I prefer not to travel during peak summer, but a friend wants to go to Chiang Mai. Ctrip has one ways at 1450+ rmb for July 20th and on.

Any agencies in town or online that have a cheaper fare?

Hi! This is Aaron from Wonders of Yunnan Travel. We're happy to provide an offer to you: 1570 RMB / per person (price based on the flight you mentioned).

Further services you need, please contact us at www.wondersofyunnan.com

Best Regards,

Aaron

Wow, only about 100 more, bargain.

Maybe Aaron skipped over the word cheaper in Alex's post.

well it depends on what the + means.

You sound like former President Clinton.

I did not have +tual relations with that woman.

If you have a bit of time a nice way to get there is breaking the trip in Jinghong then getting a bus to Guanlei and a cargo boat to Chiang Saen.

Are the boats running again? I thought they'd stopped because of the drug-related shooting incident a few years back. Do you have to get a Lao visa ?

No Lao visa - the boat doesn't touch Lao territory.