Coming to Myanmar from China overland

I would like to cross the boarder at Ruli coming from China. Does anyone know if that is possible at the moment? Has anyone done it recently? Recently meaning after the revolution.

Do I need a permit to make it to Mandalay overland? And if yes, where do I get it from?

Ild be grateful for any advice!

What revolution?

Do a search, these questions are being asked quite a lot lately. And i think the answer is you need to fly.

Viva la Revolution!

Oops sorry wrong thread!

well, call it what you want. are you happier if i failed revolution?

Nah, we all fail at something. I am just an ol hag waiting for someone to shout to me "Viva la Revolution"

oops...i forgot the words called it

crossing from China to Myanmar

Viva Burma....I mean Viva Cuba....as they have a better chance at a over throwing the rulers :(

It would appear that the junta has thus far been able to prevent a revolution through repression, it's yet to be seen if they may further be able to prevent it through some kind of reform.

I was wondering whether I should use the word "revolution" but I didnt expect it to have such an impact.

The information I am getting here is not recent regarding my definition of "recent". Anyone has anything newer?

You could perhaps use Google if the TT isn't offering you what you need.

There has not been any recent reports but there's no reason to expect the rules would have changed. Main issue would be if you can get your visa in Kunming. Assuming that you don't already have one?

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<hr>I was wondering whether I should use the word "revolution" but I didnt expect it to have such an impact.<hr></blockquote>
The one where the government overthrew the monks?
AFAIK you still have to be on a tour and you still have to fly from Lashio to Mandalay.

No, I was rather thinking of the one where the government slaughtered about 5000 monks. Anyway, you all knew what I was talking about. So let's not be picky.

tripmonkeys, thank you for that advice. Really the advice of the year!

I am prepared to book the "tour". But I HAVE TO fly from Lashio to Mandalay?

FYI I have the Visa already. I have the feeling that this is really going to be a real pain-in-the-ass-trip up to Mandalay.

Once you go thru a Agency at border, pay the $200 ish to have your permits in order, your escorted across the border, and then you have to arrange a Share Taxi to Lashio, the next large town where foreigners are allowed, most likely the morning runs to Mandalay will have departed around 7am.

But, once in Lashio, or if possible head to Hsipaw. In Hsipaw you relax and enjoy a day or afternoon trek, some good food and chill a night there, and arrange a share taxi to Mandalay. In Jan 2007 it cost about 17,000 Kyat to take a taxi with 3 other people, and it takes about 4 hours, give or take 30 minutes.

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<hr> I have the feeling that this is really going to be a real pain-in-the-ass-trip up to Mandalay. <hr></blockquote>
If your motivation for attempting this journey overland is to save money... you are wasting your time, as it will cost roughly the same to go overland as it will to fly.
However, if your motivation is to see this part of the world... it may be a pain.. ... but what’s the alternative?

agree with 15, actualkly i now sit in dali, and the train/bus Kming-border/Ruili has gone up substantially too. a single flight KMing-Yangon may now even be lower priced, compared to the complete cost overland. and travel here in China is also not really that pleasant either

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<hr>If your motivation for attempting this journey overland is to save money... you are wasting your time, as it will cost roughly the same to go overland as it will to fly. However, if your motivation is to see this part of the world... it may be a pain.. ... but what’s the alternative?
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I dont do it to save money but to see this part of the world. I am also fine with making the effort. I am just a little worried when I depend on Burmese government officials.

Thanx for your adice, everybody. Very helpful.

I would be worried too... no matter how many people had done this journey recently... (but I always worry, it’s called “the fear of the unknown”)... If you have the visa and have read the posts about how to find the contact people for getting you across the border and about the transport situation, I would suggest that it will be no more easy but also no more difficult, than it has been for those (many) people who have gone this way in the past.