Does anyone have up-to-date information about the Ruli border crossing for Myanmar into China? I've read several reports about the crossing opening to foreigner without a MTT permit at the end of 2015 but cannot find further information verifying this.
Anyone done this recently?
Thanks,
There have been rumors about this for years, but we've never heard from here of a foreigner who actually made the crossing without special permits and private transport on the Burmese side. Until you hear from someone who's actually successfully made the trip like this, I wouldn't believe anything you read!
But I have heard it was easier getting the relevant documentation going from Myanmar to China. How true that is today is anybody's guess.
They announced back as early as October 2013 that Mu-se/Ruili will open as an international crossing "within months". More than 2 years later and nothing has happened, although some news sources continue to point towards an imminent opening.
I was in Mu-se last February. I saw the new immigration/customs complex going up, which I would expect to have been completed by now. However, most of my contacts in Myanmar tell me that there won't be any new border crossings opening, in fact, no new legislation implemented by the outgoing government, so the earliest I would expect to hear about a possible opening of Mu-se/Ruili would be after the new government comes into power, which will be in April.
Until then, don't expect anything to change.
There have been rumors about this for years, but we've never heard from here of a foreigner who actually made the crossing without special permits and private transport on the Burmese side. Until you hear from someone who's actually successfully made the trip like this, I wouldn't believe anything you read!
Actually, we have heard from me about not needing any private transport to go to Mu-se. I have been there and while I did go by car both times I went, I did not need (nor have) a permit. I chose to go by car as I came on business and didn't have time for the bus, nor do I trust bus drivers negotiating those scary switchbacks, especially the ones going up to Kutkai and back down again. However, the rules may be different if you are actually crossing into China (or vice versa) which I didn't do. I believe that while transport on the Myanmar side may not expressly be required as part of obtaining a permit, in practice no travel agency wants to give you a permit without using their transport services and possibly even booking a hotel, at the minimum as there is nothing in it for them otherwise.
The latest article with news about the opening of the crossing. Seems like the Myanmar government is bickering over some territorial issues and that's what's behind the delay.
Intereresting pakornlam. If you can travel to Muse without a permit on public transport, then there's presumably little stopping you doing that and then just turning up at the border and asking to leave? I can't see that they'd make you go all the way back to Lashio for a permit and a taxi. It might still be rather complicated trying to cross the other way, from China to Burma though.
'presumably little stopping you doing that and then just turning up at the border and asking to leave?' - hmm...other than Immigration staff sending you back because you don't have the permit.
Of course they could make you go back and get one, but it probably wouldn't be as easy as just going to Lashio.
MTT permits can only be applied for in a few offices, or thru tour agents, and the process can take time.
Intereresting pakornlam. If you can travel to Muse without a permit on public transport, then there's presumably little stopping you doing that and then just turning up at the border and asking to leave? I can't see that they'd make you go all the way back to Lashio for a permit and a taxi. It might still be rather complicated trying to cross the other way, from China to Burma though.
There are NO checkpoints anywhere after Lashio until you reach Mile 105, which is the start of the Mu-se economic zone. It's at that point that all foreigners, including Chinese MUST present themselves to the immigration authorities stationed there. If you are heading to China, they will also look at your permit and allow you to continue. If you don't have a permit, they will still call their colleagues down at the border, ask you to check-in with them there and fill out the guest registration at your hotel. They will also mention that you must head back the way you came. At immigration itself, you won't be allowed to leave without a permit. So even if you managed to avoid mile 105, which probably isn't too difficult if you hide in the car you are travelling in provided they don't force it to stop, you still wouldn't be permitted to leave the country. I know it's silly, but for decades Myanmar has been like this. 4 Thai-Myanmar international border crossings have only been open since Aug 2013 and this one is said to be one of the next to be upgraded.
It is possible that after the border is upgraded to international status, the mile 105 checkpoint will cease for foreign travelers and just remain for goods transport vehicles to make sure they have permission to carry their cargo either further into Myanmar or to the Muse economic zone and China. We will see what happens AFTER the border opens, perhaps in April or so.
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