A village, two countries

Before setting off, I had anxiously awaited the warmth of the sun amidst the biting cold winds. Upon arrival, I was instantly enveloped by sunlight. The subtropical climate is very dry, the damp and chilly air evaporated, and the cold melted away. The moment I looked up at the sun, the sunlight was splendid, and so was I. Yet, the intense ultraviolet rays showed no mercy, heating up the body relentlessly. This is 'Mengmao'—Ruili. On one side is China, on the other Myanmar. A single village spans two nations, one can step into two countries, a bridge connects two realms, and the national boundary line splits it in half, sometimes making a foreign land feel not so foreign. The newly installed wire fences, the security checks at the checkpoints along the way, have strengthened the border management. Being adjacent to Northern Myanmar is not so frightening after all. Once you're here, leave a memory behind in this auspicious and beautiful frontier town.