Shanghai, Yunnan & Laos Discovery - 12 days

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No booking fees

E-ticket/Mobile-voucher

City sightseeing Cultural, religious and historic sites

Carbon neutral

12 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

28 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Shanghai, China

Ends

Vientiane, Laos

Highlights

Shanghai - Take in the best of the city old and new, including the French Concession, the Bund and the Shanghai Museum

Kunming - Enjoy a free evening to head out and explore the lesser-visited capital of Yunnan Province

Pu'er - Explore this rural area at the heart of the Chinese tea trade with hiking and an included tea-making experience

Xishuangbanna - Visit the tropical botanical gardens and see highlights of this Dai minority city, including the Buddhist Temple

Luang Prabang - Spend free time exploring this temple-strewn city and enjoy included sightseeing to the morning market, National Museum and more

Vientiane - End your journey in the Laotian capital with two free nights to explore at your own pace

Itinerary

Venture off the beaten path through Asia with the “Shanghai, Yunnan & Laos Discovery” tour, a 12-day journey tailored for experienced and senior travelers. Begin in Shanghai with visits to the Bund and French Concession, then fly to Yunnan to explore Pu’er and Xishuangbanna’s lush landscapes. Enjoy hiking, meet the minority Dai people, and participate in a tea-making experience before crossing into Laos for guided sightseeing in Luang Prabang and free time in Vientiane. This tour’s unique appeal lies in its access to lesser-visited regions and hands-on cultural activities, making it a standout choice for those seeking an authentic exploration.

day 1 - Welcome to Shanghai

Arriving in Shanghai, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax, or head out and start exploring the city.

OverNight:Shanghai

day 2 - Shanghai sightseeing

Today we explore the metropolis of Shanghai. Starting in the historic city centre, we delve into Shanghai's past at the Shanghai Museum.

Shanghai was founded during the Ming Dynasty, around 400 years ago, not that the founders would recognise it today. Glittering skyscrapers have sprung up around the historic city centre, which retains an aura of times gone by. We enjoy an included lunch before exploring the city further. We wander through the French Concession and the waterfront Bund, where you can enjoy the best views of the city skyline. Admire the modern architecture of the Pudong area before our sightseeing comes to an end. The evening is at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Shanghai

day 3 - Shanghai to Kunming

Shanghai - Kunming. Private transfer to the airport for your included economy class flight westwards to Kunming, a lakeside city and capital of Yunnan province. The flight time is approximately 3 hours 20 minutes, and your included ticket will be economy class. On arrival in Kunming, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Kunming

day 4 - The Tea-Horse Road

Kunming - Pu'er. After breakfast, we transfer to the train station and take the fast train south to Pu'er. The journey will take around 3 hours, and we will be transferred to the village of Nakeli on arrival. This was once a critical trading route connecting Yunnan to Tibet and Central China. Known as the Tea-Horse Road, it was through this trade network that tea first spread across Asia from its humble beginnings in Pu'er.

We enjoy lunch in the village and take a stroll through the pretty area, which is full of flowers and tea fumes. Later, we enjoy a short hike along a section of the Tea-Horse Road. We won't make you walk all the way, after a short hike, we are collected and transferred back to Pu'er for the night.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Pu'er

day 5 - Xishuangbanna

Pu'er - Xishuangbanna. Today we explore the Nannuo Mountain area, known for its long history of tea production. See many tea trees aged up to 500 years and enjoy a 2-hour hike in a tea plantation. There is also an included tea-making experience before we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Leaving Pu'er, we continue south towards the border, stopping in a typical Dai minority village on our way to Xishuangbanna. This autonomous prefecture is known for its Dai minority population, tropical climate and unique culture. The evening is free in this lesser-visited city.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Xishuangbanna

day 6 - Tropical Botanical Garden & Xishuangbanna sightseeing

This morning we visit the Tropical Botanical Garden. Covering an area of more than 1,125 hectares, the gardens date to 1959 and are home to more than 13,000 species of tropical plant. We explore the eastern part of the park, reminiscent of an old growth rainforest. Wander through paved trails taking in the different species here. The more popular western part of the park is home to a series of specialized gardens. We can visit the most popular, Exotic Flower Garden to see all manner of rare and unique flowers.

We tuck into an included lunch before heading back to Xishuangbanna. This afternoon we visit Manting Park, a village-style rural park in the heart of the city. See Dai and Thai style buildings and local people in traditional dress. We also visit the General Buddhist Temple, which was built in 615 AD.

In the evening, we visit Gaozhuang night market, one of the largest night markets in Asia and dramatically located in the shadow of the impressive Dajinta Temple. We recommend trying some fresh local street food at the market for your dinner.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Xishuangbanna

day 7 - China to Laos

Xishuangbanna - Luang Prabang (Laos). Say goodbye to China today as we transfer to the railway station after breakfast and board the rapid train to Luang Prabang in Laos, via Boten port. We recommend you bring something for lunch with you on the train, and make sure you have a valid Laotian visa, should you need one.

On arrival at Luang Prabang station, we will transfer you to our hotel for the night. The evening is at leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Luang Prabang

day 8 - Luang Prabang sightseeing

Today we explore Luang Prabang on a guided tour in a private minivan. Our adventure begins at the bustling morning market, where the vibrant colours and aromas of local produce set the tone for the day. From there, we’ll wander through the city's revered ancient temples, each a masterpiece of spiritual and architectural significance. Discover relics from a bygone era, delve into the fascinating history of the former Lao kingdoms, and admire the intricate local crafts that have been passed down through generations. We also take in the National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, where the legacy of the Lao monarchy comes to life.

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Luang Prabang is a city where time seems to stand still. Its serene atmosphere, lush tropical landscapes, and rich cultural heritage make it an irresistible destination for travellers seeking both beauty and history. Lunch is included, and the rest of the day after our tour is free for you to relax at the hotel, or head out and explore the city further at your own pace.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Luang Prabang

day 9 - Luang Prabang at leisure

Today is completely at leisure. Unwind at the hotel, explore independently or choose from one of the following optional excursions. You can book and pay for both of these optional tours locally.

Your first option is a cycling adventure out of Luang Prabang and into the remote countryside of the Mekong. Pedal down single tracks, pass rice paddies and rural villages as you explore. Sample local snacks, spot water buffalo and return to Luang Prabang on the ferry after a day of adventure.

Alternatively, enjoy a jungle trek. This excursion includes a transfer by private vehicle and boat to a remote area outside Luang Prabang. Here, you will hike a moderate distance through stunning jungle scenery, with a backdrop of karst mountains. Stop at a traditional Khmu village for lunch and complete your hike to the impressive Tad Sae Waterfall (water levels can run low between February - August) before returning to Luang Prabang.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Luang Prabang

days 10-11 - Vientiane

Luang Prabang - Vientiane. Please note that from today, you will no longer enjoy a tour guide for the rest of your trip. You will be collected by a driver on day 10 and taken to the railway station for your included train to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. On arrival, make your way to the hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of today and tomorrow. You could visit the serene Pha That Luang, the city's most sacred monument, or take a relaxing stroll along the Mekong River promenade, where you can enjoy local street food and catch a stunning sunset.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Vientiane

day 12 - Vientiane

Your tour comes to an end after breakfast today. There is an included departure transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.

Meals:1 Breakfast

Shanghai, Yunnan & Laos Discovery - 12 days

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What's Included

Accommodation

11 nights 3-star hotelsTransfer from hotel to Shanghai airport and transfer from Kunming airport to the hotel on day 3

Meals

11 breakfasts & 5 lunches

Transport

Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 12

Guide

Services of an experienced English speaking tour guide for included sightseeing in Shanghai, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna & Luang Prabang

Others

Local transfers in private vehicles as per the itinerary3 Rapid trains Kunming-Pu’er, Xishuangbanna-Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang-Vientiane in second classEconomy class flight Shanghai - KunmingNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Entrance

Entrance fees as per the itinerary

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

Tour Availability

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