Borders town in Southeast Asia and China

[lucifier]

Although I find that there are threads which talk on Mae Sai, Tachileik, Betong, Poipet and other border towns in South East Asia / China, I find the information available is not sufficient enough. It could be that those towns are not so well visited by the bros here. So I think there is a need to sort of "gathers information" about those border towns in one single thread.

The border towns that I am interested to discuss here will be focusing on the border towns in South East Asia and China. Notably will be those border town in China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia. Those border towns offers an alternative mean of cheonging in these part of the world. Some of them might look like a "cowboy town", but with enough information beforehand, will be quite fun. Some of the e.g. here are China's Ruili, Hekou, Vietnam's Lao Cai, Cambodia's Poipet, Kok Kong, Thailand's Mae Sai, Sadao, Betong, Sungei Golok and Myanmar's Tachileik, Mong La, Muse.

Hope that with all the cheonging and travel knowledge of all the bros here, hope that this thread will provide valuable info. for cheonging those border towns.

Thanks.

[lucifier]

No one seems to have much experience travelling in the border town region. I think I should break it up into different town. Let start with Ruili. It is located at the China side with Muse of Myanmar at the other side. A well-known border towns with full of vice that are featured in magazine such as the Times or Newsweek. Any bros here had any experience there ? It is located at the Yunnan Province. Heard that quite ordinary in the morning, but in the night time quite happening.

What about Muse? Any bros here who had went to this Myanmar's border town?

Thanks for all valuable info.

[subaculture]

Originally Posted by lucifier

No one seems to have much experience travelling in the border town region. I think I should break it up into different town. Let start with Ruili. .

I think it became famous because of a Time article relating to the Spread of AIDS by truckers and its subsequent on trade routes into China. Its on the Myanmar/Chinese border and major trucking spot. I was there is 2003 and its a pretty laid back area. 14 hours from Kumning by Bus. Lots of Burmese, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals selling Jade and lots of trucks heading over the border. One day passes are not allowed and no visas available. There were lots of Massage places available but quality was poor. I believe there was a big crackdown in 2001.

I took a taxi to Jiegao which reputingly is the main centre of action 7km from Ruili. While there was lots of legal trade, few P4P. I saw only one palce on the main street. So, its not worth going at the moment. There are supposed to be Casinos etc and lots more action on the other side. I may be there in July.

I will be crossing into Myamar there or via Laos. By the way it is a 35 hour bus journey (YES) back to Jinghong if your crossing into Laos.

I crosssed in to Laos at Mengla. They were in the process of knocking down the town so as to rebuilt it. No P4P on either site.

Better areas are:
Koh Kong (Cambodia)
Mae Sai (Thailand)
Heckou (China).

I have been to Heckou and its an excellent spot. I will post a report soon.

[Nesferatu]

Originally Posted by lucifier

Although I find that there are threads which talk on Mae Sai, Tachileik, Betong, Poipet and other border towns in South East Asia / China, I find the information available is not sufficient enough. It could be that those towns are not so well visited by the bros here. So I think there is a need to sort of "gathers information" about those border towns in one single thread.

The border towns that I am interested to discuss here will be focusing on the border towns in South East Asia and China. Notably will be those border town in China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Malaysia. Those border towns offers an alternative mean of cheonging in these part of the world. Some of them might look like a "cowboy town", but with enough information beforehand, will be quite fun. Some of the e.g. here are China's Ruili, Hekou, Vietnam's Lao Cai, Cambodia's Poipet, Kok Kong, Thailand's Mae Sai, Sadao, Betong, Sungei Golok and Myanmar's Tachileik, Mong La, Muse.

Hope that with all the cheonging and travel knowledge of all the bros here, hope that this thread will provide valuable info. for cheonging those border towns.

Thanks.

Im going to cheong BETONG at the end of this month. Fly by Tigerairways to hatyai (Now got promotion = SGD131 return) then take taxi or van to betong.
Any takers? Anyone want to accompany me? Ive been there more than 10 times liao, so I know the place pretty well. I just need some company.

Thks

Vamp

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by subaculture

I think it became famous because of a Time article relating to the Spread of AIDS by truckers and its subsequent on trade routes into China. Its on the Myanmar/Chinese border and major trucking spot. I was there is 2003 and its a pretty laid back area. 14 hours from Kumning by Bus. Lots of Burmese, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals selling Jade and lots of trucks heading over the border. One day passes are not allowed and no visas available. There were lots of Massage places available but quality was poor. I believe there was a big crackdown in 2001.

I took a taxi to Jiegao which reputingly is the main centre of action 7km from Ruili. While there was lots of legal trade, few P4P. I saw only one palce on the main street. So, its not worth going at the moment. There are supposed to be Casinos etc and lots more action on the other side. I may be there in July.

I will be crossing into Myamar there or via Laos. By the way it is a 35 hour bus journey (YES) back to Jinghong if your crossing into Laos.

I crosssed in to Laos at Mengla. They were in the process of knocking down the town so as to rebuilt it. No P4P on either site.

Better areas are:
Koh Kong (Cambodia)
Mae Sai (Thailand)
Heckou (China).

I have been to Heckou and its an excellent spot. I will post a report soon.

Hi,

Thanks for the information Ruili. For Ruili, have you try out the massage there. What is the charges. I heard that there are both Chinese and Burmaese gals there. I understand that Jiegao is the actual border for which to cross into Myanmar. Can I ask what do u means by "There are supposed to be Casinos etc and lots more action on the other side". I means the meaning of the other side. Are u referring to the Myanmar side of Muse.

Seem that u are going there again in July. Look forward to your FR. What is your itinerary like?

Also will be looking forward to your FR on Hekou. What about Lao Cai (on the Vietnam's side). Any happening there?

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by subaculture

I have been to Heckou and its an excellent spot. I will post a report soon.

Hi bro subaculture,

Any update on the Hekou ? Need your valuable FR. Thanks.

[subaculture]

Originally Posted by lucifier

Hi bro subaculture,

Any update on the Hekou ? Need your valuable FR. Thanks.

I have been there once (but just for two nights) when I passed in from Vietnam. I expect to return in the first 2 weeks of July 2005, so I will do a live update.I will post some travel/accomodation information before then.

SC

[lucifier]

Originally Posted by subaculture

I have been there once (but just for two nights) when I passed in from Vietnam. I expect to return in the first 2 weeks of July 2005, so I will do a live update.I will post some travel/accomodation information before then.

SC

hi bro subaculture,
thanks for the info. if possible, can u tried to obtain a map of the place and get it scanned. i planning a trip this december. will u be stopping at Lao Cai first, or go straight to Hekou? Thanks. Really appreciate that.