice a week. Washing up in cold water is common here. Mop floor with cold water.
We may be using it to heat water for washing up and showers twice a day. Hot water to mop floors.
Elec will also be higher for us. We leave lights on, use more than a single bulb on dim lighting, watch more TV and have computers running longer. Thier kids will have no TV and will be ruining their eyes studying to a 5w bulb.
Forums > Living in Kunming > Natural Gas versus Electric Hot Water Heaters Sounds odd Chingis.
Gas blockage would not stop water flow that I can see. Unless someone can enlighten me.
The nozzles on the taps has a filter that clogs. This reduces water flow. If flow is too low the heater will not come on due to a safety mechanism.
We cleaned our nozzles with vinegar (2 day soak), although a propriety drain cleaner may work better. Having said that, I have now taken our nozzle filter off. The only differences are that water comes out faster, but not in a nice jet as before.
Kunming new home sales plunge
Posted byPersonally, I do not see a huge re-adjustment of prices anytime soon.
The reason is that a lot of this property was bought for investment and is not used for homes. Many are undecorated and will remain so. Many Chinese are still looking to buy a bargain, but again as a possible investment.
No-one is in a hurry to sell, except developers. Unless the banks get heavy with them, and a red envelope usually cures that, they will not drastically drop prices to sell units. In fact if they did it would affect their equity, as the housing stock would be worth a somewhat less on paper.
Many private owner here have 2 or more properties. I know one guy with over 30. Many local companies also own properties, also mostly undecorated. The only thing that would force people to sell would be if there was a recession that hit China and people needed to liquefy their assets. Property prices could then tumble due to a rush to sell before the bubble burst, and this would become a self fulfilling prophecy.
But most Chinese will play the long game.
my 2 cents
Recipe: Spicy taro and greens
Posted byI would like to see more recipes like this.
Simple recipe for a common local food.
There are many fresh foods that I have not seen before and am not sure what to do with them. I am sure I am not alone.
There are also some dishes that are more palatable for foreigners, than others.
Perhaps GoK could open up to submissions of simple recipes from other writers.
Getting Away: Xishan
Posted byWent there last week. Did not see what happened at ticket office, but if you get the chair lift (I enjoy the ride) they make you buy tickets for Long Men (Dragon Gate) as well. Even if you don't want to go to Long Men.
Chinese college freshmen increasingly unfit
Posted byPS
The comment about kids going to the doctors during military training in the article. There is nothing wrong with the kids, this is a 'sick note' culture developing. "Mummy, I don't want to go to school today. My tummy hurts".
Chinese college freshmen increasingly unfit
Posted byThere is no emphasis on sport in schools. Yes kids to physical jerks every day, but it is not strenuous. Also, participating in a real sport will lead to improved physical dexterity (as well as strength), and for team sports kids will learn to be part of a unit that works together, something missing at the moment.
All of this will require taking time out of the classroom learning schedule. What many people here don't acknowledge is study burn out, taking time out of class for sport can and does improve classroom performance.
Not everyone will excel at sport, but all who do it will benefit in many ways. Not just in fitness.