云南古滇国 :: 昆明市

The last time I passed through Kunming, it was entirely out of necessity as a transit/supplies point for our long trek through Lijiang to end point Zhongdian (Otherwise known as Shangri-la. I like calling it by its original name). I saw a fair bit of Yunnan, but nothing much of Kunming and its surroundings. This trip, I get to explore a little bit more of the city, the outlying villages, hang out with friends and also do random side projects.

Kunming has changed so much between then and today. It's in a state of flux. The city holds 3 million, and is one of the bigger cities in China without a train system. The Kunming Metro is finally under construction now; 2 lines are slated to open by the end of 2014. The new airport has been completed and will be in operation by this June. At every corner, old buildings are being mercilessly torn down. In its place, spanking new towers will be raised. I saw so few old houses left standing. No historical conservation at work here. Minimal, I'd say. Whatever left in the city are not even totally turned into restaurants or retail shops. Old houses are now gradually to be found only in the villages or outskirts of town.

While there's a van and a driver to take us around and out to the villages, there're periods of time we're left on our own in the city. One can't call a cab here. No such system exists. You still go with luck. Cabs are in dire shortage between the morning peak hours and in the evening. It's virtually impossible to get one unless Lady Luck is smiling upon you. The traffic in the city is horrendous. Dunno which clueless planner designed such a convoluted system of roads. It's almost as bad as Jakarta. So walk, and walk. The weather in March is perfect walking weather. A 20-minute walk to and fro each destination isn't too bad. Tones your butt and thighs. Can't believe that I merrily got on the public buses too. Granted, I didn't hop on during peak hours, but the buses were packed. It's the FIRST TIME EVER that I'm taking buses in China.