Day 01 Arrive Hanoi (D)

Transfer via:  own arrangement. Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport.  Meet and transfer to hotel for check in. Hanoi:  Throughout the thousand years of its eventful history, marked by destruction, wars and natural calamities, Hanoi still preserves many ancient architectural works including the Old Quarter and over 600 pagodas and temples. Free time at leisure. Enjoy Water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 02 Hanoi City Tour (B+L+D)

Full-day city tour :  Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and whole October - November) and Ho Chi Minh’s Residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Army Museum, Temple of Literature.

 

--Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum:  Uncle Ho's dead body dressed in faded khaki clothes and plain rubber shoes was put in a glass coffin.

--Ho Chi Minh's Residence:  the stilt-house and its furnishings have been preserved must as they were in the 1960s. In the area under the house, Ho Chi Minh would receive visitors and meet members of the Political Bureau.

One Pillar Pagoda:  The pagoda was first built in 1049 under the Ly Dynasty, on the west side of the ancient Thang Long Capital. Its original name was Dien Huu, expressing the wish for longevity for the second King Ly.

--Temple of Literature:  built in the 11th century as Vietnam¡¯s first university, Fine Art Museum and Quan Thanh Temple.  01 hour cyclo for visit the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem lake.

Transfer to HaiPhong city in the late afternoon, you have choice to explorer the Port City, the Phoenix Flower city, It’s really nice. Overnight in HaiPhong.

Take Speed Boat to Cat Ba Island.  Visit Cat Ba Island. Cat Ba has a typically rare flora and fauna of limestone mountain forests, there are also many marvelous grottoes, white sandy and clear water beaches that you can see to sea bed. In old forests there is ancient Komodo varan and chamois species of average weight of over 100kg each. On Cat Ba Island, there are many fishing grounds with shrimps, red snapper, anchovy, trap fish,... and a grass cover to breed tortoise-shells. Cracked stones areas under the sea at the island's foot, there are abalones, pearl-oysters and lobsters.
Then transfer by a wooden boat to Halong bay. 

 

Arrive in Halong, Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Dragon descending to the sea as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald  water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

 

Sea food lunch on the boat. Then, guide take you to visit the Thien Cung and Dau Go caves. They are the nicest caves here. Continue to more of these wonders of creation. Enjoy kayaking to discovery the Lan Ha Bay.
Dinner on the boat. You have more chance to eplore sightseeing the Legend Halong bay on night. Enjoy cuttle fishing. Overnight on the boat.

Day 04: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Lao Cai (B+L+D)

Enjoy sunset. Breakfast and continue visit more the Halong Bay. Then we arrive Halong Port and enjoy lunch at Restaurant.
About 13.30: Depart Halong Bay for back Hanoi. Arrival Hanoi, relax and dinner at the Restaurant.
After that, car and guide take you to Hanoi Railway Station for catch the night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on the train Cabin 04 soft berth.

Day 05  Laocai - Sapa (B+L+D)

Arrive Lao Cai early morning.  Pick up then transfer 38 km from Lao Cai to Sapa then continue to the hotel. Breakfast at hotel. Visitors to Ham Rong have chances to climb up the San May (Cloud Yard) to enjoy the panorama of Sapa Townlet, visit the orchid gardens with beautiful and colorful flowers. In addition, Ham Rong Mountain has numerous caves and stones in extraordinary shapes. Have lunch in local restaurant.

 

Afternoon: A 8-km on the rim of a deep valley, followed by 30-minutes walk take you to so-called rattan bridge & the ethnic Ta Van village which is dwelled by Dzay people. You can see along the road many montagnards from surrounding villages. They dresstheir most colourful costumes and head to the market to exchange goods or sell self-made souvenirs. Overnight in SaPa.

 

--Sapa:   Sapa Ancient Rock Field is between the terraced rice paddies of ethnic minority groups. The first exploration research, in 1925, recorded that there were 200 stones of various dimensions concentrated in the area. Hon Bo, which is 15m long and 6m high, is the biggest of theses rocks. 

Day 06 Sapa Tour (B+L+D)

Visit the market of the Minority at Coc Leu. You have chance to buy a lot of things made from handy craft by exellent craftsman here. Explore the culture and their life. It will be so interesting. Take lunch at the Local restaurant; maybe join the lunch with Minorities family.

 

Afternoon, back Sapa for leisure and more discovery the Sapa Town by yourself. Evening, you have chance to enjoy visit the Love Market (If today is Saturday). Overnight in Sapa.

Day 07 Sapa-Laocai-Heko-Yuanyang (B+L+D)

Sightseeing: Hekou Border，Ethnic Villages in Jinping County

Transfer to Chinese border at Hekou. The guide will leave you at the border on Vietnamese side (Lao Cai) and you will cross by foot to the Chinese side (Hekou).  After the formalities, you will enter China and meet your Chinese guide in at custom hall of Hekou border then driving to Yuanyang.

 

Hekou Yao Autonomous County is an autonomous county in the southern part of the Yunnan province of China. It is part of the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture and borders the northern Vietnamese town of Lao Cai.
There are bus route to all destinations within Yunnan, including a overnight sleeper service from Kunming. More destinations can be reached by transfer in Mengzi.

 

Hekou is the terminus of the Kunming-Hekou Railway, which continues to the port of Hai Phong in Vietnam as the Sino-Vietnamese Railway, opened by the French in 1910. This narrow-gauge line is expected to become standard-gauge. There is a highway linking Xinjie, a town in Hekou County, with Lao Cai province in northern Vietnam. It opened in February 2008 and marked the completion of the first highway linking Yunnan with a neighboring country from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

 

The 56.3 kilometer, 3.58 billion yuan Xinhe highway is one of the numerous infrastructure projects that will increase connectivity between Yunnan and ASEAN and facilitate the transport of people and goods between the two regions, which are expecting to see a major increase in tourism and trade in the coming years.

Day 08 Yuanyang (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Duoyishu Scenic Resort，Quanfu zhuang Rest House, and also the Bada Terrace.

Visit the Duoyishu Scenic Resort in early morning, view the terraced fields. The valley is filled with heavy mist, enjoy the sunrise, visit Quanfu zhuang Rest House, and also the Bada Terrace. Visit the HaNi People's village. To have the local people's tradition foods free of charge as the Dinner. Go to Saidao spa take a bath at your own expenses in evening (RMB100.00 per person). (Stay in Yuanyang Yunti Hotel, 3-star standard)     Stay in YuanYang

 

--Yuanyang is about 300km south of Kunming, renowned for its rice terraces, which claim as the world's largest and most spectacular one, crafted out by bare hands by the Hani people one thousand years ago and is still in use today. The rice farmers have had to practice ecology and land preservation centuries before those concepts were widely accepted around the world. Without hard work maintaining the terrace walls and irrigation system, the precious top soil would wash down the hillsides into the rivers.

 

--Yuanyang Rice Terrace is a self sustaining ecosystem. During winter to early spring, the entire field is irrigated with spring water from the forest above to rejuvenate and getting prepared for the next season. The Hani people have repeated this for more than a thousand years. There is only one harvest in a year for the Yuanyang Rice Terrace; planting is from March to Oct./Nov. every year.  Yuanyang Rice Terrace is a perfect example of SYMBIOSIS with nature. The water evaporate from the rice terrace to form cloud, the rain is collected and trapped by the forest on the mountains, the spring water flow down to the rice terrace and the whole cycle repeats itself perpetually.

After breakfast, visit the Ha Ni Yamun, and feel the unique experience in Yuanyang Old County, Local market and then take the bus to Jianshui. (3 hours). A nice journey in the swallow's cave and see the man climb the dangerous cliff.  
Stay in JianShui

--Jianshui County: Lying in Honghe prefecture, Jianshui county consists of two parts, the historic city Jianshui and the famous natural scenery Swallow Cave. There are numerous buildings of historic value and places of interest in this area, including over 100 temples, academies of classical learning and large residences. There are still kept in good condition, including the Chaoyang Gateway Arch, the Jianshui Confucious Temple, the Zhilin Temple, Shuanglong Bridge, the Private Garden of the Zhu Family and the Ancient Nalou office Building. In addition, within the territory of Jianshui, there is beautiful natural scenery like Swallow Cave.

Day 10 Jianshui-Stone Forest (268KM) (B+L+D)

Morning visit the Confucian Temple. Afternoon excursion to explore Zhu Family's House at Village Tuanshan as well as Double- Dragon Bridge,one of the largest pavilion-style ancient bridge in China with its 17 piers as well as the Examination Shed of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. When sightseeing is over, drive to Stone Forest. Overnight at the local best Hotel Qianqi Ashima

 

--The, the biggest temple in Yunnan Province, is Located near the north Gate to Jianshui. Its scale is second only to that of the Qufu Confucius temple in Shandong Province and is now one of the provincial historical relics. It is recorded that the Jianshui Confucius Temple was built in 1285.The temple covers an area of 114mu, imitating the style of the Qufu Confucius Temple, namely, a central - axis structure like a palace. This complex includes a main hall, two side - halls, three pavilions, four gates, five clan halls and eight memorial archways, all of which are kept in gook splendid.

 

The temple is surrounded with trees giving it a solemn appearance. On the westem side of the temple, there are two symbiotic trees. It is said that they were planted in the Yuan Dynasty. One is a cypress and the other is a banyan, which forms the unique picture ''Marshal Wan embracing Miss Bai''. 

Day 11 Stone Forest-Kunming (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Stone Forest, Kunming City Tour, the Green Lake, the Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway.
Special Experience: Taste the typical Yunnan food which is named Bridge crossing Noodles.

Visit the Stone Forest in the morning. 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 about 80KM to Kunmning to visit the landmark of Kunming-the Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway, which is located at the corner of Sanshi Road and Jinbi Road. And then, we will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings.

Day 12 Kunming-Dali by private car (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Three-pagoda in Chongshen Temple, Dali Old Town.

In the morning you will take the car to Dali via Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture.Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest.
 
And then, we 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, we will visit the Old Dali Town, which is located at the foot of Cangshan Mountain.
--Dali Ancient Town is about 13km away from Xiaguan in Dali City and is one of Dali's Three Ancients-ancient city, ancient pagoda and ancient steles. History of Dali can be dates back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty and it has been listed among the top historic cities of China.

 

Unlike any other Chinese town, the traditional Bai ethnic folk houses give the town distinctive feel. The town's layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the town, which has remained unchanged to this date.

In the morning, We'll travel in the Erhai Lake by boat and visit Jinsuo Island. After landing, we 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 Died Cloth Work Shop. At night relax in Dali Old Town.

--The Erhai Lake is located in the Dali Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Since it has a shape of an ear, it gets the name Erhai (Ear Lake). It stretches 42 kilometers from north to south and 3.9 kilometers from east to west. The lake covers an area of more than 250 square kilometers and is 21.5 meters at the deepest. It is ranked the second place in Yunnan Province and the seventh freshwater lake in the nation by area and water storage. 

Day 14 Dali – Lijiang by private car (B+L)
Sightseeing: Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Museum, Lijiang Old Town

After breakfast drive about 180KM to Lijiang. On the way you will visit Xinhua Bai ethnic village and some farmland with local ethnic people. You will have lunch in NO.8 Restaurant at the bank of the Black Dragon Pool. After lunch pay a visit to Black Dragon Pool and Dongba Museum to learn Naxi ethnic culture.

Afternoon, explore Lijiang Old Town by yourself.
--Lijiang Old Town has a history more than 800 years; it was listed as the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997.Here you will see the wonderful wooden architecture of Naxi ethnic people.

 

--Black Dragon Pool (also Heilongtan) is the main headwater of the Yushui River which goes through the Old Town. It is just like the bright eyes of the town, shining with the wisdom. People believe that the gods of the Naxi people are living in the chestnut woods, beside the mouth of springs, behind the carved doors and below the bridges. The springs come from the god-protected mountains and gather in this place and finally form the dragon pool. Then water goes down a waterfall and becomes the Yuhe River, pouring life to the Old Town.

Day 15 Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang  (B+D)
Sightseeing: the Yulong Snow Mountain, the Yak Meadow, White Water River Terrace, Aisha Village.
Special Experience: Enjoy Naxi Orchestral and Show in Dongba Palace at night.

We'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, we'll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village, We'll head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.  After dinner, we will attend the Naxi Orchestral and Show in Dongba Palace.

 

--Yulong Snow Mountain stands beside the Jinshajiang River, northwest of the Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. Shanzidou, the main peak of the mountain, clad in white snow all year round, rises 5,596 meters above sea level. The 13 peaks, distributed from the south to the north, with the south-north length of 35 km and the east-west width of 12 km, are like a silver white jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name Yulong (jade dragon) Snow Mountain. Numerous species of plants grow in the mountain, and are distributed vertically in accordance with height and climate. The mountain enjoys the fame of the Treasure House of Plants.

Day 16 Lijiang-Tiger Leaping Gorge（Lijiang part）-Shangri La  (B+L)
Sightseeing:  the First Bend of the Yangtze River,ShiguTown, Tiger Leaping Gorge,

From Lijiang, we'll drive about 60KM to 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.
 
Continue the driving 40KM more to visit 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 we can find gold in the river. Afternoon, we'll head for Shangri La,the former Zhongdian. Upon arrival in Shangri La, we will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys.

Day 17 Shangri La (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, the Old Town of Shangri La

In the morning, we'll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. And afterwards we'll go and visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake. After having finished touring the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, we'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.

--Being the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Guihua Monastery, is one of the famous monasteries in the Kang region. The monastery is located near Shangri -La County, at the foot of Foping Mountain.

Construction of the monastery began in 1679 and was completed two years later. The monastery seems like a group of ancient castles and is composed of two lamaseries, Zhacang and Jikang. The gilded copper roof endows the monastery with strong Tibetan features and the 108 (an auspicious number in Buddhism) columns downstairs also feature the monastery with characteristics of Han nationality.

 

The main halls in the monastery are magnificent, and on both the left and the right sides are wonderful frescos, depicting Buddhist tales and legends. The inside-halls are exquisite with cloisters running through. The cloisters are all decorated with beautiful sculptures and consummate frescos.

Day 18 Shangri La-Departure (B)

Take the flight to Kunming and change the flight for your next destination.(Optional flight to Tibet)
Service ends.