User profile: GoK Moderator

User info
  • Registered
  • VerifiedYes

Forum posts

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Good Puer store

I can recommend the store next to China Merchants Bank on Dong Fang Dong Lu. Near the crossroads with Bai Ta Lu (I think) close to the Thai Consulate on the same side of the road.

It was recommended to us by a Kunmingnese. It is not a cheap place, but they have the full range of teas. Unlike a lot of the cheap places, you get what you have paid for.

They do the full tasting. We spent about 2 hours there and they never showed any impatience or tried to hurry us up, even though it was passed their closing.

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Driver License Test

Yep, there are 1300 questions to learn.
But some are the same question written differently in different sections.

Other questions are grouped and so are easier to learn
e.g. What is the speed limit on [a type of road].
A: 30 kph
B: 40 kph
C: 50 kph
D: 70 kph
All 4 answers are used for different types of road.

Some others always have the same answer, for example on the spot fines for driving offences. Are always the same amount, if it is on the spot.

The road signs are a bit trickier.
For example, there is one sign for a crosswalk.
The question is 'What type of sign is this?'.
One of the answers is for a crosswalk.

However the correct answers is that it is an advisory sign. Why? because it is square.

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Walmart no more

I do the Metro run for stuff I cannot get in the local supermarket. And then I fill the freezer.

Meat from the wet market, as long as you buy it in the morning it seems to be OK. Never had food poisoning from the wet market.

Veg from the wet market or from farmers at the side of the road.

0
Forums > Living in Kunming > Elementary Education in Kunming

Primary-middle school is free in state schools, but many headmasters take bribes if the school is a bit better and parents seek it. I am not sure if education is free if you don't have a Hukou for the same city as the school is in.

However, there are many 'experimental' schools which are run as private enterprises. They will always be cost focussed, and looking to maximise profits by charging for anything.

Classifieds

No results found.

Comments

Personally, 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

I 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.

Went 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.

PS

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".

There 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.

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.