Immersive Guizhou: Cultural & Educational Expedition
Journey Through Miao and Dong Villages to Guilin's Iconic Landscapes
Day 1: Arrival in Guiyang
Gateway to Guizhou Province
Upon your arrival in Guiyang today, your private guide and driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this city at your own pace.
Day 2: Guiyang - Kaili
Ancient Towns and Miao Cultural Immersion
After breakfast, your private guide will escort you to visit the Qingyan Old Town. Ranking among the top ancient towns in China, it dates back 600 years and still keeps many well-preserved old buildings, of which the most famous city wall, city gates and a stone path are particularly worth your visit. Then, a 2.5-hour drive will take us to Kaili, the perfect place to find thick ethnic culture of Miao people, the main residents here. Check in at a well-chosen local hotel first, and go to a Miao village to wonder at their traditional way of paper-making. Continue the trip to Qingman Miao Village, where inhabits a branch of the Miao minority distinctive for their women's iconic pleated long skirt. You will visit typical wooden stilt houses and see how they live their daily life. Afterwards, get back to the hotel.
Day 3: Kaili - Rongjiang
Miao Village Diversity and Cultural Performances
Today we will visit another two featured Miao villages to explore more about the Miao minority. The first village is called Datang Short-skirt Miao Village, whose name derived from Datang women's traditional clothing featuring mini-skirt. You will also marvel at their wooden granaries built over a pond, an ingenious design in old days in order to protect crops from fire and pests like rats. Next, visit Langde Long-skirt Miao Village, where women wear long skirts. People love to stroll along its stone-paved paths while appreciating the traditional wooden houses. There is also a splendid Singing and Dancing Folk Show in store to make your day. After that, let's drive to Rongjiang and check in at a local hotel.
Day 4: Rongjiang - Congjiang - Zhaoxing
Ancient Traditions and Dong Cultural Heritage
Today's tour starts with a drive to Congjiang to visit Basha Miao Village, one of the oldest Miao villages in China where people still pass down their ancestral traditions and folklores. One feature is the peculiar hairstyle of their men, characterized by a bun - symbolizing masculinity - atop their head with the rest of hair all shaved off by sickle! They are also the only branch with legal permit from the Chinese government to hold gun or musket, which now has evolved to merely a symbol of their traditional hunting culture and is only fired during folk performance. On entering the village, you are likely to be welcomed by a firing ceremony.
Later, pay a visit to Huanggang Dong People's Village, which dates back more than 800 years. Dong people are known for their annual bullfighting festival, when all villagers would get excited and gather to see their revered animals demonstrating bravery. They also have art festivals like Group Dance and Grand Choirs. In these situations, women will dress them up with silver ornaments and costumes, all weaved, dyed, and sewed by their own hands.
In the afternoon, we will head for Zhaoxing Dong People's Village, the largest Dong village in China, and enjoy a feast of night performance that integrates folk dances and choral songs. Tonight, stay at a local hotel in Zhaoxing.
Day 5: Zhaoxing - Sanjiang - Longsheng
Dong Architecture and Living Museums
This morning will find you touring Tang'an Dong Village. Boasting thick atmosphere of authentic Dong cultures, it is now conserved by the government as the Tang'an Dong Ethnic Eco-Museum. Whether it's their iconic drum towers, lifestyle, stilt houses, or beautiful terraced landscape, this place has something for everyone. After that, drive to Sanjiang to visit the Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge and another Dong village close by. Then continue our trip with a drive to Longsheng and check in at the hotel.
Day 6: Longsheng - Guilin
Spectacular Rice Terraces and Zhuang Culture
A whole day will be spent at the spectacular Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. Get your camera ready! Before you will be a blend of man-made feats and natural beauty, with endless rice paddy terraces spreading over hills interspersed by idyllic villages. If you come here during middle May to early June, you get to see the splendor multiplied by water-filled rice fields. You may also stroll the terraces and watch farmers working their plots of land. Later, stop by a Zhuang People's village to observe a clothing style and customs quite different from those of other ethnic groups you have visited. After that, we will transfer you to Guilin and check in to the hotel.
Day 7: Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin
Li River Cruise and Rural Countryside Experience
After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you from the hotel to a dock to take a Li River Cruise downstream to Yangshuo. You will pass by the best part of Guilin's beauty, made up by grotesque karst hills, ethnic villages dotting the banks, and other breathtaking views including that seen on the back of RMB 20 note. Upon disembarking, go on a leisurely countryside trip to enjoy the rustic charm of Yangshuo. On the way, drop in at a farmer's house to experience local rural lifestyle. At the end of today's tour, your guide will escort you back to Guilin through a private drive.
Day 8: Departure from Guilin
Karst Wonders and City Landmarks
Your one-day Guilin city tour today includes visits to the Reed Flute Cave and the Elephant Trunk Hill. The Cave, with all its wondrous rock formations, is a karst geological wonder formed one million years ago, while the Hill is the landmark of Guilin city, not only for the resemblance of a giant elephant sucking water but also for its beautiful surroundings. Lunch is on your own arrangement, and your guide will help you find a suitable restaurant. After today's trip, your guide will see you off at the airport.