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Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

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By Towards the Unknown
December 5th 2009

My 100 Days in China Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

My 100 Days in China.

After all the problems, troubles, hurdles which seemed to be not to overcome, tears and struggling with getting used to living here, came the time to celebrate my first 100 days in China. It seems to be only 100 days but I think they were my "the most changing life" 100 days. Many things happened, I have experienced many bad things. But now, I can tell I feel (for many reasons) happy. Except all the hardships I had to go through, I have been surrounded by many open warm hearts. Now I cannot imagine my life here without them. Of course [View Full Entry]

Yang Jin Bo, Yujun and me in the most awesome slippers Ive ever got.

On both of the slippers are dedications.

By Towards the Unknown
November 21st 2009

魔方 Bar Opening! Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Typical bouquets in front of the new opened place.

So after months of hard work Hou Xia, the owner of the AiKe bar (爱客) in which I teach English, together with her boyfriend and the managers opened a new bar- MoreFun (魔方- magic cube). Of course on the occasion of it was organized an opening party which lasted four days. Every day many guests, around 80- 100 people- friends, family and even my friends from the university. And everyone was same impressed. Waiters, bartenders and chefs (not to mention the managers) gave 100%. From 6:30PM dinner that included about twenty meals and from 9:00PM coctail party :) Only del [View Full Entry]

These both are supposed to bring good luck to the bar. The cat belongs to the Japanese tradition, the fish to the Chinese tradition.

By mandy7
November 19th 2009

Day 13 - Kunming Ethnic theme park & shopping Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

We had our first night at the New Era Hotel in Kunming last night and it was ok. The room is nice but there isnt the greatest sound proofing and we could hear all water usage from a nearby room bathroom, not great when trying to sleep. Yet again our room is really hot and it's hard to sleep and breath in the hot air. All out hotels have been like this - its crazy! We also have 2 pillows each, one normal and one that is seriously filled with beans like a beanie baby - hilarious! No surprises that we [View Full Entry]

By mandy7
November 18th 2009

Day 12 - Arrived in Kunming Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

We have arrived in Kunming today... This morning we had breaky at the hotel as usual, had a wander around the hotel and found the pool. It is huge and to me looks finished, just missing water. There were also 2 spa's a big one and smaller one, I guess they will be different temperatures. It's a pity we won't get to use them ever as we don't think we will be going back to Lijiang in the future. It was hard to get around and see things as no-one really speaks English and it is very remote. On the plus [View Full Entry]

By Towards the Unknown
November 18th 2009

Winter Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Siberian seagulls.

Seagulls from Siberia flew to Kunming. It's a sign that to "the city of an eternal spring" came winter. Every year the seagulls are an attraction for the local people. Everyone gathers around the Green Lake park and takes photos. Seagulls don't only attract the local people but also people selling "special" bread. ("Special" because the same kind of bread is used to make hot dogs in the summer time.) Another evidence for it that creativity of the Chinese people and their ideas for making money have no limits. Unfortunately, winter brought also its hardships. It doesn't snow, there is no [View Full Entry]

By LiuMing
November 16th 2009

Kunming Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Kunming, Jinbi square

Llevo en Kunming varios días. No sé aún por qué, porque ciertamente a parte de la publicidad que hay de Yunnan en general predicando bondades, realmente en su capital Kunming hay muy poco que ver. Se trata de una ciudad especialmente fea y contaminada, donde no me parece que destaquen tanto esos jardines de los que hablan. Con un urbanismo que ha arrasado con lo poco que tenía y con pocas cosas que llamen la atención. Y hoy para colmo de todos mis males me han robado la cartera en el propio hostel, lo que incluye identificación personal, bastante dinero y [View Full Entry]

By merrillrose
November 15th 2009

Pickpockets and Closed Offices Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Guanyin Temple

This week I started to worry that I hadn't blogged recently, and I didn't really have any material I felt like writing about. But, I told myself not to be too concerned, because new things always pop up here. I was sure something would come along soon, and I was right. Be careful what you wish for... I have a history of losing my wallet. It happens a couple times a year, and disaster usually ensues. Banks, insurance companies, Visa, the Massachusetts RMV, they must know my name by now from all the cards I've replaced. So it was only reasonable [View Full Entry]

By Towards the Unknown
November 15th 2009

Originally made in China Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Red, green and yellow ones. You can choose your favorite color.

The Chinese people are famous for coming up with newer and newer products that spread around the world. Imagination has no limits though. One day, while walking some street I noticed a guy selling... small chickens. In a few colors. As I got to know aftarwards, they are dyed (permanently!) and genetically modified so they don't grow up. And people are buying them as... pets. They eat dogs and cats and domesticate chickens. Well... The matter of liklings? *** Chinczycy slynni sa z wymyslania coraz to nowszych produktow, ktore zasypuja caly swiat. Wyobraznia jednak nie ma granic. Przech [View Full Entry]

By Blubba
November 13th 2009

October Holiday- Kunming and Dali Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Hongqiao Airport

This blog entry is LONG overdue...but better late than never. For the October Holiday I travelled to Yunnan province in the South West of China. The first stop was Kunming. The flight took about 3 hours, and when we flew over the city it looked very different than Shanghai. Still a big city, but instead of 18 million people, it has a population closer to that in Toronto. There were fewer tall buildings and more space. When we landed, we hired a man to drive us to our hotel (which was all booked ahead of time) thanks to Jess, who is [View Full Entry]

By Pennyfarthing
November 8th 2009

The End of the Road Asia » China » Yunnan » Kunming

Town in Valley

Saturday morning saw us up at 6am and off the the airport for an early flight to Kunming. Our backup bus met us at the airport and took us on the 1 1/2 hour trip to the Stone Forest south of the airport. This is a forest of 100 acres or more of stones sticking out of the ground and weather worn over th last 2 million years. Many look like animals and people, examples being the queen with her crown, fish kissing, tiger, dog etc. It was very interesting and was accompanied by traditional dancing. The worst mistake we made [View Full Entry]

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