16 Days Yunnan (China)-Thailand Overland Tour from Kunming to Bangkok

Day 1: Arrive in Kunming

• Arrival: Upon your arrival in Kunming, China’s “Spring City,” you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Kunming enjoys a mild climate year-round, making it a comfortable base to start your journey.
• Leisure Time: Take the afternoon and evening to relax, refresh, and adjust to the local time zone. If you’re feeling up to it, explore the area around your hotel. You could visit Green Lake or stroll through Kunming’s vibrant food markets to sample local dishes such as crossing-the-bridge noodles.
• Overnight: Stay in Kunming, where you will rest for the night to prepare for the upcoming days of adventure.

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Day 2: Kunming – Stone Forest – Jianshui

• Morning: After breakfast, head to the Stone Forest (Shilin), one of China’s most famous natural landmarks. The formations here are karst limestone pillars that rise dramatically from the earth, resembling an ancient forest made of stone. The scenic area is vast, and you’ll enjoy exploring the paths and viewing platforms.
• Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Yunnan lunch in the Stone Forest area before continuing your journey.
• Afternoon: Travel to Jianshui (approximately 3-4 hours), an ancient town located along the Pearl River. Jianshui is known for its well-preserved historic sites, such as the Zhao Temple and the Confucian Temple, both of which showcase the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the region.
• Evening: After arriving in Jianshui, take a stroll around the town’s old streets and traditional architecture. The Jianshui Bridge offers a perfect spot for photography.
• Overnight: Stay in Jianshui for the night.

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Day 3: Jianshui – Yuanyang

• Morning: Depart from Jianshui and travel to Yuanyang, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its spectacular Rice Terraces. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of rural Yunnan, with green fields and traditional ethnic villages.
• Afternoon: Upon arrival in Yuanyang, head straight to the Hani Rice Terraces. These terraces are spread over steep hillsides, with water-filled fields that create striking reflections, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Explore the nearby Hani villages, where you can meet the local people and observe their lifestyle and customs.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local guesthouse or restaurant. Yuanyang is famous for its rice-based dishes, so be sure to try the local specialties.
• Overnight: Stay in Yuanyang, with the opportunity to photograph the stunning rice terraces during sunset.

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Day 4: Yuanyang – Lvchun – Jiangcheng

• Morning: After breakfast, head towards Lvchun, passing through winding roads and scenic landscapes of lush hills and rivers. Lvchun is a picturesque town that offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch in Lvchun and explore its surrounding areas. You can visit local markets or enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
• Afternoon: Continue your journey to Jiangcheng, a town known for its ethnic diversity and quiet charm. It’s a gateway to the southern parts of Yunnan.
• Evening: Arrive in Jiangcheng and check into your hotel. You may want to relax after the long day of travel or visit the local market for souvenirs.
• Overnight: Stay in Jiangcheng for the night.

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Day 5: Jiangcheng – Puer – Jinghong

• Morning: Begin your day by traveling from Jiangcheng to Puer, known for its tea plantations. Pu’er Tea is famous worldwide, and here you will have the chance to visit a local tea farm. Learn about the history, production process, and cultural significance of Pu’er tea while enjoying a tea-tasting session.
• Lunch: Enjoy a meal in one of the local tea houses, where you can sample tea and local delicacies.
• Afternoon: Afterward, continue your drive to Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. Jinghong is a vibrant city with a tropical climate, known for its ethnic diversity, particularly the Dai minority culture.
• Evening: Arrive in Jinghong and check into your hotel. In the evening, explore the Mekong River and visit local markets where you can shop for traditional handicrafts, fruits, and snacks.
• Overnight: Stay in Jinghong.

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Day 6: Jinghong

• Morning: After breakfast, visit the Menglun Botanical Garden, which boasts an impressive collection of tropical plants and rare species. The garden is situated in a lush area of the region and provides a peaceful escape into nature.
• Afternoon: Explore Ganlanba Morning Market, where you can observe the local market culture, buy fresh produce, and interact with ethnic groups like the Dai, Hani, and Lahu people. You can also visit the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, famous for its extensive collection of plant species.
• Evening: Enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant with traditional Dai cuisine. Sticky rice and grilled fish are local specialties you may want to try.
• Overnight: Stay in Jinghong for another night.

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Day 7: Jinghong – Mengla – Luang Namtha

• Morning: Leave Jinghong and head to Mengla. Visit the Wangtianshu Air Corridor, a unique project aimed at maintaining biodiversity through a protected passageway for wildlife and plants. This forest corridor connects different types of tropical forests.
• Afternoon: After exploring Mengla, continue your journey across the China-Laos Border at Mohan. Once you cross, you will drive to Luang Namtha, a town in Northern Laos, known for its tranquil surroundings and mountainous landscapes.
• Evening: Arrive in Luang Namtha, check into your hotel, and enjoy a leisurely dinner, sampling Lao cuisine, which often features rice, noodles, fresh herbs, and grilled meats.
• Overnight: Stay in Luang Namtha.

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Day 8: Luang Namtha – Chiang Khong – Chiang Saen

• Morning: After breakfast, travel towards the China-Laos border to Mohan. From here, cross the border into Thailand via Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai Province. The journey involves a scenic drive through rural landscapes and border towns.
• Afternoon: Once you cross into Thailand, you’ll continue your journey to Chiang Saen. This ancient town lies at the meeting point of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, forming the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge. Here, you can enjoy views of the three-country border from the Golden Triangle viewpoint.
• Evening: In the evening, take a boat ride along the Mekong River and enjoy the serene surroundings. You may also visit the Golden Triangle Park to learn about the history of this unique region and the opium trade.
• Overnight: Stay in Chiang Saen, a quiet, historic town.

Day 9  Chiang Saen- Chiang Rai

After breakfast, board a van for an exciting day trip to visit several hill tribe villages for which northern Thailand is famous. Enjoy scenic mountain views on the narrow climb, stopping in the Chinese settlement of Doi Mae Salong (Santikhiri) on the way. When you reach the Akha and Yao hill tribes, where villagers continue to wear traditional garments, learn about some of the customs of rural village life.

Returning to the valley for lunch, your guide will take your group to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town near the Myanmar (Burma) border. Here, browse for Burmese handicrafts, and watch Thai and Burmese locals walking across the bridge that separates the two countries.

Depending on conditions at the Thailand-Myanmar border, your group may have the option to cross the bridge into Myanmar on an approximate one-hour exploratory walk with your guide. (Two photocopies of your passport are required along with a border pass fee.) If you want to explore the marketplace in a different way, hop onto a rickshaw and be taken through its winding alleways aboard this local transport (own expense).

From Mae Sai, drive to the heart of the renowned Golden Triangle where the Ruak and Mekong Rivers meet. Stand on a hilltop and enjoy views of Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and the mighty rivers below. An optional boat trip (own expense) is available for those who want to get closer to Laos, where you may spend approximately 30 minutes exploring the market area here. Afterward, visit Chiang Saen, where evidence of the original 13th-century city can still be seen; enjoy views of lovely old temples and finely carved figures from a tranquil spot on the banks of the Mekong River before your drive back to Chiang Rai.

Day 10 Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai

After breakfast, depart for Chiang Mai with your guide, stopping first in Mae Ka Chan, famous for its hot spring – a favorite bathing spot for the locals who soak there to relieve aches and pains.

After lunch at a local restaurant, drive through more mountain scenery and tropical jungle to visit the hilltop temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Climb 290 steps (or ride the cable car) up the hill for outstanding views of Chiang Mai, referred to as the “Rose of the North.”

In the evening, after checking in at your hotel, enjoy a kantoke – a ceremonial dinner where traditional northern Thai dishes are served as you watch elegant dancers perform a series of folk stories. After dinner, the show continues with northern hill tribes performing traditional dances in colorful costumes.

Day 11 Chiang Mai

Enjoy breakfast with your group in preparation for a full day touring the Chiang Mai region. In the morning, visit an elephant camp where skilled mahouts (trainers) demonstrate how elephants have worked in the jungles for centuries. Watch in amazement as the elephants reveal their intelligence and strength, and be amused by their play as the elephants relax and bathe in the river afterward.

After lunch at a local restaurant, your guide will take your group to the district of Sankampaeng, where Chiang Mai’s cottage industries flourish. Watch artisans create beautiful crafts as you browse for the perfect gift or souvenir. See how they weave intricate patterns of silk with their handlooms, carve elegant teakwood ornaments and furniture, and make distinctive Thai ceramics and lacquer ware – using eggshells to create unusual designs. Marvel at the transformation of bamboo, silk and paper into colorful hand-painted umbrellas.

When you return to your hotel, enjoy a relaxing evening with free time to explore Chiang Mai on your own.

Day 12: Chiang Mai – Nakhon Sawan

• Morning: After breakfast, depart from Chiang Mai, heading south towards Nakhon Sawan, a province located in central Thailand, approximately 4-5 hours away by road. The drive will take you through beautiful landscapes, from lush mountains to flat plains, offering a glimpse into rural Thailand.
• Lunch: You will stop along the way for a lunch at a local restaurant. Depending on where you are, this could be a great opportunity to try local delicacies like Khao Soi (a coconut curry noodle soup) or other northern Thai dishes.
• Afternoon: Upon arriving in Nakhon Sawan, the province is known for its scenic surroundings at the meeting point of the Ping and Nan Rivers, creating an expansive riverine landscape. Depending on time, you may explore the Chao Pho Chiang Saen Shrine or enjoy a peaceful walk along the riverbanks.
• Evening: In the evening, relax and take a stroll around Nakhon Sawan before checking into your hotel for the night.
• Overnight: Stay in Nakhon Sawan.

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Day 13: Nakhon Sawan – Ayutthaya – Bangkok

• Morning: After breakfast, continue your journey south to Ayutthaya, the historic capital of Thailand. The drive will take approximately 2-3 hours.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch in Ayutthaya, where you can try some local specialties such as boat noodles and roast river prawns.
• Afternoon: After lunch, take a tour of Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ruins of ancient temples and royal palaces such as Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram. You’ll learn about the glorious history of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350-1767) and its eventual fall to the Burmese.
• Late Afternoon: After your tour of Ayutthaya, continue your journey towards Bangkok, which is about an hour and a half drive from Ayutthaya.
• Evening: Upon arriving in Bangkok, you can unwind in your hotel or take an evening walk along Khao San Road or the Chao Phraya River.
• Overnight: Stay in Bangkok.

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Day 14: Bangkok

• Morning: After breakfast, start your exploration of Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capital city. Visit the Grand Palace, a magnificent complex that houses the Emerald Buddha. Take your time to admire the stunning architecture and the intricate details of the royal buildings.
• Late Morning: Head to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s oldest and largest temples, home to the famous Reclining Buddha.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, perhaps trying the classic Thai dish, Pad Thai, or a Thai curry.
• Afternoon: After lunch, visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. You can take a boat ride across the river to reach the temple, enjoying views of the city along the way.
• Evening: In the evening, explore the vibrant street markets or indulge in a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River, offering beautiful views of the illuminated temples and skyline.
• Overnight: Stay in Bangkok.

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Day 15: Bangkok

• Morning: After breakfast, explore Chatuchak Market (if it’s a weekend) or visit other famous attractions like Jim Thompson House, a museum dedicated to the American businessman who helped revive the Thai silk industry.
• Lunch: Have lunch at one of the many restaurants offering delicious Thai food, including fresh seafood or som tum (green papaya salad).
• Afternoon: Take a relaxing trip to Lumphini Park, a green oasis in the heart of the city. You can take a leisurely walk or rent a boat to paddle on the park’s lake. Alternatively, visit one of the many malls such as Siam Paragon or MBK Center for some shopping.
• Evening: For your final evening in Bangkok, enjoy a Thai massage at a local spa or relax at a rooftop bar with stunning views of the city.
• Overnight: Stay in Bangkok.

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Day 16: Departure from Bangkok

• Morning: Depending on your flight time, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast or take one last stroll around Bangkok. If you’re departing later in the day, you can visit any last-minute sights or enjoy some shopping for souvenirs.
• Transfer: You’ll be transferred to Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang International Airport for your departure flight. Your tour ends here, and you will have unforgettable memories of your time in Thailand and the previous parts of your overland adventure.

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• Service charge and all government taxes;
• Travel Agency’s Responsibility Insurance coverage.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

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