Kingdom of Ethnic Groups
Yunnan is the province with the largest population of ethnic minorities with 25 of them having more than 5000 members, among them 16 are indigenous (including Bai, Dai, Naxi, Hani, Lisu, Lahu, Wa, Jingpo, Bulang, Pumi, Achang, Nu, Jinuo, De'ang, Durung, etc.). While, almost 35% of Guizhou's population is made up of over 13 ethnic minorities, including Miao, Dong, Buyi, Yi, Tujia, etc., all with their own long-established and brilliant cultures. In this 7days Kunming and Guizhou tour, travelers can have a basic understanding about most of the ethnic groups in Yunnan and Guizhou, also explore Yi and Miao minorities in all-sided way!
Ni Hao! Welcome to Kunming, the Spring City of China! Upon arrival, you will be met by our local guide at the arrival hall of Kunming Changshui Airport or train station and escorted to your downtown hotel by a private comfortable vehicle. The rest of today is free on your own to explore this beautiful city.
Arrival Ideas: Travelers from more than 140 cities (international and domestic cities included) can take flights to Kunming. Also, travelers can take high speed trains to Kunming from Guangzhou (about 6hrs), Shenzhen (about 7hrs), Changsha (about 6hrs), Shanghai (about 12hrs) and Beijing (about 12hrs), etc.
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. First, drive about 85km to Stone Forest with the most unique karst landform in the world which has been UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of South China Karst. Walk into the Greater Stone Forest, marvel at groups of gray-black stone peaks and climb up a pavilion to have a panoramic view of the intricate stone forest. Visit the Lesser Stone Forest and listen to the legendary story of “Ashima”. It will be a real treat to visit the extraordinary natural stone forest where you feel like come into a “stone world”.
After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to Kunming to visit the Bird & Flower Market where you can experience the local people’ real life. Since all reasons in Kunming is like spring, you will find multiple types of flowers, birds, fishes, antiques, handicrafts, etc. Here, you’ll find why Kunming is reputed as the Spring City of China.
On this day, you’ll start a relaxing tour to visit Yunnan Minority Village, an epitome of ethnic groups of Yunnan. In the minority village, you can not only get to know ethnic architecture styles, costumes, customs, funny marriage, etiquette, but also interact with the ethnic people, sing folk songs, dance with them and even taste some ethnic snacks.
Later, continue your trip to visit Western Hills which looks like a beautiful young lady lying beside Dianchi Lake. Western Hill is a large forest park perfectly combined natural scenery with cultural relics. There is a famous saying – if you do not visit Western Hill, you haven’t visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven’t been to Western Hill. Climb up to see the magic Dragon Gate for a panoramic view of the “Pearl on the Plateau” - Dianchi Lake. Take some time to visit Dragon Gate Grottoes and San Qing Pavilion before getting down the hill.
Next, transfer to the most picturesque park in Kunming urban area - the Green Lake Park. Here you can share the happiness of local people’s doing tai chi, performing local opera, and other vibrant activities. If you visit the park in November or December, you will see the grandeur of huge flocks of black-headed gulls that migrate there from Siberia.
In this morning, you’ll be escorted to Kunming South Railway Station for a high speed train to Kaili (about 3hrs), the capital of Southeast Guizhou which is well known for Miao ethnic group. Upon arrival, the local guide will meet you at Kaili South Railway Station and take you for today’s sightseeing.
In the afternoon, pay a visit to Matang Village where you can see Gejia group who are not listed into 55 minority groups in China just because of their small population. You will appreciate the traditional Gejia batik in the village, and learn the art of batik (extra payment).
Stay overnight in Kaili.
After breakfast, begin your Miao ethnic minority exploration. Your first stop today is to visit Kaili Ethnic Minority Museum, where you can get a general idea of the Miao and the Dong in this region.
Later, proceed to visit Qingman Miao Village, where the women wear a kind of traditional short-skirt. In a local household, you may see the traditional way of dying cotton material.
The last stop of today is Shiqiao Miao Village. In Shiqiao, you’ll see the old people still keep their old tradition of making special paper with trees’ bark by hand, which could be dated back to 700 years in Guizhou.
After the tour, drive back to Kaili.
After breakfast, pay in-depth visit to explore Miao's history and culture in Jidao Miao Village, Upper Langde Miao Village, and Datang Miao Village.
Jidao Miao Village (Long Shirt Miao), located 20 km southeast of Kaili, remains original and tranquil with idyllic surroundings. Visit Shangzhai and Xiazhai and explore Old Geomantic Trees, time-horned granaries, the Cave of the Immortal, the Footprints of buffalos and Horses and more sites.
Upper Langde Miao Village (Long Skirt Miao) is 30 km away from Kaili. Visitors to Langde Village are welcomed by the 12 courses of “block-way” rice wine, then visit the traditional Miao-style stilt houses enjoy sweet Miao folk songs.
Datang Miao Village (Short Skirt Miao), also called Xinqiao Miao Village, is another branch of Miao live for hundreds years. This village is special for the unique “miniskirts”, as short as 10 centimeters, that the local women wear all year round. You could enjoy and participate in the local dance in the village square.
After the Miao villages’ exploration, drive to Xijiang. If interested, enjoy the beautiful night view of Xijiang Miao Village. Stay overnight in Xijiang.
After breakfast, have in-depth exploration in Xijiang Miao Village, the largest Miao village in Asia, with more than 1000 Miao households. While walking on the paths, you will appreciate an amazing view of the river valley with terraced fields, intricate wooden houses, enjoy Miao’s traditional clothing, daily life and join to sing and dance.
After the tour, drive 2.5 hours to Guiyang and be escorted to Guiyang Airport to catch your flight to next destination.
In this trip, you will explore two of the most charming places in Yunnan: Lijiang - the Kingdom of Naxi People and Shangri-La - Garden of Eden! Here, you are in a world of minority people, temples, old towns, ancient streets, lakes, rivers, mountains…splendid culture and breathtaking scenery are waiting for you to explore.
In this 4 days Lijinag & Shangri-La highlights tour, you’ll graspe every second to enjoy yourself on the incredible land – have panoramic view of Lijiang Ancient City, explore the authentic Naxi Village to feel the special Dongba Culture, visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, and take a light hike to Tiger Leaping Gorge that is the world's deepest gorge. You will just find the tour fabulous every moment!
Guilin, the darling of tourists!
Guilin is famous for having the best landscape under Heaven which can be seen in three most popular places - Guilin, Yangshuo and Longsheng. Only 3 days are needed to get them all in a single trip. You will visit the essential sites in the city, enjoy a relaxing cruise along Li River, and have a pleasant time of countryside exploration in Yangshuo Town. Another highlight is the unique trip to Longji Terrace which is an ideal place for experiencing ethnic culture, hiking and photography.
Congjiang / Zhaoxing / Jiabang / Rongjiang / Kaili / Zhenyuan / Kaili / Guiyang
Guiyang / Kaili / Rongjiang / Zhaoxing / Guilin / Yangshuo / Longsheng / Guilin
Kunming / Lijiang / Shangri-La / Kunming / Fanjingshan / Kaili / Zhaoxing / Congjiang