Discover Ancient China | Colorful Hekou – Kunming – Dali – Lijiang Tour
Highlights
A journey that takes you into the vivid picture of ancient China – where every tile, willow branch, or paved path whispers a thousand-year-old story. From bustling Hekou, through Kunming – the city of eternal spring, to Dali by the poetic Erhai Lake, and stopping at Lijiang Ancient Town – where time seems to stand still beside winding streams and mossy wooden houses.
More than just a trip, this is a journey of emotions – where you can watch snow fall on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, cycle by the deep blue lake, stroll under glowing red lanterns, and discover the rich cultural heritage of Yunnan.
Detailed itinerary
17:45: You gather at the designated meeting point (to be notified later) to complete departure procedures for Lao Cai by sleeper bus at
18:15.23:30: Arrive in Lao Cai. Overnight on the bus.
Morning: 06:00 You arrive at Lao Cai border gate and complete immigration procedures to cross into Hekou. Have lunch in Hekou.
Afternoon: 13:20 You board the train to Honghe Prefecture, then transfer to a high-speed train to Dali.
o Leg 1: Hekou - Honghe C560 (13:20 - 14:59)
o Leg 2: Honghe - Dali D8718 (15:55 - 20:27)
(Train codes are subject to change; during peak season, if train tickets are unavailable, transportation will be changed to bus, based on actual tickets issued)
You will have dinner on the train. Check in to the hotel. Free time to explore Dali Ancient Town at night. Overnight in Dali.Overnight in Dali.
Morning: Check out of the hotel and have breakfast. The group departs to visit Dali Ancient Town - a national historical and cultural ancient city deeply imbued with the heritage of the Nanzhao Kingdom.
Erhai Lake: Here, the group can ride bicycles along the ecological trail by Erhai Lake, checking in at the S-curve – the filming location for the hit Chinese drama "Meet Yourself". (Bicycle rental fee at your own expense).
Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant.
Afternoon: Depart for Santorini - a miniature Mediterranean-style village overlooking Erhai Lake. Visit Fengyangyi Village - the setting of the popular Chinese drama "Meet Yourself". Nestled at the foot of Cangshan Mountain, this traditional Bai ethnic village lies along the thousand-year-old Ancient Tea Horse Road.
The group continues the journey to Lijiang.Evening: Have dinner and check into the hotel to rest. In the evening, enjoy free time to stroll around Lijiang Ancient Town at night and savor Lijiang cuisine. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1997, it is known as the "Venice of the East", where crystal-clear streams flow past every home, willow branches dangle over thresholds, and charming small bridges cross the waterways.
Morning: Have breakfast at the hotel. Depart to visit:
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area: Take the small cable car up to Spruce Meadow (Yunshanping) at an altitude of 3,200m to admire the breathtaking views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain – a 5,596m peak covered in snow year-round. Its permanent glacier shines with a jade-like blue hue.Lunch: Have lunch at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Afternoon: Visit Blue Moon Valley - Baishui River, formed by melting ice from Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Evening: Dinner at your own expense. You may attend the grand performance show "Lijiang Eternal Love", which reenacts the historical origin, development, and romantic legends of the Naxi people (Expenses at your own expense).
Overnight in Lijiang.
Morning: Check out of the hotel, have breakfast. The bus takes you to learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine culture, then continues the journey to Dali. Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Xizhou Ancient Town - a small town in Yunnan Province, China, about 20km north of Dali City. Situated like a gem between Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain with extremely poetic natural scenery, this is one of the oldest and most beautiful ancient towns in Dali. 15:00: Board the high-speed train back to Kunming. Trains after 16:00, e.g. G2842 (16:00-18:05) depending on actual schedule adjustments, train code not specified. 2-hour train ride to Kunming.
18:00: Arrive in Kunming, dinner at your own expense. Visit and check in at Jinma Biji Square - the bustling center of Kunming city, stroll around and enjoy street food at Nanqiang Night Market Street.Morning: Breakfast at the hotel, followed by checkout procedures. Depart to learn about famous Chinese jade culture at Tiangong Jadeite Center. Admire delicate and exquisite works crafted from Jadeite and Nephrite stone, which have made Chinese Jadeite famous worldwide. Afterward, free time to explore the shopping mall to buy local specialties as souvenirs.
Lunch: Enjoy the specialty Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles – a unique culinary dish of Yunnan. After lunch, transfer to Kunming station to take train C562 (13:20 – 17:53) back to Hekou. Upon arrival at Hekou, complete immigration procedures to return to Vietnam. A sleeper bus will pick up the group and take you back to Hanoi.
Arrive in Hanoi, say goodbye to the group, and hope to see you again on future journeys. End of the tour program, goodbye and see you again!
Included
1. Transportation:
- Modern tourist cars for transfers according to the itinerary
- Standard sleeper bus: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi
- High-speed train: Hekou – Dali // Dali – Kunming // Kunming – Hekou
2. Accommodation:
- Standard 3-star Chinese hotel: 02 adults/room, single male or
- female sharing a triple room (03 adults/room)
3. Meals:
- 04 breakfasts at the hotel
- 05 standard main meals + 1 light meal on the train + 1 crossing-the-bridge noodle meal
4. Sightseeing program
- Entrance tickets for attractions mentioned in the itinerary
- Electric car sightseeing in Blue Moon Valley
5. Tour guide: Professional, friendly, enthusiastic, accompanying throughout the itinerary.
6. Insurance and drinking water: Travel insurance, drinking water
7. Group visa: Immigration procedures for Vietnam - China
Not included
- VAT invoice
- Personal expenses and drinks outside the program
- Re-entry visa fee for foreign visitors
- Accommodation: Single supplement fee of 2,500,000 VND/guest.
- Tipping is an international practice when traveling abroad and is mandatory; please pay the tour guide during the tour, including children from 2 years old and above.
- Tipping for the tour guide and driver is: 25 USD/guest/entire itinerary.
- Tickets for the "Impression Lijiang" or "Lijiang Eternal Love" show
Changes to the departure date must be notified at least 03 days prior to the departure date. Free departure date change is allowed for the first time only. Changes for the 2nd, 3rd, etc., times will incur a 30% fee per change. Changes to the departure date must keep the booking information exactly as before.
TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Cancellation at least 07 days before departure: 30% penalty
- Cancellation at least 03 days before departure: 50% penalty
- Cancellation within 1-2 days before departure: 100% penalty
- On the departure date, if you do not arrive at the pre-arranged time and location, or if the tour guide cannot contact you via the provided phone number, and you do not proactively contact us to notify of any changes, it will be considered a voluntary tour abandonment and a 100% tour value penalty will apply.