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The Southwest Silk Road - Connecting China and Southeast Asia:

Route: BuTuo, Xichang, Panzihua, Lijiang, Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Baoshan, Tengchong, Ruili

Since as early as the second century BCE the Southwest Silk Road has connected South and Southeast Asia to China, overland via Burma, through Yunnan province and into Sichuan. Over two thousand years of trade, human migration and cultural diffusion have contributed to the region’s uniquely rich and diverse history. However the Southwest Silk Road has remained one of the least investigated and understood of the Silk Road passages.

Day 1: Kunming to Dali

Take the night train to Dali, and spend the day exploring Dali Old Town and the surrounding area. Depending on your preference, we can take a short cycle ride through the countryside, or hike up the CangShan Mountains and take in the views. At night we will try the delicious Dali local food, and stay one night in a stylish guest house.

Day 2: Dali to Yongping to ShanYang

Take a van to Yongping, the starting point of our trek, and an important trading post on the Southern Silk Road. Hike through remote villages and the partially-intact Bonan section (2000+ years old) of the old horse trail. After crossing over a small mountain, we will visit a Ming Dynasty temple, and spend the night with a local family that is working to restore it.

Day 3: Shanyang to Shuizhai

Trek all day, passing another historic temple and several intact sections of the Silk Road, before crossing the Mekong River on the rebuilt Jihong Bridge. (Unfortunately, the old bridge was destroyed in a flood). This crossing point is famous for a set of poems that were carved in the rock many centuries ago. We will continue hiking up to Shuizhai village and spend the night there.

Day 4: Shuizhai to BanQiao

We will spend the day over small mountains and through villages en route to BanQiao Town, the first major stopping point on the BaoShan section of the old trade routes. Upon arriving, we will explore the old town and spend the night here.

Day 5: BanQiao to Wafang

Trek through the beautiful mountains and villages west of BaoShan city, on the way to Wafang. We will visit the Yi ethnic village, and spent one night with a local family.

Day 6 and 7: Wafang to Gangling to Dayutang Village.

Take a van or hike to the Dai ethnic village of GangLing, and continue on foot to the beautiful Dayutang village. The residents there are Yi and Han people. They cook great food with lots of vegetables, and we can enjoy a hot shower.

Day 8: Dayutang to GaoliGongshan

Today is a big day! We will hike through dense forests, and pass through “Death Valley,” a very important battle ground during the Second World War. We will keep hiking up to NanZhaiGongFang, a historic spot on the old Silk Road, and camp there at night.

Day 9: GaoliGongshan to Tengchong, Heshun

We will hike down to Heshun Village (Tengchong), one of the most beautiful ancient towns in China. You will fall in love with this friendly and quiet place; every family has a long and storied history. The buildings are very impressive in their antiquity, and it is not the least bit touristic. It is one of the most important towns on the old Southeast Silk Road.

Day 10: Trekking around Heshun

We will visit other historical towns, and choose from a handful of amazing day treks in the surrounding countryside. We will bathe in a nearby hot spring there, and if time permits, visit an extinct volcano.

Day 11: Heshun back to Kunming

Conclusion of trip. Fly back to Kunming.