Yesterday, after a highly commendable dumpling breakfast, delivered as usual to our room, we took the train back to Kunming:



After two hours on the rails, a few stops on the metro, and a short walk (this bit included a humongous intersection, but it was equipped, as usual, with pedestrian lights), we're at our next bit of accommodation.

We're staying in a different part of town this time. In the Grand Mercure, aka Xi Ting or Kunming Wan Ting (no hotel without its alternative names...).


So we're now in the Guandu area, and therefore very close to Guandu Old Town. Strolling around there is what we did today.

Yesterday, however, we just sussed out our immediate locality. Again, there's a mall that seems to have fallen on hard times:


Just round the corner, meanwhile, a night market was setting up, and already apparently thriving.

This morning: An excellent buffet breakfast! Lots of low-carb options, all nicely cooked and presented.

And then we explored what is another of Kunming's rare older areas. As before, it's sometimes hard to know what's old-old and what's new-old, but the more obviously touristy bit (not difficult to negotiate because its broad streets absorb lots of foot traffic) is surrounded by an authentic-seeming area where tripe-stalls sit cheek by jowl with mobile phone shops.

Again, it's all very photogenic:







As you wander further afield, you find a succession of picturesque temples, gates, and handsome buildings:














So that was all good. Kunming remained enjoyable to the last.

The rest of the day has been a bit humdrum, as we catch up with things that had fallen behind a bit, and get ready for our onward journey (to Dubai) tomorrow. (One of the tasks was laundry, as this estimable hotel provides guests with free washing machines to use...)

But I'm grateful for these two fascinating weeks in China, and hope that we'll be able to exploit the learning curve they involved with a return visit not too far down the track.

I'll close with a few cats: