12 Days Laos- Yunnan (China) Overland Tour from Luang Prabang to Kunming
Tour Overview
Northern Laos and Yunnan Province in China have much more in common than just a border frontier. The two share a number of characteristics including rich ethnic culture, stunning...
Code of Tour: TAD0000010917
Length of Travel: 12 Day
Destinations of Tour: LUANG PRABANG – NONG KHIAW – BAN NA LUANG VILLAGE-NONG KHIAW – MUANG KHOUA – OUDOMXAY-BOTEN/MOHAN – MENGLUN-Jiangcheng County-Luchun-Yuanyang-Jianshui-Stone Forest-Kunming
Departure City:
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour: Private
Features of Tour: Culture Minority
Northern Laos and Yunnan Province in China have much more in common than just a border frontier. The two share a number of characteristics including rich ethnic culture, stunning valleys and tropical mountain landscapes. This adventure makes the natural link between the destinations, offering an immersive introduction to this picture-perfect corner of the world. The journey gets underway in Kunming, the cosmopolitan capital of Yunnan and a fine place to sample the feel of a big Chinese city. After leaving the urban whirl behind, guests proceed to the southern reaches of Yunnan where they will meet Lahu and Bulang ethnic groups and visit ancient pagodas. Crossing into Laos, the route proceeds through some of the prettiest countryside in the region, cool, clean rivers providing options for kayaking and swimming and later cruising. The journey ends in Luang Prabang, a one-time seat of royalty that retains a peaceful charm.
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG
Arrival in Luang Prabang. Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Luang Prabang is located in north central Laos at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River.
In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. In 1995 Luang Prabang was listed by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
This ancient royal capital offers a charming amalgamation of crumbling French architecture, glistening temples, natural beauty and laid back life style of the local population. Luang Prabang is also an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries.
If time permits you make a walking tour around Luang Prabang.
Day 2: LUANG PRABANG
Travel from Luang Prabang overland to the Yunnan Province in China
You explore the streets around Luang Prabang by traditional “Tuk Tuk” and discover some of Luang Prabang hidden treasures and highlights.
Visit to the Monastery Wat Visun which was first built in 1512 during the reign of King Visun. Continue to the nearby Wat Aham Monastery, which literally translated means “The Monastery of the blossoming heart”.
You then drive to Luang Prabang’s biggest and arguably the most beautiful temple – the Wat Mai. Wat Mai was built by King Anourout towards the end of the 18th century and served as a temple for the royal family and long has been the residence of the Pra Sangkharat, the highest Laotian Buddhist dignitary.
You climb Phusi hill to enjoy the view overlooking the city and watch the amazing sunset. From here we can see the magic Mekong and the small Nam Khan river.
Round up the day with a visit to the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Day 3: LUANG PRABANG – NONG KHIAW – BAN NA LUANG VILLAGE
Drive to Nong Khiaw, a rustic little town nestled amongst fantastic lime stone mountains.
From Nong Khaw you will trek about 2-3 hrs through rice paddy fields and pristine forest to Ban Na Luang Village. In cooperation with the Lao government and the village chief/villagers we have created a two-day activity visit for our guests to experience the life and the rich culture of the locals.
Earnings from this visit are invested in the Village Fund to improve health care, education and local infrastructure. Currently the lack of a school and water system undermine this village’s future. So with your visit you can make a difference.
The inhabitants of Ban Na Luang Village belong mainly to the Khamu and the Hmong ethnic groups.
Overnight accommodation in a very simple, local style Guesthouse.
Day 4: BAN NA LUANG VILLAGE – NONG KHIAW
After a local style breakfast you have time to stroll around the village.
You can also take part in our guided activities like Cotton processing, natural dyes, basket making, animal tending, gardening, planting, Lao village style cooking, school visits carpentry or you can assist a local farmer harvesting. Of course these activities always depend on the season and on what is happening in the village on that day.
If you want you can take a swim in the nearby river together with the locals!
After lunch you say good-bye to the villagers and head back to Nong Khiaw where we arrive late afternoon.
Overnight accommodation is at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Loge.
Day 5: NONG KHIAW – MUANG KHOUA – OUDOMXAY
The Nam Ou River is one of the most important rivers of Laos with some of the most stunning scenery Laos has to offer.
On board a Long Tail Boat you journey slowly upstream while taking in the spectacular scenery. Along the way we pass remote villages, rugged mountain terrain, impressive Karst Cliffs and we can observe the traditional daily village live along the river.
You stop at one of the many villages, most of which are only accessible by boat.
The Nam Ou River runs 448 km from Phongsaly in Northern Laos to Luang Prabang where it merges with the Mekong River.
You disembark at Muang Khoua, a remote mountain village perched on the side of a mountain. From here we continue by road down to Oudomxai where you arrive in the early evening.
Day 6: OUDOMXAI – BOTEN/MOHAN – MENGLUN
Drive through the ever changing landscape of northern Laos via Oudomxay toward the Border of China. After the border formalities you say goodbye to Laos. You walk accross the border into China where you are already expected by your Chinese Guide.
Drive via Mengla to the town of Menglun.
The town of Menglun is located about 75km southeast of Jinghong on the banks of the Luosuo River, a tributary of the Lancang Jiang (Mekong River).
The main attraction of Menglun is the beautiful Menglun Tropical Garden which situated across the Luosuo River and spreading over 900 hectares. The park has been founded in 1959 and today more than 8000 species of plants can be found there. A small ethno botany museum displays a model tropical forest.
Overnight accommodation takes place at a 3 Star Hotel or at the beautiful Anantara Resort overlooking the Luosuo River.
Day 7: MENGLUN – JIANGCHENG
From Menglun you continue your journey in north-eastern direction along the Lao-border which is only a stone’s throw away.
En route you make a detour to the village of Yiwu. The village of Yiwu is known for the outstanding quality of its puer tea. Yiwu is also regarded as the starting point of the Tea and Horse Road. The Tea and Horse Road was an extensive network of trading routes linking the south of Yunnan province with the Tibetan Highlands.
From Yiwu tea was transported to Tibet and in the opposite direction salt and Tibetan horses were brought to Yunnan.
In one of the oldest trading firms in Yiwu you have the chance to try out the once so precious puer tea.
Afternwards you travel further for about 3 more hours to Jiangcheng. This area is one of the most important tea cultivation districts in all of China.
Overnight accommodation is at Jiangcheng.
Day 8: Jiangcheng County-Luchun-Yuanyang
During today’s drive to Yuanyang you will experience some of the most spectacular rice terraces of the region. There are countless photo opportunities along the way.
This area is home to the Yi and Hani ethnic minorities. The Yuanyang rice terraces have been carved out of the Ailao Mountains over hundreds of years by Hani farmers living in the area.
In 2013 the Yuanyang rice terraces have been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
You drive to some of the viewpoints from where you enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the rice terraces. Continue to Duoyishu for overnight accommodation.
You stay overnight in a rustic guesthouse in the middle of the rice terraces of Yuanyang.
Day 9 Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces
Day 10 Yuanyang-Tuanshan Village-Jianshui
Day 11 Jianshui-Stone Forest-Kunming
Day 12 Departure from Kunming
After 12 days of travel, I think this trip was really great! The whole journey started from Laos and ends in Kunming and the company had carefully designed an excellent circuit. From the Monastery Wat Sun and the village of Yiwu, we can learned the different cultures of foreign countries and China! We could also see the beauty of nature from Menglun Tropical Garden and other scenic spots!
The most commendable thing was the considerate service arranged by the company for me. The staff would pick us up from the moment we got off the plane, and there would be a guide waiting there when we arrived at the Chinese border.
The accommodation arrangement was also very excellent, which allowed us to stay comfortably in the three-star hotel and Duoyishu.
As a foreign tourist, I recently went on a trip to Luang Prabang organized by your agency and was impressed with the excellent service provided. The hotel pick-up was prompt, and the hotel was well-maintained. The tour guide was knowledgeable and led us on an interesting walking tour of Luang Prabang, visiting attractions such as Mount Phousi, Wat Visun, Wat Aham Monastery, and Wat Mai. The trek through rice paddy fields and pristine forest to Ban Na Luang Village was unforgettable, and our stay in a local-style Guesthouse was pleasant. The guided activities provided an authentic experience of the rich culture and way of life of the locals. The Nam Ou River boat journey was picturesque, and stopping at the remote mountain village of Muang Khoua was a highlight. Overall, the tour was fantastic, and I would highly recommend it to others.
Well, I have to say, this trip is amazing. The travel agency arranged us a exquisite travel plan. From the first to the last day, we have experienced different ethnic cultures at two countries! This is really amazing! Actually, the reason I decided to take a tour is that I’m really exhausted because of my jobs, and I truly want to find some places to relax my mind. And this trip, it did satisfied my exoectation. When I stand on the mountain to enjoy the breathtaking sunset, when I sleep with the soothing sound of drizzling river outside our guesthouse, when I immerse myself in the local ethnic cultures and try to believe I am one part of them, I really felt the happiness. I mean, if next time I need a relaxing tour, I will choose this travel agency again.
Good travel may refresh your life. When you want to have a wonderful vacation in a foreign country，choosing a good travel agency is indispensable.
In this travel, the hotel that arranged by travel agency is full of the local culture, which provides a quiet and comfortable environment for rest after a long journey. When visiting various scenic spots, tourists can book the car service directly by mobile phone, which saves a lot of time and avoids the trouble of language diversity.
Experience flavor food is also an important part of travel. Here I can not only taste the local authentic food in some well-known restaurants, but also the street snacks.
The guidance who is enthusiastic and kind. She introduced the travel spot in detail to every tourist. And I bought some attractive local souvenirs on the recommendation of the salesman.
Anyway, this travel agency constitutes this wonderful trip.