19Day Yunnan-Burma Old Road Tour

Day 01 Arrive Kunming
Flight Information:
We'll begin our journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming. Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, our local guide will meet us. And then we will be transferred to our hotel.
--Kunming is well-known as the Spring City because of the nice climate all the year round. It is also the entrance to Southeast Asia countries. We can drive from Kunming to Laos, Vietnam and Burma directly.

Day 02 Kunming-Stone Forest-Kunming (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Stone Forest, Kunming City Tour, the Green Lake, the Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway.
Optional Special Experience (Optional): Taste the typical Yunnan food which is named Bridge crossing Noodles.

We will drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. There is a local saying: 'It is a waste of time not to visit the Stone Forest while visiting Kunming', which vividly expresses the deep love of the local people toward this world wonder. The quintessential karst landscape makes every tourist lost in wonder.

After lunch drive back Kunming ,we will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings. Late afternoon we will visit the Flower and Bird Market.

Day 03 Kunming-Shangri La (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, the Old Town of Shangri La and the Guishan Park.
Special Experience: Taste the butter oil and Tibetan food, Tibetan home-made.
In the morning, we'll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. And afterwards we'll go and visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake. After having finished touring the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, we'll visit the Old Town of Shangri La and the Guishan Park.
Tibetan home made at night and have dinner in Tibetan family with butter oil tea and Tibetan food.
 
Day 04 Shangri La-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:  the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge,.

From Shangri-La, we'll drive about 100KM to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because we can find gold in the river. Afternoon, we'll head for Shangri La, the former Zhongdian. Upon arrival in Shangri La, we will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys.
 
After lunch continue the driving 50KM more to visit the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, and the Iron Chain Bridge in the Stone Drum town. The town of Stone Drum got its name from a large, cylindrical, marble tablet shaped like a drum. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks.
Drive 60KM more to Lijiang. Explore Lijiang Old Town at night.
 
Day 05 Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang (B/L)
Sightseeing: Yulong Snow Mountain, Spruce Meadow, Baishui River, Baisha Village and Murals
Optional Special Experience:Enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M).
Enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Lijiang Ancient Town in the morning, drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M), you will take the sightseeig bus for a short visiting through the Baishuihe River, take the chairlift up to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The cableway will be arranged according to the condition of the mountain. You will hike around1 hours in the original forest in Spruce Meadow (3200M).
 
After lunch, you will enjoy the Impression Lijang Ethnic Show directed in Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). A cultural show demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Naxi, Yi and Bai peoples of the area. The show takes place inside Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park at 3500m in an outdoor theater specifically designed to showcase the mountain which is used as a backdrop. The production itself was designed by Zhang Yimou, Fan Yue and Wang Chaoge, a cast of over 500 people, and a number of horses. In the afternoon, you'll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village.  Visit the Baisha Mural about 600 years old, which is one part of the World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO 1997.
 
--Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The highest peak named Fan Peak (Shanzidou in Chinese) which is about 5596 meters above sea level. There are three cablecars in the mountain, the fist to the Glacier Park(4500M),the second to Spruce Meadow(3200M),the third to Yak Meadow(3700M).

Day 06 Lijiang - Dali (B+L+D)
After breakfast, travel (200 km - 4 hrs) south on the old road to the ancient city of Dali. If this day happens to fall on a Monday we will call in at Shaping for a visit to the colorful Bai market. Visit the Butterfly Fountain where hundreds of butterfly species in different sizes and colors flutter around.
After lunch, visit the honorable age-old Three Pagodas, symbolizing the outstanding architectural technology, the wisdom of the ancient laboring people and the brilliant culture of Dali. Enjoy some time in the restored city center.

Day 07 Dali-Baoshan (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Erhai Lake Cruise, Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village and Bai Tie-Dyed Cloth Work Shop.
Special Experience: Taste the Bai Three Course Tea and enjoy Bai Tea Art with ethnic dance and music.

In the morning, you’ll travel in the Erhai Lake by boat and visit Jinsuo Island. After landing, we will head for Xizhou Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture. Visit Zhoucheng Town, and Bai people's Tie-Dyed Cloth Work Shop.

Drive to Baoshan City. We will stopover at the upper reach of Mekong River and some villages on the way to Tengchong. The scenery is very fantastic.

Baoshan is the biggest city in the western Yunnan province. Unless the east, whether Lincang Prefecture boarded by, the Northeast and the adjoint in Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, connect north with Nujiang Lisu's autonomous prefecture, adjoin southwest with Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Dehong, the Northwest and south and Burma bounded, A section of 167.78 kilometers in long Baoshan Prefecture of national boundaries.

Day 08 Baoshan-Tengchong  385KM (B+L+D)
Sightseeing:
In the early morning we will drive about 4 hours to Tengchong. When we arrive in Tengchong, we will walk around Heshun Old Town; “Heshun” means peace and harmony. We could walk leisurely around the historical old town, built in earlier days by overseas Chinese as a location for their retirement. The remaining old town is a very beautiful place with many ornamental structures such as pavilions, memorial halls, archways, and balustrades, and also with lotus ponds and wetlands with many birds. The library in this town is worth mentioning-set up in 1924, it possesses over 60,000 volumes of books, many of which are rare editions of ancient works.

Day 09 Tengchong (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Heshun Old Town, the Cemetery of World War II, Dieshuihe Waterfall Park and Rehai hot spring Park.
Special Experience: Enjoy the natural hot spring about three hours in Rehai.

After breakfast drive 15 minutes to the south-west and visit Heshun, a traditional walled in historical town. Heshun looks like out of an ancient Chinese picture book and is one of the most beautiful towns remaining in today's China. Walk into town along the cobble stoned alleys up to the square where a small market is held everyday. Glance through some of the entrance gates into courtyards where residents trade their goods and wares.

Visit the Museum of Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese War one of the most remarkable places of interest explaining the geopolitical importance of the Burma Road. Lunch at the Household Restaurant overlooking the pond in Heshun. And then visit the Cemetery of World War II, Dieshuihe Waterfall Park and Rehai hotspring Park. Overnight at hotel in Tangchong.

Day 10 Tengchong- Mangshi- RuilI (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Mangshi. Dai Style Buddhist architecture, the Tree-Wrapped-Pagoda and Wuyun Temple, the night market in Ruili.
It takes about 5 hours to drive first from Heshun to Mangshi. Visit Dai Style Buddhist architecture, the Tree-Wrapped-Pagoda and Wuyun Temple,
Enter further into the border area, where the region is getting richer on the trade. Road signs are multilingual in Chinese, Burmese, Dai as well as in English. Stop in little villages to visit the market activities and Buddhist temples. Explore the night market in Ruili.

Day 11 Ruili - Muse - Lashio (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Chinese-Myanmar border --Jiegao, , Lashio Town
After breakfast, transfer to Jiegao, the Chinese-Myanmar border point, where you be welcomed by the Myanmar guide. After clearance of customs formalities enter into Muse. Proceed your trip (187 km - 5 hours) to Lashio, located at 855 meters in a mountain basin, where rain and clouds are unpredictable during the entire year.
For the energetic, possibility to visit a typical village of the Palaung ethnic minority. Drive to the outskirts of Lashio from where you will have to walk about 4 km slightly up-hill (1 hour walk per way) on an unpaved path to get to Nam Kyan village. Observe the traditional way of life of the Palaungs.

Day 12 Lashio - Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Quan Yin San Temple, Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) town,
After breakfast, stroll through the busy local market where modern amenities mix with local produce. Continue to Quan Yin San, one of the largest Chinese temples in Myanmar that bears testimony to Lashio's important Chinese community. A scenic drive (km - 8 hour) will take you to the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo), a delightful small town of colonial-style buildings, markets, and a botanical garden. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant en route and upon arrival transfer directly to the hotel.

Optional Train Experience (supplement USD 12.00 per person) :
Drive only as for as Naung Pan railway station. Wait for the Lashio-Mandalay train which was long known as the black-market train. A 45 minute train journey to Naung Cho will give you a taste of how the locals travel. You will also crawl across the famous Gokteik Bridge. The 700m long bridge, built in 1900 by the American Pennsylvania Steel Co, spans across a nearly 300m deep abyss.

After crossing the bridge the train will stop at a small station. You will get the chance to have a better look at the bridge. Take good note though that it is not permitted to photograph/video bridges in Myanmar. Keep in mind that trains in Myanmar are not up to international standard and reliability leaves to be desired. However, we will make every effort to provide best available seats on the train. In case of schedule irregularities, delays or unavailability of seats, the journey will be made by road as per original itinerary.
 
Day 13 Pyin Oo Lwin (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: National Kandawgyi Park, Pwe-kauk waterfall, Peik-Chin-Hmyaung cavern,
After breakfast at the hotel, visit National Kandawgyi Park where various kinds of trees and multi colored flowers are in abundance, offering magnificent views. Take a new experience on horse-cart around the Market place in downtown.

After lunch at local restaurant. Visit to Pwe-kauk waterfall, relaxing a few minutes under shady trees. Then proceed to Peik-Chin-Hmyaung cavern, 24 km from the town. Inside this natural cavern, there are many springs with clear water running constantly and stalactites and stalagmites are in existence as well.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Pyin Oo Lwin.

Day 14 Pyin Oo Lwin - Mandalay (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Mahamuni Pagoda; the Shwe Inbin Monastery; the Golden Palace Monastery, traditional hand-woven silk workshop.
After breakfast, explore the local market by horse-drawn carriage (if available). Continue to Mandalay. After lunch at local restaurant you will experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the Mahamuni Pagoda; the Shwe Inbin Monastery; the Golden Palace Monastery, a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen's shop before proceeding to Mandalay Hill for sunset.

Day 15 Amarapura - Ava - Sagaing (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Mahagandayon Buddhist monastery, Bagaya Monastery, Nanmyint Watch Tower, Bargayar Monastery, Sagaing Hills,
After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit Mahagandayon, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Visit Bagaya Monastery, with a superb collection of Buddha statues.
After lunch at local restaurant, excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to Nanmyint Watch Tower, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "the leaning tower of Ava"; Maha Aungmye Bonzan Monastery, built of brick and stucco; Bargayar Monastery, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to Sagaing Hills, a retreat for Buddhist devotees for sunset. 

Day 16 Mandalay- Ayayarwaddy River- Bagan (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: the Ayayarwaddy River, Bagan.
After early breakfast, transfer to the jetty and board the Chinese-built ferry for your journey on the Ayayarwaddy River to Bagan. The trip takes approx. 8 hours downriver, depending on river conditions and water level. Boxed lunch will be provided. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel and time permitting start with sightseeing.

Day 17 Bagan (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Ku Byanuk Gyi, Khay Min Ga Temple, Ananda Temple,, murals of Jataka scenes, Bupaya Pagoda or Mingala Zedi Stupa t
After breakfast, stroll through the colorful local market and continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including Shwezigon Pagoda, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; Ku Byanuk Gyi, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; Khay Min Ga Temple, noted for its panoramic view of the area's numerous monuments and Ananda Temple, with four standing Buddha images.
After lunch at local restaurant, visit one of Myanmar's most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen's workshop in nearby Myinkaba village. You will continue to Manuha Temple, built in the Mon style in 1059 and follow on to Nanbaya Temple, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Proceed to Bupaya Pagoda or Mingala Zedi Stupa to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River.

Optional : Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon, for the first time ever. 'Balloons over Bagan' offers visitors exclusive sunrise champagne flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to April.

Day 18 Bagan - Yangon (B+L+D)
Sightseeing: Sule Pagoda, the Karaweik Hall , Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Bogyoke (Scotts) Market
After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to Bagan airport for your domestic flight to Yangon. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. After lunch at local restaurant complete your Myanmar impressions with an afternoon tour through Yangon's colonial-style city center.
Visit Sule Pagoda, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha at Chauk Htat Gyi; and after a photo stop at the Karaweik Hall, A 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the Bogyoke (Scotts) Market with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world's most spectacular monuments, the Shwedagon Pagoda. Dinner to own account.

Day 19 Departure from Yangon (B)
Flight Information:
After breakfast at hotel, day at leisure until transfer to Yangon airport for international flight. Itinerary is subject to changes depending on confirmed flights, road conditions and availability of rooms.