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Guizhou & Guilin Ethnic Expedition
Take the road less travelled as we journey deep into the ethnic strongholds of the Zhuang, Dong, Miao, Yao and Shui people to understand the last remaining traces of ethnic minority cultures, marvel at the unique architectures and the pristine untouched landscapes.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in boutique charming lodges in medieval villages
Encounters with artisans and locals ethnic villagers
Marvel at some of the finest collection of beautiful villages in China
Savour the best of Ethnic Cuisine
ITINERARY
DAY 1: GUIYANG / TIANLONG TUNBAO / LIUZHI
The journey begins as we drive to visit the historic town of Tianlong Tunbao, built during the Ming Dynasty when imperial troops were stationed here to guard the frontiers after putting down riots during their southern expedition to Guizhou under Emperor Hongwu's reign. Life has remained largely unchanged as we visit the village and admire its stone architecture and traditional costumes of the local villagers. Enjoy an unique "Dixi Opera" Ground Opera performance where actors wrap black cloth around their faces and wear traditional masks made from bamboo shots and perform acts from major Chinese Literature on ground unlike many other disciplines of opera which is on elevated stages. Enjoy "free tea", a traditional custom served by friendly old women to visitors of the town as a gesture of goodwill and welcome. Continue thereafter to the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall (Yellow Fruit Tree Waterfall), one of China's most impressive waterfalls with its stunning cascades, milky plunge pool and often rainbows seen. Finally, we journey on to the small city of Liuzhi - gateway to the Miao tribe.
Overnight: Zangkejiang Hotel, Liuzhi
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
DAY 2: LIUZHI (EXCURSION TO SUOGA)
Today we will go to Suoga - home to the famous but reclusive Longhorn Miao tribe. The Longhorn Miaos are so called due to their unique hairstyles and headdresses where women wear wooden cones, around which they bind their hair, securing it with white woolen cord where it symbolizes their respect for nature. We spend a day interacting and learning about their customs, while watching a demonstration of how a Longhorn Miao girl prepares her hair. Be fascinated by their customs where a typical Miao girl will cut her hair once at the age of 18 and never again for the rest of their lives. During the months of January and February are one of the most atmospheric seasons where come-of-age teens look for love and get married and visitors will be treated to a cultural spectacle of epic proportions.
Overnight: Zangkejiang Hotel, Liuzhi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3: LIUZHI / GUIYANG / XIJIANG
Today, we travel from west Guizhou to east Guizhou. Along the way, we stop in Guiyang - provincial capital city of Guizhou Province for lunch before we continue to the beautiful countryside to Xijiang Village, renowned as the largest Miao village in China with a population of over 5000. Get orientated to this spectacular gathering ground of the Miaos strolling through the beautiful wooden-stilted houses. An unmissable experience is to witness the Singing and Dancing Show held in the evening at the main square.
Overnight: Xijiang Story Hotel, Xijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4: XIJIANG (VISIT LANGDE MIAO & DATANG MIAO VILLAGE)
After breakfast, we visit the Langde Miao Village renowned for the "Long Skirt Miaos" identified by their intricate long skirts and ornamental headdress. On arrival into the village, it is a tradition to be welcomed in after drinking twelve courses of wine, a ceremonious etiquette but not forced upon. After the ceremony, visit the unique "Diaojiulou" Miao-styled houses built of wooden stilts.
We then visit the Datang Miao Village also known as the Xinqiao Miao Village where the women are renowned for their unique "miniskirts" as short as 10cm. Be welcome into the village and participate in local song and dance.
Overnight: Xijiang Story Hotel, Xijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: XIJIANG / BASHA MIAO VILLAGE / ZHAOXING
We continue east today as we head southeast. Make a stop in Rongjiang for a brief visit before continuing to the Basha Miao Village, a hidden kingdom occupied by the legendary Basha Miao people renowned as the last gunsmen tribe in China. Be welcomed by a traditional "Lusheng" performance, traditional music with bamboo pipes by the men and rice wine presented by the girls and have a visit of their village. We end the day arriving at the village of Zhaoxing, one of the largest traditional Dong minority in Guizhou.
Overnight: Indigo Lodge, Zhaoxing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 6: ZHAOXING
Spend the day wandering in the beautiful village of Zhaoxing. Discover numerous traditional buildings and wood architecture, a hallmark of the Dong people - The five Dong ethnic Opera Stages, the five Drum Towers and five beautiful Wind and Rain Bridges which was built by the five clans of villages in Zhaoxing. Between the lanes and houses are full of busy artisans - basket makers, weavers, fabric dryers and more. This evening, enjoy the show of Dong ethnic polyphonic song.
Overnight: Indigo Lodge, Zhaoxing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: ZHAOXING / SANJIANG / LONGSHENG
Our journey continues today to Sanjiang, another major Dong village famous for its large number of well-preserved drum towers and wind and rain bridges. There are altogether 108 wind and rain bridges and 159 drum towers in the county and amongst them, we visit the famous Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge and the Mapang Drum Tower.
We then continue our sojourn to Longsheng, located in the mountainous region of North-east Guilin Province where natural beauty and the colourful ethnic culture attract travellers from all over the world. Arrive at Ping An Village where we take a leisure walk of 30-40mins on unpaved road to the stunning Li An Lodge situated at the top of the spectacular rice terraces. Make a visit to the Zhuang and Yao minority tribes villages for an insight into the local culture and then nearing sunset, enjoy the beautiful terraced rice fields from the summit of Longji (Dragon's Backbone) where the terraced fields winds from the river at 380m to an elevation of 885.
Overnight: Li An Lodge, Longsheng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: LONGSHENG / YANGDI / XINGPING / YANGSHUO
Depart Longsheng today and continue our journey to Yangdi Village where we take a private motorized bamboo raft for an unconventionally intimate way of cruising down the picturesque Li River. This is perhaps the most scenic part of Guilin Province as you glide past hundreds of limestone peaks, luxuriant green padi fields and lovely villages. Be free to make stops along the banks to discover the local life in rural villages and scenic areas. After a 3hr expedition downstream, we disembark at Xingping old town, a beautiful ancient fishing village famous for cormorant fishing in season. Thereafter, leave for Yangshuo where we arrive at the beautiful Yangshuo Secret Garden Lodge.
Overnight: Yangshuo Secret Garden, Yangshuo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 9: YANGSHUO
Today, we visit the surrounds of Yangshuo. Make a first stop at the Silver Cave, probably the most beautiful cave in Yangshuo which runs through 12 karst formations and renowned for its wonderful shapes including thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Thereafter, you have the opportunity to explore the banks of the stunning Yulong River by bicycle or bamboo raft.
This evening, we celebrate the finale enjoying the famed "Impressions of Li River" show, choreographed by famed director, Zhang Yimou who utilize the natural river as its stage showcasing the local culture and life of the ethnic people.
Overnight: Yangshuo Secret Garden, Yangshuo
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 10: DEPART YANGSHUO / GUILIN
Depart Yangshuo today to Guilin Liangjiang Intl Airport for your onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
Opened in 2010, the Zangkejiang Hotel has 98 modern rooms and located in downtown Liupanshui, approximately 8mins drive from the nearest railway station. Zangkejiang Hotel offers modern furnishings for the modern traveller and a gateway to exploring the Longhorn Miao ethnic tribe in Suoga.
Xijiang Story Hotel is a boutique accommodation just a short walking distance from the Xijiang Miao Zhai attraction area. Rooms comes with wooden flooring and modern decoration offering flat-screen tv and great views of the villages.
Opened since 2011, the Indigo Lodge is a boutique accommodation situated in Zhaoxing with exceptional views from all rooms. Rooms comes with wooden flooring and furnishings as well as modern amenities such as electric kettle, work desk, hairdryer and toiletries.
Li An Lodge is situated in the famous Longji Terraces area of Longsheng County offering 16 tastefully designed rooms each with individual characters and charm featuring Chinese arts and crafts with stunning views of the enchanting rice terraces of Ping An Village.
Yangshuo Secret Garden is located in the quiet traditional village of Yangshuo, surrounded by beautiful farm views. All rooms feature local-inspired decor and traditional furnishings. The elegant guestrooms are fitted with working desks, electric kettles and en suite bathrooms with toiletries.
