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40 Days China-Thailand-Laos-Cambodia-Vietnam Grand Mekong River Discovery
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Features
The Mekong is one of the world's major rivers. It is the worlds 12th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,350 km, and it drains an area of 795,000 km2, discharging 475 km3 of water annually. From the Tibetan Plateau this river runs through Chinas Yunnan province, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam established the Mekong River Commission in 1995 to assist in the management and coordinated use of the Mekongs resources. In 1996 China and Burma became dialogue partners of the MRC and the six countries now work together within a cooperation framework.The extreme seasonal variations in flow and the presence of rapids and waterfalls in this river have made navigation extremely difficult.
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrival Xining City
Arrive in Xining City, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel.
If time permits, visit the Nanshan Temple or Grand Mosque in Xining City.
Xining is located on the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the upper reaches of Huangshui River. It is the political, economic, scientific and technological, cultural and traffic center of Qinghai Province with an average altitude of over 2,200 meters (about 7,217 feet). The activities of human beings in this region can be traced to 2,100 years ago.
During the Western and Eastern Han Dynasties, owing to its developing agriculture, Xining was paid more attention due to its economic and martial significance. As well as being the important hinge between the central plains and the western part of China in ancient time, Xining was the most common passing channel of the famous Silk Road. Until now, it is still the only road by which to enter the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Xining City-Yushu County (3950M) by flight
Take the morning flight to Yushu or Jyekundo County; after landing, transfer to Jiegu Town via Changu Monastery earthquake relic; Visit the remains of Saer Hotel after the earthquake in April 4th 2009, the Jiajiniang Seismic Fault Line. Have a nice Tibetan style lunch with butter oil tea.
After lunch, have a half day rest for acclimation in Jiegu Town with an elevation of 3950 meters above the sea level. Just do some easy walking around Jiegu Town,visit Yushu Orphanage built after the earthquake, the local market and Gesaer Square.
There is an optional trip to Jiegu Monastery and Princess Wen Cheng Temple; Jiegu Monastery has 500 monks and is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yushu Prefecture with a history dating back 2,000 years. The temple is located on a mountain to the north of Jiegu Town. The 500-plus year-old scripture hall was simply destroyed and eight monks lost their lives,” said a 35-year-old monk who is responsible for managing the sculpture hall.
Princess Wen Cheng Temple is a 1,300-year-old temple built in commemoration of Princess Wencheng, a royal member of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) who married Songtsan Gambo, the leader of the Tubo Kingdom in today’s Tibet, in an amicable move on the part of the court of Tang to strengthen relations with Tibet.
In 641, Princess Wencheng left Chang’an (today’s Xi’an in Shaanxi Province), capital of the Tang Dynasty. On her way to Tubo, Princess Wencheng passed by the area where today’s Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is located, and was warmly welcomed by local people. Moved by their hospitality, the princess stayed there for some time and taught the people there various farming and weaving skills. She also organized some artisans to carve Buddhist statues, pagodas and sutra texts on nearby mountain cliffs. Based on these statues and pagodas, the local people built a temple dedicated to the princess after she left.
Overnight at the camp with bathroom built after the earthquake.
Yushu County-Tongtianhe River (4000M)-Jiegu Town (3950M)
After breakfast, drive to visit the Dangka Monastery and the Mini Prayer Stones, the largest prayer stone pile in all of Tibet in the east of Jiegu Town. The Gyana Mani Stone Mound in Yushu County is a precious relic of Tibetan Buddhism and Tibetan culture. Having a history of more than 300 years, the site is sacred to Tibetans and is a shrine for prayers. Made up of more than 2 billion pieces of mani stones engraved with contents about sutra texts, laws, calendars and art, the mini stone mound is about 283 meters long, 74 meters wide and 2.5 meters tall, the largest of its kind in the world.
Drive to Tongtianhe River; visit the Sanjiangyuan–the Source of Three Rivers (Yellow River, Yangtze River and Mekong River), the Monument of the Three Rivers, Tongtianhe River and Tongtianhe River Bridge. Drive back to Jiegu Town in the afternoon for one night stay.
The Tongtian River (Chinese: ͨÌìºÓ) is a section of the Yangtze River within China’s Qinghai Province. (After leaving Qinghai for Yunnan and Sichuan, the river becomes known as the Jinsha River; further downstream, as the Chang Jiang). It is one of the five large rivers flowing from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is Its length is 813 kilometres, draining an area of 138,000 square kilometres. Pilgrims go to the river because it is mythical, but also it is known for its “Sutra Bridge” and “Gyiana Mani stones.”
Yushu County-223KM-Zaduo County (4290M)
Drive to Zadoi County in the morning, visit the Garila Mountain Pass (4504M) (æØÀæØɽÛë¿Ú4504M) and enjoy the mountain scenery from the pass on the way. After the Galashan Mountain, drive along the China National Highway 309 (S309) with the Zhaqu River—the upper reach of Lancang-Mekong River to Sahuteng Town in Zaduo County.
Arrive in Sahuteng Town in Zaduo County in the afternoon. Zadoi County is located in the southwest of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It comprises the headwaters of the Mekong River. The total land area is 34,557 km2. There are 1 town and 7 townships. The government is situated in Sahuteng Town(ÈøºôÌÚÕò). The population of Zaduo County is 36,000, of which the majority is Tibetan. Zaduo County is entirely based on animal husbandry. Zaduo County is reputed to have some of the best caterpillar fungus in the entire Tibetan Plateau region.
Zadoi County(4290M)-300KM-Nangqian County(3660M)
Enjoy the nice sunrise in Sahuteng Town, then drive along the Zhaqu River to Zhaqing Town, continue the 85KM driving to Zhaxi Qiewu, where is the exact source of the Lancang Mekong River from Zadoi to the Pacific Ocean in Cambodia. From Zhaxi Qiewu, the road is end, a horse riding is necessary to the grassland and glaciers and explore the source of Lancang-Mekong River. This day will be a fantastic day in the paradise. The Tibetan name of Lancang River is Zhaqu, it means “beautiful”. The source is located between Aduo Town and Zhaqing Town with wild grassland and lakes. Drive back to Sahuteng Town in the late afternoon.
The Lancang River originates from Zaduo County of the Yushu Prefecture, and the headwater of the river lies between the originating places of the Huanghe and Yangtze rivers. Deep gorges and wide valleys alternate with each other. On top of the hills are usually barren white interlocking rocks like wolf’s fangs. In Chinese landscape painters’ words, the place is endowed with both “bones and flesh.” The road condition here is usually very rough, and the landform is very complex. A local guide is necessary to go to the area.
Drive to Nanqian County. Firstly drive along the China National Highway 309 (S309) to Shanglaxiu Town and change into the China National Highway 214 (G309) to Nanqian County. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Rongguo and Kanda Grand Canyons from Shanglaxiu Town to Xialaxiu Town about 30KM long. Visit the Jinba Charity Bridge over the Zhaqu River as well as some white pagodas and stone Buddha statues in the rock cliffs. Drive along the Zhaqu River and arrive in Nanqian County.
From Jyekundo or Yushu you will head south to Nangchen passing over the upper reaches of the Mekong River. There are large grasslands and lots of traditional Tibetan culture to be found in NangChen County. There are also some great Monasteries to see. And spend one day to visit two great Monasteries, SuMang Monastery and GaDing Monasery, you will love it!
Nangchen or Nanqian is a county of Yushu in there centralize: plateau pasture, virgin forest, deep and serene canyon, thousand years old Buddhist Monasteries and myth stories. Nangchen is the county name and Sharda is the name of the county capital. Nangchen was an independent kingdom of Tibet up until the 1950’s. It was independent from Lhasa and also (very) independent from Beijing. Nangchen is rich in Tibetan history. There are several monasteries around twon. The famous Chinese Kungfu actor Jet Li spends a lot of time in Nangchen each year and is personally helping to fund the building of a new monastery there. Nangchen weather is much warmer than the rest of Yushu Prefecture, but will still be cold. You can get to Nangchen by taking a mini-van taxi from the front of the main bus station in Jyekundo for around Y30 per person.
If you want to see some nomad life it is not hard to find in Yushu Prefecture. Over 65% of the population is nomadic. I would recommend taking a mini-van taxi to the town of Drido (Zhiduo in Chinese). Drido lies 195km northwest of Jyekundo and can be easily reached by van taxi from the center square in Jyekundo. From Drido you could hike to Qumarleb which is 45 km away. Along the way, you follow the Drichu (Yangtze) River. It is very beautiful with lots of nomads.
Nangchen is located in the most southern part of Qinghai Province, neighboring the Tibetan Chamdo district. Total population stands as 60,415, and 98% of whom are Tibetans. It was formerly one of the five independent kingdoms of Eastern Tibet (Kham). Nangchen was spared from the onslaught of Gushri Khan’s armies in the 17th century, mainly due to the nomadic lifestyle of its inhabitants and the harsh terrain quite inhospitable for settlement. There are only a few lower sheltered areas where cultivated fields are found.
Against the backdrop of vast grasslands, dramatic limestone and sandstone cliffs and immaculate nature reserves, Nangchen is one of the most interesting and uncontaminated parts of Kham. The capital is at Sharda, 193km from Yushu (Jyekundo) via Ke La, 160km from Zurmang Dutsitil and 189km from Riwoche. There are about 78 monasteries in Nangchen, among them H.E. Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche’s Tshechu Monastery, H.E. Satrul Rinpoche’s Trulshik Monastery and Jamme Monastery which is managed by Jamme Choesin and Jamme Lhamchok Rinpoche are the more revered monastic institutions of the Drukpa Lineage.
Nangchen has been a stronghold of the Drukpa Lineage, due to the great influence of H.E. Trulshik Adeu Rinpoche and his predecessors.
Nangqian County-120KM-Gading Monastery-120KM-Xiangda-114KM-Duopuma
After breakfast in the hotel in Xiangda Town, drive 120KM to Gading Monastery which is a tributary of Zhaqu River located in the south 10KM of Maozhuang Town. From the Gading Monastery, you will enjoy the most beautiful part of Zhaqu River with its grand bend around Gading Monastery. Drive back to Xiangda Town and continue the driving to Duopuma Daoban (3810M¶àÆÕÂêµÀ°à).
From Xiangda Town to Duomapu Daoban, drive through some high mountains passes such as Randaila Mountain Pass(4328M), Eyala Mountain Pass(4505M), Xiegala Mountain Pass (4503M). Arrive at Duopuma and camp there.
Duomapu Daoban(3810M)-116KM-Riwoqi County(3810M)-250KM-Chando(3216M)
It is a long driving but beautiful day. Drive from Duopuma Daoban to Riwoq County(3810MÀàÎÚÆë), visit some Tibetan villages such as Jiduo Town, and Riwoq Town, also the Jila Mountain Pass with 4350 meters above the sea level.
From Riwoq County, the elevation is coming down to Cando County (3216M). Drive through the Bingda Town and Eluo Town; arrive in Chando County in the later afternoon.
Qamdo County, also Chamdo County, Changdu County is a county in Tibet Autonomous Region, and the seat of government of Qamdo Prefecture. Qamdo county has an area of 10,700 km² and a population of 78,000, of which 90% are Tibetan. The average temperature is 7.6°C, with average temperatures of -2.3°C in January and 16.3°C in July. The average precipitation is 467 mm per year. Popular with the tourists are the Galden Jampaling Monastery in the capital and the salt mines and hot springs at Yangjing.
Qamdo County, located in the far eastern side of Tibetan Autonomous Region is probably the most advanced city of Tibet. Situated at an altitude of 3240M above sea level, surrounded by famous Hengduan Mountains Range and having many rivers and lakes, Qamdo is without doubt a naturalist’s heaven. Qamdo is also an industrial hub thronged by enterprises and business travelers from around the world. The development of this remote city is on the full swing with many new roads coming up, making it an infrastructure advanced city.
The climate here is most unpredictable. One can experience four seasons on a single mountain itself. It is quite easy to get sick in such kind of weather conditions if required precautions are not taken, so it is better to carry all kinds of clothing with you. As a developed city, it has shopping arcades, street shops, and movie theaters. Meat is the most prominent food with Yak meat being the most popular.
With its distinctive characters and vividness, Qamdo County has slowly but surely made its way to the top tourist spots in Tibet.
Chambaling Monastery is located at the highest spot in Qamdo County, where you will get the best view of the entire city. Built in the year 1444 by one of Tsong Khapa’s disciple, the temple houses few of the oldest statues of Buddha in large number. You will also find stunning work of arts in various Thangka paintings and murals. Visit this monastery during Tibetan New Year when you will see the most splendid offering of the monastery, the religious dance Guqing. The performers wear elegant traditional clothes and expressive masks that pump in a new life to the already spectacular dance.
There are a few springs in and around Qamdo, and Yiri Hot Spring has become the most popular among tourists. The water here has tremendous healing properties and people suffering from rheumatic arthritis, and skin diseases come here regularly. This has made it a world famous spring. It is about 6-hrs drive from Riwoche County and it is advisable that you hire a vehicle to come here, as the area is not easily reachable.
The Deqen Phodrang Sacred Mountain is a perfect spot for relaxing and rejuvenating. The mountains are not very high and provide the perfect terrain for trekking. These alpine ranges are worshiped on a particular day when locals bring food and wine along with them as offering. When you are coming to Riwoqe, try to come here by hiring a vehicle as there are no roads here, thus no transportation.
Covering an area of 1800 sq. m, Karub Ruins were discovered in the year 1977. Since then the site has become the main source of attraction, visited by thousands of tourist from the world. The ruins situated around 12 km from Qamdo County are full of stone-built houses and primitive stone tools that date back to more than 5000 years back. They are also the first excavated sites in Tibet that makes it hugely important for researchers and archaeologists.
Changdo(3216M)-165KM-Bangda Town (4334M)-110KM-Zuogong (3900M)
Drive along the China National Highway 214(G214) with the downstream scenery of Lancang-Mekong River, you will climb over 2 mountain passes and pass by world’s highest airport – Bangdha airport. Arrive in Zuogong County in the late afternoon.
— Zogang County is mainly populated by Tibetans, Han Chinese, followed by both individual minorities. It has the total population of 41,040 people in Zuogong County, among them, there are 40,746 Tibetan people as the total number of 99.28%; there are 284 Han people, 9 Naxi people and 1 Huis.
Zuogong County is located in southeast Tibet Autonomous Region, north of Caya County, east Markam County, Deqin County in the south, Chayu and Basu Counties in the west. 318 and 214 National Highways run through the whole territory, with the east and west, north-south link The location of it. Zuogong County is a must important town for the ancient Tea Horse Road by the merchants and out of Tibet.
The total area is 11,700 square kilometers county. Zuogong county featured by the southeast plateau temperate semi-arid climate. In small temperature difference, heat availability is higher. Average annual temperature is 4.2 ¡æ, The average temperature is -6.7 ¡æ in January, the average temperature is 13.2 ¡æ in July, the daily average temperature is above 5 ¡æ duration of 176 days, the daily average temperature is above 0 ¡æ with the duration of 220 days. Frost-free period is 90 days. Average annual precipitation is 405 mm.
Zuogong-159KM-Mangkang (3780M)-105KM-Yanjing-105KM-Deqin (3400M)
Drive southwards along the Langcang River Valley, the upper reaches of the Mekong River towards Yanjing County.
Arrive in Mangkham County, a small county on the important Sichuan – Tibet Highway (Chengdu – Lhasa).from there, On the way to Mangkang from Zuogong, drive over 3 mountain passes, the view on this part of drive is impressive and very beautiful in summer and fall time. Cross two high passes in this section of the drive, one at around 3,900 m (12,795 ft), the other at 5,008 m (16,430 ft). Driving past local Tibetan houses scattered round the feet of snow-capped peaks, the expressions on innocent Tibetan girls would make you realize that you are one of the first foreign visitors to this isolated region.
Arrive in Yanjing, a nice place to stroll around, enjoy the peace of life, and visit a Church at the north end of the town. Drive along the upper Mekong River to Meili Lancang Mekong River Grand Canyon located at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin County. Enjoy the snset view of Meili Snow Mountain from Feilaisi Monastery.
Feilaisi-30KM-Mekong Grand Canyon(2006M)-120KM-Cizhong(2000M)
Early in the morning, you will enjoy the magnificent sunrise view of Meili Snow Mountain from Feilaisi, and then drive to Mingyong Village. Hike from Mingyong village to Mingyong Glacier (2600m) which is the low altitude glacier of the lowest latitude in the world.
After lunch in Mingyong Village, you will trek down directly to the edge of Meikong River (2,050m/6,724ft). Walk along the Mekong Grand Canyon and arrive in Xidang Village (2,200m/7,216ft) where you can visit some scattered Tibetan houses in the village. Drive to along the Lancang-Mekong River to Cizhong Village in Yanmen Town.
Drive south along the Mekong Grand Canyon to Cizhong Village in Yanmen Town with some Tibatan villages en route, here you can see the different hoses from Shangri-la. Visit the Tibetan Catholic Church built by French missionaries in 1867, the church is used by Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu people. They still have the grapes planted by missionaries and old the traditional way of making wine.
–Lancang River is the longest river flowing from north to south in China. It takes its source from the Zhaqu of the Guangguori Peak of Tanggula Mountain Range in Qinghai Province, China. It is called the Lancang River after it reaches Changdu. The river runs south until it leaves China at the Nanla Bay out of Yunnan Province and there from changes its name from the Lancang River to the Mekong River. The Grand Canyon of the Lancang River is famous for not only its deep and long vale, but also the rushing water. The river water is limpid and rushing in winter, but turbid and onrushing in summer. As the river becoming narrow in the Grand Canyon, high waves are striking against the banks and making a sound like thunder. What a fantastic spectacle! Such steep mountains, deep valley and miraculous geographic structure are seldom seen all over the world.
Cizhong –Kangpu(1750M)-Zhonglu(1700M)-Weideng (1700M)-Zhongpai(1500M)- Biaochun (1500M)
Drive further south along the Mekong gorge to Weideng Township, you will drive through these Lisu and Naxi ethnic towns with Badi Town, Baijixun Town, Yezhi Town, Kangpu Town,Zhonglu Town in Weixi LisuAutonomous County of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and finally arrive in Weideng Town(άµÇÏç) and stay one night there. All of these towns are located at the bank of Lancang River with a wonderful view on the driving.
Enjoy the landscape of the Mekong with mountains, terraces, villages on the both sides of the valley, and we will make stops to visit Naxi and Lisu villages and a church en route, people here live in the traditional houses built with wooden walls and tile roofs. As the road construction work is going on here, we may need to wait sometimes.
Although the local said there was Naxi, Yi and even Miao, but you wouldn’t know it as they all dressed in Han. In one corner of the market many people sit around with a bowl in hand, drinking some brownish liquid, “this is paojiu” they said and offered me some to tasted, sour mingled with burned wood charcoal favour, interesting taste I would say. the woman told me it was made from plum, took about 10 days to prepare, perhaps it was because market are every 10 days I guess! “no alcohol “she said, 1 kuai for bowl and I took 1. Squating together with all those folk I feel like in a open bar, and bottom-up was the least requirements! “drink up!” the woman ordered!
Further down the Lancang river is Weideng(1700m) market, it was bigger then Zonglu and the valley was wider, you could see the same traders from yesterday but different local folks, same system to blocked heavy transportation from both end of the town, same dominated by Lisu and same busy, only it was raining today.
Drive further south along the Mekong River to Biaocun Lisu Ethnic Township. A nice day driving again with the upper Mekong River through Zhongpai Town , Shideng Town, Yingpan Town,Tuer Town in Lanping County of Nujiang Prefecture,; finally arrive in Biaocun Lisu ethnic Township for one night stay which is located in Yunlong County of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.
You will stop to visit Lisu, Bai and Yi villages on the way. Biaocun Lisu Ethnic Township is located at the bank of Lancang-Mekong River in Yunlong County. You will have a great view of the Mekong gorge. Visit the cable suspension bridge of Lancang-Mekong River as well. The villages here are farway from the road for a long time, so they keep more traditions than the people of the same ethnic groups from the other places. Biaocun is a small town of Bai people.
–“only 25km” the local told me the distant between Zongpai to Shideng, look at my map, it was the shorter distant between 2 township along this Lancang trip that I could attempt by foot! So I deliberate slept through the bus departure time yesterday morning, gave myself no excuse or temptation to buy my way with vehicle. Even the sky supported me with a sunny sky. The walk was simple, followed the Lancang, but most of the time I was being lead inside by the shape of the mountain, not much spectacular sight asvwhat I had hoping to see, but the walk was a refreshingly good exercise to me, it took me 6 hours to arrived at Shideng(2000m). Same like all the town in the area, room rate from 60 to 100, but still those tinted wall with moisted marked and unclean mattress, who would pay or afforded for a room in this price in a small town like this? The answer came right away when I saw those signs of KTV and massage… The MAN!
Weather wasn’t that good yhis morning and the marjet wouldn’t get much business until 10, seem like a bit difficult to keep on the Lancang river trip as the road condition could be rough, I might just switch back inland and go down to Yunlong later on. Beside…the minority scene was monotonously, only Lisu and Bai mostly of the time by studied the official info, still the same people populated the Lancang further down river. need some change!
Biaochun –47KM-Jiuzhou Town-58KM-Wayao Town-70KM- Baoshan(1670M)
Drive south along the Mekong to Laowo(ÀÏÎѺÓ) River and turn to the west direction in Mofang (Ä¥·»). Drive over Laowo Mountain, and arrive in Laowo Bai Ethnic Township(ÀÏÎÑ°××åÏç), continue the driving along the Lancang River to Wayao Bai and Yi ethnic town(ÍßÒ¤°××åÒÍ×åÏç)via Jiuzhou Town(¾ÉÖÝÏç). Then arrive in Dabao (Dali-Baoshan) Freeway, visit the Lancang-Mekong River Bridge, and drive along the freeway to Baoshan City.
— Lying in the western part of Yunnan Province, at the southern end of the Hengduan Mountains and 593 kilometres away from the provincial seat Kunming, Baoshan occupies an area of 4,826 square kilometres. It has a population of 680,000 people, consisting of the Han, Yi, Bai, Dai, Lisu, Miao, Hui, De’ang, Wa and Man nationalities. The Dai and Lisu people live in the low-latitudinal, humid valley of the Nujiang (Salween) River. The Han and Hui people mostly live on temperate, level lands. The Miaos and other minority nationalities are distributed in the mountains on both sides of the Nujiang (Salween) and Lancangjiang (Mekong) Rivers.
Baoshan City has 3,745 overseas Chinese, living in 18 countries, such as Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Bolivia, Paraguay, etc. There are 159 returned overseas Chinese and 5,053 family members of overseas Chinese.
The topography of Baoshan is diversified and complex. Generally, the northwest is higher than the southeast. The city straddles over Gaoligongshan Mountain, the Nujiang River and the Lancangjiang River. There are basins and level lands surrounded by mountains, hilly slopes, low-latitudinal and torrid valleys and low-latitudinal and high-altitudinal Mountains. The lowest point is the confluence of the Nujiang and the Sheshehe Rivers, 640 metres above sea level. The highest point is the peak of Mount Daoren, 3,655.9 metres above sea level. The Baoshan Plain is the largest of its kind, occupying the central part of the area with an elevation of 1,670 metres.
Baoshan-90KM-Changning-75KM-Fengqing (1600M)-58KM-Xiaowan (1200M)
Drive from Baoshan City to Xiaowan Town in Fengqing County for the upper Lancang-Mekong River experience. Arrive in Xiaowan Town in the afternoon and visit Xiaowan Hydropower Plant and the dam.
–The Xiaowan Dam is a large hydroelectric arch dam on the Lancang-Mekong River between Fengqing County and Nanjian County of Yunnan Province. It is currently under construction. When complete, it will be the world’s highest arch dam and the second largest hydroelectric power station in China after the Three Gorges Dam. Construction started on 1 January 2002. The river was dammed in October 2004. Xiaowan Dam will be the highest arch dam in the world with height of 292 m (958 ft).It will create a 15,000,000,000 m3 reservoir with an area of more than 190 km2.The hydroelectric power station will consist of six generating units with generating capacity of 700 MW each. The total generating capacity of the project will be 4,200 MW.The first generating unit is expected to go into operation in late 2010 and the last one in 2013.
Xiaowan -Lancang River Cruise Tour-Manwan
It is an exciting day today, you will start the cruise from Xiaowan Dam to Manwan Dam with wonderful scenery along the Lancang-Mekong River. After 4hours cruising, you arrive at Xiyi Village for your lunch.Visit the Xiyi Lancang River Bridge, then continue the cruise to Manwan Hydro Power Station located between Yunxian County and Jingdong County, at the foot of Wuliangshan Mountain. Arrive in Manwan Town in the afternoon, arrive in Manwan Town in Yunxian County.
The section of the Lancang River within the boundary of Lincang City is more than 200 kilometers in distance. On this 200-kilometer river course there built three big hydropower stations at the level of mega kilowatts – Manwan, Dachaoshan, and Xiaowan (the hydropower station of highest elevation in Asia).
The three man made wonders are important components of the imposing and fantastic Lancang River One Hundred Miles High Gorge Landscape of the Chang Lake. The Chang Lake, together with numerous samll peninsulas and isles on it, is truly tranquil and pretty. Around the pearl-like lake stand a number of green peaks varied in shapes and height. And the woods among the peaks on the lake bank are habitat of many rare wild species.
Along the course of the Lancang River, many scenic spots are worth our mentioning; they are the Lancang River Big Canyon, Cloud and Sea Mountainous Villa, Manghui Neolithic relics, Zhaoshan Temple, the relics of the Dian- Burma Railway, villages of minority nationality and the imposing hydropower stations.
These tourist attractions that fall in different categories allow Lincang to be a popular tourist destination for almost all purpose –industrial tour, historical and cultural research, exploration, leisure and holiday, sightseeing, ecological tour, aquatic recreation and folk customs discovery etc.
Manwan Town-Dachaoshan Town-Jinggu County
It is along driving from Manwan Hydro Power Station to Jinggu County, but it is very nice scenery of Lancang-Mekong River in the sub-tropical area. You also visit some Yi and Dai ethnic village on the way. If you are really interested in the cruise tour, we will arrange the cruise from Manhuai Town to Dachaoshan Hydro Power Station by slow boat around 7 hours. Drive from Dachaoshan Dam to Nazhao Town, turn into the China National Highway 323(G323), and arrive in Jinggu County in the late afternoon.
Jinggu Dai and Yi Autonomous County (¾°¹È´ö×åÒÍ×å×ÔÖÎÏØ) is an autonomous county under the jurisdiction of Pu’er Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The Yi are one of the big peoples of Southwest China. They are spread in most of Yunnan Province, south of Sichuan and southwest of Guizhou, a continuous territory of poor lands and lofty mountains that that lead to the establishment of the many autonomous administrative entities we show below.
Jinggu County-140KM-Puer City-130KM-Jinghong City
It is a nice day driving to Puer City which is famous for the Puer Tea Hometown. Visit the Plum Lake Park in Puer City with thousands of island in the lake. Drive along the freeway to Jinghong City in XishuangBanna Prefecture in the afternoon. You will be relax along the Lancang-Mekong River in Jinghong City.
— Situated in the northwest of Yunnan Province, Puer has an important location in China’s southwestern boundary, neighboring Laos, Vietnam and Burma and sharing a 486 kilometers (302 miles) boundary line with these three countries. Kunming is about 550 kilometers (342 miles) from Puer.
Enjoying a plateau monsoon climate at low latitude, Puer is affected by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, the main features of its weather are mildness and humidity without strong winds. It has a wet season and a dry season. November is the rainy season, and the temperature is high. The annual average temperature of the city is usually between 15.3¡æ (59.5¨H) and 20.2¡æ (68.4).
Puer consists of many ethnic minorities, such as Lahu, Hani, Wa and Yi. Varied customs make it a colorful city. Eating habits, ceremonies, costumes and folk legends can all be a strong attraction for people who are visiting. In addition, Puer City is the hometown of the well known Puer Tea, and Puer people have diversified ways of handling tea, such as bamboo tube tea, cold tea dish, earth-pot tea and baked tea; all of which you should try.
China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden: Tea culture is an attractive tourist factor of Puer City. The exhibition garden is built on the Yingpan Mountain, 29 kilometers (18 miles) from downtown Puer. Against the background of a vast tea garden, it is made up of Puer Tea Museum, Puer Tea making workshop, tea-picking zone, tea appraisal garden and some other facilities which comprehensively show the history of Puer Tea, and of how to plant and produce as well.
Jinghong
Trip to Wild Elephant Valley and visit Dafosi Temple on the way back to Jinghong City.
–Wild Elephants Valley is the place in Xishuangbanna where wild elephants move about most often and frequently. Convenient in traffic, distinctive in equatorial forest landscape and easy to see wild elephants, it has become the popular tourist site in Xishuang Banna. Wild Elephants Valley covers an area of 369 hectares by the Sancha River in Mengyang Town, and is situated 47 kilometers north of the city of Jinghong. With hills rolling gently at an altitude ranging between 747 and 1055 metres, the valley is covered by tropical rain forests, crisscrossed by rivers and streams, and teeming with such endangered species as Asian wild elephants, wild oxen, green peacocks and monkeys.
Jinghong – Mengla-Mohan Town
Drive to Mengla, visit Menglun Botanical Garden and Dai Minority Garden on the way, and visit the Jinuo minority village as well. Arrive at Mohan Town for the last night stay in China. Prepare for the border crossing to Laos in the next day.
—-Located in Menglun town of Menglai county around 80km away from Jinghong city, Menglun tropical botanical garden is the largest tropical botanical garden in China. It was established in 1959 by Chinese famous botanists including Prof. Cai Xitao, who devoted all his life to related scientific research with remarkable achievements. The garden boasts more than 4000 species of tropical plants covering an area of 900 hectares, quite a few of which are rare elsewhere, forming a colorful botanical landscape.
–The Dai Ethnic Garden, located in the Ganlan Basin in Menghan County, proudly holds a national 4A rating as one of China’s top scenic spots. Within the Dai Ethnic Garden, five Dai villages – Manjiang, Manchunman, Manting, ManZha, and Manga – cover an area of 3.36 square kilometers and consist of 309 families, or 1487 individual villagers.Rainforest surrounds and permeates the villages. The well-proportioned bamboo-constructed houses of the Dai people are dotted here and there, hidden in the coconut palms, Areca Catechu palms, mango trees, Litchi trees, Bombay Blackwood, and pomelo trees.
Here, visitors have a unique opportunity to experience the traditional culture and hospitality of the friendly Dai people. The Water-Sprinkling Festival is the largest of several celebrations in which visitors are welcomed to take part. There are Buddhist temples in every village, and many buildings display fine examples of the traditional Dai pillar railing architectural style. Nothing can equal a stay in the Dai Village for a microcosmic view of all that is great about the Dai culture, and a chance to experience the unforgettable warmth of the Dai people.
Mohan Town – Boten (Laos) – Oudomxay – Pakbeng
Drive to Boten Pass and make entry into Laos around 11 am, you will be welcomed by our local guide and after formalities process drive forward to Oudomxay. On arrival Oudomxay, visit Wat Phousay, situated on top of Phousay hill where you can see the view of this town. Continue to Pakbeng upon arrival transfer to check-in the Lodge where you enjoy the Mekong lifestyle by the time of sunset.
–Oudomxay is a province in Northern Laos. It consists of several villages (called “ban”) and two bigger towns: Muang Xay (the provincial capital) and Pak Beng. The province is home for several ethnic groups which you can experience in villages, where people still live their traditional life.
-The halfway point on the Mekong, Pakbeng sits midway between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang. As the Mekong was once the only major transport route in the country, Pakbeng developed as an overnight stop for both cargo and passenger ferries. As this route down the Mekong is so spectacular, it remains a popular transport route, and Pakbeng is flourishing.
Set in a particularly scenic spot, where the Nam Beng flows into the Mekong (Pak means mouth, and Beng is the name of the river), the town itself doesn’t have a lot to offer but a number of guesthouses and restaurants have sprung up catering to back packer.
Pakbeng – Luang Prabang
After breakfast, in the morning visit local market (optional) of Pakbeng where nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their products. Then begin a cruise to Luang Prabang. En route, take a stop at minority village for experiencing their life.
Lunch will be served on board. Another stop at Ban Baw to observe the processing traditional rice alcohol and forwards visit the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves, the home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century. Reach Luang Prabang by sunset and transfer to check-in your hotel.
–Near Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the Mekong River 25 km from Luang Prabang, Laos. They are a magnificent group of caves that are only accessible by boat, about two hours upstream from the center of Luang Prabang, and have recently become more well known and frequented by tourists.
The caves are noted for their impressive Lao style Buddha sculptures assembled over the centuries by local people and pilgrims. Hundreds of mostly wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the floors and wall shelves. They take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (nirvana). Tham Ting contains approximately 2,500 Buddhas, while Tham Theung contains approximately 1,500 Buddhas.
Luang Prabang Famous Waterfall – Souvenirs
After breakfast, enjoy a half-day visit Wat Mai and nearby National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, Wat Xieng Thong – often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful. It is characterized by its several roofs sweeping low to the ground and the impressive ‘tree of life’ mosaic. Next take a visit to Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo Stupa.
Half-day afternoon is at leisure or explore this charming town on your own. Your option – Luang Prabang is wonderful for walking and in the evening recommends you to visit and spin around the night market (night bazaar) opens by 6 pm, here is a good place for handmade souvenirs collecting as textile, handicraft, painting pictures and nearby the Sunset can be enjoyed on top of Phou Sii hill, naturally stands right in the center of the small charming city. Climb its 320 steps sight-seeing the whole views of town for many miles in each direction.
Luang Prabang
If you wish, make an early start with your guide to witness or participate in the local tradition of alms giving to the monks. In the city, some 300 monks file through silently collecting alms. This is an amazing sight and your guide will be on hand to demonstrate and explain this important ritual.
Then return to your hotel for breakfast. Begin a drive south to the countryside village to visit Tad Khuang Sii Waterfall. Along the way to the waterfalls you can visit the Khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene or one of the Hmong villages that you pass. Return to Luang Prabang, and continue to visit Ban Xang Kong, the village making Po Sa traditional paper as well as mulberry paper items and also see their amazing locally-made silk weavings.
Luang Prabang – Vientiane by road 398KM/5-6hrs
After ABF then drive to Vang Vieng on the way, Route 13 Northern, passing through ethnic minority villages, with some houses overhanging steep roadside drop offs. Look for the children playing in the dust with their piglets and puppies.
See examples of widen agriculture hacked out of steep hillsides and the varying checkerboard patches of re-growth as you continue your scenic journey to The Dam and take private boat along the Dam if we have time permit , times more exclusion trip direct to Vientiane. On arrival we transfer to hotel for overnight.
Vientiane City Tour
After breakfast, visit highlights of Vientiane as Morning market, the wonderful venue for encountering the charming and fun-loving Laotians. Wat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Wat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and over 6,000 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Kaew – the main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Putousay – the victory gate also known as Anousavari, with architecture inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris.
Another famous landmark is the Phra That Luang stupa. This great sacred stupa, considered the national symbol, is said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. After lunch, visit the weaving village of Nongbuathong and head out the city to visit Xieng Khouane Buddha Park, a religious sculpture park collecting an unusual blend of Buddhist and Hindu imagery. Return to the town and an optional – taking a short walk at the bank of Mekong River while the sunset.
Vientiane – Savannakhet Province 480KM/5-6hrs
After breakfast then we more exclusion trip to Savannakhet Province, on the ways we stop to see some of local minorities villages along road side, we reach Savannakhet Province around PM then sightseeing on around for sunset at Mekong River then overnight.
Savannakhet Province – Pakse 247KM/3-4hrs
In morning then take your group drive to Pakse on arrival more visit Bolaven Plateau,Tad Fane waterfall, Hill Tribe village. After breakfast, continue the driving to Pakse. Upon arrival, you will be met by local guide who will escort on the southern trips. Drive through Bolaven Plateau, the extinct volcano with a high enough altitude to be notably cooler that the town below.
Here rapidly visit tea and coffee plantation areas and taste the high quality produce grown by local farmers. Continue to visit Tad Fane waterfall, where thin ribbons of water plunge hundreds of feet into a deep ravine below. En route also passes and visit some minority Hill Tribe villages – ‘Kha’ and other ‘Lao Thung’ tribes live in this area. Late afternoon, return to overnight at Tad Fane Resort.
Tad Fane – Wat Phou – Elephant Trek – 4000 Islands
After breakfast, drive north to the famous Khmer Temple complex of Wat Phou. This represents the easternmost border of the Khmer empire, although the influence of the Khmers was felt deep into central Vietnam. Continue to visit Elephant Camp to see how handlers ( Mahouts ) train these giant friendly beasts ! Ride one of the friendly pachyderms to the top of Phou Asa to see mysterious ruins there. Continue on to the 4000 Islands area (Sii Phan Done) where ‘life has remained unchanged for centuries” by van. After lunch continue to 4000 Islands by bus and boat. Remainder of time is at leisure.
Khong Island – Stungtreng Border (Cambodia)- Stung Treng by road
Continue to Veunkham immigration checkpoint (border crossing to Cambodia) and proceed through customs and police formalities (currently, it is not possible to get Cambodian visa at this border; we suggest all travelers to obtain Cambodian visa at their respective country).
Welcome by your guide on the Cambodian side and departure by boat to Stung Treng (1 & ½ hours navigation by speed boat). Arrive in Stung Treng, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon, visit Stung Treng, located just 50 kms south of Laos, on the banks of the San River, just off the Mekong. It is a very quiet provincial city, showing us the authentic and remote “face” of Cambodia. Visit the small village of Thala Barivat across the Mekong River.
Stung Treng – Kratie by road
Early morning, depart by car to Kratie. Arrive in Kratie, a small colonial-style town, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon, visit Wat Phom Sambok and see the Buddhist monasteries and enjoy the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from the hilltop. Continue to reach the site of the freshwater river dolphins and observe the dolphins until sunset.
Kratie – Kompong Cham by road
Depart by car to Kompong Cham. On the way to Kompong Cham stop at Chhlong, a small and peaceful village on the Mekong River bank with both Khmer and Colonial architecture.
Tour to Kompong Cham and visit the examples of colonial architecture.
After lunch, Continue to Han Chey Mountain has official name “Chey Kiri Mountain” located at the East of Kampong Cham province, at the northern part of Mekong River. distance of 18 kilometres by water and 20 kilometres by land. The mountain can be climbed up by 295 beautiful stair steps, and has pagoda and the temple of Kuk made of ancient solid bricks each has seven-square meter size.
In addition, there is another temple having square shape made of sandstone located at the North of pagoda; at the valley of the mountain, there is another temple called “Pra Sat Neang Khmao” made of stones each has seven-square metre size. The mountain of Han Chey has beautiful scenery.
Kampong Cham – Kampong Thom – Siem Reap by road
On the way to Kampong Thom visit Wat Nokhor Bachey with its ancient temple and modern style pagoda (12th century).
Arrival Kompong Thom and visit Sambor Prei Kuk, located 35km northeast of Kompong Thom. Visit the ancient capital of Chenla with its 100 temples dating from the Pre-Angkorian period. Return to Kompong Thom. Stop at the ancient Naga Bridge (Spean Pratpo). Arrival Siem Reap. Check in hotel and overnight.
Siem Reap – Temple Tours
In the morning, visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm. One of the area’s most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.
Visit Preah Khan temple which was built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulders-hanging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.
Continue your visits to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool and representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake and visit the temple of Ta Som as well as Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths”), undoubtedly used in the past for ritual bathing.
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat World Heritage
In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat.
The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.
Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), until sunset.
Siem Reap – Phnom Penh by Speed Boat
Transfer to pier to departure to Phnom Penh 07:00 – 13:30 by speed boat along the Tonle Sap River that is brother with Mekong River in Cambodia.
Arrival Phnom Penh Sightseeing: the Independence Monument, Proceeding to Wat Phnom that is a hill in town set on top of a tree covered knoll 27m high. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1373 and actually it was rebuilt in 1434, 1806, 1894 and the most recently in 1922. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh
After breakfast visit Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90 kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. And National Museum of Cambodia is house in a graceful terracotta structure of traditional design (built in 1917 – 20). Over 5000 objects are on display including Angkorian era statues, lingas and other artifacts, most notably the legendary statue of the “ Leper King “ Though the emphasis is on Angkorian artifact, there is also a good collection of pieces from later.
Afternoon Visit Toul Sleng Genocide Museum ( S-21 ) a memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer Rouge regime, Toul Sleng Kept extensive records, leaving thousand of Photos of their victims and Toul Tompong Market ( Russian Market ). It is the best place in town for souvenir shopping having a large range of real and fake antiquities. Items for sale include miniature Buddha, silk silver jewelry, gems, ganja, Independent monument and Naga Casino if you are interesting with Casino.
Phnom Penh – Chau Doc by Speed boat
After breakfast just enjoy the relaxing morning and 10.00 we check out hotel for the speed boat trip along Mekong River down the way to Vietnam .Visa formalities take about 45 minutes at the border. Continue by river to Chau Doc. Meet our guide and transfer to hotel.
In the rest of the afternoon take a boat to visit the unique farms where fish are bred in wooden cages suspended under floating houses on the river. Continue by boat to visit a village of stilt houses belonging to the Cham minority where colorful traditional textiles are woven on old wooden looms. Return to dry land in time to drive up Sam Mountain for view over the Cambodian border.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc
Chau Doc – Mekong Delta Tour – Saigon by road
We leave hotel early in the morning driving crossing Mekong Delta to Cai Be. From here the group will see the Mekong Delta (“Nine Dragon River Delta). This is special experience of Mekong Delta. We will visit the Candy factory, orchard garden, listen to traditional music and have lunch in the ancient house. We cross the island in the middle of Mekong River by oars boats.
Later in the afternoon, drive to Saigon
Saigon – Cu Chi tunnels- Tay Ninh by road
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province to visit Cao Dai, a local sect of Buddhism, and join a memorable noon daily ceremony of the Cao Dai followers.
After lunch time back to a historic site of the Vietnam War – the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by the local people and guerillas to survive the war against the American explosive attacks. We can even crawl a part inside the tunnel to understand the living of Vietnamese shoulders during the wartime.
Drive back to Saigon in the afternoon, check in hotel and relax
Meals: Breakfast.
Saigon City Tour by road
Have breakfast in the hotel and check out hotel in Saigon.
Briefing tour of Saigon to famous landmarks such as: the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral – two of the city’s architectural landmarks. Briefing tour of Saigon to famous landmarks such as: the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral – two of the city’s architectural landmarks.
Departure from Ho Chi Minh City
Departure from Ho Chi Minh City.
Service ends.
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