From Shangri-La to the Khmer Empire Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia (34 Days)

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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