Motorbike Riding Tour from Vietnam (Hanoi) to Yunnan (Shangri La) via Hekou Border
Motorbike Rental Services
Notable Rental Providers
- Tigit Motorbikes: Known for a wide range of bikes, from scooters to adventure bikes, with one-way rental options.
- Price: $10 to $30 per day
- Flamingo Travel: Offers various motorbikes suitable for long-distance touring.
- Price: Around $15 per day
- Style Motorbikes: Renowned for well-maintained bikes and reliable service.
- Price: $12 per day
Rental Requirements
- Valid international driver’s license with a motorbike endorsement.
- Passport for identification.
- Deposit ranging from $100 to $500, depending on the bike.
Safety Gear
Basic safety gear such as helmets is provided. For long-distance tours, it’s advisable to bring your own protective clothing like gloves, jackets, and riding boots.
Motorbike Tour: Hanoi to Lao Cai, Sapa, Hekou, Yuanyang, Jianshui, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Back to Hanoi
Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Various Destinations
Itinerary
- Hanoi to Lao Cai: Approximately 300 km
- Route: Take the QL32 and QL4D highways.
- Highlights: Beautiful mountain scenery, ethnic minority villages.
- Lao Cai to Sapa: Approximately 40 km
- Route: Take the QL4D highway.
- Highlights: Terraced rice fields, Fansipan Mountain, Sapa market.
- Sapa to Hekou (China Border): Approximately 35 km
- Route: Take the QL4D highway.
- Highlights: Cross the border into China at Hekou.
- Hekou to Yuanyang: Approximately 200 km
- Route: Take the S203 and S214 highways.
- Highlights: Yuanyang’s famous rice terraces, ethnic Hani villages.
- Yuanyang to Jianshui: Approximately 140 km
- Route: Take the S214 highway.
- Highlights: Ancient town of Jianshui, Zhu’s Garden, Confucian Temple.
- Jianshui to Kunming: Approximately 210 km
- Route: Take the G8011 and G8511 highways.
- Highlights: Kunming’s Green Lake, Yuantong Temple, Stone Forest.
- Kunming to Dali: Approximately 340 km
- Route: Take the G56 highway.
- Highlights: Dali Old Town, Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain.
- Dali to Lijiang: Approximately 180 km
- Route: Take the G56 highway.
- Highlights: Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool.
- Lijiang to Shangri-la: Approximately 180 km
- Route: Take the G214 highway.
- Highlights: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-la Old Town.
- Shangri-la back to Hanoi: Approximately 900 km (via Kunming)
- Route: Retrace the route through Kunming and continue to Hanoi.
- Highlights: Enjoy the scenic ride back through Yunnan and into Vietnam.
Tour Details and Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi to Lao Cai
- Distance: Approximately 300 km
- Route: Follow the QL32 and QL4D highways.
- Highlights: Scenic mountain views, ethnic minority villages.
- Accommodation: Stay in Lao Cai.
Day 2: Lao Cai to Sapa
- Distance: Approximately 40 km
- Route: Take the QL4D highway.
- Highlights: Terraced rice fields, Fansipan Mountain, Sapa market.
- Activities: Explore Sapa town, visit local markets, and trek to nearby villages.
- Accommodation: Stay in Sapa.
Day 3: Sapa to Hekou (China Border)
- Distance: Approximately 35 km
- Route: Continue on the QL4D highway.
- Highlights: Cross the border into China at Hekou.
- Border Crossing: Ensure all documents are in order for crossing into China.
- Accommodation: Stay in Hekou.
Day 4: Hekou to Yuanyang
- Distance: Approximately 200 km
- Route: Take the S203 and S214 highways.
- Highlights: Yuanyang’s famous rice terraces, ethnic Hani villages.
- Activities: Visit the Duoyishu Rice Terraces for sunrise.
- Accommodation: Stay in Yuanyang.
Day 5: Yuanyang to Jianshui
- Distance: Approximately 140 km
- Route: Follow the S214 highway.
- Highlights: Ancient town of Jianshui, Zhu’s Garden, Confucian Temple.
- Activities: Explore Jianshui Old Town and its historical sites.
- Accommodation: Stay in Jianshui.
Day 6: Jianshui to Kunming
- Distance: Approximately 210 km
- Route: Take the G8011 and G8511 highways.
- Highlights: Kunming’s Green Lake, Yuantong Temple, Stone Forest.
- Activities: Visit Green Lake and the Stone Forest.
- Accommodation: Stay in Kunming.
Day 7: Kunming to Dali
- Distance: Approximately 340 km
- Route: Follow the G56 highway.
- Highlights: Dali Old Town, Erhai Lake, Cangshan Mountain.
- Activities: Explore Dali Old Town, boat trip on Erhai Lake.
- Accommodation: Stay in Dali.
Day 8: Dali to Lijiang
- Distance: Approximately 180 km
- Route: Continue on the G56 highway.
- Highlights: Lijiang Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Black Dragon Pool.
- Activities: Stroll through Lijiang Old Town, visit Black Dragon Pool.
- Accommodation: Stay in Lijiang.
Day 9: Lijiang to Shangri-La
- Distance: Approximately 180 km
- Route: Follow the G214 highway.
- Highlights: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Songzanlin Monastery, Shangri-La Old Town.
- Activities: Hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge, visit Songzanlin Monastery.
- Accommodation: Stay in Shangri-La.
Days 10-12: Return to Hanoi
- Distance: Approximately 900 km (via Kunming)
- Route: Retrace the route through Kunming and continue to Hanoi.
- Highlights: Scenic ride through Yunnan and back into Vietnam.
- Activities: Enjoy the journey and explore more sights along the way.
- Accommodation: Plan stops in major cities or towns for overnight stays.
Tips for the Journey
- Weather: Be prepared for varying weather conditions, from tropical in Vietnam to cooler temperatures in the mountains of Yunnan.
- Road Conditions: Expect a mix of well-paved highways and rough, rural roads. A dual-sport or adventure bike is recommended.
- Navigation: Use GPS or reliable maps. Some remote areas may have limited network coverage.
- Border Crossings: Ensure all your documents are in order for crossing from Vietnam to China and back.
- Local Laws: Familiarize yourself with traffic laws and customs in both Vietnam and China.
This motorbike tour offers an adventurous way to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of Vietnam and southern China. Enjoy your journey and ride safely!
