Day 1 Kunming★ Meeting Day
All day
Today is the all-day gathering day. Tourists from all over the country will arrive at the Kunming gathering hotel to check in on their own.
During the National Day holiday, you will receive a free Laos sticker visa. You will be responsible for the postage of your passport. (Reference single postage: SF Express Standard Express 18 yuan, SF Express Express 23 yuan)
About Vientiane
Kunming, known as the "City of Spring", is the capital of Yunnan Province. Located in the central part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, it is China's gateway city to Southeast Asia and South Asia, and a national historical and cultural city.
About the number of people in the group
The marked price is for 4 people. If 2 people want to form an independent group, they need to pay the difference of 2,200 yuan per person after registration.
Day 2 Kunming → Vientiane → Wat Phra That Luang → Arc de Triomphe
·morning
丨Itinerary
Today we'll fly to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Just across the river from Thailand, it's one of the few capitals in the world to share a border with another country. Despite being a capital, Vientiane isn't exactly bustling and modern, lacking skyscrapers or subways or light rail. Instead, it boasts vast expanses of greenery and beautiful natural surroundings.
丨Reference flights
China Eastern Airlines MU9603
KMG Kunming Changshui-VTE Vientiane Wattay
8:45 (China time) - 9:35 (Laos time), Laos time is one hour later than Beijing time
Flight time: approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes
Sichuan Airlines flight 3U3713
KMG Kunming Changshui-VTE Vientiane Wattay
8:55 (China time) - 9:35 (Laos time), Laos time is one hour later than Beijing time
Flight time: approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes
We'll first visit Wat Simeon, known locally as the "Mother Temple." Though small, it houses a rich collection of treasures. It's also one of Vientiane's most efficacious temples. We'll invite a senior monk to perform the "Baci" (string-tying) blessing ceremony, a core ritual of Laotian culture and symbol of good fortune.
At noon, we specially arranged to enjoy a welcome lunch with local characteristics, and then we took a short break.
About the Laotian Special Welcome Luncheon
We carefully selected Kualao Restaurant, a state banquet restaurant in Vientiane, Laos. The restaurant has hosted heads of state and dignitaries from many countries and is famous for its authentic Laotian cuisine with authentic and mellow flavors, which is loved by locals and tourists alike. The restaurant has an elegant environment, blending traditional and modern atmospheres.
·afternoon
In the afternoon, we'll visit Pha That Luang, a pagoda deeply valued by the Laotian people. It features on the Laotian national emblem, a symbol shared by both Buddhism and the Laotian state. Built in 1556, Pha That Luang is one of the most magnificent of Laotian pagodas. Covered entirely in solid gold, it can be seen from afar even on cloudy days. Legend has it that the temple's sanctity was established by the burial of Buddha's hair and sternum relics in the 3rd century BC. The three-story pagoda stands 45 meters high and 54 meters wide. Its golden hue is strikingly beautiful against the backdrop of a blue sky and white clouds.
Then we headed to the Arc de Triomphe, a symbol of the China-Laos friendship. It is a symbol of the Laotian people's pursuit of freedom. Its appearance is similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France; but it has typical Laotian temple carvings and decorations, and exquisite carvings full of Buddhist themes, showcasing the traditional Laotian national culture and art. Standing on the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you can also have a panoramic view of the city of Vientiane.
After the visit, we can stroll freely along the Mekong River or go to the Mekong Night Market to experience the local atmosphere.
Day 3 Vientiane → Wat Xieng Khun → Vang Vieng → Nam Song River Longtail Boat Tour
·morning
丨Itinerary
After breakfast, we'll head to Xiangkun Temple, a sculpture park featuring nearly a hundred diverse Buddhist sculptures in a variety of shapes and forms, blending Buddhist and Hindu influences. The pumpkin-shaped "Heaven and Hell Tower," symbolizing the cycle of life, and the over 40-meter-long reclining Buddha statue are two of the park's highlights.
·afternoon
After lunch, we set off for Vang Vieng and arranged a [Nam Song River Cruise]. We will take a Laotian longtail boat to cruise on the quiet Nam Song River and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Vang Vieng.
You can order a bottle of Lao beer at a bar on the banks of the Nam Song River and wait for the sunset.
About Vangrong
Nestled between the two major cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, a small town nestled against cliffs and nestled against the Nam Song River, boasts a vibrant mix of karst peaks, streams, rice paddies, and caves. Vang Vieng is to Laos what Yangshuo is to China, both boasting stunning karst landscapes. Chinese visitors often call it "Little Guilin." However, the mountains here are greener, the waters clearer, and everything here remains pristine.
Day 4: Tham Giang Cave → Laotian Massage → Tham Phu Kham Cave → Blue Lagoon → Luang Prabang
·morning
丨Itinerary
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed to the Tanjiang Cave, a very famous cave in Vangrong. The structure inside is complex and walking inside seems like an adventure. The spring water outside the cave is clear, and it is a place worth recommending.
After exploring the cave, we will go to experience the [Laos Special Massage] (no refund if you do not participate), and then relax and have lunch.
·afternoon
After lunch and a short rest, we'll drive to the Tham Phu Kham Cave, where you'll find pristine countryside scenery that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Tham Phu Kham Cave is an unexplored natural cave. Climbing a simple staircase halfway up the mountain, you'll need to bend down to enter. This massive cave is considered sacred by the Lao people, and its main chamber houses a Thai-style golden reclining Buddha.
The Blue Lagoon, located next to the cave, is a popular attraction in Vang Vieng and has been featured in National Geographic. Clear underground springs form a swimming pool, while natural tree trunks and branches serve as diving platforms. Intrepid backpackers love to climb to the top and jump off. For those who can't handle such extreme activities, swimming in the lagoon or swinging on the water's surface is a truly immersive experience.
After the tour, we drove to Vang Vieng Station of the China-Laos High-Speed Railway and took a bullet train to Luang Prabang, the former capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Lonely Planet magazine described it as follows: "Luang Prabang is a place that few in Southeast Asia can match, where ancient culture and elegant Western romance coexist." We will stay here for three nights to fully experience the charm of this mixed-race city.
Upon arrival, we'll check in at the hotel and then head to the Luang Prabang Night Market. Hundreds of stalls sell scarves, shoes, clothing, handmade lampshades, eco-friendly paper lanterns, notebooks, silverware, and other ethnic handicrafts. This is a place where you can indulge in all your shopping cravings and lose yourself in the excitement.
丨Reference train schedule
Vang Vieng-Luang Prabang: C86 16:25-17:26
The train journey takes about 1 hour and 1 minute
丨World Heritage Archives
The World Cultural Heritage Town of Luang Prabang
Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, Luang Prabang has become a symbol of Laotian history and culture. Within the city, magnificent traditional Buddhist temples and Western-style buildings from the French colonial period stand out, exemplifying the integration of traditional architecture built by European colonists from the 19th and 20th centuries into the Laotian urban fabric. Its unique, well-preserved townscape embodies a crucial phase in the fusion of two distinct cultural traditions.
Day 5: Morning Alms Giving → Royal Palace Museum → Wat Xieng Thong → Kuang Si Waterfall
·morning
There's a sacred tradition in Luang Prabang: Every morning, monks line up, carrying their alms bowls and walking down the street. As the first rays of sunlight illuminate the golden temple dome, yellow robes appear from afar. The barefoot monks slowly approach, while locals prepare food and fruits and vegetables, kneel, hands clasped in reverent prayer, and wait quietly by the roadside. When the monks approach, the donor reverently places rice into their alms bowls. The monks then bow, chant, and depart. This daily ritual is known locally as "Morning Alms Giving" (no refund if you don't participate). This morning, we'll join the almsgivers and experience the pure joy of this process.
After breakfast, we drove to King Sisavangvong’s Royal Palace [Royal Palace Museum], 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.
We then proceeded to Wat Xieng Thong, a renowned temple in Luang Prabang. Built in 1560, its main hall exemplifies the Theravada Buddhist style. The temple's low-slung roof slants down to the ground. A magnificent tree of life, inlaid with stained glass, graces the back wall. This magnificent tree, in full bloom, embodies the miracle of life and the harmony of all creation. In the sunlight, the vibrant colors of the tree are breathtaking and captivating. After our visit, we headed to lunch.
·afternoon
After lunch, we'll rest briefly before heading to Kuangsi Falls, known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Laos." This vast, multi-tiered waterfall, 100 meters high, cascades down from a limestone peak into a series of cool, emerald green pools. We'll traverse 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. Don't rush out; enjoy a quiet, complimentary fish spa in the water, a true connection to nature. After our visit, we'll return to the hotel.
Day 6: Green Elephant Camp → Half day free to explore → Mekong River sunset cruise
·morning
After breakfast, we will head to the Green Elephant Camp, nestled deep in the rainforest along the Mekong River. Unlike conventional commercial elephant camps, this one advocates a sustainable management philosophy of "co-creation and mutual benefit," providing a beautiful natural habitat for elephants in over 100 hectares of forest.
During the eco-mahout experience, we'll learn how to check the health of elephants by observing their eyes and ears, experience riding on elephants to bathe in the river like the mahouts, and finally feed them organic vegetables and fruits. These interactions and rides provide the elephants with exercise and stress relief, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the daily lives of mahouts. At noon, we'll enjoy a special buffet lunch at the Green Elephant Camp.
·afternoon
After lunch, we return to the hotel and explore freely. You can take a nap to recover your energy and go for a swim, or you can sit quietly by the Mekong River with a cup of coffee, chat with friends about life, or just daydream...
In the evening, we will gather to take the Mekong River Sunset Cruise. As the setting sun melts into gold, accompanied by orange clouds, dark blue mountains, and golden waves, we will wander in the natural painting of the Mekong River. Afterwards, we will enjoy a special farewell dinner, bringing this adventure trip to Laos to a perfect end.
Day 7 Luang Prabang → Xishuangbanna★ Disbandment Day
All day
Today is the end of our trip. We will take the high-speed rail back to Xishuangbanna, concluding our journey. The tourists, still reluctant to leave, bid farewell with tears in their eyes.
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丨Reference train schedule
Luang Prabang-Xishuangbanna: D88 9:50-15:10
The train takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes
Luang Prabang-Boten: D88 9:50 - 11:15
Boten-Xishuangbanna: D88 12:07-15:10
