I am flying into and out of Bangkok this summer. I am teaching in Guiyang, China for a month and would like to travel overland instead of fly. Is this possible? Should I travel throught Myanmar or Laos?

Yes, it is possible. But you will have to (as far as I know) cross over Northern Laos first, then Vietnam and then up into China. But be sure to give yourself two weeks minimum unless you are a masochist who sleeps well on buses.

There was a post recently about China -> Laos visas and crossings which might suggest a shorter route, but that seems new, suspect, and problematic. (Sounds like fun, but you need to be ok with that kind of fun.)

I would suggest that you get yourself a mildly decent map of the area and start researching you specific route options and interests. Use BnA's search button to find specifics!

I'm not aware of any reason why you couldn't go from Laos to China. The post that the previous entry referenced was regarding getting a Laos visa at the Chinese border (rather than getting it at the Laos consulate), which isn't an issue for you because you would be moving in the opposite direction. You would, of course, need to have your Chinese visa prior to arriving at the border, but I am sure you already know that.

You can skip Vietnam and go from Laos into Xinhuanbanna Province in China... I've done it. It isn't that difficult.

http://blogs.bootsnall.com/claudia/archives/002220.shtml

PC

I am thinking of doing it the opposite way!

I am in Osaka now and thinking of taking a ship from Osaka to Shanghai and then other land to Yunnan province!

From Yunnan I will cross to Laos and then to Bangkok, Thailand!

I hope Charlie does not freak out when I go traveling for a few months!

Any recommendations PM me please!

Kunming - Vientiane via Mengla(China) - Botene(Laos) border is a hassle free trip (excluding rainy days ). Laos visa at the border but the recipcrocal is not possible. You CANNOT get a Chinese visa at the border and you really don't want to turn back at this point if you're going the other way. The road on the Chinese side is mainly highway but between the Laos border and Luangprabang you are looking at more than half a day of jogging speeds. Mud, bumps, water and the mountains reduce this to a go slow zone and if you choose the wrong month to move it gets worse. Only in the Himalaya have I witnessed a slower Km/hour rate.
Anayway it's cheap and there's always some cool people to experience this with. Even better is to break the journey at Luang Namtha and head for Muang Sing. Chill out in the houses on sticks with the indiginous Aka whilst dreaming about how it used to be before the world started to become monochrome. I have traveled this route in both directions several times during the last four years and apart from disapointed travelers who expected to obtain a Chinese visa on the border it seems a hassle free alternative to jet setting.

I would recommend showing up at this border (either direction) with your visa in hand. This is a VERY rural spot and I imagine they don't deal much with issuing them on the spot. I was lucky I coulkd find a Chinese official to stamp my visa.

PC

Thank you all for your comments!

I would think the Loas officials are a bit more professional than Chinese about issuing visas, but you never know after they had some beers!
You may just get "Mio"
Then it will be back to Kunming for the Laos visa!
<__>

I have been to Luangprabang, but did that coming from Thailand, now will be going there from China!
Will definitely visit the Aka!
Oh, and the bus ride, well that is life! Done it hate it, but no choice about it!
I hope no chickens or pigs on board!!!
<__>

Igor,

Actually, I'd have to say, the Laos border officials were quite drunk when I got there. The one guard insisted I had overstayed my visa (an attempt to get me to pay a "fine" for each day) and I went in search of his superior (its that kind of place.... you can just wander through). When I found the boss, I showed him my visa extension and he waved off the drunken underling and walked me to the official stamp counter, where I had to wait for the drunk guy to come stamp my passport. It was actually pretty funny.

However, the Chinese, even though they were ellusive, were very official once you find them.

PC

Yeah, you get this sort of thing all over SE!
So best to show up with a visa in your passport when doing over land!
Cambodia Poipet is notorious for asking for bribs when you try to get a 30 day visa on arrival.
When time they kept me at the check point for hours and interegated me, before finally letting me in! And I was doing a visa run from Thailand, so I had to plead with them to let me in!!!

So, best advice come with a visa at hand and avoid the hustle, when doing it over land!!

Thanx