Day 1 ★ Xishuangbanna (Jinghong) Assembly Day
All day
Today is a full-day gathering day. Tourists from all over the country will travel to Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna, and upon arrival, proceed to the meeting hotel for check-in. There are no scheduled activities today, leaving you ample time to freely experience the tropical charm of Xishuangbanna. We recommend resting early to recharge your batteries and prepare for tomorrow's itinerary.
Recommended free time activities include:
Visit Sobutsuji Temple/ Buddhist Baptism
Visit the "Banna Buddhist Sacred Site" [Zongfo Temple] for worship and blessings. Zongfo Temple is the center of Buddhist worship in Xishuangbanna and a sacred place for worship. The temple is majestic, with each corner unique and the intricately carved beams and pillars are a true delight to behold.
Thai style / Strolling in Manting Park
The Dai King's Royal Garden [Manting Park] is a historic city park in Xishuangbanna. It was once the royal garden of the Dai King. Legend has it that when the Dai princess visited, her beautiful scenery attracted her soul, leading the Dai people to call it "Chunhuan," meaning "Garden of the Soul." We'll hear stories of the Dai king and explore the charming Dai and Thai architecture.
Explore Dai cuisine/Starlight Night Market
[Starlight Night Market], with the Milky Way in the sky and the stars on the ground, Xishuangbanna becomes bustling and bustling with tourists after dark. Enjoy the delicious food and beautiful scenery at the night market, and choose the snacks that suit your taste.
How to get to Banna: Jinghong is the capital of Xishuangbanna, which is what we often call Xishuangbanna. The collection hotel is in Jinghong city, and the airport (Gasa Airport) is in the suburbs of Jinghong.
1. Direct flight to Banna (Jinghong). For tourists with limited time, direct flight is a good option.
2. Transfer from Kunming to Banna (Jinghong). There are relatively many flights from various places to Kunming. There are over 20 flights between Kunming and Banna every day, which can be combined at will, saving both time and cost.
3. Kunming high-speed rail to Banna (Jinghong).
Visa: To avoid delays, it is recommended to apply for a tourist visa sticker or electronic visa in advance. China-TravelNote offers this service (at your own expense). Simply make a note on your registration. You can also apply for a visa in advance or apply for a visa on arrival directly at the port of entry. (For details, see: Notice - Travel Issues and Precautions)
Day 2 Jinghong → Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences → Dai Garden → Jinghong
·morning
Wander around the core area of the Tropical Botanical Garden and listen to the exotic plants grow
Head to the 5A-rated Tropical Botanical Garden, West Zone, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for a true encounter with tropical plants. Experience towering "giant buttress roots," the brutal and thrilling "strangler plants," the majestic "one-tree forest," the colorful "hanging gardens," the bizarre "old stem blossoms," and the swirling "giant vines"—everything will amaze you. Explore the vibrant colors of "exotic flowers," the sweet and sour "miracle fruit," the swaying "dancing grass," the punctual "clock flowers," and the chilling "bloodthirsty thorns."
·afternoon
Go deep into the Dai villages and experience the ethnic customs
Afterwards, we'll drive to the Dai Garden, where the warm Dai people will perform a welcoming dance, sing a blessing speech, and sprinkle water for blessings. We'll then explore the garden's five well-preserved Dai villages (Manjiang, Manchunman, Manting, Manzha, and Manga), admiring the stunning tropical countryside. We'll also listen to the chanting at Manchunman Ancient Buddhist Temple, one of Xishuangbanna's oldest Buddhist temples. Xishuangbanna is soulless without water splashing! At an opportune time, we'll visit the Dai Garden's Water Splashing Square, where grand water splashing events are held daily. Join the Dai women in the revelry!
In the evening, we prepared a carefully arranged Dai Peacock Feast for everyone, where we experienced the joy of eating with our hands and were able to interact with the locals and learn a few words of Dai. After a satisfying meal and drinks, we returned to Jinghong to rest.
Day 3 Jinghong → Rainforest Hiking → Jinghong
All day
Light hiking, rainforest feast & jungle tree climbing to release nature
It's a well-preserved, contiguous expanse of tropical forest. Today, we'll explore the rainforest and experience its untamed splendor. (There's a river section, so remember to bring your river hiking shoes.)
1. Rainforest Hiking: Hike in the undeveloped original rainforest and along the Shuo River to search for unknown plants (approximately 3 km);
2. Survival skills: Learn how to use banana trees to collect water in the wild, and experience the thrilling banyan tree climbing and rappelling (approximately 10-13 meters);
3. Rainforest Feast: Enjoy a Hani-style feast in a pristine environment;
4. Pineapple picking: When you arrive in Banna, you must experience the joy of picking pineapples. Pineapples are super sweet!
Note: The pineapple season is from March to November each year. The picking plan will be implemented according to the actual climate changes during the tour period. If the tour period is not during the pineapple season, the picking process will be cancelled and no refund will be given.
5. Rubber tapping scene: Walk into the rubber fields and follow the rubber farmers to learn about the history of rubber and the origins of the tires we see every day.
Day 4 Jinghong → Luang Prabang
·morning
Traveling Abroad by High-Speed Rail, Experience the Speed of the Pan-Asia Railway Central Line
In the morning, I took the high-speed train to the Mohan Border Crossing, the gateway to China, to complete immigration formalities. I took the same high-speed train to the Boten Border Crossing in Laos, where I completed immigration formalities. After clearing customs, I took the same high-speed train again, officially setting foot on Laotian soil. (Please refrain from taking photos while at the border crossing; violating this rule may result in your phone being confiscated, hindering your passage.) There's a one-hour time difference between China and Laos, so upon entering Laos, you can set your watch back one hour. On the train, I learned a few common Laotian phrases from the local guide: "Laos! Sai bai dee!" (Hello, Laos). This shift in pace allowed me to slowly let go of the daily rush and anxiety.
Reference trains: [Jinghong-Luang Prabang] 8:10-12:12 / 11:30-14:45 (the former is preferred, arrival time is local time)
·afternoon
First impressions of slow life in Laos, and a romantic sunset on a Mekong River cruise
Arriving in Luang Prabang, the cultural center of Laos, the former capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and settling in, we'll head to the Mekong River, a major Southeast Asian river system. Board a slender boat and watch the sunset amidst the rippling waters. The lingering light of the setting sun casts a shadow over the river and the boat, immersing us in the slow-paced pace of Southeast Asian life. As dusk falls, local vendors flock to the streets, stringing wires and setting up tents. A common commuter street instantly transforms into a bustling night market, where a variety of snacks, bags, leather goods, handicrafts, and T-shirts fill the streets. Let's immerse ourselves and lose ourselves in the excitement.
As night falls, throw yourself into the slow-paced ancient city
After the cruise, everyone is free to find food. Slowly, you'll blend into this cozy old city, where everything is slow-paced. There's no high-rise oppression, no nine-to-five rush. Stroll through the night market, chat with the locals, and experience the charm of the city at night.
Day 5 Luang Prabang Full Day
·morning
Visit Wat Xieng Thong and immerse yourself in Laotian Buddhist culture
After breakfast, we will go to Wat Xieng Thong, a famous temple in Luang Prabang. The main hall was built in 1560 and is a model of Theravada Buddhist temple design style. The carved wooden doors with gold and silver clepsydra prints depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. On the back wall is a tree of life decorated with colored glass mosaics. This is a brilliant blooming tree, showing the miracle of life and the harmony of all things in the utmost prosperity. The tree of life is colorful in the sun, which is eye-catching and breathtaking.
Then we entered the Royal Palace Museum of King Sisavangvong, which is now one of the museums in Luang Prabang. We straightened our clothes, took off our shoes, stepped on the century-old wooden floor, and felt the fusion of Laotian and French architecture.
·afternoon
Valley Sunshine Waterfall, enjoy the moment of being healed by nature
After lunch, we'll head to the renowned Kuangsi Waterfall, a vast, multi-tiered waterfall rising 100 meters in height. The torrent cascades down from a limestone peak, cascading through layers of limestone like a magnificent painting before emptying into a deep, dark green pool below. We'll then journey through a short stretch of pristine rainforest, lush with vegetation and winding paths. The three tiers of the waterfall cascade into a series of shimmering blue-green pools. A popular activity here is tree rope diving. Don't rush out; enjoy a quiet, complimentary fish spa in the water, a chance to connect with nature.
Note: If you want to play in the water, be sure to bring a blanket and a change of clothes to avoid catching a cold.
Day 6 Luang Prabang Full Day
·morning
Give charity in the morning, love will be returned to those who give love, blessings will come to those who give blessings
在琅勃拉邦有一个神圣的传统【布施】：每日清晨，僧人们会排成一行，一个个赤脚带着钵走上街头，而在路边静静等候的当地百姓则会准备好食物、果蔬，采用跪立姿势，双手恭敬合十，当僧人走到旁边，布施者会虔诚地将米饭放进钵中，随后僧人们行礼、诵经、远去。我们将成为布施者中的一份子，在这个过程里感受这种纯粹的喜悦。
·上午
探访绿色大象营地，沉浸式体验象夫生活
早餐过后前往一个藏于湄公河岸雨林深处的【绿色大象营地】，不同于常规商业化的大象营，这里提倡“共同创造、相互受益”的可持续经营理念，在100多公顷的森林中为大象们提供着美丽的自然栖息地。在生态象夫体验中我们可以学习如同通过观察大象的眼睛、耳朵来检查它们的健康情况，以及体验和象夫一样与大象共同漫步，带大象到河边洗澡，最后还可以给它们喂食有机的蔬菜及水果，通过这些互动给大象们提供锻炼机会以及消除压力，沉浸式体验象夫的日常生活。
备注：早餐不要吃太饱，中午的象营自助餐还不错哦。
·下午
自由探索世界文化遗产——琅勃拉邦古城
回到琅勃拉邦之后，开启自由探索这个慢悠悠的古城，金碧辉煌的传统佛寺，欧洲法式与老挝传统建筑相结合的混搭建筑，湄公河畔悠闲的游客，夜市里热闹的氛围。慢慢走在古城街道上，或安静地在湄公河畔点上一杯咖啡，感受这座城市的魅力。
俯瞰琅勃拉邦&湄公河，普西山日落感受浪漫
日落之前到达普西山，爬上328级台阶，登顶【普西山】，打卡湄公河和琅勃拉邦的浪漫日落，这儿是普受欢迎的观日落点，各种语言口音汇集，中国、欧美日韩及当地人都会在山顶之上等候日落。
不想前往普西山的tourists也可以继续在古城自由游览。
第7 天 琅勃拉邦Luang Prabang → 西双版纳（景洪） 解散日
·全天
今天是行程的全天解散日，我们将会搭乘中老高铁返回西双版纳，结束此次的旅程。
丨参考列车班次
琅勃拉邦-磨丁 ： K12 11:32-13:47 / C82 15:36 -17:16
磨憨-西双版纳 ：C386 17:00-18:09 / C9522 17:40-19:09 / C388 19:55-21:12
琅勃拉邦-西双版纳 D88
9:57（老挝时间）-15:10（中国时间） 列车时长约4小时13分钟
琅勃拉邦-西双版纳 D86
13:35（老挝时间）-19:27（中国时间） 列车时长约4小时52分钟
