AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Laos & China 2025
12-days Laos & China Tour: 4th to 16th December 2026
Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Laos & China:
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)>fly Air Asia>Vientiane (Laos)>bus>Vang Vieng>Laos-China HSR>Luang Prabang>Laos-China HSR>Jinghong (Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China)>private van>Wengji Village (Jingmai Mountain)>Nougan Village>private van>Pu'er City>China HSR>Kunming>fly China Eastern Airline>Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
(See day-to-day blogs for more detailed routes)
We saw some friends' post of a multi-mode cycling tour from Kuala Lumpur through Thailand, Laos, Yunnan, Vietnam, and back to Malaysia. What caught our eyes was the section on Laos and South-western China. It looked interesting and egged us on to plan our own tour (but a non-cycling one).
During a 2011 tour, I had gone to Yunnan, but now it was to a different part of the province - one of diverse colourful tribal people, interesting rustic ancient villages, Chinese tea plantations hinting of a mystic Ancient Tea Horse Route, and more! More than a decade has passed since my previous trip; the towns and cities are now super modern, and so is the transportation system. The planning of the itinerary, booking of hotels, and plane/train tickets were done by the girls, and they had done a wonderful job to make this a successful and enjoyable trip.
Come, experience that part of China with me, you will be thrilled!
During a 2011 tour, I had gone to Yunnan, but now it was to a different part of the province - one of diverse colourful tribal people, interesting rustic ancient villages, Chinese tea plantations hinting of a mystic Ancient Tea Horse Route, and more! More than a decade has passed since my previous trip; the towns and cities are now super modern, and so is the transportation system. The planning of the itinerary, booking of hotels, and plane/train tickets were done by the girls, and they had done a wonderful job to make this a successful and enjoyable trip.
Come, experience that part of China with me, you will be thrilled!
BLOGS
Below are the daily blogs of our tour. click on the respective photos to read. Further below are some travel trips for this region. It was an interesting and awesome tour, so come and have a look:
DAILY BLOGS COMING SOON.....
STAY TUNED!!!
(Next... Turkiye?)
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Laos-China 2025 Overall Travel Route Map:
Small Group (Non-cycling) Tour of Laos & China:
Vientiane (Laos)>bus>Vang Vieng>Laos-China HSR>Luang Prabang>Laos-China HSR>Jinghong (Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China)>private van>Wengji Village (Jingmai Mountain)>Nougan Village>private van>Pu'er City>China HSR>Kunming.
(Click here for the Laos-China 2025 Tour Route Map)
See respective daily blogs for detailed daily route maps.
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TRAVEL TIPS FOR LAOS & CHINA
1. Traffic Directions!
Both Laos and China, are left-hand drive and vehicles drive on the right side of the road. So do bear this in mind when crossing the road OR when sitting at the front passenger seat. I made this mistake several times and boarded the car at the driver's side with the driver giving me a surprised look 😂.
Several airlines serve Laos, but only if flying in from a neighbouring country, flying to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Only Lao Airlines fly to Pakse from Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap. Several international and regional airlines fly to major China cities.
We flew AirAsia from KLIA Terminal 2 to Vientiane's Wattay International Airport; buying tickets earlier to get cheaper fares. Considering the potential difficulties with luggage storage during the later train journey in Laos, we also packed light (20kg checked-in luggage for two people). Together with carry-on luggage, we each had 17kg per person.
Our return flight was from Kunming Changshui International Airport to KLIA Terminal 1 via China Eastern Airline which has a checked-in baggage restriction of a single piece of not more than 23kg for our Basic Economy Class ticket. Together with a cabin luggage of 8kg, we each had 31kg of luggage. We just loaded our clothes and other hardier items in a large soft bag we brought along as cabin luggage, and important shopping purchases into our cabin luggage. Oddly, no food was served or can be purchased during this four-hour flight; only drinks were served, so do fill your tummy first.
3. Getting from town to town in Laos and China.
For Laos, getting between towns can be by hired vans, express bus or the Laos-China train. One can buy the bus tickets at the Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal (which is about half an hour away from town) directly from the counter. To book the Laos-China HSR Train tickets, it is recommended to use the LCR App, the official app of the railway. Note that tickets can only be booked three days before the travel date. There is no necessity to book with a Laos, Thai, or China mobile phone number; one can use a personal e-mail address. There are several online sites selling the train ticket, but these are ticketing agents and could be charging higher prices or even overselling.
We flew AirAsia from KLIA Terminal 2 to Vientiane's Wattay International Airport; buying tickets earlier to get cheaper fares. Considering the potential difficulties with luggage storage during the later train journey in Laos, we also packed light (20kg checked-in luggage for two people). Together with carry-on luggage, we each had 17kg per person.
Our return flight was from Kunming Changshui International Airport to KLIA Terminal 1 via China Eastern Airline which has a checked-in baggage restriction of a single piece of not more than 23kg for our Basic Economy Class ticket. Together with a cabin luggage of 8kg, we each had 31kg of luggage. We just loaded our clothes and other hardier items in a large soft bag we brought along as cabin luggage, and important shopping purchases into our cabin luggage. Oddly, no food was served or can be purchased during this four-hour flight; only drinks were served, so do fill your tummy first.
3. Getting from town to town in Laos and China.
For Laos, getting between towns can be by hired vans, express bus or the Laos-China train. One can buy the bus tickets at the Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal (which is about half an hour away from town) directly from the counter. To book the Laos-China HSR Train tickets, it is recommended to use the LCR App, the official app of the railway. Note that tickets can only be booked three days before the travel date. There is no necessity to book with a Laos, Thai, or China mobile phone number; one can use a personal e-mail address. There are several online sites selling the train ticket, but these are ticketing agents and could be charging higher prices or even overselling.
We booked our train tickets from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang to Xishuangbanna through the LCR App. For the Luang Prabang to Xishuangbanna leg, electronic train tickets need to be changed to physical paper tickets at the Luang Prabang Train Station (at a counter of the ticketing office, so arrive earlier to do this).
We had only a night in Vientiane, and booked a van introduced by our tuk-tuk driver, to go to Vang Vieng. There was some confusion for this, but luckily for us all turned out well. Read about this in the main blog body.
For China, getting between major cities is easy using the China HSR trains (for us, it's from Pu'er City to Kunming). Tickets can be booked via Trip.com; electronic tickets need to be changed to physical paper tickets. For travel between cities not served by the trains, we pre-booked a private driver contacted through WeChat - from Jinghong, Xishuangbanna to Jingmai Mountains (Wengji Village & Nougan Village) to Pu'er City).
4. Getting around towns and cities in Laos and China.
For Laos, for short distances, one can use tuk-tuks or songthaews, which can be found at most street corners. For longer distances to the outskirts, install InDrive or LOCA. For InDrive, one can negotiate to an agreeable price, but it may be difficult to hail a ride from the outskirts (as we experienced). LOCA seems to be a better bet, but as you must be able to receive the SMS verification code, it's highly recommended to get a local Laos SIM card upon arrival for reliable service and to easily receive that SMS. Pay for LOCA rides with Cash, Credit/Debit Card (Visa/Mastercard). Or with LOCA PAY, with automatic deductions for card payments after binding your card in the app. While card payments are convenient and offer instant e-receipts, a small fee (around 4% + 6,000 LAK) may apply, making cash payment preferred.
In China, install the Didi ride-hailing app, which is extremely convenient to use, especially in major cities, and English can be selected as the preferred language. Just type in the destinations in English, and a list comes out for selection. There is a need to bind the app to a credit/debit card. Rides are relatively cheap, as most riders use e-vehicles.
5. Immigration & Customs Requirements
For Laos, Malaysians are allowed to enter Laos without a visa for a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. For China, Malaysians can enter, exit, or transit the country without a visa for up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days within any 180 days. Permitted purposes include tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, private affairs, medical treatment, and international transportation (such as airline crew duties). The travel passport must be valid throughout the whole period of stay or 180 days from the day of first entry.
Click here for who can apply for Lao eVisa and eVisa application form. This visa allows for a stay of up to 30 days and can be extended once. Alternatively, travelers can apply for a tourist visa at a Lao embassy or consulate before arrival, permitting a stay of up to 60 days with the option of extension. Click here for China visa-free policy for other countries, and here for China Visa application.
Click here for Laos e-Arrival Card & e-Departure Card submission, and here for the China Arrival Card for PC and here for the China China Arrival Card for phones. Do note of some scams regarding these online forms. OR one can fill in paper forms, which are available at the train stations or during the flight.
Click here for who can apply for Lao eVisa and eVisa application form. This visa allows for a stay of up to 30 days and can be extended once. Alternatively, travelers can apply for a tourist visa at a Lao embassy or consulate before arrival, permitting a stay of up to 60 days with the option of extension. Click here for China visa-free policy for other countries, and here for China Visa application.
Click here for Laos e-Arrival Card & e-Departure Card submission, and here for the China Arrival Card for PC and here for the China China Arrival Card for phones. Do note of some scams regarding these online forms. OR one can fill in paper forms, which are available at the train stations or during the flight.
6. Places & Things of Interests
There were many scenic and interesting places of interest, but one should not miss the following (Note: click on the GPS coordinates below for a directional map to the respective places):
a. Pha That Luang (ພຣະທາດຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ) (GPS: 17.97661, 102.63646) in Vientiane.
b. Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang) (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang) (GPS: 17.91235, 102.76482) in Vientiane.
a. Pha That Luang (ພຣະທາດຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ) (GPS: 17.97661, 102.63646) in Vientiane.
b. Buddha Park (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang) (Wat Xieng Khouane Luang) (GPS: 17.91235, 102.76482) in Vientiane.
c. Hot Air Balloon at Van Vieng.
d. Wat Xieng Thong (ວັດຊຽງທອງ) (GPS: 19.89720, 102.14368) in Luang Prabang.
e. Gaozhuang Xishuangjing Night Market (告庄西双景) (GPS: 22.00792, 100.81943) in Jinghong.
f. Manting Park (曼听公园) (GPS: 21.99287, 100.80664) in Jinghong.
g. Sipsongpanna Zongfosi Temple (西双版纳总佛寺) (GPS: 21.98846, 100.80584) in Jinghong.
h. Tea Villages in Jingmai Mountain, such as Wengji Bulangzu Ancient Village (翁基布朗族古寨) (GPS: 22.17120, 100.00006) and (Nuogan Daizu Water Village) (糯岗傣族水寨) (GPS: 22.21348, 99.99963) in Jingmai Mountain (UNESCO link).
i. Winter Cherry Blossom blooming at Jingmai Mountain, from late December to February. It is a spectacular sight to see them blooming among the tea plantations.
d. Wat Xieng Thong (ວັດຊຽງທອງ) (GPS: 19.89720, 102.14368) in Luang Prabang.
e. Gaozhuang Xishuangjing Night Market (告庄西双景) (GPS: 22.00792, 100.81943) in Jinghong.
f. Manting Park (曼听公园) (GPS: 21.99287, 100.80664) in Jinghong.
g. Sipsongpanna Zongfosi Temple (西双版纳总佛寺) (GPS: 21.98846, 100.80584) in Jinghong.
h. Tea Villages in Jingmai Mountain, such as Wengji Bulangzu Ancient Village (翁基布朗族古寨) (GPS: 22.17120, 100.00006) and (Nuogan Daizu Water Village) (糯岗傣族水寨) (GPS: 22.21348, 99.99963) in Jingmai Mountain (UNESCO link).
i. Winter Cherry Blossom blooming at Jingmai Mountain, from late December to February. It is a spectacular sight to see them blooming among the tea plantations.
j. Tea-Horse Ancient Road Resort (茶马古道旅游景区) (GPS: 22.82176, 100.99009) in Pu'er City.
k. Nakeli Tea Village (那柯里村) (GPS: 22.91144, 101.04046) in Pu'er City.
l. Kunming Old Street (昆明老街) (GPS: 25.03956, 102.70956) in Kunming.
k. Nakeli Tea Village (那柯里村) (GPS: 22.91144, 101.04046) in Pu'er City.
l. Kunming Old Street (昆明老街) (GPS: 25.03956, 102.70956) in Kunming.
7. Food
Lao food is somewhat similar to Thai, but is not as intense in flavours. It also has the added advantage of French influence, with French cuisine available in many Laos restaurants. But for the more adventurous, there were some weird food (like bugs, worms, roasted rats & frogs, etc). Jokes aside, the Khao Piak Sen (Lao Chicken/Pork Noodle Soup) is pretty good.
Yunnan food has a strong Dai influence, especially at the Xishuangbanna region, with interesting noodles and food with strong spiciness.
We tried quite a range of food during our trip and recommend that the following should not be missed:
Yunnan food has a strong Dai influence, especially at the Xishuangbanna region, with interesting noodles and food with strong spiciness.
We tried quite a range of food during our trip and recommend that the following should not be missed:
- for the daring ones: Weird Laos Food at the Blue Lagoon 1 (Tham Poukham) (GPS: 18.9263, 102.39545) inVang Vieng.
- Khao Piak Sen noodles at Kao Piek Sen Hua Xiang (ເຂົ້າປຽກ ຫົວຊຽງ) (GPS: 19.88832, 102.13238) in Luang Prabang.
- Wild Mushroom Hot Pot at Fresh Mushrooms ( 菌鲜生 ) Restaurant (GPS: 22.00866, 100.81595) in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna.
- Dishes with Yunnan Làròu (Air-dried Pork) at Zhang An Private Cuisine (GPS: 22.25033, 100.08463), Huimin, Lancang County, Jingmai Mountain; and at Jingxiangyuan Restaurant (GPS: 22.20366, 100.02525) near Jingmai Village. (GPS:22.20081, 100.02838).
- Wild Mushroom Hot Pot at Fresh Mushrooms ( 菌鲜生 ) Restaurant (GPS: 22.00866, 100.81595) in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna.
- Dishes with Yunnan Làròu (Air-dried Pork) at Zhang An Private Cuisine (GPS: 22.25033, 100.08463), Huimin, Lancang County, Jingmai Mountain; and at Jingxiangyuan Restaurant (GPS: 22.20366, 100.02525) near Jingmai Village. (GPS:22.20081, 100.02838).
- Jingmai Mountain Pu'er Tea from tea shops in Wengji Village (GPS: 22.1712, 100.00006) and Nougan Village (GPS: 22.21348, 99.99963) in Jingmai Mountain.
- Yiliang Roast Duck at Yunan Eggplant Cha Cha Restaurant (茄子恰恰) (GPS: 25.03902, 102.70911) (another shop is at GPS: 25.04090, 102.71362) in Kunming.
7. Accommodations and Tour Costs
Hotels were booked through Trip.com or Booking.com, and are relatively cheap in Laos and even cheaper in China. Do be careful when using Booking.com; as several scams have been reported. We were also almost scammed for our Vientiane booking.
Air tickets were bought online through Trip.com; at a total fare of around RM975 per pax. Total cost for our 12-day trip came to about Rm3,100 per pax (including airfare, train/bus fare, taxi rides, hotel accommodations, food, entry fees, phone Sim card, etc. but excluding shopping).
8. Communicating with Each Other
When travelling in a group, it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one gets lost from the rest.
At Laos, several telco companies have stores at the arrival hall of the Wattay International Airport. At the stores, Unitel 5-G Physical Sim Cards are available, and we got a 5-Day 20GB card for 80,000 Kips (USD3.70 / RM15).
Before we left, we purchased online the Happy China Sim Card and got the 8-Day 8GB and 16GB cards for RM25.29 and RM40.03 respectively. The cards were only inserted when we entered China.
At Laos, several telco companies have stores at the arrival hall of the Wattay International Airport. At the stores, Unitel 5-G Physical Sim Cards are available, and we got a 5-Day 20GB card for 80,000 Kips (USD3.70 / RM15).
Before we left, we purchased online the Happy China Sim Card and got the 8-Day 8GB and 16GB cards for RM25.29 and RM40.03 respectively. The cards were only inserted when we entered China.
9. Communicating with Locals
Except for those in the travel industry, for both Laos and China, most locals speak their own language (i.e. Lao, and in China - Mandarin, or the local Yunnan languages, like Dai, Naxi, Yi, and Bai, etc. As Laos was a former French protectorate, many older locals and tourist guides speak French. To get by, it will be good to speak some rudimentary Lao, or some basic Mandarin.
10. Weather
The temperatures in Laos in December are comfortable, with a low of 18°C and a high of 29°C. While in Yunnan, the December temperature ranges from 3 to15°C in Kunming, and from 12 to 24.5°C in Xishuangbanna.
Before the trip, we had checked the weather forecast, and it indicated colder weather to be anticipated. But a hot front from the south resulted in warmer weather when we were there.
Useful weather forecast sites for Laos & Yunnan is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.
Before the trip, we had checked the weather forecast, and it indicated colder weather to be anticipated. But a hot front from the south resulted in warmer weather when we were there.
Useful weather forecast sites for Laos & Yunnan is AccuWeather. For more detailed weather, including cloud cover and wind speed, use Weatherspark and Ventusky.
10. Navigation
Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook or Google Maps.
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