The Myanmar border is currently only open to Burmese and Chinese citizens on short term passes traveling no more than a few km inside each other's territory. There has been talk since 2013 of upgrading at least the main Ruili-Muse crossing to international status and allowing locals and foreigners through with appropriate visas.

Until the Burmese side sorts out the security situation, particularly in the Kutkai area (which is a village located on the highway a little south of Muse) then the border can't be upgraded.

For Laos, VOA is possible though some nationalities are visa exempt. Vietnam is visa exempt for 15 days for ASEAN nationals, Nordic nationals, UK, Spanish, Russian, Korean and Japanese nationals.

Peter99, I remember engaging you in your threads about Myanmar a few years ago. What do you do and where do you live? By the sounds of it, not in China anymore anyway. But you definitely know your stuff regarding that country, as well as Laos.

Sorry I didn't update this post but it turns out that the later closing time is correct. Always seemed odd to me that this border crossing, the only one Yunnan shares with a neighboring country that freely allows private vehicles across would close so much earlier than others like the one in Muse, that isn't even open to foreigners without a permit.

They extended the opening hours to 9.30pm China time and last year I crossed at around 7.30pm China time (6.30pm Lao time) into China and confirmed the closing times with both China and Lao immigration.

Among the reasons for the extended opening hours is the construction of the China-Lao high-speed railway and the increase in traffic across that border. No longer is it an isolated little village in the middle of nowhere.

As for getting a ride to Kunming, I asked at the border and was offered 1000 rmb for a private transfer. Thought that was fairly reasonable. However, in the end my company's friend drove me to Jinghong for free, even paid for my accommodation and I caught a flight to Kunming the following day. Weather was perfect despite being July, supposedly the middle of the rainy season.

Does anyone know when the Mohan border crossing closes? Previously I heard it was 5.30pm but that seems exceptionally early considering that the Hekou border closes at 11pm and even the Muse/Ruili border, currently closed to foreigners closes that late. However, when I did a search someone claimed it now closes at 9.30pm China time. Not sure who's right though.

Also, how much would it cost to hire a car with driver from Mohan to Kunming? I presume it's rather expensive and flights from Jinghong are the way to go, but just wondering, especially if going in a group. If it's like 800 Kuai, I'd say it's OK, but if 1500 or more then definitely too expensive.

@tigertiger, yes that was one issue as well as lots of accidents too.

No problems hiring a Thai registered vehicle for driving in Thailand. However, they are starting to crack down on tourists hiring motorcycles without an appropriate licence (at least in Pattaya) and you'll want to be in possession of one especially in case of an accident (for insurance purposes).