# Laos to China by Bus & Train: The Boten–Mohan Crossing

> Boten to Mohan is the road and rail gateway from Laos into Yunnan: hours, visas, the Kunming through train, and the flooding closing the road in 2026.

**Source:** https://laosbustickets.com/laos-china-border-crossing/  
**Language:** en  
**Last verified:** 4 September 2026  
**Written by:** Laos Bus Tickets, Vientiane, Laos
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## Quick answer

Boten (Luang Namtha) to Mohan (Yunnan) is the crossing between Laos and China, open 06:30–22:00 with both visa on arrival and eVisa available on the Lao side. It works two ways: the road crossing, and the Laos–China Railway, which has its own separate immigration checkpoint. Through trains hold about 60 minutes at each side while passengers clear immigration. As of 4 September 2026, flooding has closed National Route 13 North to the border; the railway is running normally.

## Border crossings

| Crossing | Connects | Hours | Lao visa on arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boten – Mohan | Luang Namtha to Mohan, Yunnan, China | 06:30–22:00 | Yes |
| Boten railway checkpoint | Boten, Luang Namtha to Mohan, Yunnan, China | 06:30–22:00 | Yes |

## Routes

| Route | Border crossing | Duration | Bookable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vientiane to Boten | , | approx 3.5 hrs | Yes |
| Vientiane to Kunming | , | 9.5–10 hrs including border formalities | Yes |

## Common questions

### Is the border open right now?

The road to it is not. National Route 13 North has been closed between the Oudomxay provincial border and the Boten–China crossing since 30 August 2026 after landslides and washouts. Reports conflict on whether the checkpoint building itself is operating. The railway is running normally.

### How does the train crossing work?

Through trains hold for about 60 minutes at Boten and again at Mohan while everyone clears immigration. You stay on the same train. The railway checkpoint is a separate entry on the Lao immigration register from the road crossing.

### How long is Vientiane to Kunming?

About 9.5 to 10 hours including border formalities. Services run D87 08:08→17:44 and D86/83 10:55→20:59 southbound, D88 09:00→18:34 and D84/85 12:25→22:08 northbound.

### How much does the train to Kunming cost?

Roughly CNY 552 (about US$81) second class and CNY 881 (about US$129) first class for Kunming–Vientiane.

### Can I get a Lao visa on arrival at Boten?

Yes. Both visa on arrival and the Lao eVisa work here, and unlike the Vietnam and Cambodia crossings the eVisa is reliably accepted at Boten.

### How far is Boten station from the road border?

About 4 km. A shared taxi costs 60,000 kip or 20 RMB.

## Sources

- [Lao Department of Immigration](https://immigration.gov.la): checkpoint list, opening hours and visa status
- [The Laotian Times](https://laotiantimes.com): the August 2026 flooding in northern Laos

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_Written and maintained from Vientiane. The people behind this site have lived in Laos for two decades and cross these borders themselves. Routes and visa rules get rechecked whenever something changes, not on a fixed schedule that lets stale information sit for months._