Kunming Shopping

Shopping

Backstreets

There is a university (Yunnan) nearby the town centre and so it would be worth wandering through some of the back streets of Kunming (near the CuiHu park). Here, catering for the students, you will find some chilled out cafes and cool clothing boutiques with numerous items of clothing/accessories all at a bargain price (relative to western prices of course!).

The bigger department stores on the main roads have the usual fare, nothing particularly worth mentioning.  

Eating

You will also find in the back streets some cheap eating outlets. Plenty of cheap noodle places. The best piece of advice is to wander about, find somewhere that looks reasonable full and go for it!

Just outside the entrance to the International Youth Hostel (see accommodation section) is a buffet meal place which is not much to look at but offers basic Chinese filling food for about 5Y! You have to go to the ticket desk at the back of the (rather small) 'restaurant' and pay the money (two price options - the more expensive 5Y bowl is the larger size) and receive a ticket. Then go to the buffet/eating area which often spills over into the yard as lots of people eat here. Give the person your ticket and they will fill you up a big bowl of rice. You then bascially point at the meat and veg options you want and the server will dish it out for you! You can find a stool outside, join the locals and munch away! Simple and tasty food. They offer generous portions so you won't go hungry!