My plan for self-driving this time is to start from Xishuangbanna, pass through neighboring Laos, and finally arrive in Chiang Mai, Thailand... to walk a new challenging self-driving route. Three Kingdoms and Six Cities, a total of 892 kilometers, will pass through the mysterious "Golden Triangle" on the way. Does it sound exciting? bring it on! Join us in the south of the colorful clouds, sing with the mud and the fragrance of flowers, talk to civilization and the rainforest, and explore endlessly! let's go……
First stop Xishuangbanna
On the first day, first we flew from Beijing to Xishuangbanna. Many things are like traveling. When you make a decision and take the first step, the most difficult part has already been completed, and the rest is left to the travel itself!
Xishuangbanna is one of the best-sounding place names in China in my opinion. The ancient Dai language is "Meng Baranasi", which means "ideal and magical paradise". So, where is Xishuangbanna worth visiting?
Popular scenic spots such as the Botanical Garden in Xishuangbanna, Wild Elephant Valley, Rainforest Valley and other places are very famous and recommended by many people. However, I would like to recommend something special to you-Starlight Night Market.
I have always preferred night markets, so I must not miss it! This is definitely the most smoky place in the city.
Starlight Night Market, you can feel its dream just by hearing its name. And there are gourmet snacks everywhere, if you are brave enough, you can try this one, as shown in the picture... I have no luck with it anyway.
Xishuangbanna
The dotted streets are beautiful. Slowly approaching, I began to hear noisy human voices, mixed with the breath of Yunnan.
Recommended accommodation: Xishuangbanna Shawanli Boutique Theme Inn
It is very close to the Xingguang Night Market, within about 300 meters. The scenery is beautiful. There is a swimming pool on the second floor, which is very clean.
The room is quite satisfactory, and the bath water is very good. Breakfast is also okay, I especially like rice noodles. The restaurant on the second floor has a nice view. The pool is great in the afternoon when the sun is blocked so you don't have to get a tan. So happy! !
Day 2: Manting Park
A must-see scenic spot in Xishuangbanna. This is the oldest park with a history of more than 1,300 years. It used to be the imperial garden of the Dai king. It is said that when the Dai princess came to the park to play, the beautiful scenery of the park attracted the princess’s soul, so it is also called the park. "Garden of the Soul".
When you enter the park, you will feel a sense of returning to nature, and deeply feel the ingenious combination of nature and man-made. All the scenery is pleasing to the eye and refreshing, so it is a good place to relax.
Manting Park at night is full of joy. The first is to watch a theatrical performance of "Night of the Lancang Mekong River".
This visual feast combines the cultural characteristics of the six Lancang-Mekong River Basin countries: China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The whole party combines ethnic customs, exotic scenery, and humorous on-site interactions. It shows us a Xishuangbanna full of multiculturalism. After the performance, you can also go to release river lanterns to make a wish, or go to a bonfire dance.
Day 3: Customs clearance at Mohan Port
The gate of the motherland is so solemn, do you feel awe?
Today we are going to enter Laos through Mohan Port. After passing the Mohan Port, I am illiterate, so I can ask a local Laotian who can speak Chinese to pick me up, and of course I can just walk on with a smile.
Here are some tips for friends who drive to Laos:
China To leave the country, you need to hold a valid driving license, driver's license, and vehicle registration certificate (green book) to go through the following procedures.
Handling at Mohan Port:
(1) After the vehicle arrives at the Mohan National Port Joint Inspection Building, first park the vehicle in the nearby parking lot. The owner of the vehicle should bring his or her valid entry-exit certificate, vehicle driving license and driver's license, and go to the transport administration license office on the right side of the joint inspection building to apply for a vehicle driving license. Here, the driver's license and vehicle driving license of the person driving abroad should be submitted, and the fee 6 yuan per car for a family car.
(2) Go to the customs office set up by China Customs to apply for the vehicle inspection card for the vehicle exiting the country for free. The owner of the vehicle needs to provide the driving license of the vehicle.
(3) After completing the above documents, Che presided over the personal valid entry-exit documents to the armed police inspection point to apply for the armed police inspection card, and endorsed and stamped the personal valid entry-exit documents. Accompanying personnel can pass customs and leave the country after checking and stamping their valid entry-exit documents. After completing the above procedures, the car owner returns to drive through the border inspection point of Mohan Port in China, where the armed police inspectors need to check the personnel and vehicle documents that have been processed. After the customs officers inspect the vehicle, they need to stamp the customs vehicle inspection card to leave the country.
About Mohan Port
China's national gate is very powerful. People need to apply for a Laos visa when leaving the country. It is best to apply for the visa before departure, which will save a lot of things. Otherwise, although Laos can get a visa on arrival, it will delay time and fill in the form, which is a bit troublesome. But overall, I feel that as long as the procedures are complete, it is still very smooth.
After customs clearance, we officially entered Laos, a country that is very mysterious to me. Before, Laos gave me the impression that it was a relatively poor country, probably to the point where the people could not afford food. But after going there, I found that the consumption level is not high and the conditions are a bit poor, but it has not reached the level imagined.
The people there are very simple and live a simple life. You look at their life as if it is very difficult, but in fact they are very satisfied. The original ecological way of life, the mentality of contentment and happiness. So don't judge others by your view of happiness, eat and drink, Laos men can marry N daughters-in-law, women can marry out, old people have something to depend on! Just very happy! Along the way, I harvested the most beautiful smile in the world.
Laos first stop: Luang Namtha
As a reminder, once you enter Laos, it is obvious that the road starts to get very difficult. There are muddy dirt roads and roads with shell craters, sometimes bumpy enough to take off. Look, our cars have become like this. So it is best to drive a hardcore SUV, which is more comfortable.
And today we are going to reach Louang Namtha Province (Louang Namtha) in Laos, which is a province in the north of Laos, the capital of Louang Namtha. The province borders Bokeo Province in the southwest, Oudomxay Province in the southeast, Myanmar in the northwest, and Yunnan Province in China in the northeast.
In the evening, I ate a local special hot pot ~ Laos hot pot, the taste is not bad.
Of course, it is recommended to try the best beer (Laos beer) in Asia, which is praised by the American "Time" magazine. It has a light taste and a good taste, but to be honest, I still think our own Tsingtao beer is delicious.
Recommended accommodation: Pou villa.
It is a mountain hotel located on the mountainside of Nanta City, and the environment is really good.
Each room has a small balcony, and the towels are clean and soft. The breakfast is delicious and the fruit is very sweet. A hotel where you can take pictures. I think it is a relatively good hotel in the local area! I like the layout of the room very much, and the Wi-Fi is very powerful. The main reason is that once you enter Laos, the signal is very bad.
Remind everyone that the roaming speed of all calling cards in Laos and China is very slow. And in mountainous areas there is often no service. Therefore, you can buy a local phone card, which is still relatively easy to use, but it is certainly not as good as a domestic phone card.
Day 4: Laos, a country without smog
Today we are going to continue on our way, the rain is over and the sky is clear, we turn around the mountain road and meet a beautiful 🌈! I can't get enough of its beauty.
We arrived at Nam Ha Park just before noon: Nam Ha National Reserve in Nantha Province has been voted the best eco-tourism attraction in Asia's "Top 10". The Nam Ha National Reserve is covered by dense forests, inhabited by various ethnic groups and home to many flora and fauna.
This is a sacred place for hikers. Walking through the virgin forest, you may encounter Asian tigers and big black bears, so you must have a guide to follow you. At night, you can live with the guide in the village of the indigenous people. Isn’t it interesting? And I'll just take pictures.
The trip to Laos was more like a walk in my heart, and I gained a lot. The sky of Laos is so pure that people are jealous, and the people of Laos are so simple that people can let go of all guards. Tomorrow we are leaving for Thailand, so looking forward to it!
Hotel recommendation:
In the evening, stay in a hotel that is very close to Huishai Port ~ The M Bokeo Hotei (The M Bokeo Hotei)
how to say! It's just that the location is better, but the facilities are older. Breakfast is coffee☕️egg fried rice, what kind of combination is this. It's okay.
Opposite is Huishai Port, which is really close to the hotel.
Day 5: Never thought in my life, I actually passed by the Golden Triangle
Today we are leaving Laos and entering Thailand. After looking at the map, my God, I am actually in the "Golden Triangle" area.
I was so scared that my hairs stood on end. But it's just passing by, it's still very safe.
Popularize a knowledge point: Houay Xai Port (Houay Xai) in Laos and then Chiang Khong Port (Chiang Khong) in Thailand
Entering Thailand, I feel a lot easier all of a sudden. First of all, visa procedures and vehicle entry procedures are very convenient and quick. The Thai police who cleared the customs were all smiling and felt very friendly. It will not be as tense as in Laos. Snacks, water and coffee are also prepared in the lobby for passing passengers. Isn’t it very considerate?
The first thing to do in Thailand: learn a temporary driver's license
Driving from Laos into Thailand, there is a very interesting situation: it is necessary to switch from the right-hand drive to the left-hand drive, and all local vehicles are right-hand drive models. In addition, we also need to apply for a local Thai driver's license. This is a new law specially formulated for Chinese people in Thailand in 2018-2019. All Chinese tourists who drive to Thailand must pass the assessment of a temporary driver's license before they can drive in Thailand. Otherwise it is illegal.
Many friends are very concerned about the procedures, fees, and driver's license examination questions when driving into Thailand, so I will answer them one by one.
About entry:
(1) Procedures: Foreign vehicles entering the country need to apply for entry permits to the offices of the Land Transport Department in border provinces through Thai travel agencies 10 working days in advance.
(2) Fees: A handling fee of 500 baht shall be paid each time the vehicle enters the country for the purpose of tourism, and a handling fee of 2,000 baht shall be paid each time for other purposes. In addition, each vehicle will be affixed with a permit sticker, and the sticker fee is 500 baht per sticker for cars and 200 baht for motorcycles.
Regarding the procedures for temporary driver's license: On the day of entry of foreign vehicles, foreign drivers holding foreign driver's licenses will be led by a travel agency that handles entry procedures to the local office of the Land Transportation Department to study for more than three hours and obtain a temporary driver's license. The cost is about RMB 200 about. (But don’t worry, the whole process is very simple)
Thailand first stop: Chiang Rai White Temple
The White Temple in Chiang Rai, this is a fairyland that is not like the world. The Lingguang Temple (commonly known as the White Temple) in Chiang Rai is unique and unique because of its pure white.
Under the sun, this white temple wanders in the blue sky, shining dazzlingly, like a beautiful work of art. There are countless mirrors inlaid on the outer wall of the White Temple, reflecting dazzling silver light in the sunlight.
Notice:
👚Dress: No short skirts, shorts, or suspenders are allowed, and you need to take off your shoes before entering the temple.
📷 Only the exterior of the temple can be photographed, and photography is prohibited inside the temple
🚶After entering the temple, it is a one-way street, and no retrograde is allowed! Don't go back, especially Naihe Bridge.
Recommended accommodation in Chiang Rai: Wiang inn Mansion
two great things
1. The location is good, the night market is two minutes away from the door.
2. The breakfast is delicious
The downside is that the towels are a bit hard. I like everything else.
Day 6: The Breeze Comes Chiang Mai
The degree of development of Chiang Mai is second only to the capital Bangkok. The city has beautiful scenery and is full of flowers and plants. With its beautiful natural environment and cool climate, Chiang Mai is a famous summer resort.
A rose in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Some people come to Chiang Mai, just take a look at the flowers, check in at the online celebrity shop, and then leave in a hurry. Some people come for the grand Loy Krathong Festival, eager to fulfill a certain wish. Some people came here to remember Teresa Teng, eager to know this small town full of "joy and joy". But in fact, Chiang Mai gives me the feeling that it is a very suitable city for living. Only by staying here can I truly appreciate the comfort of Chiang Mai.
I never thought that I would play water fights with baby elephants in Chiang Mai and celebrate the Songkran Festival.
From being afraid of this big guy at the beginning, to liking touching him, kissing him, shaking hands in the end. One afternoon at the elephant camp, I started to reacquaint myself with this big guy. In fact, they are very gentle. I think people and animals should live in harmony and treat each other with tenderness.
In the evening, you must go to the top of the highest mountain in Chiang Mai to see the whole picture of Chiang Mai. It is really beautiful and beautiful. After going down the mountain, you must visit the night market in Chiang Mai. It is very interesting. There are many crafts, snacks, very interesting.
Bought a super stylish grocery basket bag for 50 yuan!
Recommended hotel in Chiang Mai: Wintree City Resort
The room is very spacious and bright. The hotel does not provide disposable items, which are very environmentally friendly, so you have to bring them yourself. The breakfast is ok, the TV can receive several Chinese programs, there are many drinks and snacks in the room, but only mineral water is free, there is no disadvantage except that you can choose from the night market! But there are many songthaews at the entrance of the hotel, you can go at any time, it is very convenient to travel. The pool is clean and nice.
At this point, our self-driving trip to the Three Kingdoms is over. The scenery I saw along the way and the people I met were all destined to be beautiful. Looking forward to the next time we can drive further afield.
Where will we drive next time?