Classics of China & Laos Tour
Overview
Fall in love with China and Laos on this 15-day guided China Laos tour package. The journey begins in Beijing and end in Vientiane. Marvel at the impressive Great Wall of China and Terracotta Warriors, get close contact with lovely pandas in Chengdu, and experience the stunning natural landscape and diverse ethnic cultures in Yunnan. You’ll also explore the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and the laid-back Vientiane capital, which is dotted with ancient Buddhist temples.
Best for: First timers, Family, Seniors
Duration: 15 days & 14 nights
Destinations: Beijing – Xian – Chengdu – Lijiang - Kunming – Luang Prabang – Vientiane
Travel Type: Private tour - Flexible & Free to customize
Customize Your Tour:
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Itinerary Expand All
After breakfast, the Temple of Heaven visit will let you be amazed by its architecture and landscape design which was used to pray for the God's bless of the whole nation. After lunch, go across Tiananmen Square first--it covers an area of 100 acres, which makes it the largest public square in the world. Then go to the Forbidden City, located in the center of Beijing, was once the home of the 24 emperors and their households of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the ritual and political center of the Chinese government.
Meal: B, L
Private escorted tour to the Great Wall at Mutianyu section, the greatest of the eight ancient architectural wonders in the history of human civilization. Then drive back to the city and explore the Yonghe Lamasery, it used to be a prince mansion of Qing Dynasty. After he ascended to the throne, here was developed into a Lamasery and the national head office of Lama Administration.
At night, a famous and delicious Peking Duck Banquet is included.
Meal: B, L, D
Pick up at the hotel and pay a visit to the Summer Palace, Qing’s Imperial rulers’ favorite summer residence. UNESCO inscribed Summer Palace a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1998. After lunch, transfer to take bullet train to Xian (5 hrs). Transfer to the hotel and stay overnight in Xian.
Meal: B, L
Today, we will first visit the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Museum. It is known as the eighth wonder of the world and a museum to display terra-cotta warriors and horses in Qin Dynasty. Drive back to downtown area and visit the Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated inside Ci'en Temple (4 kilometers south of Xi'an City), it is one of the famous Buddhist pagodas in China.
Then go to the Muslim Street, located at the heart of ancient city of Xian, next to the Drum Tower. It is the hub of the Muslim community in Xian City, and offers a variety of local snacks.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, transfer to climb the Ancient City Wall, the best-kept and biggest city walls in China--13,912 meters in circumference, 12 meters in height, and the foundation is 18 meters in width and the top of the wall is 15 meters wide. Afterwards, take high speed train to Chengdu (3.5 hrs).
Be met and transfer to hotel check in. Have a short rest and then we move on to visit Jinli Ancient Street, where you will have chance to taste many local snacks, as you know, Chengdu is famous for Sichuan cuisine.
Meal: B, L
Two highlights today: Dujiangyan Irrigation Project--over 2200 year old water conservation project which still in use for irrigation and flood-controlling. Then the Panda Breeding Center-- this huge institution replicates the natural habitat of the giant panda and is dedicated to preserving and increasing their population so they will not become extinct. Take an evening flight to Lijiang. Be met and transferred to hotel.
Meal: B, L
Take a morning flight to Lijiang. After lunch, visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the soul of Lijiang and the holy mountain of indigenous Naxi People, and take a cable car to Yak Meadow.
Meal: B, L
Free morning, you can have an in-depth trip on your own in old Lijiang town. Later, transfer to take a mid-day bullet train to Kunming. Be met and transferred to hotel. Take a brisk stroll along Green Lake Park.
Meal: B
Today you will explore an essential part of South China Karst (UNESCO world heritage site) - the Stone Forest (around 80km south-east of Kunming), which is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain water and eroded for millions of years to their present fanciful forms.
Besides, you will visit a primitive village to meet Sani people - one branch of Yi minority, which is with the largest number of population in Yunnan minorities’ family. Transfer back to Kunming.
Meal: B, L
Transfer to the train station to board the train to Luang Prabang, Laos (0808/1545). Transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Meal: B
In the early morning, you can decide whether to partake in the daily morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’ or giving alms to the monks (around 5:30am). Then visit the local farmers’ market to see how the locals shop, before returning to your hotel for breakfast.
Visit of the quaint Royal Palace Museum that provides a fine overview of the culture and history of this ancient city. We follow the quiet back lanes to the beautiful Heuan Chan Heritage House. After a refreshing Iced Tea in the gardens, continue to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong.
In the afternoon, drive to take a private boat for a cruise up the Mekong River. Enjoy the tranquil countryside, and visit Pak Ou caves, which were crammed with thousands Buddha statues of various sizes. During the return trip, making a stop at Wat Done Khoun Temple, a unique temple situated on an island in the Mekong. At sunset, you will arrive back in Luang Prabang.
Meal: B, L
After breakfast, we transfer out of town, which takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre, which does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. We return to Luang Prabang by midday, where you have the option to stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained.
Transfer to board the train to Vientiane (1549/1734). Transfer to your hotel. Free time at the rest of the day.
Meal: B, L
Visit the oldest temple in Vientiane, Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which now serves as a museum of arts and antiques. Next, we visit Wat Simuang, a Khmer temple that is very popular by the locals. Later go and take some pictures of the imposing Patuxai Monument. The climb to the top offers great views over Vientiane. Continue onwards down Rue Singha 23 to Laos’ National icon, and most important religious building the golden stupa of That Luang. The final visit of the morning will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem of unexploded ordnance during the Vietnam War area.
In the afternoon, we visit the quirky yet impressive Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the banks of the Mekong River. By no means historic – Buddha Park was built in the 1950’s, which features some very photogenic and unusual sculptures.
Meal: B, L
Free time until transfer to the airport for your flight onward.
Meal: B
