Taking a bus from Kunming to Jinghong, the largest town in Xishuangbanna province, is the most typical method for people traveling from China to Laos without their vehicle. This travel takes around 8-10 hours.
Travelers may catch a bus going for Luang Nam Tha in Laos from here, taking them past the Mohan checkpoint. This journey likewise takes around 8 hours to accomplish.
At the checkpoint, passengers must depart the bus and take their bags through the crossing for examination. To leave China, they must also fill out an exit card and acquire an exit stamp in their passport.
They can then walk or use an electric vehicle service the 500m to the Lao checkpoint, where they must provide a completed entrance card as well as a valid visa and have it stamped. They may then enter Laos after passing through customs.
Neither checkpoint can be crossed by train. However, a railway connection between Kunming, China, and Vientiane, Laos, is being built. In Vietnam, building is now underway and will be completed in the near future. Nonetheless, people can cross the Lao-China border by automobile or by bus.
Those planning to enter Laos on their own should be aware that they must do it in a car registered in China. However, it is not required to be registered in the traveler's name.