From Shangri-La to the Khmer Empire Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia (34 Days)
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
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Itinerary Map …where you will travel…
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Yes, it is possible…
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Journey of Discovery…
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Itinerary Map
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Day1: Arrival in Kuming – Preparing for your journey
Day13: Menglun to Muang Xai – Crossing the border into Laos
Day24: Chhlong to Kampong Thom – Continue along the Mekong
Day2: Kunming to Shangri-La – In and around Shangri-La
Day14: Muang Xai to Luang Prabang – Along sleepy villages through Laos countryside
Day25: Kampong Thom to Siem Reap – Onto Asia’s most famous UNESCO heritage site
Day15: Luang Prabang Exploring the UNESCO protected gem
Day26: Siem Reap – In and around Siem Reap
Day16: Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars – continue on winding roads
Day27: Siem Reap to Battambang – Onto colonial Battambang
Day17: In and around Phonsavan – Exploring the Plain of Jars
Day28: Battambang to Pursat – Explore Battambang and a short drive to Pursat
Day3: Shangri-La to Tacheng – A gorgeous drive on winding roads Day4: Tacheng to Lijiang – To the Naxi Kingdom Day5: Lijiang In and around Lijiang Day6: Lijiang to Xizhou – To the shores of Lake Erhai Day7: Xizhou to Dianchi Lake – To Kunming and beyond… Day8: Dianchi Lake to Jian Shui – Old towns and long history Day9: Jian Shui to Yuan Yang On to the “Mirrors of God” Day10: In and around Yuan Yang Exploring the hillside villages of Yuanyang Day11: Yuan Yang to Jiang Sheng – On the way into the subtropics Day12: Jiang Sheng to Menglun Arriving in XSBN, Yunnan’s deep south
Day18: Phonsavanh to Vang Vieng – Tracing back a little, all on nice country roads Day19: Vang Vieng to Vientiane – On to the capital Day20: Vientiane to Champasak – Flight to Pakse and a Mekong boat ride Day21: Champasak – Visit the Bolaven Plateau and Wat Phu
Day29: Pursat to Koh Khong – Adventure Drive through the Cardamoms Day30: Koh Kong – A day in the jungle Day31: Koh Khong to Kep – Onto your final beach destination Day32: Kep – Visit a pepper farm and relax on the ocean
Day22: Champasak to Don Khong – Continue further South to Khone Pha Pheng Waterfall
Day33: Kep to Phnom Penh – On to the capital
Day23: Don Khong to Chhlong – Crossing into Cambodia
Day34: Phon Penh – Depart
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Yes, it is possible... A driving holiday in this part of the world is indeed possible. We take care of everything. All you need to do is come, drive and enjoy a rare adventure! On this beautiful journey you will travel along winding mountain roads in northern Yunnan, drive into the south of Yunnan on some of Asia’s best highways and explore the rural countryside and most important UNESCO Heritage Sites of Laos and Cambodia. Setting of in Shangri-La in northern Yunnan, you experience a touch of Tibetan culture as you drive further south to meet Yunnan’s snub nosed monkeys in nature and continue into the subtropics via stunning highways to Yunnan’s south. Entering Laos north you rest in Laos UNESCO Heritage protected town of Luang Prabang before you drive to one the world’s unsolved mysteries, the plain of jars. To date, the origin of the jars is unknown, though archaeologists believe that they were originally used between 1,500 and 2,000 years ago. You continue to drive along scenic mountain roads to Vang Vieng and all the way to the sleepiest capital town of Southeast Asia, Vientiane. A flight to Pakse brings you to southern Laos to Champasak, the Bolaven Plateau and Laos Mekong river life. Entering Cambodia, you continue to the iconic Angkor Wat temples, before continuing with an off road drive through the Cardamom mountains to Cambodia’s coast, where the journey come to its end. On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to cross borders in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey – crossing the Mekong on a local car ferry, winding your way along lush country roads – without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...
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Prayer flags WELCOME YOU as you arrive in SHANGRI-LA...�
The edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Yunnan
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Shangri-La’s Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, Yunnan
One of the most important MONASTERY in South-West CHINA...�
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Young Tibetan monks, Yunnan
TIBETAN PRAYERS…always UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS to witness...”
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Lunch in THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE…”
In the Tacheng lodge, Yunnan
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In the Tacheng lodge, Yunnan
SLEEPING WELL while FAR AWAY from anywhere...”
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Visiting the CUTEST MONKEYS in the world…”
Yunnan Snub-Nosed monkeys, Yunnan
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The Yangtze’s upper reaches, Yunnan
Your JOURNEY in the THREE PARALLEL RIVERS region...”
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There are many HIDDEN gems to discover around Lijiang...”
Jade Lake not far from Lijiang...
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain seen from the Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang…
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The lovely winding alleys of Lijiang’s old town are a UNESCO World Heritage site...”
Lijiang Old Town
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Naxi minority lady in Yuhu, near Lijiang
Where DR. Joseph Rock lived and worked to INTRODUCE northwest YUNNAN to the outside word…”
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Lake Erhai, Xizhou, near Dali, Yunnan
Take a lake shore DRIVE and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL sunset reflections…”
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Xizhou, Yunnan
VIEW from your hotel TERRACE...”
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The Yuanyang Rice Terraces
MIRRORS of GOD… rightfully so!”
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A village near Xinjie…
Not only RICE TERRACES, but also CHARMING VILLAGES…”
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Wonderful SMILES are NATURAL and FREQUENT in YUNNAN’s countryside...”
An Yi minority women in Yuanyang…
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A typical provincial road in South-West Yunnan‌
Where the DRIVING is pure JOY…”
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From the ROADSIDE, VIEWS like these…”
Near Jiangcheng…
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Rubber trees in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
XISHUANGBANNA is a FERTILE land…”
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Tea trees in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
XISHUANGBANNA, where TEA thrives…”
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XISHUANGBANNA, the home of Yunnan’s DAI MINORITY …”
Dai minority village in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
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Aini minority lady in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
XISHUANGBANNA, home as well to MANY smaller MINORITIES…”
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Over TEN THOUSAND plant species are found here in this GARDEN...�
Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan
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Explore MINORITY villages along the road sides…”
On the way to Maung Xai, Laos
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VIEW from the road side...�
Travelling through northern Laos
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Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort, Laos
A GEM of a hotel in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE...”
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Welcome in Luang Prabang
Mountain ranges encircle the city in lush greenery‌�
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Luang Prabang, Laos
Monks OFFERING in Luang Prabang…”
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Sofitel Luang Prabang
Enjoy a PRIVILEGED stay in a CENTRY-OLD colonial mansion enclosing lush botanical gardens...�
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A TYPICAL road in Laos…”
On the Road in Laos
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Road to Phonsavan
The whole day on WINDING mountain roads...�
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VIEW over Phonsavan…”
Phonsavan
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The plain of Jars
ROLLING hills and JARS..”
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The plain of Jars
BELIEVED to have once stored either human remains or rice wine, thousands of MYSTERIOUS stone JARS lie in ruin...�
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On the way to Vang Vieng
KARST moutains near Vang Vieng...�
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Vang Vieng, Laos
Dramatic KARST MOUNTAINS rising from the jungle while the MIGHTY Nam Song River weaves its way below...�
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Vientiane, Laos
ARC de TRIUMPHE, made in Laos…”
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Children on the way HOME from school...�
Near Champasak
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An OASIS in Champasak...�
River Resort, Champasak
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EMBARK on a MEKONG cruise...”
Champasak
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A TYPICAL village road...�
On the way to Wat Phu
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Wat Phu
Your first ENCOUNTER with the ancient KHMER on this journey...�
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Wat Phu
WAT PHU visitors...�
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Wat Phu, Laos
Your first ENCOUNTER with the ancient KHMER on this journey...�
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Khone Pha Pheng Falls
The NIAGARA FALLS of South East Asia...”
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On the way to Kratie
Villages along the way...�
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A Cambodian main road
On the way to KRATIE...”
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Near Kratie
Farmer KHMER women...”
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Near Kratie
ONE of the many SIDESTREAMS of the MEKONG...”
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Along the Mekong through small villages
MUSLIM and KHMER communities share villages along the MEKONG...�
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Le Relais de Chhlong
A hidden gem in the middle of nowhere...�
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Near Kampong Thom
Rubber trees as far as the eyes can see...�
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Phnom Santuk, Kampong Thom
Phnom Santuk..�
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Kampong Thom
STUNNING TROPICAL SUNSET… near your hotel...”
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A day in Siem Reap
Be AMAZED by KHMER heritage...”
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The New Cambodian Artists
ENJOY and evening of Cambodian history expressed through dance...�
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On the way to Battambang
Through FIELDS and VILLAGES...”
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Maison Wat Kor
REST a night in AUTHENTIC KHMER houses...”
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Maisons Wat Kor, Cambodia
DELICIOUS Khmer cuisine...”
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Cardamom Mountains
Be PREPARED for GREAT OFF-ROAD driving...”
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The Four Rivers Floating Lodge
Camping in STYLE...”
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Kampot Pepper Farm
PEPPER TASTING in style...”
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Kampot Pepper Farm
Kampot PEPPER comes in four varieties - GREEN, BLACK, RED & WHITE...”
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Farewell dinner
KAMPOT pepper crab...”
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Kep
View from the KNAI BANG CHATT Sailing club...”
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Phnom Phen, Cambodia
The STUNNING King’s Palace...”
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