BUS LAO TO CHINA: International bus service between Laos and China

China Bus
International bus service between Laos and China

"China Bus" was last updated on Feb 1, 2013
Bus information below is subject to change

This page explains options for bus services between Laos and China.

The Laos – China bus service is available for Yunnan, the border province of China, and some northern provinces and the capital of Laos.

Buses from Laos to China go to Meng La, Jing Hong and Kunming prefecture, in Yunnan province (the province that shares a border with Phongsaly Province in Laos). There are of course buses from these places in China to several destinations in Laos.

China bus to Laos

Here are details
Phongsaly Province – Meng La
Luang Namtha Province – Jing Hong vai Meng La
Oudomxay Province – Meng La
Luang Prabang Province – Kunming
Vientiane Capital – Kunming (via Meng La and Jing Hong)
Phongsaly Province – Meng La

There are two buses daily from Phongsaly to Meng La, the border town in China.

Depart Phongsaly: 07:30 and 13:30
Arrive Meng La: 11:00 and 17:00.
Travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Fee: 45,000kip
Bus: regular, no air-con.

From Meng La to Phongsaly, costs 40 Yuan. Departure time is some what unclear (sorry I can’t get the first hand info, as I’m unable to check with China bus operator) but it is said to be the same time as from Laos side.

Info iconPhongsaly Tourist office: +856 (0)88 210 098
Bus station: +856 (0)88 210 456
Luang Namtha Province – Jing Hong via Meng La

There is one bus daily between Luang Namtha (southern bus station) and Jing Hong via Meng La.

Depart Luang Namtha: 08:00
Arrive Meng La: 12:00
Fee: 50,000kip
Travel time: 4 hours
Arrive Jing Hong: 14:30
Travel time: 6-7 hours

From Jing Hong to Luang Namtha the bus departs around the same time as it does from the Laos side.

Bus: regular 30-seat, no air-con

Info iconLuang Namtha bus station: +856 (0) 30 5511 0707, +856 (0) 20 2239 4650
Luang Nantha tourist office: +856 (0) 86 312 047


Oudomxay Province – Meng La

There is one bus daily from Oudomxay to Meng La and vice versa.

Depart Oudomxay: 08:00
Arrive Meng La: 12:00
Fee: 50,000kip
Travel time: 4 hours
Bus: 25-seat regular, no air-con.

Departure time from Meng La is unclear (presumably around the same time it departs from Oudomxay).

There is also a bus service between Oudomxay and Jing Hong, but it’s not regular (more like a charter bus from China).

Travel time (Oudomxay-Jing Hong): 6-7 hours and
Fee: around 120,000kip.

Info icon Oudomxay bus station: +856 (0) 81 212 217-8
Oudomxay tourist office: +856 (0) 81 212 483
Bokeo Province

There are buses to China from Bokeo, however at the moment no information is readily available. The only info I’ve got is that the bus leaves from the new bus station operated by a Chinese company. And there is no longer any bus to China from Keochampa bus station where there used to be.

Info icon Keochampa bus station: +856 (0) 84 211 659
Bokeo tourist office: +856 (0) 84 211 162


Luang Prabang - Kunming Bus
Luang Prabang Province – Kunming

There is one direct bus to Kunming daily from Na Luang bus station.

Depart Luang Prabang: 07:00
Arrive Kunming: 07:00 the next day
Fee: 420,000kip

From Kunming to Luang Prabang, the bus departs from Kunming Southern bus station.

Depart Kunming: 07:00
Arrive Luang Prabang: 07:00
Fee: 330 Yuan
Travel time: 24 hours
Bus: Sleeper, air-con.

Info icon
Luang Prabang Bus station: +856 (0)71 212 979
Vientiane Capital – Kunming via Meng La and Jing Hong

There is one bus daily to Kunming via Meng La and Jing Hong. The bus departs from the Northern bus station located on Sithong Road around 7 km north of Vientiane city centre.

Depart Vientiane: 14:30
Arrive Kunming: 21-22:00 (next day)
Travel time: 30-31 hours
Fee: Kunming: 635,000kip
Jing Hong: 385,000kip
Meng La: 284,000kip

From China

Depart Kunming: 19:00 (from Kunming southern bus station)
Fee: Kunming: 585 Yuan
Jing Hong: No info
Mengla: No info

Info icon
Vientiane Northern bus: +856 (0) 21 612 384 or
+856 (0) 20 5685 5558