Vietnam & China: Hanoi to Kunming by Rail

Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do in Vietnam's storied capital. You could book the Hanoi Street Food Experience with Urban Adventures to sample local street eats from markets and food carts, take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake or explore the Old Quarter lined with shops, imperial temples and French architecture. This evening, maybe get to know your leader and group over dinner.

After breakfast, take a private transfer to Sapa – a misty mountain town on the slopes of the Muong Hoa Valley near the Chinese border – where you’ll arrive in the early afternoon. Take some time to relax at your hotel before regrouping for a sunset walk around the town with your local leader. Along the way, you’ll visit Sapa Church – built by French colonisers in the early 20th century and is seen as a symbol of the town – and learn about how the square in front of it has become a cultural hub and gathering place for the ethnic groups in the area. Then, check out the stalls at the night market and dig into a feast of grilled meats, seafood and corn at a local barbecue.

This morning, take a private vehicle to Tan Van Village and lace up your walking shoes for a day hike through Sapa’s iconic rice terraces. With crisp air, paddies that cascade down the hillsides and the chance to meet traditional hilltribe villagers, you’ll soon see why this has become a quintessential image of Vietnam. Before heading back to Sapa town, meet a local H’mong family in their home and share a tasty home-cooked lunch. You’ll arrive back at your hotel in the mid-afternoon, where the rest of the day is free to enjoy a well-deserved rest. For dinner, maybe check out one of the many restaurants in the area with your group.

After breakfast, it’s time to hit the road to Lao Cai where you'll cross the border into Hekou, China. It's a short drive to the immigration office where you'll say goodbye to your Vietnam leader. You will clear immigration by yourselves without your tour leader. It could take some time so a bit of patience can go a long way. Say Ni hao (hello) to your China leader who will meet you once you cross the border and jump on a private bus to Honghe City, where you’ll board your first high-speed (bullet) train to Kunming – the capital of the Yunnan province. Check into your hotel late afternoon before heading out for an orientation walk. For dinner, you could try over-the-bridge rice noodles – a signature Yunnan dish.

This morning, take a bullet train from Kunming to Shangri-La – an alpine city in the heart of the Hengduan Mountains. The journey is long, but the views (especially on a clear day) of snow-capped peaks, valleys and lakes make it worth it. Then, take a private vehicle to your hotel and join your leader for a walking tour of Dukezong Ancient Town – one of the largest and best-preserved Tibetan settlements in China that dates back to the 7th century. Most of the town was destroyed by fire in 2014, but immense effort has gone into restoring the original architecture – including the 21-m-tall prayer wheel, which is the largest in China and takes at least 10 people to turn! Take your time to wander the cobbled lanes and watch artists create intricate thangka paintings. The square comes alive in the evening with traditional music and line dancing – everyone’s welcome, so feel free to join in!

This morning, take a private vehicle to the outskirts of Shangri-La to visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery – the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province. Wander halls decorated with elaborate frescoes depicting ancient Buddhist tales, take in the views of the surrounding countryside and enjoy the serenity of the nearby Lamuyangcuo Lake. Then, return to the city where you’ll be welcomed into the home of a local Tibetan family. Learn how to make traditional yak butter tea before sharing a home-cooked lunch. You’ll also see the family’s scripture or shrine room – a sacred and essential space in Tibetan households used for prayer, meditation and rituals. The rest of the day is yours to relax.

Take a private transfer to Tiger Leaping Gorge – a dramatic canyon on the Jinsha River, where legend says a tiger escaped poachers by leaping across the water. Meet your local guide here to begin your hike through the gorge. This is one of the world’s deepest river canyons, with the peaks of the Jade Dragon and Haba Mountains rising nearly 3800 m above the riverbanks. This trail takes you deep into the heart of it, along narrow switchbacks and cliffside paths with views of the surrounding mountains. Enjoy a well-earned rest this evening at a guesthouse overlooking Jade Garden Snow Mountain – make sure your camera is charged if it’s a clear evening, as the sunsets here are gorgeous! Get a good night’s sleep, as another big day on the trail awaits tomorrow.

This morning, continue hiking through the gorge in the shadows of the mountains. The trail is mostly downhill today, taking you past waterfalls and giant boulders. After finishing the hike, take a private vehicle to Lijiang – a UNESCO World Heritage city home to the Naxi people and several other ethnic groups. Freshen up in your hotel, then join your leader for an orientation walk in Old Town to learn about the city’s role in the Tea Horse Road, an ancient trading route from the seventh to the 20th centuries. Explore the maze of cobbled alleys, canals and traditional Naxi wooden houses. This evening, perhaps head out for dinner with your group and try some traditional Lijiang dishes – how about steam pot chicken or chickpea jelly?

This morning, take a private vehicle to Baisha Old Town on the outskirts of Lijiang. The streets of this sleepy Naxi town are lined with traditional architecture, murals, craft shops and cafes. After walking around, visit a local Naxi family in their home for a Dongba calligraphy class. Dating back to the 13th century, Dongba uses around 1000 pictographic glyphs to represent objects, actions or ideas, and is said to be one of the world's last living pictographic scripts. You have free time for the rest of the day. If you want to explore more, perhaps join an optional bike ride around Lashihai Lake.

Take a train back to Kunming this morning, arriving in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. There's plenty to do in Kunming – nicknamed ‘Spring City’ thanks to its mild climate, natural beauty and laidback vibe. Explore Green Lake Park’s manicured gardens and watch locals practising tai chi, learn about Yunnan’s ethnic groups at the Village of Ethnic Culture or rub shoulders with university students along Wenlin Street. This evening, maybe head out with your leader and group for an optional farewell dinner and raise a toast to a great adventure!

With no activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. You’re free to leave any time after check-out. If you’d like to extend your stay in Kunming, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.