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| Bangkok, Thailand Land of Smiles ! |
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| Vientiane, Laos Simply Beautiful ! |
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| Xishuangbana, Yunnan, China Ni Hao ! |
In April 2023, the China-Laos high speed railway was launched providing a fast, comfortable & economical way of travelling between Kunming (China) & Vientiane (Laos) - a distance of approx 1,000km ! So the idea of taking a high speed train from Laos > Southern China has been lingering in my mind for quite sometimes !
My last visits to Laos were in 2017 & 2011 whereas my last visit to Kunming, China was in 2019 twice (prior to the Covid-19 endemic) ! Xishuangbana & Pu'er were in my bucket list of travel in China hence I was very keen to do this overland border crossing train rides starting from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (my home country) > Thailand (Bangkok & Udon Thani) > Laos (Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang) & entering China via Xishuangbana, Pu'er & Kunming before flying home !
After my 21 days (Nov 14 > Dec 7 2024) Sri Lanka & southern India trip with my travel buddy, KF Wong, I started the micro-planning of this overland border crossing trip from Kuala Lumpur > Kunming via Thailand & Laos, putting words into actions like what Lao Tzu said " Watch your thought, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny. " - for a passionate traveller like me, these words of wisdom said a thousand things - no doubt actions speak louder than words so I believe all my travel buddies were very pleased with the outcome of this interesting & exciting free & easy 21 days overland border crossing trip from my home country, Malaysia to Thailand, Laos & China ! As all of us are senior citizens, this could be our once in a lifetime visit bringing back a fond memory in our retirement years !
In addition to visiting a number of touristy places in Bangkok, Udon Thani (Thailand), Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang (Laos) & Xishuangbana, Pu'er & Kunming (China) using mainly public transport ie trains, local Grabs, boats, buses, Metro & MRT, car hire etc, our group of 4 was able to show up in 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites ie Ban Chiang Archaeological Site of Thailand, The Town of Luang Prabang, Laos & The Stone Forest (Shilin), near Kunming of China, not to forget the highly entertaining Peacock Flying Show & Dance in Xishuangbana & the historic Tea Horse Ancient Road in Pu'er ! Happy travelling, KM, you had scored some brownie points in this arduous 3,440km free & easy & purposeful trip from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Kunming, China !
At the time of writing & completing this travel blog posting, my wife & myself had just returned home this week from China after joining a 9 days 7 nights package tour Exploring of Guizhou (March 18 > 26 2025) covering Guiyang, Libo, Zhaoxing, Xijiang, Anshun & Zhenning - my wife's dream of seeing the Sakura season in Guizhou has been fulfilled ...... as for me, I look forward for a well earned rest & dreaming of what's next in my world of travelling !
I am also saddened to hear of the news that a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 had struck Myanmar yesterday afternoon (Friday March 28 2025) & also Bangkok (Thailand), tremors had also been felt in Yunnan province of China & Ho Chi Minh city of Vietnam ! Let's hope for a speedy recovery for the affected countries so that people can get back to their normal life soon ! My deepest sympathy to the aggrieved parties & families who lost their loved ones in this sudden / unfortunate calamity / disaster ! My group of 4 was fortunate to visit Bangkok on March 11 & 12 2025, about two weeks earlier prior to this devastating earthquake ! Was it lady luck or karma ? I don't know !
My Travel buddies, KF Wong, Kuen Chen & spouse (Kam Ying).
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| Town of Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Yiliang Jiuxiang Scenic Area Kunming, China |
One for the Album from the lens (selfies & group photos) of my travel buddie; KF Wong was my travel buddy to Thailand, Vietnam, Northern & Southern India (2022 > 2024) whereas Kuen Chen & Kam Ying are KF Wong's travel buddies & both are newbies in my travel group for this 21 day exciting & interesting 3 cross border train rides (initiated by KM Cheng) between 1) Malaysia & Thailand (Padang Besar), 2) Thailand (Udon Thani / Nong Khai & Laos (Kamsavath) & 3) Laos (Luang Prabang / Boten) & China (Mo Han & Xishuangbana).
1) Thailand (Hatyai, Bangkok & Udon Thani)
Padang Besar, Thailand
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| Padang Besar, Thailand |
Bangkok, Thailand (Land of Smiles)
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| 4 Faced Buddha, Bangkok |
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| Benchakitti Park, Bangkok |
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| Benchakitti Park, Bangkok |
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| Icon Siam Mall, Bangkok |
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| Icon Siam Mall, Bangkok |
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| Icon Siam Mall, Bangkok |
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| Icon Siam Mall, Bangkok |
Udon Thani, Thailand
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| Udon Thani Railway Station, Thailand |
Ban Chiang (UNESCO), Thailand
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| Ban Chiang National Museum (UNESCO), Udon Thani, Thailand |
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| Ban Chiang World Heritage, Udon Thani, Thailand |
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| Phu Foi Lom Garden Thap Kung, Udon Thani, Thailand |
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| Phu Foi Lom Garden Thap Kung, Thailand |
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| Phu Foi Lom Garden Thap Kung, Udon Thani, Thailand |
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| Phu Foi Lom Garden Thap Kung, Udon Thani, Thailand |
2) Laos (Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang)
Vientiane, Laos
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| Talat Sao Bus Station, Vientiane, Laos |
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| Patuxay Monument Vientiane, Laos |
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| Patuxay Monument Vientiane, Laos |
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| Patuxay Monument Vientiane, Laos |
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| Patuxay Monument Vientiane, Laos |
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| Wat Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos |
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| Wat Pha That Luang, Vientiane, Laos |
Vang Vieng, Laos
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| Vang Vieng, Laos |
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| Vang Vieng, Laos |
Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos
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| Luang Prabang Night Market (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Phousi Hill, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Hmong Village, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Kuan Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Kuan Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Kuan Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| UXO Museum, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Rice Field, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
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| Rice Field, Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos |
3) China (Xishuangbana, Pu'er, Kunming)
Xishuangbana, China
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| The Manting Imperial Garden Xishuangbana, Yunnan, China |
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| Starlight Night Market Xishuangbana, Yunnan, China |
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| China / Burma Border Pier Xishuangbana, Yunnan, China |
Pu'er, China
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| Tea Horse Ancient Road, Pu'er, China |
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| Tea Horse Ancient Road Pu'er, China |
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| Tea Horse Ancient Road Pu'er, China |
Kunming, China
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| Yiliang Jiuxiang Scenic Area Kunming, China |
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| Yiliang Jiuxiang Scenic Area Kunming, China |
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| Stone Forest (Shilin), Kunming Yunnan, China |
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| Kunming, China |
Travel itinerary (3 overland border crossings by trains covering Malaysia, Thailand, Laos & China, a road distance of approx 3,440km): Kuala Lumpur > Padang Beasr (Malaysia) > Hat Yai > Bangkok > Udon Thani (Thailand) > Vientiane > Vang Vieng > Luang Prabang > Boten (Laos) > Mo Han > Xishuangbana > Pu'er > Kunming (China); returning by China Eastern Airline flying from Kunming > Kuala Lumpur.
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| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Luang Prabang, Laos - 2,430km |
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| Luang Prabang > Boten Laos - 289km |
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| Mohan > Xishuangbana > Pu'er > Kunming, China - 716km |
Total expenses incurred (21 days): Rm3,600 (US$809)
Malaysia: Total Expenses (1 day) = Rm156 (US$27)
- Train Ticket (KL Sentral > Padang Besar): Rm64 (Senior)
- Sim Card: Rm26
- Groceries: Rm12
- LRT train: Rm2 x 2 (Senior)
- MPV Van (Padang Besar > Hatyai): Rm30
- KLIA 1 Airport Coach: Rm10 x 2 (Senior)
Thailand (My 4 Days in Hatyai, Bangkok & Udon Thani): Total Expenses Rm449 + 2,359bht = Rm760
- Hotel (3 nights + 1 Extended, twin sharing): @Rm161
- Thai Train (3 rides): Rm288 + 235bht
- Metro / Sky Train: 467bht
- Thai Grab: 322bht
- Food: 807bht
- Boat: 16bht
- Car Hire (Udon Thani): @250bht (cost sharing of 4)
- Petrol: @112bht (cost sharing of 4)
- Entrance fee: 150bht
Laos (My 6 Days in Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang): Total Expenses Rm263 + LAK2,214,000 (RM452) = Rm715
- Hotel (5 nights, twin sharing): @Rm263
- Laos Train (3 tickets): LAK980,000
- Laos Grab / Taxi: LAK203,000
- Day Tour (Kuan Si Waterfall): LAK165,000
- Entrance Fee (Pha That Luang, Kuan Si Waterfall & Pousi Hill): LAK120,000
- Food: LAK746,000
China (My 11 Days in Xishuangbana, Pu'er & Kunming): Total Expenses Rm1,186 + CNY1,270 = Rm1,954
- Hotel (10 nights, twin sharing): Rm610
- Airfare (Kunming > KLIA1): Rm576
- Train (Pu'er & Kunming): CNY232
- China DiDi: CNY362
- Entrance Fee: CNY240
- Buggy Ride: CNY210
- Bus: CNY4
- Food: CNY222
Currency Exchange: US$1 = Rm4.40; 1bht = Rm1.325; Rm1 = LAK4,893; Rm1 = CNY0.606
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100bht = Rm13.25 (US$2.90)
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Travel Highlights (My 21 Days in Thailand, Laos & China):
1) Hat Yai, Thailand
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| Odeon Department Store Hatyai, Thailand |
2) Bangkok, Thailand
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| Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand |
3) Udon Thani, Thailand
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| Udon Thani City Museum, Thailand |
4) Ban Chiang, Thailand
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| Ban Chiang Archeological Site (UNESCO) Udon Thani, Thailand |
5) Vientiane, Laos
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| Patuxay Monument, Vientiane, Laos |
5) Vang Vieng, Laos
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| Vang Vieng Riverside, Laos |
6) Luang Prabang (UNESCO), Laos
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| Kuan Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang, Laos |
7) Xishuangbana, Yunnan, China
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| Gaozhuang Night Market, Xishuangbana Yunnan, China |
8) Pu'er, China
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| Tea Horse Ancient Road Pu'er, Yunnan, China |
9) Kunming, China
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| Stone Forest, Kunming (UNESCO) Yunnan, China |
Monday, Feb 10 2025 (Day 1 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / Padang Besar / Hatyai, Thailand) - the start of my 1st overland border crossing train ride from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia > Padang Besar > Hat Yai > Bangkok, Thailand, a little sight seeing in Hat Yai prior to taking an overnight train from Hat Yai to Grand Bang Sue Station, Bangkok.
Ground Transport + Food: Rm240 + 72bht
- MPV Van (Padang Besar > Hat Yai): Rm30
- Food: 72bht
- KTM Train Ticket (KL Sentral > Padang Besar): Rm64
- Train Ticket (Hat Yai > Grand Bang Sue): Rm146
1) Arriving (05.45) in SS15 LRT Station, Subang Jaya, 1st Rapid KL LRT train departing 06.00 from SS15 Subang Jaya > KL Sentral Station (approx 40 mins)
2) Arriving (06.40) in KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur to board a KTM ETS train > Padang Besar, a border town near Malaysia / Thai border.
3) Boarding KTM ETS train departing KL Sentral (07.20) > Padang Besar
4) Cityscape, suburban & countryside scenery as viewed from the moving train
4) Arriving in Padang Besar Railway Station, Malaysia
5) Exiting the Padang Besar Railway Station
6) Pre-booked a MPV van (Rm30 per pax) from a Ticketing Counter in Padang Besar Railway Station, Malaysia > Hat Yai Junction Railway Station, Thailand (car journey approx 1 hr), picked up by a private vehicle for a short ride to the Padang Besar Malaysia Immigration Complex for passport processing.
7) Arriving in Padang Besar Immigration Office (Exit Malaysia) for passport processing & immigration clearance followed by another short walk to the Thai Immigration office for passport stamping (Enter Thailand).
8) Padang Besar border town near Malaysia / Thai border.
9) Awaiting for our Thai MPV van picked up to Hat Yai Junction Railway Station after our Thai immigration passport stamping, waiting time approx 15 minutes !
10) Boarding our MRV van > Hat Yai Junction
11) Arriving in Hat Yai Junction Railway Station from Padang Besar (54km, approx 1 hour by car)
12) Walkabout in downtown Hat Yai prior to our overnight train ride to Grand Bang Sue Station, Bangkok.
13) The Train Hotel & Mini Market in Hat Yai Junction Railway Station
14) Savouring a bowl of beef noodle soup (60bht) from a traditional noodle stall nearby the Hat Yai Junction.
15) Hat Yai Junction Railway Station, Thailand - boarding our overnight train ride (Rm146 = US$32 Class 2, lower bed) from Hat Yai Junction ETD17.45 > Grand Bang Sue Railway Station, Bangkok.
16) On board the Thai Express train - comfortable seat & bed, air-conditioned, 2nd Class, lower bed Rm146 = US$32.
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