harajuku4me_pls
longtail driver
Posts: 6

#1 Posted: 6/5/2008 - 04:36


hi guys.

i was wondering whats involved in travelling from Hanoi to Kunming in China. i plan to secure a Chinese visa before i leave for Asia, but is it a big deal to cross the border into China? do buses or trains follow a route i could use? is it expensive, is it safe?

cheers.

somtam2000
admin
mahout
Posts: 2418
Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 6/5/2008 - 08:37


The Lao Cai crossing is the most common used for Kunming. Trains run from Hanoi all the way to the border. It's safe and not particularly expensive.

CatBa
adventurer
Posts: 339

#3 Posted: 6/5/2008 - 10:09


If you are spending a few days in Ha Noi it is most likely cheaper to get a visa in Na Noi,

China notes:

(1) You can get RMB / Yuan just across the bridge at an ATM;

(2) ALWAYS retain ATM receipts in case you want to convert surplus RMB / Yuan back into real world money;

(3) The bus station is to your left as you cross over the bridge;

(4) The bus to KunMing takes 12 hours - sleepers available;

(5) Even though the Chinese seem friendlier in the West keep an eye out for pick pockets at busy travel places such as stations;

(6) If you sleep, put shoes, etc. into a plastic bag and then sleep with your bag - to avoid theft;

(7) You can buy thin stainless steel wire, well secured to your baggage with you on the other end helps stop theft. They know about slashing backpacks - BUY A PAC - SAFE (www.pac-safe.com).

(8) Much fewer people speak English in China compared to VietNam, so have your hotel write simple messages on a piece of paper for you to show at stations, etc.

CatBa
adventurer
Posts: 339

#4 Posted: 6/5/2008 - 10:16


I forgot one thing.

Make sure your travel guide DOES NOT SHOW TAIWAN as a SEPARATE COUNTRY - otherwise the CN border guards will snaffle it. Tear out any map showing TaiWan in a different colour.

Better still, hide it somewhere so the border goons don't confiscate it.

harajuku4me_pls
longtail driver
Posts: 6

#5 Posted: 9/5/2008 - 01:37


wow - thanks a mil for all the advice guys. really appreciate it.

also cheers for the china tips. haha - i've been to china before and know all about avoiding the "three T's" when talking to ppl. made it all the more funny/weird when a local working in a guilin hostel asked me straight up "so what do u think of the taiwan situation?"