China Travel Forum

[Pretika]

Next month I'm going to Yunnan province in China and later Laos. I intend to leave from Jinghong as quickly as possible, heading for Luang Nam Tha in Laos.

My question: is there a direct bus connection which takes me from Jinghong to the border (or even better, Luang Nam Tha) on the same day? If there is such a bus, when is it departing and how long does it take?

My LP SEA says there's one the other way round (Luang Nam Tha to Jinghong), however, the new China guide doesn't mention any, only the Jinghong-Mengla-Mohan-Luang Nam Tha route which would require several bus changes and possible overnight stays.

Thanks for your reponses.

[yolwas]

I live in Jinghong (just arrived), and I've never heard of people doing it in one day. I've done it myself, a couple of years ago, and will do it again next month. Maybe you'll beat me, maybe I'll beat you. Anyway ... Everyone seems to go to to Mengla first, then get a bus to the border in the morning. Last time I did it, I seem to remember LP said you had to leave early from Mengla to get a bus from the Laos side of the border onward to Namtha, etc., or you'd be stuck.

I guess that's probably not the case anymore. I remember even when I went, a French guy I saw who'd got up at 5 or 6AM to get the first bus (as per LP's brilliant advice) was still there waiting for the bus to leave when I crossed the border, and we ended up catching the same vehicle. I got up at least 2 or 3 hours later.

Now (that was 2002) there's a good chance there's extra trucks -- however, the main thing I'd be worried about is if the border actually closes for lunch or for the afternoon. I doubt that's the case though. If I get any more info I'll post it.