13 Days Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi Minority Discovery Tour

Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Kunming
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals:

Arrive in Kunming,  pick up from airport transfer to check in your hotel.

Sightseeing and Activities:Western Hills, Dragon Gate, Yuantong Temple, Green Lake Park
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals:

Today You will drive to the Western Hills (Western Hills, which are 15 kilometers (nine miles) from Kunming, are actually a range consisting of four mountains: Biji, Luohan, Huating, and Taiping. Viewed from a distance, the skyline of the Western Hills' forest reserve resembles a beautiful maiden reclining leisurely alongside of Dianchi Lake with her long hair drifting casually in the mirror-like water. It is for this reason that the local people gave the Western Hills the nickname, Sleeping Beauty Hills. Go through the Dragon Gate (Dragon Gate is the steepest spot in the Western Hills and well worth climbing up the winding old stone stairs because the view is spectacular),

Afterward, head to Yuantong Temple (Located in the north of Kunming, close to Green Lake Park, this large Buddhist temple was built over 1,000 years ago when Yunnan was part of the Nanzhao kingdom and independent from next door Tang dynasty China. The temple complex and gardens are grouped around the Octagonal Pavilion at the center of a large square pond linked by bridges and walkways.) Later have a nice walk in Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyuan) is one of the most picturesque parks in downtown Kunming. In November and December every winter, huge flocks of red-beaked gulls migrate here from Siberia. Around the park, there are also many excellent bars and restaurants. Since the park is the only one that stays open until 10PM, it is an ideal place for enjoying some Kunming nightlife. Of course, at any other time, the park is always worth a stroll.

Sightseeing and Activities:Stone Forest
Accommodation: Luoping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, make the tour of Stone Forest. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan. Then transfer back to Luoping (1.5hrs) to check in your hotel.

Sightseeing and Activities:Dragon Waterfall, Ten Thousand Peaks Forest

Accommodation: Xinyi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning,pay a visit Dragon Waterfall in Luoping, and then you will be escorted from Luoping to Xingyi city.

In the afternoon you will visit the western part of Ten Thousand Peaks Forest(Wanfenglin). View the misty falls and geologic wonders. This scenic area contains the vast majority of the county's cone Karst. These cone peaks have similar well shaped size, stand close to each other, and cover hundreds of kilometers along the border of Yunnan.

Sightseeing and Activities:Malinghe gorge, 24-Bend-Road
Accommodation: Guanling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning go and visit Malinghe gorge. The Malinghe River runs through the gorges. This gorge is said the most beautiful scar in the world. There are many cascades falling down through both side of the gorge, with an average height of some 200 meters, the best part of the gorge is called "Tian Xing Gallery" which gives people a deep impression.

Drive to Guanling, on the way explore the 24-Bend-Road—which is 4km long but with 24 bends, it was very famous and important during the Anti-Japanese War. Afterward, further the driving to Guiyang.

Sightseeing and Activities:Huangguoshu waterfall, Yunfeng Old-Han village
Accommodation: Guiyang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today’s first stop is Huangguoshu waterfall. It is the largest in Asia, which reaches 77.8 meters high, 101 meters wide. Then coach to Guiyang. On the way visit Yunfeng Old-Han village. People here wear clothes in the style of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and speak the language used during that period. It's not a show but real life. This is the place that maintains the living customs of the Ming Dynasty. All the houses were made of stone and complicated hidden tunnels and exits were built.

Sightseeing and Activities:Shiqiao Miao village, Matang village
Accommodation: Kaili
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning make 3hrs driving to Kaili. Kaili is the capital city of the Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Southeast Guizhou, and also the base of southeast Guizhou's ethnic culture tour. Today’s first stop is Shiqiao Miao village. Shiqiao Miao village is famous for its old technology of papermaking. The ancient traditional methods of production method can be traced back to the Tang dynasty. You can learn how to make paper in local family.

After lunch continue visiting in Matang village, where you can see Gejia group, who are not listed into 55 minority groups in China. The Gejia people of Matang adore bow and arrow. As a legend goes, the ancestors of the Gejia people was hero who could shoot the sun with the arrow. You will appreciate the traditional Gejia batik in the village, and learn the art of batik. In the evening drive to hotel in Kaili.

Sightseeing and Activities:Langde Miao Village, Datang Miao Village, Qiaotu Shui village
Accommodation: Rongjiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning pay a leisure visit to explore Miao's history and culture in Langde Miao Village and Datang Miao Village. Langde is a village of Long Skirt Miao. This village is considered to be the live museum of Miao Culture. Most wooden buildings were built from 1616-1911. Datang Miao Village is a Short Skirt Miao village, it is another branch of Miao live for hundreds years. Women in Datang are well known for their beautiful short skirts and hairstyle, they have worn a kind of traditional short skirt for 500 years. Another highlight in this village is the granary built over a pond with the multi-function of fire-proofing, rat-proofing and ant-proofing.

After lunch further driving to Rongjiang, on the way stop at Qiaotu Shui village, which villagers usually dress in black and blue. Men have long gowns and black turbans, and women wear collarless blue blouses, black trousers and aprons, all of which are embroidered.

Sightseeing and Activities:Basha Old Town, Zhaoxing village
Accommodation: Zhaoxing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast drive to explore Basha village, a hidden kingdom occupied by the legendary Basha Miao people. Enter the Last Gunmen’s Tribe in China. All the men wear their hair in a bun. when the boys grow to 16 years of age, an “adult ceremony” will be held for them. The man adult of Basha Miao Village carries a hunting gun on his shoulder and a gunpowder bag, a bullet bag and a knife around his waist, making himself up like an ancient warrior.

This afternoon continue driving to Zhaoxing village. Zhaoxing is the biggest Dong village with over 1,000 Dong households in China. It has a history of nearly 2000 years. The village is divided into five natural sections. Each section has a clan and each clan has a drum-tower, a Wind-Rain-Bridge and a stage. Overnight in Zhaoxing village.

Sightseeing and Activities:Tang’an village
Accommodation: Yangsuo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Before drive to Congjiang railway station, you have chance to visit Tang’an village. Tang’an village is situated at a mountain slope and encircled by rice fields, green trees and hills. Tang’an has been accepted jointly by China and Norway as an ecological museum of the Dong ethnic group. It is the only eco-museum of Dong Minority on the earth. Hike 2.5hrs from Tang’an Village to Zhaoxing village, you will passing the rice fields on the way.

This afternoon you will be escorted to Congjiang railway station to take high-speed train to Yangshuo.

Sightseeing and Activities:Li River trip, Silver Cave, West Street
Accommodation: Yangsuo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today take Li River cruise (Xingping section). Enjoy the scenery on the boat. Then head to visit Silver Cave which is very majestic. After that, walk around West Street to find a lot of unique shops selling traditional handcrafts, hand-made scarfs, snacks of local flavor etc.

Sightseeing and Activities:Mulong Lake Park, Li River cruise
Accommodation: Guilin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive to Guilin. Enjoy the scenery along the way. Visit Mulong Lake Park on the way, and then take Li River (city section) boat cruise to view the water landscape and hills. Mulong Lake Park is an artificial lake connecting the Li River in the east and channeling the water into the downtown area of the city.

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation:
Meals: Breakfast

Today you will be escorted to the airport for your flight. Service ends.