Guizhou Minority Exploration

Itinerary

• Day 1: Guiyang Arrival

  Get your journey off to a great start with a private transfer from the airport or railway station to your comfortable hotel. On route, your guide will give you a brief introduction to the city and detail your arrangements for the coming days.

  The remainder of today is at your leisure to settle into the hotel and relax in your surroundings.

  • Guiyang

• Day 2: Guiyang - Kaili, Miao Minority Villages

  Today's journey to Kaili will lead you to encounter two distinct Miao minority groups. Your first stop is Matang Village, about 2.5 hours north of Guiyang. Home to the Gejia people, a subgroup of the Miao, this community is renowned for its mastery of batik, an ancient art form deeply woven into their cultural identity. The vibrant, hand-dyed clothing and intricate adornments set the Gejia apart from other Miao groups.

  Proceed with a one-hour drive to the Upper Langde Village, where Miao ladies proudly wear colorful long skirts, a symbol of their heritage. You'll have the chance to admire distinctive wooden stilted houses and experience captivating singing and dancing performances, accompanied by the sounds of the Lusheng, a traditional reed instrument.

  Finally, spend the night at a Kaili guesthouse.

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  • Kaili

• Day 3: Kaili - Sandu, Zenlei Village of Shui Minority

  After breakfast, set off on a 2-hour drive to Zenlei, a remote village inhabited by the Shui ethnic group in Sandu County. Perched halfway up a lush green mountain, the over-300-year-old village features well-preserved customs, from intricate embroidery to ancient water-worship rituals and vibrant festivals. Following your tour guide, you can get an insight into the daily life of the Shui.

  When the tour ends, stay overnight at a local guesthouse.

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  • Zenlei Village

• Day 4: Sandu - Rongjiang, Dali Village of Dong Minority

  Today, travel onward by driving (about 2 hours) to Dali Dong Village in Rongjiang County. The Dong people are good at music and renowned for their polyphonic choir singing, known as the Kam Grand Choir. Your local guide will show you around the village to delve into its traditional wooden architecture, including stilted wooden houses, drum towers, and wind-and-rain bridges. Beyond that, gain true insight into daily routines, traditional crafts, and lively customs.

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  • Dali Dong Village

• Day 5: Dali - Congjiang, Jiabang Rice Terraces and Zhaoxing Dong Village

  Venture on a 2.5-hour scenic drive to Jiabang Rice Terraces, home to Guizhou Province's most spectacular rice terraces. Carved into the mountains by the local Miao and Dong ethnic minorities for generations, the lush, green fields ripple like waves across the landscape, particularly stunning during the planting season and the golden harvest in autumn.

  After your exploration, continue your journey to Liping County for Zhaoxing, the largest and most renowned Dong village in Guizhou, where you'll spend the night.

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  • Zhaoxing

• Day 6: Zhaoxing - Congjiang, Departure

  Rise early in the morning and enjoy a short drive up to the charming hamlet of Tang'an on the mountain. From there, embark on a gentle hike down the stunning terraced fields back to Zhaoxing. Along the trail, take in the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding you and observe local villagers tending to their fields.

  After your hike, return to the hotel for some well-deserved rest before your local guide escorts you to Congjiang Railway Station for your departure train.

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