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Guide to Kunming, China (Peoples Republic)
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KunmingKunming
The capital of the Yunnan Province, Kunming is one of few metropolitan centers in China whose development has not grown rampant, along with the flow of massive industrial and commercial investment occurring today throughout the nation. Kuming eluded the pull Hong Kong and Beijing had little way of avoiding, and though cultural and technological trends have an inevitable way of finding new places for subsistence, an infrastructure of countless high-rises and a massive population, you will not find here. Despite its having been around for roughly two millennia and its current status as the provincial top dog, Kunming is a buoy for preservation that has unfortunately been paved over by glamorous architectural wonders with little regard for the past they've either concealed or replaced. This process of revitalization is nothing new in today's interconnected "world of web space," but if you're looking for something other than streets lined with fast-food establishments, gadget shops, and towering office complexes, you often need to sacrifice having familiar accommodations on hand when remote destinations are the sole keepers of historic properties. Kunming works around this current status quo, making it quite easy for the average traveler to experience the earliest roots of its own Chinese region without restricting you from a comfortable bed or possibly even some cafes-turned-WIFI-joints. There are few aged sites in Kunming's center, as one would suspect. Most kept standing are located within its outer circle, where the grid is far less congested and it's possible to enjoy some space of your own while traveling to and fro. It's a sad fact that in the years to come, the number of priceless throwbacks to pre-boom China will likely be very low. For mental images worth keeping, we suggest a visit to Kunming be made in the near future.
When to go:
China's southern regions are known for their susceptibility to summer days often breaking 100F. If you're especially sensitive to warmer weather, we advise looking to visit Kunming another time. Spring and autumn usually top peoples' lists as the most inviting of seasons; the former comes out ahead by a pinch when one factors in the blooming period. The country's bottom half experiences much milder winters than the north though you're guaranteed a few good chills no matter where you go.
Getting there and around:
Daily connections with both Beijing and Hong Kong are made to/from Kunming, and unless you're located somewhere within the Asian or South Asian continents, you can hedge your bets that a stop inside one of China's two most popular will be a scenario you're guaranteed to come across. An airport operated fleet of buses are in absence at Kunming's Wujiaba Airport. If you wish to avoid the costly fare of a taxi, a few public buses make routing rounds every day outside the terminal gates. Because most of China is adept at the practice of walking, you might as well do as locals do and rely on the most primitive of transit methods to go about your business. Taxis are easily hired if you ever find yourself at a considerable distance from your hotel in the late hours of the evening. A negotiation of fare prior to the journey is a must.
Attractions:
Designed by some of the most celebrated names in the game, the Spring City Golf and Lake Resort (Note: Spring City is Kunming's nickname, appointed by an impressed Marco Polo) is a few dozen miles from the city center, effectively making it a day-trip attraction. The resort holds an international standard of 18 holes with plenty of vacationer accommodations, if you're so inclined to spend more than a day here. A marvelous architectural highlight, the Jin Dian (Golden Temple) is a 17th-century Daoist tribute, with an abundance of accoutrements that have any admirer of man-made creations in awe. Complementing the Jin Dian is the hilltop Zhong Lou, or Bell Tower. It stands 36 meters tall.
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