China to Vietnam Train Tour – unique experience! (#2307)

 

Day 1: Beijing arrival (no meals)

On arrival Beijing, the political and cultural center of China, pick up and heading out of the town, we visit some outlying sights including Summer Palace which is the biggest and best preserved Royal Garden in the Qing Dynasty (1640s-1910s) in Northern China. Overnight in Beijing.

 

Day 2: Beijing (B)

Drive to the Juyongguan Great Wall (1.5 hour drive and 2 hours visiting), then drive to a Ming tomb-Dingling, visiting includes walk on the Sacred Way, finally in late afternoon, drive back to Beijing, drop off at hotel
Overnight in Beijing.

 

Day 3: Beijing – Xi’an (B)

In the morning, walk through the Tian’anmen Square (20 minutes), visit the Forbidden City (around 3 hours), which used to be the Royal Palace in the Ming and Qing Dynasty (from the 14th century to early 1910s). In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven, which has become one of Beijing’s landmark because of it’s unique architecture. Finally transfer to the West railway station for overnight train to Xi’an, stay in a soft-sleeper cabin( around 12 to 13 hours in the train) – T41 (1903-0644+1) or later train.
Overnight in the train, soft sleeper first class.

 

Day 4: Xi’an (B)

Arrive in Xi’an in early morning, meet the guide, transfer to your hotel (less than one hour’s drive if the traffic is not heavy), which lies in the center of Xi’an. Enjoy the arrival breakfast in the hotel visit the Terra-cotta warriors and horses Museum which lies to the east, nearly 1 hour’s drive to Xi’an (one way).The terra-cotta army of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) were discovered by local farmers by accident in early 1970s, three archeological sites were proved to be a huge battle formation, over 8000 life-sized warriors and horses unearthed so far.
Overnight at hotel

 

Day 5: Xi’an (B)

Today you’ll be driven out of Xi’an proper to visit a Buddhism Temple where the most famous monk Xuan Zang of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) was buried. He traveled along the Silk Road to ancient India and learned Sanscrit, studied Buddhism classics for 17 years, later returned to Chang’an (nowadays Xi’an) with thousands of Buddhism scriptures which were translated by him and his followers in the last 12 years. The next strongly-recommended attraction is the Great Mosque, whose architecture is very unique, this made it looks more like a Chinese garden. In the afternoon you’ll be transferred to the train station for night train to Nanning (leaves at 1922, one soft-sleeper per person)
Overnight at hotel

 

Day 6: ON TRAIN!

 

Day 7: Nanning-Pingxiang-Vietnam (Breakfast at your own arrangment)

Arrive Nanning at 0530, you will be met by local guide, train tickets delivery, own arrangement transfer to the connecting train Nanning-Pingxiang then Vietnam. You will arrive Hanoi the next day!
Overnight on train

 

Day 8: Hanoi – Fullday tour (B)

Meet on arrival Hanoi train station early in the morning, transfer (no guide) to 2* hotel for refresh and breakfast
08:30: Today enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.
The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip. Visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In the evening, attend the famous performance of water puppetry.
Overnight at hotel

 

Day 9: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D), NO ESCORT GUIDE FROM HANOI, GUIDE ON BOARD

Have breakfast at hotel

 

PROGRAM WITH GLORY CRUISE
08.00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta on shuttle bus
10.00: Stopover on the way for a refreshment break
12.00: Arrive at Tuan Chau wharf – Break and photography time
12.30: Board Glory Cruises for departure. Welcome drink will be served
13.00: Lunch is served while cruising through the bay
15.30: Visit exciting Cua Van fishing village. The village is free of busy roads and streets, electric lights, houses and high rise buildings. Instead, there are only herds of little boats and rafts. You will have the chance to discover the traditional culture and customs of the fishermen.
16.30: Enjoy kayaking or swimming (if the weather permits).
17.00: Back on board and continue cruising to Drum Cave (Hang Trong) to dock.
19.00: Dinner is served.
21.00: Take some leisure time to enjoy chatting at the bar or enjoy some night fishing.
Relax and spend a romantic night on Glory Cruise.

 

Day 10 : Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – train to Danang (B, L)

GUIDE ON BOARD, NO ESCORT GUIDE FROM HALONG TO HANOI

PROGRAM WITH GLORY CRUISE (Brunch)
07.00: Coffee and tea will be served
08.00: Continue cruising
08.15: Visit splendid Sung Sot Cave
09.00: Check out and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay, passing Dinh Huong Island, fishing villages, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island and Sail Island.
09.30: Buffet brunch while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier
11.30: Arrive at the pier. Time to say goodbye to the crew.
12.00: Return from Halong to Hanoi on shuttle bus
14.00: Stop over in Dong Trieu town to visit a ceramics workshop.
16.00: Arrive in Hanoi and drop off at your hotel.

 

Day 11: Danang – Hoian visit (no meals)

Meet on arrival at 10.34 at Danang station, little rest before visiting Cham Museum, Cham sculptures museum with its collection of relics from the Cham Kingdom and Marble Mountain. Passing Danang, the car will continue to Hoian with visit of Marble Mountains on the way.
Explore Hoian charming town on foot.
Overnight at hotel

 

Day 12: Hoian – My Son visit – train to Saigon (B)

Drive to visit My Son – one of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area is My Son, Vietnam’s most important Cham site, and as of 2000 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the centuries when Tra Kieu (the known as Simhapura) served as the political capital of Champa, My Son was the site of the most important Cham intellectual and religious centre, and also may has served as burial place for Cham monarchs. My Son is considered to be Champa’s counterpart to the grand city of South-East Asia’s other Indian-influence civilisation: Angkor (Cambodia), Bagan (Myanmar), Ayuthaya (Thailand) and Borobudur (Java).
Transfer to Danang train station to take train to Saigon SE3 (13.12/05.00+1). Overnight on train

 

Day 13: Saigon arrival – full day visit (B)

Transfer to hotel from train station in the early morning and bring to 2* hotel for refresh and bring back you to shape!
Breakfast at hotel
Start to visit Saigon bustling city – in this, the largest of Vietnam’s cities, you will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere, and there is something invigorating about it all. Constrasting images of the exotic and mundane abound. There are the street markets, where bargains are struck and deals are done; the pavement cafes, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets with a melodious thumping beat; and the sleek new cafes and pubs, where tourists chat over beer, pretzels, coffee and croissants. A young office worker manoeuvres her Honda Dream through rush-hour traffic, long hair flowing, high heel working the break pedal. The sweating Chinese businessman chats on his cellular phone, cursing his necktie in the tropical heat. Visit to Thien Hau pagoda, Notre Dame cathedral, former post office, former Presidential Palace, War Museum, China town with Ben Thanh market
Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 14: Saigon – Mekong Delta (Cai Be floating market) – Saigon (B)

Pick up at your hotel, drive to visit Cai Be floating market.
Cai Be Floating Market is a famous place in Mekong Delta, here the Tien River forms the border between Tien Giang, Vinh Long and Ben Tre Provinces. Every day, approximately 400 -500 boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other products anchor a long the banks of the river, waiting for traders and customers. The merchandise sold in each boat is hung on a high pole in front of the boat as a sample to attract customers from a distance. Our car will pick up at your hotel in early morning. Upon arrival at Cai
Be, embark a private boat to cruise around Cai Be Floating Market to see local people being selling, buying, exchanging goods from their boats. Visit local garden and house to see orchard, rice crisped producing process, etc.. Cruise along river to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural natural setting of Mekong Delta region. About 3 pm, the boat will arrival at Vinh Long Market,
walking around to explore Vinh Long Market. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh with stop at bonsai garden. Arrival at your hotel in the late evening.
Overnight at the same hotel Saigon

 

Day 15: Saigon fly back your home country (B)

Pick up at your hotel, transfer to airport (no guide) for morning Vietnam Airlines flight back your home country!
(ends of your historic train trip!)

 

Interested? just email us for rates!

 

Price inclusive

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a double room.
• All airport transfers
• Air-conditioned ground transportation
• All boat, ferry and train transportation as noted
• Kayak fee Halong Bay (2 people per kayak)
• Service of an English speaking local stationed guide
• All entrance fees, boat fees
• Train tickets fee in China and Vietnam as specified
• VAT and other taxes
• Vietnam visa approval code letter (complimentary)

 

Price exclusive

• International flight to Beijing and departure Saigon and tax
• Vietnam visa stamp fee
• Chinese visa fee
• Airport departure taxes
• Meals other than noted
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature

 

Hotels used for this train trip

City	Hotel & room type	Website
Beijing	Traveller Inn hotel, standard room	www.travelerinn.com.cn
Xian	City hotel, standard room	www.cityhotelxian.com
Hanoi	Medallion (superior) Tirant hotel	www.medallion-hanoi.com http://www.tiranthotel.com/
Halong Bay	Glory cruise (deluxe cabin) Aclass cruise (deluxe cabin)	http://www.halongglorycruise.com/ http://aclasscruise.com/
Hoian	Hoian hotel, superior	www.hoiantourist.com/hoianhotel/english/index.html
Saigon	Elios hotel Lavender hotel	http://elioshotel.vn/ www.lavenderhotel.com.vn