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)