Vietnam to China Overland Trip

Upon your arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport today, your local guide and driver will greet you outside the baggage claim area and transfer you to the hotel.

After freshening up in the hotel, you’ll be accompanied to major attractions of Hanoi in the afternoon. First, visit the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the monumental site where the national hero rests, located in the center of Ba Dinh Square. President Ho devoted his life to the unification and development of Vietnam. He once said that when he passed away, he would have himself cremated and his ashes buried on Vietnam’s hills, hoping that whoever visiting would plant a tree as a memorial, which would be good for agriculture and environmental protection. The great man’s remains was finally well-preserved in the Mausoleum, and you can still clearly see the wrinkles and white beard on his face. Please pay attention that short skirts or tank tops are not allowed in.
➤ Tip: The Mausoleum is regularly closed on Mondays and Fridays, and temporarily closed for maintenance from June to August. If you arrive during this time, we will tailor the itinerary to suit your interests.

Proceed to visit the Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House. Don't be surprised when you see the succinctly furnished two-story stilt house - this was exactly where Ho Chi Minh once lived, instead of the palatial French Mansion near it. Next, admire the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built on a single pillar in a pond, and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university.

➤ Recommended Restaurant in Hanoi - Tam vi
Tam vi is a vintage Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Vietnamese homemade dishes. Try the soft, tender braised pork, shrimp rolls and lemongrass veal. It costs around ₫300,000 - 400,000 ($8 - 12) per person on average. The restaurant is located in the northwest of Temple of Literature, less than a 10-minute walk away, so feel free to ask our driver to drop you off right there. After the meal, you can walk 20 minutes back northwest to the hotel, passing amazing Hanoi Train Street on the way.

Accommodation: Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa (4 stars)

After breakfast, hop in our car for around 3 hours’ drive to a pier, where you will board the Signature Royal Cruise to enjoy the UNESCO-preserved Ha Long Bay. You could witness about 3,000 karst islets or limestone hills rising out of the sea, which makes it one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Sculpted by wind and waves for millions of years, the islets have taken on various shapes, according to which Vietnamese fishermen have given them lovely names. Keep an eye on the Incense Burner, Fighting Cocks, just to name a few! As the cruise sets sail after lunch served on board, your fantastic Ha Long Bay journey begins. Our well-selected cruise will escort you to the more secluded Bai Tu Long Bay to experience the local life in a fishing village. You can kayak to see local residents on small boats selling fruits and aquatic products. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a one-night stay on cruise. Luxurious and comfortable room, delicious specialties and fun onboard activities will embellish your night on the sea. If you're a fishing enthusiast, why not try the night squid fishing. The staff will set up the lighting and provide you with bait.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Signature Royal Cruise (4 stars)

This morning, a Tai Chi class is available on top deck. Next, you’ll have some leisure time on the sundeck and enjoy a spectacular sunrise over the sea when it’s sunny, which is another special experience on the cruise. Besides, excursions to nearby islets and a cave with stunning stalactites and stalagmites will be arranged with an interesting rowboat. When it’s time, get back to the cruise ship for brunch and enjoy the returning voyage. Pack your luggage and disembark at around 11:00, and your guide will greet you at the pier and escort you on a private 3 hours’ ride to Hanoi.

After dinner at your own expense, your guide will accompany you to a Water Puppet Show, a traditional form of folk theater unique to Vietnam. Originated in the 11th century, it’s a result of the life of rice farmers in the northern delta. The shows are mostly based on farm life, histories and legends, including rice farmers’ fighting against natural disasters and for success in imperial examinations. When a show ends, puppeteers will walk out from behind the curtain, and you’ll find they’ve been standing in the waist-deep water throughout the show! The puppets are small and hard to see from back seats, so please book the tour as early as possible so we can book you a front seat.

After the show, the guide will escort you to the railway station to catch an 8-hour overnight soft sleeper train ride to Lao Cai. Vietnam's century-old meter-gauge train is still in operation today. Although a car-drive takes only half of the time, it can only be done in daytime and inevitably occupies your time for sightseeing, while the train reaches the destination in just one night’s sleep, which by the way saves the cost of accommodation. Each cabin of the train boasts a unique theme, and some with Sapa tribal cultural elements. A cabin is furnished with four bunks, which would be narrow for a tall man to stretch, but please don’t let it defeat you, because the ride is really an exotic and nostalgic experience. Besides, it’s recommended to wear a pair of earplugs to avoid the noise on the way.

Meal: Brunch
Accommodation: Overnight soft sleeper train

You’ll be met in Lao Cai and driven to the hotel in the small town Sapa. Get some rest in the hotel and then commence the day with an in-depth trek in Sapa. Traversing through the valley, you’ll marvel at the layered terraces spreading across the land, far-away mountains soaring into the sky and puffy clouds floating around them. Considering your physical conditions and interests, we have hiking routes of 3km (2 miles), 6km (3.7 miles) and 12km (7.5 miles) for you to choose from. During the hiking, you’ll pass through some hill tribe villages of Hmong, Dzao and Dzay people and enjoy the diversity of their cultures. You may get attracted when you see Hmong’s traditional clothing - their layered dress droops in a trumpet or cylindrical shape and is often embroidered with motifs of butterflies, snakes and flowers in beautiful balanced colors, which add a unique and exotic beauty. In the following Sapa tour, you can rent a set to wear at your own expense if you are interested. You’ll have lunch at one of the villages.

➤ Feel the Beauty of Sapa in Different Seasons
Sapa is a highland valley town humid and often misty that embraces different charms of all seasons. In the sunny spring (Mar. - May), wild flowers bloom picturesquely throughout the land. In summer (Jun. - Aug.), Sapa becomes a cool summer resort to find lush watered rice terraces with white clouds and blue sky. Autumn (Sep. - Nov.) ushers in the harvest time, when you’ll see layers upon layers of golden rice paddies under the brilliant sun. Winter (Dec. - Feb.) shows you a sea of clouds and white wonderland; the temperature at this time however is low and you need to wear a down jacket.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sapa Legend (4 stars)

This morning, a two-hour trekking trip is arranged through the terraced fields. Sapa sits in northern Vietnam on the border with Yunnan, China. As we move through it, you will stand in awe of the nature’s masterpieces: the Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak, lying at the edge of the valley; spectacular waterfalls cascading down surrounded by lush greenery; streams murmuring through verdant bamboo forests; villagers and water buffalo working on rice terraces... Visit tribal villages of Cat Cat and Sin Chai to get a closer look at their local life. Some local women may follow us along the way, trying to strike up a conversation in order to sell handmade goods. If you don't want to buy, just ignore them and don't say anything, otherwise they will keep asking irrelevant questions to lower your guard and wait for another opportunity to sell.

After that, you’ll 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’ll come to Hekou, a town in Yunnan, China. Your local guide and driver will meet you and transfer you for around 4 hours from Hekou to Yuanyang, which is well known for its UNESCO-listed rice terraces - one of the world's largest and most spectacular of its kind - steeped in local cultures and traditions. Check in at the best local hotel upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Yunti Hotel (3 stars)

The local market days are definitely a highlight in Yuanyang. The county boasts three big markets as well as some other small ones. Their opening hours vary according to Chinese lunar calendar, and we’ll arrange the most suitable market for you according to your arrival date. Mingle with natives in a local market, a colorful scene when traders of all tribes flock in from all quarters in their traditional costumes. The narrow streets will be full of assorted vending booths selling local handicrafts, snacks, goods for daily use, etc. Maybe you can try Yuanyang's unique red rice noodles at your expense.

Then, we’ll head to Qingkou Hani Minority Village and marvel at the nearby Yuanyang Rice Terraces. Qingkou Village has a strong flavor of primeval country life - chickens clucking down the stone sidewalks, old people sunbathing on the roadside, and villagers with bamboo baskets leading cattle on the road. Also eye-catching are the Hani minority group’s traditional mushroom houses with straw roofs standing on the hillside. These houses are mostly three-storied: the first floor houses livestock including pigs, chickens, geese and ducks; the second floor is mainly for living; and the third is used to store and air grain.

Besides the vigorous life, its forests, streams, and terraced fields have formed a sound ecosystem and are the most cherished properties of the villagers. The terraces, cultivated one thousand years ago by the local Hani people, cover an area of four counties and is the core protection area of the World Heritage Site. You can glimpse the wonders of a farming civilization with a history of more than 1,300 years. If the weather is clear, we’ll go to an observation deck to watch the sunset over the terraces. After the visit, your guide will escort you back to the hotel.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Yunti Hotel (3 stars)

Today, you’ll visit Duoyishu Scenic Area to see Yuanyang Rice Terraces and have an insight into its traditional local life. If you are an early riser, you can watch the amazing sunrise from the observation deck. Hani Rice Terraces is foggy for a lot of the year, so it takes a bit of luck to get a good view of the terraces, but you can also get a picture of the ethereal vibes! The vast terraced fields presenting a traditional Chinese ink wash painting, as well as the rolling and spreading of clouds after sunrise here, will leave you in awe.

The next stop is Azheke Village, with iconic terraces distributed in a deep valley and boasting the best-preserved mushroom houses in Yuanyang. With fewer travelers, the tranquil village retains a more primitive style. There are two ways to enter the village: one is a rough stone paved road, but with original scenery; the other is an easier stairway. Your guide will accompany you according to your preference. After the sightseeing, your guide and driver will escort you for around 3 hours’ drive to Jianshui.

➤ Free-time Activities Recommended in Jianshui
After settling in, if you’re still full of beans, appreciate the charming night view of Jianshui Ancient Town on your own. Warm lights illuminate the alleys lined with snack stalls and restaurants. Why not choose one to sample authentic cuisine like steam pot chicken, baked tofu, Caoya or shoots of a unique local vegetable, etc. If you arrive on Friday, weekends or holidays, you definitely cannot miss the stunning light show on Chaoyang Tower at 8:30 p.m.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Lin An Hotel (4 stars)

Let's devote the whole day to exploration of historical highlights of the 1,200-year-old Jianshui Ancient Town, famed as the “Museum of Ancient Constructions”. With more than 50 ancient buildings including folk houses well preserved, Jianshui has survived 12 centuries of vicissitudes. Ramble around the tranquil old town to appreciate ancient pavilions and temples, and experience the slow-paced timeless vibes when you pass by local people weaving baskets and making ceramics on the street. It’s recommended to wear long pants, as the local fire ants would bite people badly.

First, visit the Zhu Family Garden, a grand residential complex covering totally more than 20,000 square meters (5 acres), featuring fancy combination of landscaped garden and intricately-designed rooms, which took nearly 30 years to complete. Known as the "Grand View Garden of Southern Yunnan", it holds exquisite courtyards, an austere ancestral hall, antique furniture, delicate wood carvings and stone sculptures, all bearing silent witness to the rich life that its former owner once led. While you’re wandering around the tortuous laneways in the layered courtyards, our guide will explain the three ups and downs of the history of the family - a microcosm of Jianshui's development in the early 20th century. Next, proceed to the 700-year-old Jianshui Confucius Temple, the largest Confucius temple in Yunnan built to commemorate Confucius, the great thinker, educationist and founder of the Confucianism.

Then, we’ll visit a 17-hole stone bridge, the Double Dragon Bridge, named so because it is located over the confluence of two dragon-like winding rivers. The three exquisite and elegant pavilions on the bridge are especially worth your attention. Then visit the Zhang Family Garden, a representative of Tuanshan Residential Quarters - once the home to Yi people. Appreciate the garden’s blend of different architectural styles of Chinese classical garden, fortress, and Yi minority group’s clay house.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Lin An Hotel (4 stars)

This morning, leave Jianshui for Kunming. In about 2 hours’ drive, you’ll have a stop at the Stone Forest, which is crowned as "the essence of karst landforms in the world". Having experienced a long geological evolution of 300 million years, countless grotesque limestone columns rose straight up from what was a part of ocean then, with some looking like swords and some blades. When visiting the Major Stone Forest, follow our guide to the best viewing spot, Wangfeng Pavilion, for a panoramic view of the Forest. At the Minor Stone Forest, you’ll find Ashima Stone (Ashima is a Yi girl) is also a good place to shoot a blockbuster. You will be like going through a maze, and could find surprises after every turn. Besides the landscape, the rich Yi minority culture is also a highlight and your knowledgeable guide will demonstrate to you. Then continue to drive for another 2 hours to Kunming, and check into the hotel.

➤ Free-time Activities Recommended in Kunming
If you’re energetic, head to Kunming Old Street by yourself, which boasts 10 streets, to get your first impression on this "spring city" - its climate is like spring all year round! Maybe head to Fulin Hall, the time-honored medicine shop aged 100, and let the Chinese medicine doctor feel your pulse. Local snacks can’t be missed here. Sample signature glutinous sweet dumplings, which have four kinds of filling - walnut, sesame, ham and rose - in Aunt Chen's Dumplings at No. 39, Wen Ming Street. It costs ¥16 ($2.2) per bowl. Yunnan is renowned throughout the country for mushrooms, so why not find a restaurant, maybe the Juncai Mushroom Hot Pot, to sample the wild mushroom platter, braised rice with bolete and native chicken mushroom soup pot. It costs ¥100 ($14) per person on average.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Cachet Boutique Kunming Artime (4 stars)

Here comes to the last day of your 10 days Vietnam and China tour. Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and escort you to explore the Flowers and Birds Market, Kunming’s most bustling life venue, where you’ll see a great variety of flowers, birds and fish, as well as minority handicrafts and local snacks with cheap price. After that, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward journey. Thank you for allowing us the chance to service you!

If you are interested in other popular destinations in Yunnan like Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La, which feature stunning natural scenery, charming old towns and more ethnic minority cultures, or other must-see places in China, such as the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Terracotta Warriors in Xi 'an, the southern water towns, etc., please contact us to arrange for you an extension trip.

Meal: Western buffet breakfast