40 years on: Kunming locals tell changes in travelling vehicle

Episode 1

I came to Kunming from Shanghai to support the border areas in 1974, when I was 22. Every four years, I was granted one-month leave to visit my relatives in Shanghai.

At that time, the train was green, and it was hard to get a berth ticket. I had to take a hard seat, and the 36-hour journey back to Shanghai even caused my legs to swell.

The train was crowded with the toilet often occupied. At night, passengers were sleeping wherever possible: on the aisle, under the seat, or against the window...

It took 5 yuan to get a lunch box on the train, including a fried egg, fried greens and some meat. I could not afford it, so I prepared before departure 15 cooked eggs and 10 boxes of instant noodles which nourished me for three days.

Last year, I took a bullet train to Shanghai, and I was excited, seeing a speed indicator of 300 km/h on it.

It only took me 12 hours to get to the destination, and the seats are spacious and comfortable. Much social progress indeed.

"I’m lucky to be a witness of the beautiful era, which some people may not have the chance to see all their life.”

——Huang Jianguo (aged 76)

Episode 2

In 1971, I was assigned to work near Zongshuying (palm-tree camp) in Kunming and every day I went to work on foot. It took me one hour.

I most envied those who owned a bike to get home quickly.

At that time, my monthly salary was 35 yuan, but a decent bike cost 172 yuan, equal to my five-month income. Rice was just 0.28 yuan/kg, and pork was 1.2 yuan/kg. A bike was dear to me!

For a bike, I worked overtime and raised chickens... In 1982, I finally got a 26-inch Phoenix bicycle with a black chain protector.

That day, I wrapped the bike tripod with a colored stripe, which could prevent the paint from falling and weathering. My wife made a cloth cover for the new bike seat.

Now I still ride a bike, but it’s one for exercise. On weekends, I ride with my friends to Golden Temple or West Hills.

“The bike has evolved from a daily necessity to a tool for fitness, and it witnessed improvements in our life.”

—— Duan Sinan (aged 75) 

Episode 3

In the winter of 1982, my 5-year-old son and I took a train from Beijing to Kunming.

The train arrived at 10 o'clock in the evening, and we got off and walked out of the platform. It was dark, and the downtown was in distance.

No one picked us up, and we walked back to Xinwen Road with bags in hands.

It was a gloomy night: no phone, no car. My son cried and I gave him some sugar. It took us two plus hours to reach home and we both learnt what persistence is that night. 

Decades have passed, and the other day I visited Xiamen. I was picked up wherever I arrived because my son called cars for me on his mobile phone. So easy! 

"My son may not remember that dark day, and I also hope not. After all, I don’t want him to continue my suffering. He deserves the happy era. ”

——Wang Qionghua (aged 61) 

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Episode 4

In the 1970s, trolleybuses in Kunming were made in Tianjin and in the early 1980s some were made in Kunming. 

Over the bus, there were two long wires, which would drop if the bus was not driven smoothly. Then the driver would go atop the bus and gently fix the wire with a stick.

Gasoline-powered buses came in late 1980s, together with conductors and bus fares ranging from 2 to10 Chinese cents.

In the 1990s, double-decker buses debuted in Kunming, making a hit. 

"Now we have e-buses that are green, stable and quiet. Retired, I get a senior's card and free bus-ride. ”

——Mo Min (aged 67)

Episode 5

Having work for three years, I wanted a driver’s license in 1987, but the training cost nearly 10,000 yuan, very expensive back then.

"Since we’d never afford you a car, what’s the use of the license,” said my father, echoing the family’s opposition.

But I managed to pay it off with my savings and an 8,000-yuan loan.

With the license, I quitted my job and drove a Kunming-Guangzhou truck, and each round-trip brought me 600 yuan.

Then I opened a garage on Minhang Road in Kunming and later several others were set up.

The car used to be something luxurious, but now almost every family has one. I didn’t expect it. 

My business thrived and I bettered off a lot. My life wouldn’t have improved so much, if I had not stuck to my pioneering idea.

"Now people still admire my courage to quit, but who knows the effort and trials behind my glory.”

---Zhang Guoan (aged 56) 

Episode 6

Believe it or not, I first took the subway in 1980s.

That happened in 1983, when my colleagues and I were on a business trip in Beijing.

The elevator at Beijing Station amazed us, and afraid of falling down none of us dared to try that moving steps. We chose to use the traditional stair case and it’s so funny.

We took line 2 to the Forbidden City. The metro was crowded, but we’re very excited and curious.

Back to Kunming, I’ve been dreaming of taking a subway in my own city, and it turned out to be a 30-year dream.

And my dream came true in 2014, when the first Kunming metro line was put to service. Sitting on the steady and brand new train heading for south, I felt bitter-sweet.

"Now I am retired, and I often take the metro with my family to Dounan Flower Market and West Hills. It’s easy and fast! Life for Kunming folks is bettering off.”

——Chen Qingdong (aged 72)

By Zhu Dongran and Wang Shixue