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MK005-18Days (China)Yunnan-Golden Triangle-Thailand Mekong River Cruise Tour (by speed boat)
Tour Code: MK005
Tour Feature: Cruise from Yunnan to Golden Triangle in Thailand, it is only one day cruise tour. After Yunnan tour, you will experience the tropical forest and the wild elephant in Thailand, that is the tour highlight of this tour. Now the Chinese government has built the road from Kunming to Bangkok, it is long but nice driving through the Southeast Asia. If you take the boat cruise along the Mekong River, the scenery will be totally different. The Golden Triangle is one of Asia’s two main illicit opium-producing areas. It is an area of around 350,000 square kilometers that overlaps the mountains of four countries of Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. The Golden Triangle also designates the confluence of the Sop Ruak River and the Mekong River, since the term has been appropriated by the Thai tourist industry to describe the nearby junction of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.

Tour Map

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Kunming-Shangri-La-Lijiang-Dali-Jinghong-Mekong River-Chiang Saen-Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai-Bangkok
Price:1300 USD  * per person, based on group of 2-5 persons.
Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival Kunming
Flight Information:

NextYou'll begin your journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming. Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, your local guide will meet us. And then you will be transferred to your hotel.
 
--Kunming is well-known as the Spring City because of the nice climate all the year round. It is also the entrance to Southeast Asia countries. You can drive from Kunming to Laos, Vietnam and Burma directly.

Day 02 Kunming-Stone Forest-Kunming (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Stone Forest , Kunming City Tour, the Green Lake, the Flower and Bird Market.
Special Experience(Optional): Taste the typical Yunnan food named Bridge crossing Noodles.

NextYou will drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. There is a local saying: 'It is a waste of time not to visit the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming', which vividly expresses the deep love of the local people toward this world wonder. The quintessential karst landscape makes every tourist lost in wonder.
 
After lunch drive back Kunming, you will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings. Late afternoon you will visit the Flower and Bird Market.

Day 03 Kunming-Shangri La (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake and the Guishan Park.
Special Experience: Taste the butter oil and Tibetan food, Tibetan home-made.

NextIn the morning, you'll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. And afterwards you'll go and visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake. After having finished touring the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, you'll visit the Old Town of Shangri La and the Guishan Park.
 
Tibetan home made at night and have dinner in Tibetan family with butter oil tea and Tibetan food.

Day 04 Shangri La-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:  the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge

NextFrom Shangri-La, you'll drive about 100KM to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river. Afternoon, you'll head for Shangri La,the former Zhongdian. Upon arrival in Shangri La, you will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys.
 
After lunch continue the driving 50KM more to visit the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, and the Iron Chain Bridge in the Stone Drum town. The town of Stone Drum got its name from a large, cylindrical, marble tablet shaped like a drum. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks.
Drive 60KM more to Lijiang. Explore Lijiang Old Town at night.

Day 05 Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang (B)
Sightseeing: Yulong Snow Mountain, Yak Meadow, Baisha Village and Mural,Black Dragon Pool
Special Experience: Enjoy Naxi Orchestral and Show in Dongba Palace at night.

NextYou'll visit Ganhaizi Meadow, Baishui River; visit the Yak Meadow in the Yulong Snow Mountain by chairlift. Access to the top of the mountain is provided by a cableway from the foot of the mountain to the Yak Meadow.
 
In the afternoon, you'll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village, You'll head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.
 
After dinner, you will attend the Naxi Orchestral and Show in Dongba Palace.

Day 06 Lijiang (B)
Optional Sightseeing: Shuhe Old Town,the Wangu Pagoda,the Lion Hill,Mu Emperor’s Palace

NextThe whole day free in Lijiang Old Town, and explore the Naxi ethnic life by yourself.
(Optional Tour) Shuhe Old Town is a charming town to visit for every clients, because there is a traditional Naxi village where you can enjoy the drinking and food at the bank of the river in the farmland. You can rent a bike in Lijiang Old Town and ride to Shu about 5KM away from the Lijiang Old Town.
 
In the afternoon, you can visit the Wangu Pagoda on the top of the Lion Hill behind Lijiang Old Town, here you will have a wonderful panoramic view of Lijiang Old Town. You will walk down from the Lion Hill to Mu Emperor’s Palace which is the local chieftain’s former residence.

Day 07 Lijiang-Dali by private van (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Shaping Bai Ethnic market, the Three-pagoda in Chongshen Monastery, Dali Old Town

NextAfter breakfast, travel (200 km - 4 hrs) south on the old road to the ancient city of Dali, Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest. If this day happens to fall on a Monday you will call in at Shaping for a visit to the colorful Bai market.
 
In Dali you will visit the Three-pagoda in Chongshen Temple, which is a typical historical symbol of Yunnan. It is also one of the oldest sublime architecture in South China. At last, you will walk around the Old Dali Town, which is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain.

Day 08 Dali (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Erhai Lake Cruise, Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village and Bai Tie-Dyed Cloth Work Shop.
Special Experience: Taste the Bai Three Course Tea with ethnic dance and music.

NextIn the morning, You'll travel in the Erhai Lake by boat and visit Jinsuo Island. After landing, you will head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture.
 
At last, you will visit Zhoucheng Town, and Bai people's Tie-Dyed Cloth Work Shop. At night take the flight to Jinghong in Xishuangbanna Prefecture.

Day 09 Jinghong-Menglun-Jinghong (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Ganlanba,water Dai villages, Burmese temple and rubber garden,Botanic Garden

NextIn the morning visit Ganlanba, morning market, water Dai villages, Burmese temple and rubber garden on the way.
After lunch visit biggest Botanic Garden in China in Jinghong.

Day 10 Jinghong- Wild Elephant Valley-Jinghong (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:the Wild Elephant Valley,the elephant show,Dry Dai people village.

NextIn the morning you explore the Wild Elephant Valley (natural reserve area), enjoy the elephant show, then take cable car to get through the primitive raining forest.
In the afternoon, visit Dry Dai people village on the way back. Then drive back to Jinghong City and try local tea in tea-house. Have Dai people' s Bar-B-Q as dinner.
Overnight in Jinghong

Day 11 Jinghong-Guanlei-Chiang Saen ( Golden Triangle ) (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Mekong River,Guanlei Port

NextAt 08:00 get on board of Chinese speed boat Tianda at Jinghong Port in China ( 0800 am ).
You will resume your cruise for a further 263 km down the Mekong River.  You can enjoy the primitive rain forest scenery and fishing boats on the river as you travel, with Laos on one bank and Burma on the other. Food and drinks available on your cruiser. 
After 8 hours cruising you arrive at Chiang Saen ( Golden Triangle ), Thailand. Meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel.This area is the border between Laos, Thailand and Burma, is known as the "Golden Triangle", infamous for its opium trade. There is, of course, an Opium Museum to visit here, and nearby is a Buddhist Temple. 
Overnight in Chiang Saen

Day 12 Chiang Saen ( Golden Triangle ) (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: The Chedi Temple, Golden Triangle

NextAfter breakfast visit Wat Pa Sak , about one kilometer to the west of Chiang Saen in Tambon Wiang, was built by King Saen Phu in 1295 and three hundred teak trees were planted, hence the name Pa Sak (Teak Woods). It was then the residence of the patriarch. The temple’s Chedi is of the beautiful Chiang Saen architectural style and the exteriors are elaborately decorated with designs. The Chedi Temple measures 12.5 meters tall with a base of 8 meters wide. Have buffer lunch in Imperial Golden Triangle Resort with the view. Have buffer lunch in Imperial Golden Triangle Resort with the view of Mekong .
 
Afternoon visit Opium Hall at the Golden Triangle Park ,which is sponsored by the Empress Dowager. An Invitation to the Mysterious World of Opium From darkness to light, the 5,600 square-meter Hall of Opium presents the history of opium from its natural properties to its use as long ago as 5,000 years.

Day 13 Chiang Saen ( Golden Triangle )- Chiang Rai (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Golden Triangle Archway

NextVisit Golden Triangle Archway, and so on, You will have some free time to explore the Golden Triangle ourselves.
Drive to Chiang Rai and check in the hotel.

Day 14 Chiang Mai (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Elephant Camp, orchid garden, butterfly house, monkey school.

NextVisit the Elephant Camp, where a one-hour ride is taken into the bush.  Nearby you can also visit an orchid garden, butterfly house, snake farm or monkey school. 
 
The several colorful night markets along the streets in the downtown of Chiang Mai will be a good hunting ground for unusual souvenirs or just for taking in the heady atmosphere. 
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 15 Chiang Mai- Bangkok (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:Bangkok

NextIn the morning take the flight to Bangkok.
The rest time will be free in the city by yourself.

Day 16 Bangkok
Sightseeing: the Royal Palace complex, Wat Phra Keo, jewelry factory

NextAfter breakfast, sightseeing begins at the Royal Palace complex, a fairyland of gilded pavilions and elegant temples guarded by golden statues. In Wat Phra Keo, you see the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred icon. Thailand is known for its precious and semi-precious stones. Visit a jewelry factory before returning to the hotel. The afternoon is free at leisure. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner with traditional Thai dance performance.

Day 17 Bangkok
Sightseeing: the floating market at Damnoen Saduak, Kanchanaburi, the River Kwai

NextVisit the floating market at Damnoen Saduak where you see the colorful sampans piled high with fruits and flowers. For information on optional tours in Bangkok, click here. Then continue to Kanchanaburi with lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch visit the world-famous bridge on the River Kwai and the memorial dedicated to the 9,000 Allied soldiers who died building the bridge and railway.

Day 18 Bangkok -Departure (B)
Flight Information:

NextAfter breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport for onward flights for those returning.  Extra nights at the hotel can be booked at an additional charge for anyone wishing to stay on for a few days in Bangkok.
Quotation
Inclusion
  1. Accommodation with daily breakfast as indicated in the hotel list as below;
  2. Chinese lunches and dinners as listed in the itinerary;
  3. All land transfers & transportation with private air-conditioned coach;
  4. All transfers and sightseeing with skilled English-speaking tour guide;
  5. All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary;
  6. Domestic air tickets fares with airport tax and fuel extra fee based on
    economy class mentioned in the program
  7. Service charge and all government taxes;
  8. Luggage transfers between airport and hotels;
  9. Travel Agency’s Responsibility Insurance coverage.
Exclusion
  1. Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
  2. Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary.
  3. Chinese visa fees;
  4. Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
  5. Single room supplement;
  6. Tips to guides and drivers;
  7. Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff.
  8. Personal travel accident insurance.
  9. All optional programs;
Note
  • The economy-class airfare of China flights as specified in the itinerary.
  • The hotel/cruise accommodation is based on two persons sharing one standard twin room/cabin with private facilities in all relevant locations. If a single client requests a twin room/cabin alone, the single room/cabin supplement will be charged.
  • For the land tour in each city, daily American breakfast is served in the hotel, and Chinese lunch and/or dinner will be served with two cups of soft drink outside the hotel. All meal arrangements are served as the itinerary specifies.
  • On the cruise daily American breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. The beverage arrangements are subject to policies of
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