Insight into Ethnic Villages

Upon your arrival in Guiyang today, your guide 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.

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.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

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. (Women here wear long skirt!). 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.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

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 Duoye (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.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch

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.

Meals: Chinese breakfast, Lunch

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.

Meals: Western style breakfast, Lunch

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.

Tips:
The cruise lasts around 4 hours and reaches the terminal Yangshuo at about 14:00. During midday, the cruise company serves a Chinese-flavor box lunch. You are suggested to have a generous breakfast at the hotel or bring some snacks to enrich your lunch.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch

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. Have a safe journey back!

Meals: Western buffet breakfast