Vietnam to China Heritage Trail

Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, the crazy capital of Vietnam. Check in to your hotel and rest and recover from your journey. Outside the streets are buzzing with motorbikes, market sounds and smells from street food stalls. But today is for settling in. Relax in your room or take a quiet walk nearby. This is your introduction to a city where ancient temples and colonial buildings sit beside modern cafes and busy shops. Let Hanoi slowly welcome you and get ready for the adventure ahead.

Hanoi

Join your guide for a full day in Hanoi. Walk through the Old Quarter’s narrow streets with old houses, busy shops and local markets. Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the former leader rests, then the One Pillar Pagoda and the National Fine Arts Museum. Stop at Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake for some peace and quiet, then the Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Afterward, participate in a cooking class where you can learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes, often starting with a visit to a local market to source fresh ingredients. Each place gives you a new perspective on Vietnam’s past and present, from politics and religion to art and tradition.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hanoi

Halong Bay

Join your guide for a full day in Hanoi. Walk through the Old Quarter’s narrow streets with old houses, busy shops and local markets. Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the former leader rests, then the One Pillar Pagoda and the National Fine Arts Museum. Stop at Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake for some peace and quiet, then the Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Afterward, participate in a cooking class where you can learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes, often starting with a visit to a local market to source fresh ingredients. Each place gives you a new perspective on Vietnam’s past and present, from politics and religion to art and tradition.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Halong Bay

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over Halong Bay. Today we sail into Bai Tu Long Bay, a quieter and equally beautiful area. Try kayaking in the calm water and enjoy a leisurely ride through the tranquil bay, or explore nearby caves. Time to relax and soak up the peaceful atmosphere before returning to the main bay. Enjoy another evening on board with fresh seafood and drinks on the deck. Watch the sky change colours as the sun sets over the water. This second night on the boat gives you more time to unwind and connect with nature.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hanoi

After breakfast leave Halong Bay and drive back to Hanoi. In the afternoon take a guided bicycle tour through quieter neighbourhoods, lakes, hidden temples and street cafes, or enjoy a leisurely stroll to soak in the local atmosphere. This is a different side of the city—slower, more peaceful and local. In the evening enjoy a traditional water puppet show, where wooden figures perform folk tales on a stage of water, with live music and storytelling. After the show, consider dining at a local restaurant to experience authentic Vietnamese cuisine. It’s a unique and fun way to experience Vietnam’s artistic traditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hanoi

TRAIN

Today drive into the countryside to Bat Trang Ceramic Village. Watch local artisans make pottery using age old techniques and try shaping your own piece with their help. Then visit the peaceful But Thap Pagoda, known for its detailed wooden carvings. Stop in nearby villages to see village life and rural life in northern Vietnam, where you can observe daily routines and traditional activities. In the evening board an overnight train to Lao Cai, the gateway to the northern highlands. The comfortable train ride sets the stage for your next adventure in Sapa.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sapa

Arrive early in Lao Cai and transfer to Sapa, where mountain views and cool air welcome you. After breakfast meet your local guide. Start with a walk through Matra village, home to the Black Hmong people. Visit a local school and learn about life in this remote community. Then hike through beautiful terraced rice fields and lush rice paddies, following quiet paths that link nearby villages. Along the way, you'll have the chance to interact with local people and experience the warm hospitality of the friendly locals. Today gives you a close look at both the scenery and the diverse cultures that make this area so special.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sapa

Begin the day with a relaxed walk through Sapa town. Visit the Ethnic Market, where villagers from the surrounding mountains come to sell their goods. You’ll find handmade crafts, textiles, silver jewellery and more. Bargaining is welcome and supports local families. This is a great chance to pick up unique souvenirs. In the afternoon, relax at your hotel or take a leisurely stroll through the nearby hills or Sapa town, enjoying the scenic views and local atmosphere. After days of walking it’s a good time to rest and enjoy Sapa’s cool mountain air.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sapa

YUANYANG COUNTY

Today cross the border into China at Hekou and drive to Yuanyang (4 hours). Yuanyang is famous for its ancient rice terraces built by local ethnic minority communities. Arrive in the afternoon and check in hotel. Head to Laohuzui (Tiger's Mouth) to watch the sunset over the rice fields. The light changes the colours of the land and it's one of the most beautiful views in the area.

Meals Included: Breakfast

YUANYANG COUNTY

Wake early to see the sunrise at Duoyishu. Sip a hot cup of tea as the morning light spreads across the famous rice terraces. After breakfast, visit a lively market in a Hani minority village, where local Yi and Hani people gather each week. Take time to explore the local villages and experience their traditional lifestyles and customs. Then enjoy a scenic walk from Duoyishu to Bada. Along the trail, you’ll pass farmers working in rice fields, water buffalo grazing, and beautiful views of layered terraces. Today is all about nature, tradition, and the peaceful rhythm of life in southern Yunnan’s countryside.

Meals Included: Breakfast

JIANSHUI

Travel to Jianshui, a charming ancient town with deep history. Visit the Zhu Estate, a beautifully preserved traditional mansion surrounded by bamboo groves, showing off the elegance and unique architecture of feudal-era design. Wander its courtyards and quiet halls. Later, see the famous Twin Dragon Bridge, one of China’s oldest stone bridges, renowned for its unique architecture with 17 graceful arches spanning the river. The day ends with time to explore Jianshui’s peaceful old streets, lined with tiled roofs and red lanterns.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lijiang

Drive through Lunan to reach Shilin—known as the Stone Forest—where towering limestone pillars rise like trees. Walk among the jagged rock formations of the Black Stone Forest and enjoy the natural beauty of this surreal landscape. Later, head to Kunming Airport for your flight to Lijiang. As the plane takes off, enjoy stunning aerial views of Yunnan’s green hills and farmlands. Arrive in Lijiang, a city that combines old-world charm with modern comforts.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lijiang

Lijiang

Begin your day in Lijiang, often called the “Big Inkpot” because of its canals and bridges. Visit Mu Palace, the former home of powerful warlords during the Mongol era. Walk through its large courtyards and rooms filled with carvings and history. The palace is full of stories from the 13th century, and its location above the old town offers lovely views. Later, stroll the cobbled streets of Lijiang’s old town, recognized as one of the region's heritage sites, full of shops, cafés, and local life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SHAXI

Today, head to the dramatic Jade Dragon Mountain. Enjoy a scenic drive and walk across the Yak Prairie before ascending to Ganzidou, the mountain’s summit. The panoramic views are unforgettable. After the mountain adventure, travel to Shaxi, a quiet historic town once important on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Check in to a local guesthouse such as Laomadian Lodge or Old Theatre Inn. Spend the evening resting and taking in the peaceful mountain air.

Meals Included: Breakfast

SHAXI

Wander through Shaxi’s beautiful old town with its stone-paved streets, timber-framed houses, and market square. Stop by the Three Terraced Pavilion and nearby Buddhist Temple. In the afternoon, take a trip to Shibaoshan—Stone Treasure Mountain. Explore caves, temples, and giant stone carvings hidden in the forest. One highlight is the famous “Stone Treasure,” which locals believe brings fertility and good fortune. This peaceful day mixes culture, nature, and a touch of legend.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dali

Drive through rolling hills to Dali, home of the Bai people. Check in with a local artist whose home reflects the area’s creative spirit. If your visit matches the schedule, explore a special market held five days each month. You’ll find local produce, crafts, and textiles. Dali’s old town and lakeside setting are full of charm, surrounded by mountains. This is a good place to enjoy both cultural depth and natural beauty.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dali

Kunming

Start your day with a visit to the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. These ancient towers sit in front of the Cangshan Mountains and offer a peaceful and spiritual experience. Afterward, travel to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Check into your hotel and enjoy a quiet evening. Reflect on everything you’ve seen—from mountains and rice terraces to temples and ancient towns—during your rich journey across Yunnan.

Meals Included: Breakfast

KUNMING - DEPARTURE

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Kunming. Have breakfast, take a short walk, or enjoy a final cup of tea. When it’s time, a private car will take you to the airport for your flight. As you depart, carry with you the unforgettable memories of this journey—from mountain temples and stone forests to colourful markets and peaceful rice fields—through one of China’s most beautiful and diverse regions.

Meals Included: Breakfast