Vietnam to Yunnan Explorer

Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam's storied capital. For those who wish to explore more, you may want to arrive early to take advantage of extra time in the city. Your guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Take the day to relax and adjust to the city’s rhythm. Enjoy an orientation walk around the Old Quarter, where you can experience the mix of old temples, French buildings, and peaceful lakes. Hanoi is full of energy, history, and charm. You can rest or explore on your own. This first day is about settling in and soaking up the local atmosphere before your journey truly begins.

Hanoi

Today you’ll explore Hanoi’s history and culture with the guidance of a local guide or our experienced tour leaders, who will provide insights and share stories throughout the day. Start in the Old Quarter’s busy alleys, where old houses and shops fill the narrow lanes. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, then see the famous One Pillar Pagoda. Head to the Fine Arts Museum to see Vietnam’s creative history. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake for a peaceful break. End your day at the Museum of Ethnology to learn about Vietnam’s many ethnic groups and gain a deeper understanding of local culture. It’s a full day of seeing Hanoi’s old stories and vibrant cultures come to life.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hanoi

Halong Bay

Leave Hanoi by private vehicle and drive through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. Board a traditional Vietnamese junk boat and start sailing through emerald waters surrounded by towering limestone islands. See islands like Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog Island, and Binh Phong Mountain from the boat. Relax on board and enjoy the peaceful views. Your night will be spent on the boat under the stars, gently rocked by the waves—an unforgettable way to experience this natural wonder.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Halong Bay

Wake up to sunrise over Halong Bay—a calm and magical sight. Today’s journey takes you deeper into Bai Tu Long Bay, a quieter and less visited part of the area. Enjoy the views, the gentle breeze, and the peaceful rhythm of life on the water. You may visit hidden coves or simply watch the changing landscape from the boat. In the evening, have dinner and drinks on the top deck under the night sky, enjoying one more peaceful night on the bay.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hanoi

Return to Hanoi by road, passing through the green countryside. In the afternoon, you can join an optional bike ride—a relaxing bicycle tour through quiet neighbourhoods of the city. This optional bike ride takes you away from busy roads and shows you local life in calm backstreets. Later, enjoy a water puppet show—a colourful and fun tradition that tells folk tales with wooden puppets dancing on water. It’s a special way to end the day and understand more about Vietnam’s village culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hanoi

Overnight Train

This morning, visit Bat Trang Ceramic Village to see pottery being made the traditional way. You can even try making your own. Walk through the workshops and craft shops, where you can watch the local artists at work and purchase handmade ceramics as unique souvenirs. Next, visit the peaceful But Thap Pagoda and enjoy the green rural surroundings. In the evening, head to the train station for your overnight journey to Lao Cai in the north. The train offers a comfortable way to travel as you sleep, ready for the mountains of Sapa.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sapa

Arrive in Lao Cai early and transfer to your hotel in Sapa. After breakfast, meet your guide and explore this beautiful mountain area. Visit Matra, a Black Hmong village, where you will have the chance to meet traditional hilltribe villagers and visit a local H'mong family. Stop by a local school to learn about life in the community. Enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch with the family, experiencing authentic regional flavors and customs. Take a gentle hike through terraced rice fields and scenic valleys, passing small villages along the way. This day offers a deep look at rural life and ethnic culture in one of Vietnam’s most stunning regions. Return to your hotel to relax in the evening.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sapa

Start the day at Sapa’s colourful Ethnic Market, where people from nearby villages come to sell handmade crafts, clothes, and food. Walk through the stalls and chat with the friendly vendors. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs like textiles, jewellery, or bags. This market is full of life and shows the rich culture of Sapa’s diverse communities. Take your time browsing and enjoy the lively scene. Later, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening after a day of local discovery.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Sapa

Yuanyang County

Today you’ll cross the Chinese border at Hekou and drive to Yuanyang County, famous for its stunning rice terraces. At the border crossing, you will need to present the personal details page of your passport and provide your personal details for immigration and travel documentation. After crossing the Hekou border, enjoy a scenic four-hour drive through the countryside. Arrive in time to see sunset at Laohuzui, or “Tiger’s Mouth,” where the layered rice terraces glow in the golden evening light. This view is one of the most beautiful in the region. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a peaceful night surrounded by nature. It’s the perfect place to rest before exploring more tomorrow.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Yuanyang County

Wake up early to see the sunrise at Duoyishu, where golden light shines across the rice terraces. Later, visit a local market in a Hani Minority Village, where the Yi, Hani, and several other ethnic groups meet each week to sell produce and handmade goods. It’s a great chance to see local life up close. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic walk from Duoyishu to Bada, passing buffaloes, farmers, and stunning rice fields. This gentle trek gives you a close look at the connection between the people and the land in one of China’s most beautiful agricultural landscapes.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Jianshui

Travel to Jianshui, a historic town that once served as a military base. Walk through quiet streets lined with traditional architecture. Visit the Zhu Family Garden, a large courtyard home surrounded by bamboo groves and built in elegant imperial Chinese style, where you can explore manicured gardens within the complex. In the afternoon, see the famous Twin Dragon Bridge, one of the oldest and longest stone bridges in China. Return to town and enjoy exploring more of Jianshui’s charm. The town offers a peaceful atmosphere and many chances to learn about the region’s long history and artistic traditions.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lijiang

Drive through dramatic landscapes to Shilin, or the Stone Forest, where jagged limestone towers rise from the ground like trees. Continue to the Black Stone Forest, a darker and even more surreal set of formations. These natural wonders have taken millions of years to form and are unlike anywhere else. The itinerary is designed for comfortable and efficient travel between destinations, ensuring smooth transfers as you later head to Kunming Airport for your short flight to Lijiang. From the sky, enjoy views of mountains and valleys. Land in Lijiang, a beautiful town where ancient culture and nature come together perfectly.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Lijiang

Lijiang

Explore the charming town of Lijiang, often called the “Big Inkpot” because of its twisting canals that look like flowing ink. Visit the Mu Palace, once home to rulers from the Mongol Dynasty, to learn about the area’s past. Wander the cobbled streets lined with traditional Naxi wooden houses and stone bridges, showcasing the unique architecture and craftsmanship of the Naxi people. Enjoy the peaceful rhythm of the town and discover shops, tea houses, and local crafts. Take the opportunity to learn about writing ancient Dongba characters, a fascinating part of Naxi culture, or visit a local Naxi family to experience their traditions and daily life firsthand. With its mix of history and beauty, Lijiang is the perfect place to slow down and take in the spirit of old China.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Shaxi

This morning, visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and take a cable car up to Ganzidou peak. From here, enjoy wide views of snowy peaks and deep valleys, with the majestic Jade Garden Snow Mountain as a breathtaking highlight of the landscape. Stop at Yak Prairie to see the open grasslands and take in the fresh mountain air. Then travel to Shaxi, a quiet town once important on the old Tea Horse Road. Check into your hotel—either the cosy Laomadian Lodge or the historic Old Theatre Inn. Spend the evening resting in this peaceful place, ready to explore its ancient charm tomorrow.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Shaxi

Spend the morning walking through Shaxi’s narrow stone lanes. This small town, located on the ancient Tea Horse Road, has kept its ancient feel and is filled with stories of traders and pilgrims who once traveled this historic trading route between Yunnan and Tibet. Visit the beautiful Three Terraced Pavilion near the Buddhist temple, a quiet spot with lovely views. In the afternoon, head to Shibaoshan, or “Stone Treasure Mountain.” This area is known for its natural beauty and carved stone shrines. Visit the famous fertility symbol, the “Stone Treasure,” and take in the peaceful surroundings that have inspired legends for centuries.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dali

Enjoy a relaxing drive through green hills and fields on your way to Dali, a town by the lake that’s home to the Bai minority people. Stay at the home of a local artist and experience Dali’s creative spirit. If you’re lucky, visit the colourful local market that happens just five days each month, where you can engage with local communities, interact with regional residents, and discover traditional crafts. Browse local crafts, taste fresh food, and enjoy the lively atmosphere while supporting and understanding local communities through authentic experiences. In the evening, stroll along the lakeshore or relax in your guesthouse, taking in the peaceful views and rich culture of this lovely town.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dali

Kunming

Begin your day with a visit to the famous Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, set against the backdrop of the Cangshan Mountains. This historic site is one of Dali’s most recognised symbols and a place of spiritual calm. Later, continue your journey to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. On arrival, check in to your hotel and relax. If time allows, consider visiting Green Lake Park, a scenic and cultural attraction in Kunming where you can experience local daily life, traditional performances, and natural beauty within the city. Alternatively, you can explore a nearby market. This final stop is a chance to rest and reflect on all the incredible places you’ve visited.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kunming - Departure

Your adventure ends today in Kunming. After a good night's sleep, enjoy a slow morning—maybe have a relaxed breakfast or take a short walk nearby. Then your private transfer will take you to the airport in time for your flight. As you leave, carry with you memories of quiet villages, misty mountains, colourful markets, and the warmth of the people you met along the way. This journey through China has shown you both the beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its cultures.

Meals Included: Breakfast