Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs
The main branch of the Bank of China (Mon-Fri 8:30am-noon and 2-5pm) is at Renmin Dong Lu 448. ATMs here accept international cards.
Consulates
The Laos consulate (tel. 0871/317-6623) is in room 120 of the Camellia Hotel at Dongfeng Dong Lu 96 (Mon-Fri 9-11:30am and 2-4pm). Transit visas (5-7 days) and standard 15-day tourist visas (valid within 2 months of issue) can be issued in 3 working days (ordinary service) or by the next working day (express service). Fees vary from ¥260 to ¥360 for ordinary service and from ¥400 to ¥500 for express service. You cannot currently get a Laos visa at the border. Bring two photos and complete two application forms.
The Myanmar consulate (tel. 0871/360-3477; fax 0871/360-2468; www.mcg-kunming.com/consulate.htm) is located in Room A504, 5th Floor, Long Yuan Hao Zhai, 166, Wei Yuan Jie, (Mon-Fri 8:30am-noon and 1-2pm). Standard 28-day travel visas costing ¥285 and valid within 3 months of issue can be issued in 3 working days; for same-day service, expect to pay an extra ¥150. This visa is only good for flying into Yangon or Mandalay.
The Thai consulate (tel. 0871/316-2033, ext. 62105; fax 0871/316-6891) is located on the grounds of the Kunming Hotel at Dongfeng Dong Lu 50-52 (Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm).
The Vietnamese consulate (tel. 0871/352-2669; fax 0871/351-6667; e-mail: tlsqcm@yahoo.com) is located at 2/F, Jiahua Square Hotel, 157 Beijing Rd. (Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm).
The Cambodian Consulate (tel. 0871/331-7320,; fax 0871/331-6220; rcgcamkm@yahoo.com) is located on the 4th Floor, Kunming Guangfang Hotel, No 172, Xinying Rd. (Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm).
Internet Access
The imposing Yunnan Provincial Library on Cui Hu Nan Lu 141 has a large number of machines on the third floor (9am-8pm); ¥1 per hour. Alex in the English language section is also a mine of information on Kunming sightseeing.
Post Office
The main post office (8am-8pm) is at Dongfeng Dong Lu 14, and another (9am-8pm) is west of the railway station.
Visa Extensions
The visa office is located at counter 57 of the People's Service Center of Kunming Municipality (Kunming Shizhengfu Bianmin Zhongxin), Renmin Dong Lu 196 (tel. 0871/319-6540; Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30am and 1-5:30pm), but things are distinctly more efficient up in Dali.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
