We are two Canadians traveling in southeast Asia since early February 2003 (before SARS hit Canada). We are currently in Vietnam and planning to visit Yunnan province in China. Is the border open for tourists in China? Is there any threat of SARS in Yunnan? Should we cancel our plans and go elsewhere? We already have a Chinese visa and would arrive around the 5th of June 2003.

Could you please help clarify this situation? Thank you.

Awaiting your reply,

Niko Pantazis &

Catherine Ruel

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Dear Niko Pantazis & Catherine Ruel,

We are afraid that we have no more detailed information at hand about visiting Yunnan direct from Vietnam, but you should be able to get it from local travel agencies (such as Yunnan CITS email: ynok@ynok.com) or Yunnan Tourism Administration email: ainfo@yunnantourism.com.

So far as we know, Yunnan has not found any SARS patients or suspected cases, so you can go there with ease. You can make a final decision by checking China’s daily SARS report on: http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/SARS/60965.htm. But one thing we want to remind you of is that Yunnan Tourism Administration has issued a temporary policy, that is now being carried out by the local travel agencies and tourism-related departments: visitors from SARS affected countries may be dissuaded tactfully.

Hope this is of help for you.

The Editor

(China.org.cn June 2, 2003)