China & Vietnam: Chengdu to Hanoi

Thirteen days overland from Chengdu down through Yunnan province and across the border into northern Vietnam, ending in Hanoi. It's a route built around lesser-visited corners of China as much as the big-name stops, with a fully guided group format throughout.

You'll take in Lijiang's Black Dragon Pool and the old streets of Xizhou before heading into Yunnan's Qing-dynasty towns near Jianshui and the rice terraces at Yuanyang. The pace then slows for two days in Sapa on the Vietnamese side before the trip wraps up in Hanoi.

This is a moderate-effort, culture-focused trip — expect a good amount of walking and travel days as you move through smaller towns, with rooms available as private or shared depending on what you book.

What you'll do

• See Black Dragon Pool in Lijiang
• Walk the old streets of Xizhou
• Visit Qing-dynasty sites near Jianshui
• Take in the rice terraces at Yuanyang
• Spend two days exploring around Sapa
• Finish in Hanoi