9 Days Yunnan (China)-Vietnam Overland Tour from Kunming to Hanoi

Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Kunming
Accommodation:Kunming
Meals:

Upon your arrival at Kunming airport, our guide will greet you outside the baggage claim area and transfer you to the hotel. The remaining of the day is on your own to explore the city or have a rest at the hotel.

• In the morning:
  • Green Lake (Cuihu Park): Enjoy a leisurely stroll around this scenic park, famous for its clear waters and beautiful lotus flowers. You can also spot various birds in the area.
  • Flowers and Birds Market: Visit this vibrant market, where you can explore a variety of local flowers, plants, pets, and handicrafts. It’s a great place to experience local culture.

• At noon:
  • Western Hills: Visit the Western Hills, known for their beautiful scenery and panoramic views of Dianchi Lake.
  • Dianchi Lake: Take a leisurely walk along the shores of Dianchi Lake, enjoying the peaceful environment.

Sightseeing and Activities:the Stone Forest, Jianshui Ancient Town, Chaoyang Gate Tower, Zhu Family Garden
Accommodation:Shilin
Meals:B,L

Morning:

• Transfer to Stone Forest: Depart from Kunming in the morning and enjoy a scenic drive to the Stone Forest. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its remarkable limestone formations that resemble a forest made of stone. Take your time to walk through the unique rock formations and capture stunning photographs.

Midday:

• Lunch: Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, experiencing Yunnan's unique culinary flavors.

Afternoon:

• Drive to Jianshui: After lunch, continue your journey to Jianshui.
• Visit Chaoyang Gate Tower: Explore the Chaoyang Gate Tower, an ancient structure that offers insights into the town's history and architecture.
• Zhu Family Garden: Visit the Zhu Family Garden, known for its beautiful traditional architecture and serene gardens, showcasing the elegance of Chinese design.

Evening:

• Jianshui Old Town: In the evening, take a leisurely stroll through Jianshui Old Town. Enjoy the charming streets illuminated at night, shop for local handicrafts, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this ancient town.

Accommodation: Stay overnight in Jianshui, where you can relax and enjoy the local culture further.

Sightseeing and Activities: Jianshui Confucius Temple, Tuanshan Village, Zhang Family Garden
Accommodation:Yuanyang
Meals:B,L

Morning:

• Visit Jianshui Confucius Temple: Start your day by visiting the Confucius Temple in Jianshui. Explore this historical site, which is dedicated to the great philosopher Confucius and features beautiful architecture and serene gardens.

Midday:

• Drive to Tuanshan Village: After the temple, take a short drive to Tuanshan Village, known for its traditional architecture and rich cultural heritage. Stroll through the village to experience the local way of life.
• Zhang Family Garden: Visit the Zhang Family Garden, a well-preserved example of traditional Yunnanese architecture with intricate designs and lush gardens.
• Double Dragons Bridge: Continue your journey to the Double Dragons Bridge, an ancient stone bridge that showcases unique architectural features and provides picturesque views of the surrounding area.

Afternoon:

• Drive to Yuanyang: Depart for Yuanyang, known for its stunning rice terraces.

Evening:

• Enjoy Sunset at Longshuba Rice Terraces: Arrive at Longshuba Rice Terraces in the late afternoon to catch the breathtaking sunset. Witness the vibrant colors reflecting off the rice fields, creating a spectacular view that highlights the natural beauty of the region.

This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and stunning landscapes, making for a memorable day in Yunnan.

Sightseeing and Activities:Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces
Accommodation:Yuanyang
Meals:B,L

The first destination of this day will be a local market, a brilliant scene in Yuanyang when the locals flock in from all quarters wearing their colorful costumes and dresses. The narrow streets will also be full of assorted vending booths selling local products. Later, you will come to Duoyishu, another famous scenic area of Yuanyang Rice Terraces, to visit its local village and terraced fields. Here, you will find many dotted mushroom-shaped houses, like a scene in the fairy-tale world as well as the cloud-decorated terraced fields, presenting a traditional Chinese ink wash drawing. The last destination is the terraced fields in Laohuzui (Tiger's Mouth), distributed in a deep valley and resembling a huge flower. At the end of the day, we will transfer you back to the hotel.

• Early Morning:
  • Rise early and drive to Duoyishu Village to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Duoyishu Rice Terrace Fields. As the sun rises above the eastern horizon, the terraced fields will be illuminated, creating a stunning landscape of cascading rice paddies that stretch along the hillside.
• Morning:
  • Explore the picturesque terraced fields, taking in the views from the top of the mountains down to the valley below. Experience the beauty of the fields bathed in sunlight, enveloped by clouds and mist.
• Midday:
  • Visit Qingkou Village, where the Hani people have lived for generations. Take a stroll through the village and admire the surrounding rice terraces.
• Afternoon:
  • Continue to Bada Hani Rice Terrace and explore the local Shengcun Market, where you can experience the local culture and perhaps purchase some handmade crafts.
• Late Afternoon:
  • Head to Longshuba Rice Terraces, located about 5 km away from Xinjie Town, to enjoy the sunset over the terraces. Witness the changing colors of the sky and the landscape as the day comes to a close.

Sightseeing and Activities: Trecking through the terraced fileds, Cat Cat, Sin Chai.
Accommodation:Sapa
Meals:B,L

This morning, we will depart from Yuanyang at 08:00 and drive for around 4 hours to reach Hekou. After lunch, we will go through the security check and continue our journey to Sapa, which takes half an hour. From here, you will be escorted by our Vietnamese guide. In the afternoon, a two-hour trekking trip is arranged through the terraced rice fields. Visit the local famous villages of Cat Cat and Sin Chai. Stay overnight at a local nice hotel.

Morning:

• Drive Along the Red River: Begin your day with a scenic drive along the Red River to the Hekou Border. Enjoy the picturesque views as you travel.
• Cross the China-Vietnam Border: Arrive at the Hekou Border and complete the border crossing from Hekou to Lao Cai. Ensure you have your documents ready for a smooth transition into Vietnam.
• Drive to Sapa: After crossing into Vietnam, continue your journey with a drive to Sapa, renowned for its stunning landscapes and ethnic diversity.

Afternoon:

• Trekking Trip: Upon arrival in Sapa, embark on a two-hour trekking trip through the breathtaking terraced rice fields.
• Visit Local Villages: Along the trek, visit the famous villages of Cat Cat and Sin Chai, where you can experience the local culture, interact with the ethnic minority communities, and admire the beautiful scenery.

Evening:

• Overnight Stay: After an exciting day, check in to a comfortable hotel in Sapa, where you can unwind and enjoy the local ambiance.

This tour provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the natural beauty and rich culture of the Sapa region.

Sightseeing and Activities:Y Linh Ho Village, Muong Hoa Valley, Lao Chai Village, Ta Van Village
Accommodation:Sa Pa
Meals:B,L

• 08:30 AM: Depart for Y Linh Ho Village, home to the Black Hmong people. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the beautiful valleys nestled between the mountains.
• Lunch: Enjoy a local meal before continuing the journey.
• Afternoon:
  • Hike into Muong Hoa Valley and visit Lao Chai Village, where the Black Hmong community resides. Take in the fresh air while observing the terraced fields and streams along the way.
  • Engage with the welcoming local people and learn about their unique culture and customs.
• Later: Walk to Ta Van Village, where various ethnic minority groups, including the Hmong, Giay, and Red Dao, coexist. Visit a local Catholic church to gain insight into the community.
• Return: After the tour, drive back to Sapa to relax and reflect on the day's experiences.

Sightseeing and Activities:Ta Phin Village, the Silver Waterfall, Heaven Gate
Accommodation:Sa Pa
Meals:B,L

• Morning:
  • At around 08:30 am, depart for Ta Phin Village, the closest village of the Red Dao ethnic group in the Sapa area.
  • Explore the village and admire the unique, handcrafted brocades created by the locals, featuring vibrant colors and intricate patterns.
• Midday:
  • After lunch, continue your tour to the Silver Waterfall. Known as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam, the water cascades down, shimmering like silver, which is how it got its name.
• Afternoon:
  • Proceed to Heaven Gate, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding natural landscape, including dense forests and the contrasting views of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces.
• Evening:
  • After the tour, transfr to Laocai Railway Station to catch the train to Hanoi, overnight in the train.

Sightseeing and Activities:Ba Dihn Square, Ho Chi Minh Complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Presidential Palace,Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake, Water Puppet Show
Accommodation: Hanoi
Meals:B.L

Arrive in Hanoi in the morning. Our local tour guide will wait for you at the train station on time. Breakfast is arranged at Cosiana Hotel (3 stars) which is very close by the railway station. After breakfast, we begin a full day city tour right after breakfast. We will first proceed to Ba Dihn Square to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace. Afterwards, we explore the Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda and West Lake. We also have chance to visit one of the city's museums, either the History Museum or the Ethnology Museum based on your interests. A lively traditional Water Puppet Show is scheduled for you next. You will then be driven to the railway station to take an overnight train to Lao Cai.

• Morning:
  • Start your day with breakfast before embarking on a full-day city tour.
  • First, visit Ba Dinh Square to explore the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his stilt house.
  • Next, visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace.
• Midday:
  • Continue your tour at the Temple of Literature, a stunning example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
  • Visit Quan Thanh Temple, known for its serene atmosphere, and then head to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located by West Lake.
• Afternoon:
  • Choose to visit one of the city's museums based on your interests: either the History Museum or the Ethnology Museum for insights into Vietnam's rich heritage.
• Evening:
  • Enjoy a lively traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique cultural experience showcasing Vietnam's folklore.
• Enjoy the opportunity to discover the local culture, cuisine, and attractions that this bustling city has to offer. In the evening, you can embark on a night tour to explore Hanoi's lively nightlife.Night Tour of Hanoi:
  • Old Quarter Night Market: Stroll through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter, where you can shop for souvenirs, taste local delicacies, and experience the vibrant atmosphere.
  • Hoan Kiem Lake: Visit the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, beautifully illuminated at night, and take a leisurely walk around its peaceful surroundings.
  • Night Food Tour: Sample Hanoi's famous street food, including pho, banh mi, and egg coffee, at various street food stalls and local eateries.
  • Historic Sites: See historic sites like the St. Joseph's Cathedral and the Hanoi Opera House lit up against the night sky, providing a stunning backdrop for your evening exploration.
  • Live Music Venues: End your night at one of Hanoi's live music venues or bars, where you can enjoy traditional Vietnamese music or contemporary performances.

Sightseeing and Activities:Departure from Hanoi
Accommodation: None
Meals:B

Morning:

• After breakfast, our guide will collect you from your hotel and assist you with your luggage.
• Enjoy a scenic drive to Hanoi International Airport for your return flight.

End of Service:

• Your 9-day Yunnan (China) - Vietnam Overland Tour concludes here. Thank you for traveling with us, and we wish you safe travels on your journey home!