China's Exotic South & the Wonders of Yunnan

We leave bustling Kunming behind and discover a true natural gem in Lake Fuxian—a deep-blue highland lake that even hides a sunken, 3,000-year-old city. Along its shores, we enjoy breathtaking views, take a coffee break on the beach, and sample the regional specialty, “copper pot fish.” Afterward, our journey takes us through the picturesque Red River Valley to Gasa, where we’ll wind down the day in a relaxed atmosphere—with dinner and an optional visit to a lively night market.

We climb to an elevation of 2,400 meters along the winding Ailao Mountain Road and enjoy a cup of coffee “above the clouds” as we pass the spectacular Nan’en Waterfall. After lunch in Zhenyuan, we descend into Yunnan’s mystical, subtropical landscape of green hills and endless tea plantations—the birthplace of the famous Pu’er tea and the legendary Tea-Horse Road. Today, the region is also an insider’s tip for first-class coffee. In the evening, we arrive at our lakeside hotel and experience a lively, colorful night market in Pu’er’s old town.

We leave Pu’er and wind our way along idyllic country roads into dense, green forests—with our first coffee stop in a small village. We continue winding our way along the mighty Mekong River (Chinese name: Lancang River) to Lancang for lunch. Then the adventure begins: Winding mountain roads lead us up to the mysterious Jingmai Mountain, ending with a challenging stretch of cobblestone. At the top, a UNESCO World Heritage Site awaits us, featuring ancient tea forests and a tradition dating back millennia. At a charming hotel in the historic village, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views and round out the day with a stroll and a cup of the famous tea.

In the morning, we leave Jingmai Mountain via a narrow forest trail through bustling tea gardens, where we watch tea farmers at work. We continue on toward Xishuangbanna, where the landscape suddenly transforms into a tropical setting with palm trees, rivers, and banana plantations. After a leisurely lunch, we arrive early at our hotel, located right next to the spectacular night market. There, we immerse ourselves in a colorful sea of lights filled with exotic street food and Southeast Asian flavors—and for the adventurous, even fried insects as a special delicacy.

Today we’re trading our motorcycles for a spirit of adventure: In Xishuangbanna, we’ll explore idyllic Dai villages on e-scooters, surrounded by palm trees, temples, and traditional stilt houses. We’ll visit ancient Buddhist sites, enjoy exotic Dai cuisine, and immerse ourselves deeply in the local culture. In the afternoon, things get wild: at the colorful Water Festival, everything turns into a joyful water fight filled with music, dance, and a zest for life.

Today is all about pure riding fun: On winding roads through dense rainforest and over impressive mountain passes, we’ll discover why Yunnan is a paradise for motorcyclists. After a relaxing coffee break in the mushroom forest, we’ll continue on to Pu’er, where a rustic cowboy restaurant awaits us with hearty beef specialties.

From Mojiang, we’ll travel through the impressive Red River Valley to the spectacular rice terraces of Yuanyang—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has united people and nature in perfect harmony for over 1,300 years. During the right season, the terraces transform into a dazzling, mirror-like sea of colors. After lunch with a breathtaking view, we continue along winding mountain roads to Jianshui, where a fascinating old town from the Ming and Qing dynasties awaits us—including the imposing Chaoyang Gate Pagoda.

After a traditional breakfast, we’ll immerse ourselves in Jianshui’s Old Town and explore the impressive Zhu Family Garden—a sprawling labyrinth of courtyards, pavilions, and ornate architecture that bears witness to the family’s former wealth. A brief stop at the historic train station takes us back to the era of China’s first private railway. On the way to Kunming, we enjoy a rustic lunch featuring crispy duck and, to round off the day, experience the sheer joy of driving once again along the winding lakeside road at Fuxian Lake.