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LUANG NAMTHA PROVINCE, Laos: The heart of Asia's Golden Triangle - where the borders of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar meet - was previously known as an illicit opium-producing area.
But it is now on track to becoming a major tourist destination, thanks to a major road network.
The Kunming-Chiang Rai highway - jointly funded by China, Laos, Thailand and the Asian Development Bank - which cuts through north western Laos is creating new opportunities for the rural communities in the landlocked country.
China's border town of Mohan, located at the southwestern tip of Yunnan province, is an important trade port on the Sino-Laotian border.
On a typical day, truck drivers can be seen getting ready for customs inspection at the checkpoint here. Truck drivers who have been driving for about 16 hours from Kunming stop at Mohan and hand over their trucks to drivers from the Lao side, who will bring the trucks over to Laos.
One driver explained: "We transport chestnuts from Kunming to the checkpoint (near the Lao border). They (Lao drivers) will drive the truck over to their side of the checkpoint, where they will unload the goods. Then, at 3pm, they will drive the truck back to us. We will then drive it back to Kunming."
Aside from Chinese goods, this Mohan landport is also a major gateway for tourists. Crossing the border into the Lao town of Boten, many tourists head on to Luangnamtha, after which their land journey continues onto Houayxay, eventually crossing the Mekong river to Thailand's Chiang Khong, and as far as Chiang Rai.
One of the major developments in Boten city in Luangnamtha is the building of the new customs and immigration complex.
While queuing up to get an entry stamp on one's passport, one can't help but notice the simple "do's" and "dont's" poster on how to greet the locals and being respectful of religious shrines while in Laos.
It is a breeze at immigration - you just need to fill up a simple form and hand it in, get an immigration stamp, and you will receive your visa which allows you to stay for a month in Laos.
As you travel along the highway, you will see small, quiet, lovely and rustic villages on either side.
An evidence of entrepreneurial activity among the locals are bundles of khem - long grass used to make brooms - one of the largest non-timber forest product sectors in Laos - earning extra income for Lao villagers.
With khem and other products making their way by truck to China, the road is a vital artery, increasing trade and tourism, encouraging investments, and raising living standards for the rural communities. - CNA/ms
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