Kunming

Trip Start Apr 22, 2004
1
5
Trip End May 09, 2004


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow
Where I stayed
(Kunming hotels)

Flag of China  ,
Friday, April 23, 2004

This was the beginning of quite an adventure. I took an overnight train ride from Hanoi to the China border, crossed overland over the bridge, then proceeded with an overnight sleeper bus to Kunmning, China. Plenty of sketchy people along the way that scammed me out of a few US$, but what else do you expect in remote parts like this. Looking back I'm glad I didn't sweat it, they did what they told me they'd do and did it with a smile - deserving intrepid entrepreneurs.

China was really much more difficult to travel in than I originally predicted. Very few people speak English here, especially in the rural parts of China that pervade Yunnan Province. I had no idea how the tranportation system worked either, whether train, bus, or private car was the predominant mode of transport. I eventually found that overnight busses suit a budget backpacker like me just fine. The ride from the border to Kunming took 15hours, a typical distance to travel for this part of the country. I got my own, though rather short and narrow, bunk in the bus (i'm short and narrow as it is... watchout you tall europeans!). The bus is really set up more like a caged in jungle gym than a Comfort Inn, but who can complain when you're only paying $10 to travel over 400miles. Cleanliness is not of top concern either. Smokers dominate sections of the bus and spit directly on the floor when their gummed up tobacco filled lungs can't take it anymore. This is no exaggeration! But it's all part of the adventure, eh?!

Kunming has one hostel that beats out the rest, hands down. The Camellia is an affordable ($5/night) and very clean place, with satellite TV in the common room, separate sex bathroom and showers, kitchen, and laundry room where hand washes can be done. Really awesome. Downtown isn't far away either. I really got a chance to stretch my legs in this manageable town, visiting most parts of this econimically exploding town. I also bought tons of clothes here for dirt cheap (much cheaper than in eastern china!).
Slideshow Print this entry