Wexas Travel
Eastern China by Rail
13 daysfrom $5,362
Intrepid Travel · Escorted small group tour
China & Laos: Kunming to Bangkok by Rail
Climb aboard this culture-packed rail adventure from Kunming to Bangkok for 11 days of culture, delicious food and standout scenery.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Kunming
Kunming
Welcome to China. Welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Explore Yunnan's capital: wander Green Lake Park, check out The Loft galleries and cafes, or visit Yuantong Temple. Optional dinner to sample Yunnan cuisine including crossing-the-bridge noodles.
- Day 2railovernight: Jinghong
Jinghong
Take the first high-speed train from Kunming to Jinghong (approx. 5 hours), arriving around midday. Orientation walk with leader then free time. Optional visit to Manting Park (former royal garden of the Dai Empire, 1300+ years of history). Evening visit to the Starlight Night Market beneath the Golden Pagoda to sample Dai delicacies.
- Day 3overnight: Jinghong
Jinghong
Private vehicle to Nannuo Mountain to visit a local Hani village. Short hike (~1.5 hours) through pu'er tea plantations, see an 800-year-old tea tree, pluck leaves and enjoy a tasting. Share a home-cooked lunch on banana leaves with the host family. Return to Jinghong; free afternoon.
Meals: Lunch
- Day 4railovernight: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang (Border Crossing)
Bullet train across the border to Luang Prabang (approx. 5 hours). Orientation walk in this UNESCO-listed city. Free time then sunset walk on sacred Wat Phu Si hill. Optional dinner at Talad Mued Night Market to try sindad (traditional communal BBQ).
- Day 5overnight: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang
Half-day Mekong River cruise (approx. 3 hours travel) to Pak Ou Caves – sacred limestone caverns with hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch on the boat returning to Luang Prabang. Optional visit to Kuang Si Waterfall. Evening free to explore the night market.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 6railovernight: Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng
Early rise to witness the traditional alms giving ceremony. Optional visit to a local fair trade centre to make a bamboo basket. Afternoon bullet train to Vang Vieng (approx. 2 hours). Arrive late afternoon; dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 7overnight: Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng
Morning kayaking on the Nam Song River (~2 hours) with limestone cliff backdrop and mini rapids. Rest stop at Phar Norn (Sleeping Cave) for karst views. Free afternoon – optional visit to Tham Chang cavern or explore by bike.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8railovernight: Vientiane
Vientiane
Relaxed morning then train to Vientiane (approx. 2 hours), arriving afternoon. Leader orientation walk. Explore faded mansions, tree-lined boulevards and old temples by foot, bike or tuk-tuk. Optional evening night market.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 9railovernight: Overnight Train
Vientiane / Overnight Train
Morning visit to Wat Si Saket (city's oldest standing temple, ~7000 Buddha images) and COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) to learn about UXO history. Relax before transfer to Nong Khai for the overnight train to Bangkok (~14 hours travel). Multi-share air-conditioned compartments with bunk beds, sheets and pillow provided.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10overnight: Bangkok
Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok early morning. Use multi-share rooms to freshen up. Free day to explore: Chinatown, Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Khao San Road, Thai massage. Optional farewell dinner with group.
- Day 11
Bangkok
No activities planned. Trip ends; free to depart any time after checkout. Option to extend stay in Bangkok.
Included
- Hotel accommodation (9 nights)
- Overnight train accommodation (1 night)
- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Private vehicle transfers
- High speed train travel (Kunming–Jinghong, Jinghong–Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang–Vang Vieng, Vang Vieng–Vientiane)
- Overnight train (Nong Khai–Bangkok)
- Boat (Mekong River cruise)
- Jinghong – Starlight Night Market visit
- Nannuo Mountain – Hani family lunch
- Nannuo Mountain – Pu'er tea making
- Nannuo Mountain – Pu'er tea farm hike and visit
- Luang Prabang – Wat Phu Si sunset walk
- Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves
- Luang Prabang – Mekong River Cruise (Half Day)
- Luang Prabang – Alms giving ceremony
- Vang Vieng – Nam Song River kayaking
- Vientiane – Leader orientation walk
- Vientiane – Wat Si Saket visit
- Vientiane – COPE visit
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities
- Meals not listed in inclusions
- Personal expenses
- Single supplement (available from AUD $750, excluding overnight train)
