I am thinking about visiting Shanghai, China and would like to add an orthodox journey from Shanghai to Vientiane possibly by bus or train or whatever mode (but plane) if it won't cause me too much trouble.
Thanks
Train or bus really. The Mekong ends in a waterfall, so you can't take a boat up there to Vientiane, lol.
Background Information
Sa Pa is located in the province of Lao Cai, Vietnam. Lao Cai is a mountainous region of Vietnam. Sa Pa is located at the Vietnam-China border. Sapa is known for its unique minority tribe such as the Hmong, Dao and Tay tribes. The Hmong people can be found at the mountainous region of China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Best time to visit
The monsoon season is usually from November to April while the dry season is from May to October, where it is usually very warm and humid.During December and January, the weather can be pretty hard on tourists as most houses and hotels lack heating systems. The temperature could reach as low as 0°C when it rains. It usually gets very foggy during year end and early year periods. Going during the dry season is advisable as you do not want to risk having a foggy day in Sa Pa.
Budget
TheTravelManual Team paid $160USD for a 2 day tour in Halong Bay and a 3 day tour in Sapa Mountains. The tour package should include all accommodation, food and transport cost except your taxi ride back from Hanoi train station to you hotel. For miscellaneous food and buying of local handicraft costs, we recommend about $10USD.
Things to do
When you are in Sapa Mountains, trekking is a must-do. They have different routes which takes you to different parts of Sapa. Each route has a view of its own both in terms of culture and nature. We spent the three days in Sa Pa trekking and I must say that what I saw while trekking in Sa Pa was one of the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed in my travels. The Hmong people who were selling handicrafts actually followed us for kilometers, they were a friendly bunch and could speak simple English. You could also visit different tribes and observe different customary. Its seems as though the deeper in you walk the more majestic it gets. Its almost as though you begin to slip into another world. A world of beauty in simplicity. The memories I had in Sa Pa is something I will never forget in a long time.
When we went to Sa Pa Mountains during January, the temperature hit 0°C plus it was raining and everything was wet. So it pretty much scared away the tourists who intended to stay in the Home Stay of Sa Pa. We were crazy enough to go ahead with the plan and were the only tourists there, and we do not regret that decision we made. It's a great way to submerge youself in the great nature and culture of Sa Pa. Our balcony was actually overlooking terraces of plantations,greeneries and a stream. In the night we made ourselves a fire and just sitting around the fire in the great outdoors was a rewarding experience by itself.
For more information about the majestic Sa Pa Mountains or even places like Da Lat, Mui Ne or Hanoi in Vietnam, do go to our main site at www.thetravelmanual.com
We are a team of budget travellers who search through the Asia region for trips rich in experience, but low on cost. Let us share with you our experiences and tips for a fulfilling holiday in Asia, without burning a hole in your pocket! Refer to our full website for all the details, tips and bargains at www.thetravelmanual.com
Next year, when I am 17 I am going to Thailand/Lao for a fortnight. I'll be visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Khong, Mekong River, Pak Beng, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. I currently live in the UK, and all my vaccinations are up to date. Which vaccinations will be essential for my journey? Sorry if I've not provided enough information, we only have a rough itinerary so far. If you need more, ask.
If all your vaccinations are up to date prior to leaving then you will not have any problems here. But better advise is to let your doctor tell you that. Hep A and B are important to be up to date. See you doctor not us expects here.
We are on a tight budget, will be coming from Bangkok via train to the Thai/Lao border. We have heard that Luang Prabang is worth a visit. Are their any boats that can take you from Vientiane to Luang Prabang? We've heard so many conflicting stories. One thing we know, flying is out of the option because of the tight budget.
Luang Prabang is awesome, it's definitely worth a visit. If you don't have money for a speed boat or flight a bus is your only option:-(
The slow boat for 12 hours would be miserable, no way I would do it. The slow boats weren't very comfortable and you would be going against the current.
It's just that I have the chance to go to one of these countries for 3 weeks and can't decide which to go to?! I know, such worries...lol.
Was thinking of going to Udon Thani or Chiang Mai in Thailand or Vientiane in Laos or Phnom Penh (possibly Siem Reap too) in Cambodia? Any ideas?
The biggest determining factor is of course money, the costs in each of these places!
Laos & Cambodia can be combined for a 3 week holiday,and certainly worth it,Thailand has become a bit expensive.
