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

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: the Opera House, the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
Accommodation:Hanoi
Meals: D

Welcome to Hanoi! As soon as you come out from the restricted area, you will find our guide is waiting for you with a friendly smile and warm greetings. In a short while, you will be escorted to the designated downtown hotel. After a short break, we will take you to the very heart of this capital city for an orientation tour to the most popular sightseeing spots: the Opera House, the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. A welcome dinner of genuine Vietnamese food is served for you at a local best restaurant in the evening.

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.

Day 2 Hanoi-Laocai by Night 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:None
Meals:B,L

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.
• Night:
  • After the show, you will be driven to the railway station to catch an overnight train to Lao Cai, ending your day with new memories of Hanoi.

Day 3 Sapa – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Sa Pa

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.

Day 4 Sapa – Ta Phin – Silver Waterfall – Heaven Gate – Sa Pa

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, return to your hotel for some rest.

Day 5 Sa Pa-Laocai-Hekou-Yuanyang

Sightseeing and Activities: the local villages of Cat Cat and Sin Chai, Vietnam-China Border, The Red River, Longshuba Rice Terraces
Accommodation:Yuanyang
Meals:B,L

This morning, a two-hour trekking trip is arranged through the terraced rice fields. Visit the local villages of Cat Cat and Sin Chai. After that, you will be driven about one hour to the Border between Vietnam and China. Go through the security check and Customs with your valid passport and visa, and then you will come to Hekou, which is a town in Yunnan, China. Your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you for around 4 hours from Hekou to Yuanyang, which is well known for its spectacular rice terrace views. Check in at the best local hotel upon arrival.

• Morning:
  • Depart from Sapa and drive to Lao Cai.
• Border Crossing:
  • Cross the China-Vietnam border at Hekou. Complete the necessary customs procedures.
• Scenic Drive:
  • Continue your drive along the Red River, enjoying the beautiful landscapes and local scenery.
• Afternoon:
  • Arrive in Yuanyang and explore the area.
• Sunset Viewing:
  • Head to Longshuba Rice Terraces to enjoy the stunning sunset view over the terraces. Witness the breathtaking colors of the sunset reflecting on the rice fields, creating a magical atmosphere.
• Evening:
  • After the sunset, you may have time to explore the local culture or return to your accommodation for the night.

Day 6 Yuanyang

Sightseeing and Activities:the sunrise of Duoyishu Rice Terrace Field, Doyishu Village, Qingkou Hani Ethnic Village, Bada Rice Terrace, Shengcun Market, the sunset of Longshuba Rice Terraces
Accommodation:Jianshui
Meals:B,L

• 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.

Day 7 Yuanyang-Jianshui

Sightseeing and Activities:The sunrise view of Duoyishu Rice Terraces, Tuanshan Village, Shuanglong Bridge and the Garden of Family Zhang, Jianshui Ancient Town,
Accommodation:Jianshui
Meals:B,L

Get up every early in the morning, you’ll drive to visit Duoyishu Village and enjoy the sunrise of Duoyishu Rice Terrace Fields when the sun appears above the eastern horizon. Then have breakfast in the hotel and drive about  3 hours to Jianshui County.

Arrive in Tuanshan and visit Tuanshan Village, Shuanglong Bridge and the Garden of Family Zhang; Tuanshan Village is a rare surviving example of an intact-albeit neglected-traditional walled Yunnan village compound in southwestern China, and has been added to the 2005 list of internationally significant sites by the World Memorial Fund for Architecture (WMF), an international fund for the protection of world heritage sites.

Arrive in Jianshui Ancient Town in the afternoon.

Day 8 Jianshui-Shilin-Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:Zhu Family Garden and Confucius Temple, The Stone Forest
Accommodation:Kunming
Meals:B,L

Day 9 Kunming City Tour and Departure

Sightseeing and Activities:Green Lake (Cuihu Park), Flowers and Birds Market, Western Hills and Dragon Gate, Dianchi Lake
Accommodation:Shangri-La
Meals:B,L

• 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.