I will be in the Chiang Rai area in July and am interested in taking a long boat to Southern China but cannot find any info. I don't want a cruise. Can it be done? How long does it take? If so, how and where can we stay in China when we get there?

What exactly do you mean by that? In a boat along the coast past Cambodia and Vietnam? I think the only thing possible is a good sailboat.

If it will take a long time then this is the first time in my life having encountered someone actually wanting to "Take a slow boat to China!

Crough, I think you'll find the most helpful replies on Thorntree the Lonely Planet forum. There are lots of Chinese frieghters plying this route (Chiang Saen to Xishuanbana) but I have no idea about the passenger options.

I've heard you can actually take a long boat up the river that borders Thailand, Laos, Burma (Mai Kok, Mai Kong ?). It is 100 km from Chiang Saen.

We were in Chiang Saen in March and hired a long boat and guide for a 2 hour cruise along the Mekong river. We passed a couple of barges which the guide said were headed up the river to China. I jokingly asked if I could hire a boat to China and she said yes, no problem. I don't know any details(time or price) but imagine that you could hire a boat right on the dock at Chiang Saen. Also don't know if you would need visas as you will be passing thru Myanmar and Laos waters on your way to China. Our driver would not go close to the Burma shores and preferred to stay on the Laos side of the river. Again, don't know why. Hope this helps.

Aloha!

found a article that might interest you

http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/c...hern_port.html