Heading north from Luang Prabang to Boten is the reverse of the classic Laos–China border run — 168 km back through Oudomxay’s hills to the last stop on Lao soil before the Mohan crossing into Yunnan.
Journey time and distance
The 168 km trip takes around 2 hours on express services, a little longer on the ordinary train, passing through Muang Xai, Namor and Nateuy before reaching Boten.
Why travellers take this route
This is the standard first leg for anyone travelling onward from Luang Prabang into China — Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Puer and beyond — since Boten is where you’ll go through Lao exit immigration before the short crossing to Mohan.
Booking tips
- If you’re continuing into China the same day, check your onward Chinese train’s departure time from Mohan before booking this leg — the border crossing itself involves a formalities stop.
- Book Lao domestic tickets no more than 3 days ahead; if travelling internationally through to China, the Chinese-side ticket can be booked further in advance.