Self-Guided Tour of Hekou, China: Essential Tips for a Complete Trip

Self-sufficient travel to Hekou China: What you need to know to have a complete trip

1. Where is Hekou?

Hekou (Yunnan, China) is an autonomous region of China, located near Lao Cai, Vietnam, and separated by the Nam Thi River.

Hekou is known for its cross-border trade activities between the two countries, especially in agriculture. The area offers a unique blend of ancient charm and modern conveniences, with shopping centers, cafes, and stores selling impressive local goods. At this tourist destination, you can admire the nostalgic architecture and landscapes and engage in various activities like shopping, photography, and eating.

Traveling to Hekou, China: A Detailed Transportation Guide

As a small town in China, Hekou also provides a rich Chinese cultural experience that is easily accessible.

2. Detailed instructions on how to transfer in Hekou - China

Because it is close to the Vietnamese border, the most economical way to get to Ha Khau is from Lao Cai. However, there is currently no direct flight to Lao Cai from other provinces in Vietnam, so the most chosen means of transportation to Ha Khau town is to fly to Hanoi, then go to Lao Cai and cross the border. gender.

2.1 Air tickets to Hekou - China

You can travel to Hanoi by air, with VietJet flight tickets from only 68,000 VND. Refer now at:

https://www.vietjetair.com/en/flight-tickets/flights-to-ha-noi/

After arriving in Hanoi, the means of transportation to Lao Cai station that most people choose is by bus (about 300,000 VND/person round trip) or by train (about 855,000 VND/person/one way). Lao Cai station is about 2km from Ha Khau, you can take a taxi to go to Lao Cai border gate and check in to Ha Khau town.

2.2 Moving in Hekou – China

Ha Khau has an area of only about 1,000 square meters. Therefore, tourists often choose to walk to enjoy and admire the natural scenery. In addition, motorbikes or taxis are also popular choices for travel enthusiasts because they both save time and maintain health for comfortable entertainment.

3. What to see in Hekou, China on a self-guided tour?

“What is there to do in Hekou, China?” is a frequently asked question from visitors. With a modest scale, the main attractions in Hekou include sightseeing, check-in photography, unlimited dining and shopping at very affordable prices. Among the must-visit places are:

Light Park (Son Lam Park): Known as the miniature Phoenix Ancient Town, this park has a large campus with many small landscapes such as castles and bridges spanning small bodies of water. In the evening, sparkling lights are turned on to create an enchanting scene that captivates visitors.
Hekou Train Station: From the customs area, you will arrive at the train station in Hekou, China. There are buildings here that reflect the distinct features of Chinese culture and many unique photo spots that convey an ancient atmosphere along with railway lines.
Hekou Ancient Capital Relics: Hekou Ancient Capital is a historical site with ancient architectural works including city gates, temples and ancient buildings.
Guanyin Temple: This is one of the important religious sites in Hekou. Quan Am Pagoda was originally a pagoda built in 1886. Due to the war, the pagoda was abandoned and remained that way until it was restored and reopened in 1994.

There are many corners in Hekou for you to take unforgettable photos.

4. What to eat when coming to Hekou, China?

Roadside barbecue: Consists of different types of grilled meat, usually poultry or beef, specially marinated and cooked on the sidewalk.

Roasted milk tea: This drink has a rich, creamy flavor that many food lovers cannot forget.
Zhejiang pie: This Hekou specialty is made to order so the crust is hot, crispy, and filled with a variety of fillings such as sugar, red beans, pork or beef. It can be enjoyed as a snack or main course and is served at many eateries.
Peking duck: The duck is carefully selected and prepared, ensuring quality, and is seasoned with spices to create a crispy, rich flavor.

When visiting Hekou, don't miss the variety of dishes made with Peking Duck.

Mr. Truc's grilled squid: A dish every tourist wants to try in Hekou - China. Fresh squid is grilled with rich spices and a little spicy.
Steamed dumplings and shrimp dumplings: He Khau steamed dumplings are special in that the filling is mixed with fragrant, fatty mushrooms. The cakes are dipped in a dark soy sauce that adds flavor in a harmonious way.

5. Some travel tips for self-guides Tour in Hekou, China

Travel Permit: To visit Hekou for tourism, you need a travel permit. The procedure includes submitting your ID card and two 4x6 photos with a white background at the Lao Cai Immigration Management Office. You should apply at least 3 days in advance to ensure you get the booklet. The cost for the travel permit is VND 350,000 per person. If you lack experience, you may hire a service to process the travel permit and guide you for a comprehensive tour.

See more: Instructions for making a Chinese visa for long-term travel

Currency Exchange: Before crossing the border to visit Hekou, you should exchange currency in Vietnam for cost advantages. The exchange rate for RMB usually ranges from 3,400 to 3,600 VND per RMB, depending on the time and place of exchange.

Don't forget to exchange your money to Chinese Yuan (RMB) for easy shopping and dining there.

Schedule: Tourists need to arrange their tour and return within the operating hours of the border gate. Operating hours at the border gate may vary, usually from 7am to 10pm Hanoi time in Vietnam and from 8am to 11pm Beijing time in China.
Overnight stay confirmation voucher in Hekou: If you wish to stay overnight, you will be instructed to apply for the voucher upon arrival at the hotel. Depending on the number of customers at that time, queuing to get tickets can take 1-2 hours.

With these detailed instructions, we hope you will have an ideal and smooth trip to Hekou. Don't forget to book your tickets today because VietJet has super economical prices and many attractive amenities included.

See more: Hanoi travel experienc

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Discover Yunnan

With a terrain primarily consisting of mountains and plateaus. This province is notable for its high biodiversity and is one of the regions rich in plant species, with natural landscapes ranging from tropical rainforests to high mountains. The culture in Yunnan is very diverse due to the presence of many long-established ethnic minorities, each group bringing its own unique characteristics in clothing, language, and beliefs. The climate in Yunnan varies according to altitude and region, from subtropical to temperate, creating conditions for many specialty crops such as tea, medicinal herbs, bamboo shoots, etc. Yunnan serves as both a gateway for international trade in the Southwest region and an attractive destination for natural and cultural tourism.