G Adventures
Save 20%Epic Southeast Asia: River Cruises & Karst Mountains
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand · 40 days · Moderate
fromCAD 4,175
Next: 02 Aug
Save 7% off, code required, ends 2026-08-31
Operated by G Adventures
China & Vietnam: The Great Wall to Ho Chi Minh
From
CAD 5,858
Duration
28 days
Countries
Vietnam, China
Activity
moderate
Group size
Max 16
The adventure
If you've ever dreamed of escaping for a month to explore two of Asia's most captivating countries, this is your sign to pack your bags. Over 28 epic days, travel from the buzz of Beijing to the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Walk the legendary Great Wall and stand in awe of the Terracotta Warriors before venturing off the beaten path in southern China. Cross into Vietnam, where you’ll trek the stunning rice terraces of Sapa, cruise through the emerald waters of Halong Bay, and soak in the charm of Hue and Hoi An. This one-of-a-kind adventure will leave you with a heart full of memories and stories that’ll last a lifetime.
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening followed by an orientation walk with your CEO in the area of Beijing near the joining hotel. There will be an optional group dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.
Visit the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Use free time to explore the Hutongs (historic narrow streets and alleys) or The Temple of Heaven, the Drum and Bell Tower, Lama Temple, or Summer Palace.
Travel north to the Great Wall, one of the most iconic sights in all of China. Spend the better part of the day exploring and taking photos, soaking in the atmosphere. In the afternoon, drive back to Beijing and board an overnight train to Xi'an.
Pull into Xi'an this morning after a night on the train. After dropping your things at the hotel, head out on an orientation walk with your CEO and visit points of interest around the city like the bustling Muslim Quarter. Known as one of Xi'an's most fascinating areas, you will pass the lovely and unusual Great Mosque and wander by food stalls with some of the best street eats in China. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city as you wish. Opt to visit the Ancient City Wall or cycle along it.
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. This evening, opt for a dumpling banquet with your CEO and group.
Board a bullet train in the late morning to Chengdu. After getting settled at the hotel, join an orientation walk around the city. In the evening sit down for a Hotpot dinner with the group.
Enjoy a morning visit to see pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endearing species. Afterwards, take time for lunch on your own before your CEO will take the group to People's Park by metro for an orientation walk. End the walk in Tianfu Square, located in the city centre of Chengdu. Take the metro back to the hotel before an optional group dinner in the evening.
Spend the morning free in the bustling city of Chengdu. Opt to visit the Wenshu Monastery or Kuanzhai Alley. Take an afternoon flight from Chengdu to Lijiang.
After a morning orientation walk of Lijiang, visit the the Black dragon Pool and the spectacular views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above the marble bridge. Upon finishing the tour, opt to head to Lijiang Old town to and explore the must see spots like The Giant Water Wheel, Wangu Tower and Lion Hill. Then enjoy a free evening. Opt to visit the Mufu Museum or grab dinner with your group.
Drive to Shaxi Old Town first thing this morning and head out for a walking tour of this ancient, medieval town full of Buddhist culture. Visit the iconic spots of the town like the Old Market Square, the Old Theater, and Yujin Bridge. This afternoon, enjoy free time in this beautiful town. Opt to visit the Xingjiao Temple or the Ouyang Courtyard.
We head to the next town this morning, the thousand year old village of Xizhou Old Town. Explore the well preserved architecture with a tour led by your CEO. Then after a bit of free time in Xizhou, drive to Dali. Head out for an orientation walk and to Dali Old Town. Join your group and CEO for dinner together at a local restaurant. On the way back to the hotel, admire the lanterns that light up this beautiful town at night.
This beautiful lakeside town is yours to do as you wish today! Opt to explore the Old Town, cycle around Dali town or Lake Erhai. Maybe visit the National Geological park of Cangshan Mountain on a hike or on the cable car. A local favorite is the Three Pagodas at Chongsheng Temple or you could learn the art of traditional Tie-Dying by the local Bai people. With so many options, the choice is yours!
Together we'll catch a morning train to Kunming, known as one of China's best natural phenomenons with all its waterfalls, lakes and karst formations. After an orientation walk of the town, opt to head to lunch to try the famous local rice noodle dish. This afternoon, visit the jaw dropping Kunming Flower Market. Then head to the Green Lake (Cuihu) Park where not only will you see your first glimpse of this karst mountain, lake filled town, but you'll also witness locals dancing, singing and playing instruments during their leisure time.
China explorations await and its off to Jianshui. After an orientation walk, take an tour of the city. Visit the Xianghui Bridge, the Xianghui old train station, the Double Dragon Bridge, the Chaoyan Tower and the Zhu's Family Garden. Then enjoy a free evening.
Start the day with a tofu workshop and watch how the locals make this popular dish. Afterwards, drive toward Yuanyang to visit the impressive Yuanyang Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and see the sunshine reflect off the carved out mountainside. We'll spend the day exploring this huge rice terrace from different viewpoints and do some gentle hiking through the greenery. This place is special to visit. In a country often associated with bustling, crowded and noisy cities, this picturesque and peaceful landscape will transport you to a whole new side of China.
Opt to rise early, and we recommend you do, to see the sun rise over the beautiful and peaceful Duoyishu Scenic Area. Take a short hike to the Pugao Old Village and see the local way of living. In the afternoon, we'll head to the main scenic area of the rice terrace with a chance to catch an epic sunset scene and meet some locals living in the field. Walk through Quan Fuzhuang to Bada platform and admire the incredible view.
Say goodbye to China this morning and drive to Hekou Border to cross into Vietnam. Your Chinese CEO will help you get to immigration but will stay in China. You'll meet your new Vietnamese CEO once you cross through customs. After arrival into Vietnam drive to the beautiful mountain region of Sapa. The first stop is at the Hmong Batik House for a painting experience with the local indigenous group, the Hmong people. Then we'll sit down together for an authentic and rustic hotpot dinner, a specialty of the Sapa regional cuisine.
With mountainside covered in lush green rice terraces, picturesque villages tucked away in the hills and a rich culture unique to this region, Sapa is a must visit, off the beaten path part of Vietnam. Today, spend half a day trekking some of the best trails of the country. Hike through local villages, rice terraces and tea plantation. We'll stop part way on the trek to eat lunch at a local restaurant. After finishing the trek, head back to your hotel for the evening.
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll depart from Sapa this morning and drive to the bustling city of Hanoi. After a long drive, we'll leave our bags at the hotel and have lunch at Koto Restaurant, which supports a vocational training program for at-risk youth. Then it's time to explore Hanoi and what better way than on the front of a cyclo. Have a seat as you zoom through Hanoi's lively Old Quarter. After the tour, enjoy free time in the city before meeting together to start the next portion of your trip.
Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner.
Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.
Pull into Hue early in the morning and dive right into the city, starting with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day, you are free to explore the city how you'd like.
Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins.
Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic and amazing city.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City.
Depart at any time.
At a glance
Duration
28 days
Route
Beijing → Ho Chi Minh City
Countries
Vietnam, China
Activity level
moderate
Style
Beach & Islands, Culture & History, Cycling, Food & Drink, Rail Journeys, Sailing & Marine, Trekking & Hiking
Group size
Max 16
Ages
12+
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Welcome
Where you'll go
Day by day
Your journey through
Vietnam & China
Showing Days 1-7
28-day itinerary
Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening followed by an orientation walk with your CEO in the area of Beijing near the joining hotel. There will be an optional group dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.
Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening followed by an orientation walk with your CEO in the area of Beijing near the joining hotel. There will be an optional group dinner afterwards at a local restaurant.
Day 2Visit the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square…Beijing
BeijingVisit the vast expanses of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Use free time to explore the Hutongs (historic narrow streets and alleys) or The Temple of Heaven, the Drum and Bell Tower, Lama Temple, or Summer Palace.
Day 3Travel north to the Great WallBeijing
BeijingTravel north to the Great Wall, one of the most iconic sights in all of China. Spend the better part of the day exploring and taking photos, soaking in the atmosphere. In the afternoon, drive back to Beijing and board an overnight train to Xi'an.
Day 4Pull into Xi'an this morning after a night…
Pull into Xi'an this morning after a night on the train. After dropping your things at the hotel, head out on an orientation walk with your CEO and visit points of interest around the city like the bustling Muslim Quarter. Known as one of Xi'an's most fascinating areas, you will pass the lovely and unusual Great Mosque and wander by food stalls with some of the best street eats in China. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city as you wish. Opt to visit the Ancient City Wall or cycle along it.
Day 5Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. This evening, opt for a dumpling banquet with your CEO and group.
Day 6Board a bullet train in the late morning…Hotpot is a very local way to have a meal. We sit around a table with a pot built in the middle – the pot is divided into 2 halves (spicy vs. non-spicy usually). The restaurants flavoured soup is added and brought to a boil, then we can start adding our food in the pot to cook ( including vegetable, meat or fish). The table also offers various sorts of herbs, spices, oil etc so you can make your own soup to taste.
Hotpot is a very local way to have a meal. We sit around a table with a pot built in the middle – the pot is divided into 2 halves (spicy vs. non-spicy usually). The restaurants flavoured soup is added and brought to a boil, then we can start adding our food in the pot to cook ( including vegetable, meat or fish). The table also offers various sorts of herbs, spices, oil etc so you can make your own soup to taste.
Day 7Enjoy a morning visit to see pandas…
Enjoy a morning visit to see pandas at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. Witness the conservation efforts being made to save this endearing species. Afterwards, take time for lunch on your own before your CEO will take the group to People's Park by metro for an orientation walk. End the walk in Tianfu Square, located in the city centre of Chengdu. Take the metro back to the hotel before an optional group dinner in the evening.
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Operated by G Adventures
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From
CAD 5,858/ person