Travel Guide to Friendship Bridge Viewpoint

Getting There

• Car

  If you are traveling by car within Bokeo Province, start from the provincial capital, Pak Beng. Take Route 2E heading east towards the border crossing at Huay Xai. After approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, you will reach Huay Xai. From Huay Xai, follow the signs towards the Friendship Bridge, which leads into Thailand. Once you cross the bridge, you will enter Chiang Rai Province. Continue driving to Si Don Chai village, which is about 20 minutes from the bridge. The viewpoint is located in the village; keep an eye out for signs indicating the viewpoint.

• Public Transportation

  To reach Friendship Bridge Viewpoint using public transportation, first, take a bus from Pak Beng to Huay Xai, which takes about 2 hours. The bus station in Pak Beng is typically located near the riverbank. Once you arrive at Huay Xai, you can catch a songthaew (a shared taxi) to the Friendship Bridge, which costs around 20,000 LAK (approximately $2 USD). After crossing the bridge into Thailand, take a local bus or songthaew to Si Don Chai village. The total travel time may take around 3-4 hours, depending on wait times for transport.

• Taxi

  For a more direct route, you can hire a taxi from anywhere in Bokeo Province to the Friendship Bridge. This is a more expensive option, costing around 500,000 LAK (approximately $50 USD) for the trip from Pak Beng to the viewpoint, but it offers convenience and speed. The taxi can take you directly to Si Don Chai village, where you can follow the signs to the viewpoint.