Fun Things To Do In Kunming

[MilesM]

Hey, guys! I am planning to live and study in China for one year. I have already lived in Shanghai and had an amazing time there, but this time around I am seriously considering Kunming. I am just wondering what are some fun things to do in Kunming. More specifically, I'd like to know about the nightlife in Kunming. Personally, I love going out at night to bars and nightclubs. Which clubs and bars stand out in Kunming? Also, are there any good hookah bars in Kunming? Thanks a lot for your input!!

[abcdefg]

More specifically, I'd like to know about the nightlife in Kunming. Personally, I love going out at night to bars and nightclubs.

 

There are lots of bars, both for expats and locals. I have not set foot in a single one in the 7-plus years I've lived here, so cannot advise as to which ones are good.

 

You can get some idea of night-life options here: http://www.gokunming.com/en/

 

There used to be a forum member who was knowledgeable about the Kunming bar scene. Screen name was Putonghua73. You might read some of his old posts for clues. He also had good tips on finding local girlfriends.

 

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/user/10689-putonghua73/

[Shelley]

Well I might sound like an old fudy dudy here, but a good night life would be last on my list if I was going somewhere to study.

 

From my experience the two don't mix.

 

I hope it works out for you though.

 

Have fun and don't forget about the studying part.

[abcdefg]

No harm in occasionally going out for a drink with friends, but what I frequently see is that it's easy to get into the habit of hanging out in expat clubs, chatting in English, complaining about all things Chinese. "The pizza here really sucks; wish I were back in New York."

 

The "expat cocoon" contains lots of unhappy individuals. Spending too much time with them can set a mood that colors one's entire China experience.

[studychinese]

The "expat cocoon" contains lots of unhappy individuals. Spending too much time with them can set a mood that colors one's entire China experience.

 

 

Indeed! Just avoid them altogether and find an entirely Chinese life outside. 

 

Make an exception for truly exceptional people!

[putonghua73]

@abcdefg

 

 

There used to be a forum member who was knowledgeable about the Kunming bar scene. Screen name was Putonghua73. You might read some of his old posts for clues. He also had good tips on finding local girlfriends

 

Touched that you remember me, even though time-scales in Kunming never coincided whilst I was living there back in 2010. This is the first time that I have visited the site in a very long while, because my (self) study is on hold for a multitude of reasons inc. motivation, time, and need to find a new teacher via iTalki.

 

I am meeting up with a friend who also studied in Kunming tonight. A couple of months ago, we meet up with a couple

(and their 3 year old child), whom we hadn't seen in 5 years since Kunming! There are a bunch of us who all studied in Kunming, and are still are in contact and infrequently see each other when schedules allow many years later.

 

Back to the subject at hand re: nightlife and women. As evidenced above, I left Kunming nearly 5 years ago in Sep 2010. In fact, I only returned to China last September [Xi'an], before heading to Japan with my fiancée to visit her family in Xi'an, for the first time in 4 years!

 

I cannot advise on an up-to-date situation of clubs and bars in Kunming; however, I imagine although places close and open (sad to hear that Vintage cafe closed), things remain the same. There was a fantastic series of post by a poster whose name escapes me on the club scene in China and SE Asia. I might have referenced it in a previous post. Essentially it described Kundu (night-life district in Kunming) to a tee.

 

 

@MilesM

 

Hey, guys! I am planning to live and study in China for one year. I have already lived in Shanghai and had an amazing time there, but this time around I am seriously considering Kunming

 

Why are you "seriously considering" Kunming? You made a lot of references to night-life in your original post, and Shanghai clubbing and Kunming are night and day. Although it has been 5 years, I doubt if Kunming is anywhere near Shanghai's level. There are many good reasons for choosing Kunming to study - night-life is not one of them.

 

That doesn't mean to say that Kunming doesn't have a night-life (it does), you need to have a realistic expectation of what to expect if one of your main reasons is a vibrant night-life. I spent 6 months hearing Lady GaGa's 'Pokerface" on constant rotation (minimum 3 times a night) everywhere I goddamn went! 

 

I frequently miss Kunming: clement weather, families dancing in the public squares and by the river in the evening, relaxed pace of life, wandering through the university with blossoms in the air, hiking in Western Hills, riding a electric bike around the city, grabbing a drink on WenLinJie and watching the World [women] go by, visiting some of the parks with the sound of cicadas buzzing in my ears. Kundu doesn't feature in that list for a very good reason.

 

Decide what factors are important to you, and have a realistic expectation of what to expect. If you are base-lining Shanghai's night-life with Kunming's, you will end up disappointed.

[putonghua73]

Bad form replying when the last post was my own. 

 

@MilesM

 

I re-read some of the older threads from 2010 (usually the ones where abcdefg posted his usual gold nuggets of advice), and it may be an option to evaluate Kunming amongst a number of other places for a 1-3 month trial, given that you have a year in China. Given that you're a bit of an old China hand and haven't just arrived in China for the first time backpack in tow (circa myself in Hong Kong in 2007, getting off the bus in Mong Kok right, bang, smack in the middle of rush-hour, jet-lagged to hell, without a clue or a hotel reservation), you are experienced enough with life in China to settle fairly quickly, spend time studying and evaluating whether you wish to spend a chunk of time in Kunming.

 

If Kunming doesn't meet your expectations, proceed to Option B or C (as an experienced China hand, you will inevitably have a range of options and places to try). For me, I had 6 months, and I wasn't an experienced China hand - fortunately, Kunming and my school exceeded all of my expectations. That said, if I had a year, I could see the appeal in trying somewhere completely different every 3 months - unless you really developed roots.

[abcdefg]

Welcome back! Kunming is more sedate than in 2010. Having a satisfactory love life depends more than ever on personal initiative. But I'm pleased to report that it's still definitely possible.