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China & Laos: Kunming to Bangkok by Rail


Get ready for 11 days of authentic culture, delicious food and standout scenery as you travel from China to Laos on a bullet train. Kick off in the Eternal Spring City of Kunming, then hop on China's high-speed rail to Jinghong, where you’ll dive into ancient customs at a Hani village and pluck and brew Yunnan’s famous pu'er tea. Cross the border into Laos to watch the sunset wash orange hues over Luang Prabang’s sacred Wat Phu Si hill and kayak the picturesque Nam Song River. Then, wander the mansion-lined boulevards of Vientiane before bunking up on an overnight train to the buzzing streets of Bangkok.

11 days, from

$2,765

per person

GROUP SIZE

12 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 
2
Trip code: TLSK
Style: Original
Theme: Explorer

Details

Countries Visited:  China Lao Pdr Thailand
Accommodation: Hotel (9 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)
Transportation: Private vehicle , High Speed Train , Overnight Train , Boat
Included Meals:

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 2 lunches

Group size: Minimum 1, Max 12
Minimum Age: 15

  • Embrace the sleek bullet train from Jinghong to Luang Prabang. Completed in 2021, this rail line – one of the first international high-speed routes outside Europe – has revolutionised travel in the region with comfort and speed.

  • Discover how Yunnan's unique pu'er tea is made from start to finish in a Hani village on Nannuo Mountain. Pluck your own leaves, learn how to prepare it, then share a hearty Hani lunch with your host family.

  • Cruise the quiet waters of the Mekong to Pak Ou Cave to explore sacred limestone caverns filled with hundreds of timeworn Buddhist statues.

  • Paddle through karst-studded scenery on a kayaking adventure on Vang Vieng’s Nam Song River. Wave at local fishermen and enjoy some small (but fun!) rapids along the way.

  • Learn about Laos’ wartime history at COPE – an organisation dedicated to assisting people injured by the country’s multitude of unexploded bombs.

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: Kunming

Nimen Hao! Welcome to China. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring thanks to its mild climate and ample green spaces, there's plenty to do in Yunnan’s capital city if you arrive early. Wander Green Lake Park’s manicured gardens and watch locals practising tai chi, check out the galleries and cafes in an old factory area known as The Loft or visit the grand Yuantong Temple. This evening, maybe get to know your group over an optional dinner and sample some flavourful Yunnan cuisine – crossing-the-bridge noodles (rice noodle soup) is Kunming’s signature dish.

Day 2: Jinghong

This morning, take your first high-speed train from Kunming to Jinghong. Arrive around midday, then join your leader for a walk in Manting Park – the former royal garden of the Dai Empire with over 1300 years of history. Take in the Dai architecture, see rare flowers and explore revered Buddhist temples. This evening, head to the Starlight Market which sits beneath the Golden Pagoda. Yunan province is famous for its diverse ethnic cultures – including the Dai – and this is reflected in the huge variety of local artisans, craftspeople and food stalls. It’s a great chance to sample Dai delicacies – how about Dai-style sour vermicelli or bamboo sticky rice? If you’re overwhelmed by the options (we don’t blame you), just ask your local leader for recommendations!

Day 3: Jinghong

Today, take a private vehicle to Nannuo Mountain to visit a local Hani village. The mountain is one of the ancestral homes of the Hani – an ethnic group who’ve lived in southern Yunnan for over 1300 years – and they’re deeply connected to it. The mountain is also famous for producing China’s top pu'er tea, and you’ll learn all about how it’s made straight from the source! Go on a short hike through the plantations where you’ll see an 800-year-old tea tree, pluck your own leaves and enjoy a tasting with your Hani hosts – a family who’ve been growing pu’er for generations. Then, share a hearty home-cooked lunch on banana leaves before returning to Jinghong. The rest of the afternoon is free to unwind.

Day 4: Luang Prabang

This morning, take a bullet train across the border to Luang Prabang – they will be on hand to assist with any border formalities. After checking into your hotel in the early afternoon, stretch your legs on an orientation walk with your leader to find your bearings in this UNESCO-listed city. Once the capital of the ancient Lao Kingdom (Lan Xang), Luang Prabang is a city of opulent Buddhist temples and French Indochinese architecture set in the lush northern highlands. Then, enjoy a few hours of free time before regrouping to watch the sun set over the city and its surroundings on the sacred Wat Phu Si hill. Tonight, there’s an optional dinner at Talad Mued Night Market to try sindad – a traditional communal BBQ set on a charcoal stove with a rim full of boiling broth to blanch veggies.

Day 5: Luang Prabang

After breakfast, find your river legs on a half-day cruise along the Mekong River – the world's twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia. Enjoy the relaxed river vibes as you drift past overhanging reeds and see forested mountains in the distance. Stop at Pak Ou Caves – an important religious site only accessible by boat – to explore hundreds of Buddha statues inside the limestone caverns. Reboard the boat and eat lunch on the way back to Luang Prabang, returning to your hotel in the early afternoon. If you’re keen to see more, you could visit Kuang Si Waterfall to swim in its chalk-blue waters. Tonight, maybe hit up the night market to try more Laotian dishes – khao niew (sticky rice) and larb (minced meat salad) are classics.

Day 6: Vang Vieng

Rise early this morning to witness a traditional alms giving ceremony – a centuries-old Laos Buddhist ritual that happens daily at sunrise. View a procession of saffron-robed monks as they collect food offered by devotees. The offerings must be collected early, as the monks can’t eat anything after midday. By giving food to a monk, it’s believed you ‘het bon’ (make merit) which will be carried over into the next life. Your leader will guide you through the dos and don’ts and help you take part. Then, enjoy an easy morning or take the time to visit a local fair trade centre that’s on a mission to preserve traditional Laotian handicrafts and make your own bamboo basket. Leave in the afternoon to catch a bullet train to Vang Vieng. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, then maybe grab dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Vang Vieng

After breakfast, take a private vehicle to the Nam Song River where you’ll take to the waters on a kayak. Paddle with a backdrop of limestone cliffs and forested mountains, maybe riding the occasional mini river rapid along the way. Rest ashore for a while and stretch your legs to Phar Norn, meaning ‘Sleeping Cave’, to snap a photo of the surrounding karsts before kayaking downstream back to Vang Vieng. You have free time for the rest of the afternoon. You might like to visit Tham Chang – a beautiful cavern fed by a natural spring – or explore the area on a bike.

Day 8: Vientiane

Enjoy a relaxed morning before taking a train to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. You’ll arrive in the afternoon. Spend the day in what could possibly be Asia's most laidback capital. Walk, hire a bike or jump on a jumbo (tuk-tuk) to explore the city’s faded mansions, tree-lined boulevards and old temples. There’s an atmosphere of timelessness in Vientiane, especially in the older part of town along the Mekong River. After sunset, why not grab a bite at the lively night market?

Day 9: Vientiane / Overnight Train

This morning, visit Wat Si Saket – the city’s oldest temple still standing and home to almost 7000 Buddha images. Then, visit COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) – an organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO), which still affects many Laotians each year due to the US bombing campaign during the Vietnam War. This is an excellent cause and a chance to educate yourself about Laos' devastating war history. After, buy a snack or drink from their Karma Cafe. Relax for the next few hours, as tonight you’ll take an overnight train to Bangkok!

Day 10: Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. You’ll arrive in Bangkok early in the morning. You'll be able to use the multishare rooms for a quick freshen-up, and your leader will show you where to get breakfasts. Maybe try a classic Thai breakfast like khao tom (savoury rice soup) or pathongko (Thai-style doughnuts). The rest of the day is free to explore Thailand’s bustling capital – and there’s so much to see and do! Wander the Chinatown area, visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or grab a drink in the backpacker hub of Khao San Road. Depending on how well you slept on the train, you could even treat yourself to a Thai massage. Tonight, regroup with your leader and fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a brilliant adventure.

Day 11: Bangkok

With no activities planned, your adventure comes to an end today and you’re free to leave any time after checking out. If you’d like to extend your stay in Bangkok, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.