Code:	TQ 07
Routes:	Kunming - Lijiang - Dali - Mangshi - Ruili - Muse - Lashio - Pyin Oo Lwin - Mandalay
Duration:	15 Days

Itinerary in brief

Day 1   : KUNMING
Day 2   : KUNMING
Day 3   : LIJIANG - KUNMING
Day 4   : LIJIANG
Day 5   : LIJIANG - DALI
Day 6   : DALI - MANGSHI
Day 7   : MANGSHI - RUILI
Day 8   : RUILI - MUSE - LASHIO
Day 9   : LASHIO - PYIN OO LWIN
Day 10 : PYIN OO LWIN - MANDALAY
Day 11 : AMARAPURA - AVA - SAGAING
Day 12 : MANDALAY - BAGAN
Day 13 : BAGAN
Day 14 : BAGAN - YANGON
Day 15 : YANGON

Detail Itinerary

DAY 1 : KUNMING (-, -, Dinner*)
Arrival at KUNMING International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Horison Jianguo Hotel (****) or similar in Kunming.

DAY 2 : KUNMING (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, departure by coach (98 km) to one of China's most remarkable natural phenomena, the STONE FOREST. It consists of 80 hectares of innumerable bizarre shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks created by wind and water erosion some 270 million year ago. The area is home of the Sani minority. After lunch at Stone Forest Hotel, return to Kunming. On the way back visit a Yi minority village. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight stay at Horison Jianguo Hotel (****) or similar in Kunming.

DAY 3 : KUNMING - LIJIANG (B, L, D*)
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to LIJIANG. Upon arrival, visit of YUFENG MONASTERY, a small Lamasery famous for its Camelia Tree of 10.000 blossoms. Take a cable car ride up to the JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN, the much-famed mountain with thirteen peaks resembling jade pillars. The large pastures on the mountain present a splendid view. After lunch in a local restaurant, stop in Baisha village and nearby Fuguo Si monastery with interesting temple frescoes on the way back to Lijiang. Stroll through the famous BLACK DRAGON POND PARK with the most photographed MOON EMBRACING PAVILLION. Finish your visit in the OLD TOWN of Lijiang, the intimate mountain town of stone and tile, laced with swift canals became a World Heritage site in 1997. Dinner at a local restaurant followed by a Naxi orchestra performance of classical Chinese music. Overnight stay at Grand Lijiang Hotel (***) or similar in Lijiang.

DAY 4 : LIJIANG (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, drive (94 km - 2 hrs) to the GRAND CANYON TIGER LEAPING GORGE, which is one of the deepest canyons in the world. After lunch, continue (64 km - 1 hr) to Shigu to see the miraculous First Bend of the Yangze River. Dinner and overnight stay at Grand Lijiang Hotel (***) or similar in Lijiang.

DAY 5 : LIJIANG - DALI (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, travel (200 km - 4 hrs) south on the old road to the ancient city of DALI. If this day happens to fall on a Monday we will call in at Shaping for a visit to the colourful Bai market. Visit the BUTTERFLY FOUNTAIN where hundreds of butterfly species in different sizes and colours flutter around. After lunch, visit the honourable age-old THREE PAGODAS, symbolizing the outstanding architectural technology, the wisdom of the ancient labouring people and the brilliant culture of Dali. Enjoy some time in the restored city center. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight stay at Asia Star Hotel (***) or similar in Dali.

DAY 6 : DALI - MANGSHI (B, L, D*)
After early breakfast, continue with a 12 hour car ride most of the time along the old Burma Road towards the China / Myanmar border. The Burma Road, which courses along the Southwest Silk Route, weighs heavily in history, for more than 1500 years as a trade route from China to India, during the Second World War and up until today. Pass through small villages and enjoy the scenery of the Gaoligong mountains. The population in this region is a mix of ethnic minorities, such as the Burmese, Dai and Jingpo. Lunch at a local restaurant en route and arrival in MANGSHI in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Mangshi Hotel (*, very simple and basic) or similar in Mangshi.

DAY 7 : MANGSHI - RUILI (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, enter further into the border area, where the region is getting richer on the trade. Road signs are multilingual in Chinese, Burmese, Dai as well as in English. Stop in little villages to visit the market activities and Buddhist temples. After lunch in a local restaurant en route, visit Ruili, one of the most interesting towns in south western China. Feel the absorbing atmosphere of a border town. Visit the Tree Pagoda, Buddhist Temple, Workers' Cultural Palace and thriving night market. Dinner and overnight at Jingcheng Hotel (***) or similar in Ruili.

DAY 8 : RUILI - MUSE - LASHIO (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, transfer to Jiegao, the Chinese-Myanmar border point, where you be welcomed by the Myanmar guide. After clearance of customs formalities enter into Muse. Proceed your trip (187 km - 5 hours) to LASHIO, located at 855 meters in a mountain basin, where rain and clouds are unpredictable during the entire year. For the energetic, possibility to visit a typical village of the Palaung ethnic minority. Drive to the outskirts of Lashio from where you will have to walk about 4 km slightly up-hill (1 hour walk per way) on an unpaved path to get to Nam Kyan village. Observe the traditional way of life of the Palaungs. Dinner and overnight at Lashio Motel (*, very simple and basic) or similar in Lashio.

DAY 9 : LASHIO - PYIN OO LWIN (MAYMYO) (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, stroll through the busy local market where modern amenities mix with local produce. Continue to Quan Yin San, one of the largest Chinese temples in Myanmar that bears testimony to Lashio's important Chinese community. A scenic drive (km - 8 hour) will take you to the former British hill station of PYIN OO LWIN (Maymyo), a delightful small town of colonial-style buildings, markets, and a botanical garden. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant en route and upon arrival transfer directly to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Royal Parkview Hotel (**) or similar in Maymyo. Optional TRAIN EXPERIENCE (supplement USD 12.00 per person) : Drive only as for as Naung Pan railway station. Wait for the Lashio-Mandalay train which was long known as the black-market train. A 45 minute train journey to Naung Cho will give you a taste of how the locals travel. You will also crawl across the famous Gokteik Bridge. The 700m long bridge, built in 1900 by the American Pennsylvania Steel Co, spans across a nearly 300m deep abyss. After crossing the bridge the train will stop at a small station. You will get the chance to have a better look at the bridge. Take good note though that it is not permitted to photograph/video bridges in Myanmar. Keep in mind that trains in Myanmar are not up to international standard and reliability leaves to be desired. However, we will make every effort to provide best available seats on the train. In case of schedule irregularities, delays or unavailability of seats, the journey will be made by road as per original itinerary.

DAY 10 : PYIN OO LWIN - MANDALAY (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, explore the local market by horse-drawn carriage (if available). Continue to MANDALAY. After lunch at local restaurant you will experience the sights and sounds of Mandalay including one of the most revered religious monuments in Myanmar, the MAHAMUNI PAGODA; the SHWE INBIN MONASTERY; the GOLDEN PALACE MONASTERY, a superb example of a traditional wooden building. Visit a traditional hand-woven silk workshop as well as a Kalaga tapestries craftsmen's shop before proceeding to MANDALAY HILL for sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Novotel Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.

DAY 11 : AMARAPURA - AVA - SAGAING (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, excursion to Amarapura, 15 km from Mandalay. Visit MAHAGANDAYON, a famous Buddhist monastery, where more than a thousand monks live and study; continue to 200-year-old U BEIN teak bridge, built in 1782 at the time when Amarapura was Royal capital. Visit BAGAYA MONASTERY, with a superb collection of Buddha statues. After lunch at local restaurant, excursion to the former Royal Capital of INWA (AVA), reached by a short boat trip. Visits by horse-drawn carriage to NANMYINT WATCH TOWER, the remains of the palace building nicknamed "the leaning tower of Ava"; MAHA AUNGMYE BONZAN MONASTERY, built of brick and stucco; BARGAYAR MONASTERY, famous for its impressive ornate woodcarvings and teak posts. Continue to SAGAING HILLS, a retreat for Buddhist devotees for sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Novotel Hotel (****) or similar in Mandalay.

DAY 12 : MANDALAY - BAGAN (B, L, D*)
After early breakfast, transfer to the jetty and board the Chinese-built ferry for your journey on the AYAYARWADDY River to BAGAN. The trip takes approx. 8 hours downriver, depending on river conditions and water level. Boxed lunch will be provided. Upon arrival in Bagan, transfer to your hotel and time permitting start with sightseeing. Dinner and overnight stay at Bagan Hotel or Bagan Golf Resort (***) or similar in Bagan.

DAY 13 : BAGAN (B, L, D*)
After breakfast, stroll through the colorful local market and continue the day with visits to the most significant pagodas and temples of Bagan including SHWEZIGON PAGODA, built by King Anawrahta in the early 11th century as a religious shrine; KU BYANUK GYI, a temple with superb murals of Jataka scenes; KHAY MIN GA TEMPLE, noted for its panoramic view of the area's numerous monuments and ANANDA TEMPLE, with four standing Buddha images. After lunch at local restaurant, visit one of Myanmar's most treasured handicrafts, a lacquerware craftsmen's workshop in nearby MYINKABA village. You will continue to MANUHA TEMPLE, built in the Mon style in 1059 and follow on to NANBAYA TEMPLE, a unique sandstone monument said to have been the palace of King Manuha. Proceed to BUPAYA PAGODA or MINGALA ZEDI STUPA to watch the sunset over the famous Ayeyarwaddy River. Dinner at a riverside restaurant and overnight stay at Bagan Hotel or Bagan Golf Resort (***) or similar in Bagan. Optional : Experience the magic of Bagan and a thousand years of history from the enchanting platform of a hot air balloon, for the first time ever. 'Balloons over Bagan' offers visitors exclusive sunrise champagne flights over the ancient pagodas of Bagan from late October to April. (Details see 'Balloons over Bagan')

DAY 14 : BAGAN - YANGON (B, L, -*)
After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to Bagan airport for your domestic flight to YANGON. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. After lunch at local restaurant complete your Myanmar impressions with an afternoon tour through Yangon's colonial-style city center. Visit SULE PAGODA, dating back over 2,000 years ago; the magnificent reclining Buddha at CHAUK HTAT GYI; and after a photo stop at the KARAWEIK HALL, a 'hamsa-bird-shaped' floating barge on Kandawgyi (Royal) Lake, stroll through the BOGYOKE (SCOTTS) MARKET with hundreds of food, clothes, handicrafts and gems stores. Complete your first day in Myanmar with an extended visit to one of the world's most spectacular monuments, the SHWEDAGON PAGODA. Dinner to own account. Overnight stay at Inya Lake Hotel, Traders Hotel, Sofitel Plaza (****) or similar in Yangon.

DAY 15 : YANGON (B, -*)
After breakfast at hotel, day at leisure until transfer to Yangon airport for international flight. Itinerary is subject to changes depending on confirmed flights, road conditions and availability of rooms.

*B : Breakfast, L : Lunch, D : Dinner

Important note :
Besides visas for Myanmar and China, a special permit is required for all nationalities in order to be allowed to pass the border between China and Myanmar. Asian Trails will obtain such permits at the discretion of the Chinese and Myanmar governments. We require all client passport details as well as occupation latest 30 days prior to arrival.