The Vietnam Railway

Price Varies by Group Size

10 Days +

Friendly to All Age

1-10 Pax

Built by the French over a century ago, the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway was more than just a transportation project—it was a lifeline connecting the remote mountains of Yunnan to the outside world. Today, it offers travelers a chance to walk through tunnels carved by hand, ride nostalgic trains on meter-gauge tracks, and explore towns shaped by rail and trade.

This is more than a train ride—it’s a journey into Yunnan’s living history.

Why a Vietnam Railway Theme Tour in Yunnan?

The Kunming–Hekou line (completed 1910) was China’s first international railway.
The route required incredible engineering feats: 155 tunnels and 165 bridges.
It brought foreign influence—French architecture, Catholic churches, and modern trade—still visible in Yunnan’s towns today.
The railway powered local industries—from Gejiu’s booming tin trade to Kaiyuan’s role as a railway hub, and Jianshui’s renowned purple pottery reaching markets far beyond Yunnan.
The railway was vital during World War II, linking China with Southeast Asia before the Burma Road.
Today, you can hike, ride, and experience the railway while immersing yourself in the diverse cultures along its route.

Featured Highlights Along the Railway

From mountain hikes to historic towns, this journey follows the path of the Yunnan–Vietnam Railway, uncovering the landscapes and cultures it once connected. Trek through hand-carved tunnels near Kunming, wander Jianshui’s grand gates and courtyards, and taste Shiping’s legendary tofu made with well water. Ride nostalgic trains in Kaiyuan, shop lively ethnic markets in Pingbian, and finish among the iconic rice terraces of Yuanyang, a living masterpiece shaped by the Hani people.

Kunming–Yiliang: Hike one of the most beautiful stretches of the railway, passing through over a dozen manually carved tunnels in stunning mountain scenery.
Jianshui: One of Yunnan’s most Han-influenced cities, home to the Ming-era Chaoyang Gate, the Qing-era Zhu Family Courtyard with 200+ rooms, and the Confucius Temple with its historic Imperial Examination Hall—a true cultural hub of old Yunnan.
Shiping: Taste China’s finest tofu, made with natural brine water from ancient wells. Learn how the town thrived thanks to one of the first privately operated railways in China (Gejiu–Mengzi–Shiping branch).
Kaiyuan: Take a nostalgic ride on the original meter-gauge railway, experiencing Yunnan’s industrial past.
Pingbian: Browse a railway-side ethnic farmer’s market, where local minorities bring produce and crafts just as they did a century ago.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces: End the trip surrounded by one of the world’s most breathtaking cultural landscapes, built by the Hani people over 1,300 years.

Sample 1 Day Itinerary
(from a 10-Day Vietnam Railway Trip)

While our tours can always be customized to fit your schedule, we recommend a 7–14 day journey for a truly in-depth Yunnan experience.

Day 2

Jianshui – City of Culture, Pottery & Tofu

Morning – Stroll Through a Living Museum
Explore Jianshui Old Town, one of the oldest towns in southern Yunnan with more than 1,200 years of history. Once a vital stop on the Southern Silk Road and later an administrative hub in the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jianshui is renowned for its well-preserved architecture. Walk through cobbled alleys, past Qing-era courtyards, ancestral halls, and imposing city gates, and step into the grandeur of its Confucius Temple—the second largest in China.

Afternoon – Discover the Art of Purple Pottery
Delve into the world of Jianshui purple pottery, a ceramic tradition dating back over 1,000 years. Famous for its smooth purple clay, polished sheen, and elegant carved or inlaid designs, Jianshui pottery has been prized across China for its artistry and durability. Wander the pottery district, meet artisans who have inherited the craft through generations, and watch as they shape and polish each piece by hand.

Optional experiences include:

Pottery Workshop: Try shaping your own piece of purple pottery. While it requires kiln time, your creation can be shipped to you after firing (at your own expense).
Incense/Fragrance Workshop: Learn the ancient art of Chinese incense/fragrance-making, blending herbs and resins into sticks, bracelets, or necklaces you can take home.

Evening – Legendary Tofu Culture
End the day by immersing yourself in Jianshui’s legendary tofu culture. The secret lies in the mineral-rich spring water drawn from the town’s historic wells, giving the tofu its silky texture and distinctive flavor. Visit these ancient wells to see how locals still craft tofu the traditional way. Then, gather at a bustling street-side stall to watch artisans roast tofu over open flames, sometimes brushed with a rich fermented sauce, other times served plain to highlight its natural taste. Of course, you’ll enjoy a generous serving of this culinary treasure yourself.

Overnight in a traditional courtyard homestay, soaking in the atmosphere of this timeless city.

We will commence our journey in Kunming. Kindly ensure your arrival in Kunming for first dinner and hotel check-in.

We prioritize locally sourced, ecological, and organic ingredients, advocating for a low-carbon, eco-friendly, and healthy diet. The meals provided during the tour will predominantly consist of plant-based options, supplemented by select high-quality local non-vegan choices or fully vegan alternatives. We accommodate vegan, vegetarian diets, gluten-free or other requests.

Throughout the tour, public or local-style restroom facilities are accessible, while western-style toilets are predominantly available in hotels and large shopping complexes.

For a more authentic experience and to really support the local business, we usually choose clean, characteristic and comfortable local accommodation over international hotels, but when there are no local options, we would stay in regular local or international hotels. Every room is usually shared by two people. For single room supplement, please consult us prior to booking for pricing.

Ensure you pack comfortable footwear, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, a swimsuit, towels, a toothbrush. Additionally, we suggest bringing along a reusable shopping bag.

Reusable bowls, bamboo chopsticks, spoons will be provided for guests. However, we strongly encourage you to bring your own reusable items.

As part of our eco-friendly initiative, we will furnish you with an eco-travel gift box for use during the tour. This includes items such as a bamboo toothbrush, tooth tablets, and soap bars.

During this tour, our guide will introduce you to our low impact lifestyle. We will assist you in minimizing the use of single-use plastic disposables by encouraging refusal and offering alternatives.

Price List Varies by Group Size

Tour Type: private tour
1500-3000 RMB per person per day
please consult us first about the pricing prior to booking

All Food and Water(Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks)
All Workshops
Tickets to all the Sights(included in the tour)
Experienced Local English-Speaking Guide
Licensed Electric Car or Van with Professional and Responsible Driver
Airport or Train Station Pickup
Accommodation
Mandatory Insurance

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Ready to Ride Through History?

Whether you’re a railway buff, history lover, or cultural traveler—this journey invites you to walk the tunnels, taste the flavors, and ride the tracks that once connected Yunnan to the world.

📩 Let us craft your Vietnam Railway Tour.
From mountain hikes to old towns and rice terraces—we’ll build a custom itinerary tailored just for you.