The
best route to arrive at Xingyi City is from the Yunnan Province.
Therefore we can also arrange a pre tour of scenic Yunnan to suit
your exact requirements.
The
hilly areas we visit on this tour are covered by azalea groves.
In late March and April, the azalea flower is in full bloom and
turn the hillsides into a riot of colour more than 30 miles
long. This spectacular flower show has confirmed this region
as being one of China's most beautiful national parks. Additionally
the blooming season coincides with many colourful ethnic festivals
with music and dances.
Day
1: Xingyi City from Yunnan Province L/D
Arrive
in Xingyi before lunch and meet our guide and driver. We will then
drive to see the natural scenic beauty of Ten Thousand Peaks national
Park, which covers an area of 2,000 square kilometres and is one
of the best examples of Karst topography in China, and as its name
suggest thousands of strange shaped mountain peaks make for a magical
landscape.
On
the way to the Ten Thousand Peaks national Park we will visit
the Ethnic Minority Wedding Culture Museum. The museum is
a great place to understand more about the costumes and cultures
of the ethnic minority people that live in this rural province.
Stay at the Xingyi Panjiang Hotel (VIP Building).
Day
2: Xingyi-Maling Gorge-Huangguoshu B/L/D
In
the morning we visit the impressive Maling Gorge, located
about 10km from Xingyi. The vast gorge is a deep rift in the Yunnan-Guizhou
Plateau which divides the dense forest. At its narrowest, the gorge
is only 50m wide and has an depth between 200 to 400 metres. On
both sides of the gorge, numerous spectacular permanent & seasonal
waterfalls cascade down the steep sides into the roaring Maling
river below. The gorge is truly a spectacular scenic location.
Afterwards
we drive to Huangguoshu (approx 3 hours). Stay at the Huangguoshu
Hotel (3-star).
Day
3: Huangguoshu
waterfall - Guiyang B/L/D
This
morning we take a short drive to
the spectacular Huangguoshu waterfall, which is the largest
waterfall in Asia and mystical home to the Monkey King. The stunning
Huangguoshu waterfall is 74m high and 81m wide and is where the
mighty Baihe River pours into the Rhinoceros Pool below. A highlight
is to walk behind the falls through Water Curtain Cave for an unique
view of the falls from behind.
Huangguoshu
Waterfall is located right in the heartland of Bouyei county, where
you find clusters of Bouyei style stone houses amongst terraced
rice paddies on the hillsides and in the valleys.
We
will spend some time exploring an authentic Bouyei village
and meet the ethnic Bouyei villagers and see their handcrafts. The
Bouyei women are renowned as being wonderfully skilled batik artists.
They meticulously draw their complex pictures and ethnic designs
on fabric cloth with beeswax and then dye the cloth in indigo.
A few
miles down river from the Huangguoshu Waterfall lies the scenic
stone forest area located near Heavenly Star Bridge.
Star bridge was formed by a large slab of stone which forms a natural
bridge across the steep gorge below. We will walk along winding
paths and enjoy the beauty of this scenic area, which has stunning
views reminiscent of the natural landscape of the 'Dinosaur roaming'
Jurassic period.
Later
we drive to Guiyang and on the way visit the ancient town of Yunfeng.
Yunfeng was founded by an outpost of Ming-dynasty troops, who were
originally sent from Nanjing to this remote outpost to keep order
and fight against rebellions for the Emperor. Entering the town
is like stepping back in time, as it is built almost entirely in
stone in the traditional Han style. Even the local residents still
wear the traditional Han style costumes and maintain ancient tradition
not found elsewhere in modern china.
Yunfeng
is also known for it performances of a Ground Opera, which is a
regional variation of the traditional Han opera originally performed
by soldiers during the Ming era.
Overnight
in Guiyang at the Regal Hotel****
Day
4:
Guiyang - Kaili B/L/D
Today
we take a scenic and leisurely drive (approx 2.5h) through the mountainous
countryside of Guizhou enjoying views of rice paddies terraced into
the mountain sides, on our way to visit remote Miao ethnic minority
villages. The friendly Mao people are mainly mountain dwellers and
their homes are tightly packed wooden structures built on stilts,
with balustrades.
Our
first ethnic minority village we explore is Jidao, which
is home to the long skirt Miao people. Then by contrast we
visit Datang Mini Skirt Miao Village. We have plenty of time
to informally meet with local Miao residents and enjoy experiencing
and understanding more about their unique way of life and culture.
The ethnic villages we visit are not 'tourist destinations' and
the way of life and friendly culture is authentic. Therefore we
ensure that we visit in a responsible manner to preserve and respect
their traditions and culture and make friends along the way.
After
lunch, you will visit Paika Village, where you can meet local
people making the unique Miao's musical wind instrument which is
used in their many festivals. You are also free to take an hour
walk through the rice paddies along narrow pathways to enjoy the
beautiful scenery. This is also a great opportunity to see the farmers
hard at work with their water buffalo's in the rice paddies and
see the highly effective and ingenious waterwheel irrigation system
used by the villagers for their crops. Stay at Heaven-sent Dragon
Hotel**** Kaili.
Day
5:
Kaili-Zhaoxing B/L/D
On
Sundays there is a fantastic morning market in Kaili, which
caters for locals to buy and sell a vast selection of exotic goods
including clothes, fish, meat, spices and vegetables. This is really
an exciting cultural experience not to be missed. Only available
on Sundays!
Today
we drive to Zhaoxing town which takes about 2.5 hours on a new highway.
Zhaoxing is one of the largest Dong Ethnic Minority villages
in the region, with more than 700 households and a population of
4000. The Dong ethnic peoples costumes and lifestyle is distinct
from any other ethnic group. High rise sacred drum towers and roofed
bridges and stages for local opera performances are landmarks of
their communities.
We
will later visit Tang An Dong village, which is the first
ecology museum for the Dong in China. Stay at Zhaoxing Hotel (VIP
Department 3 star)
Day
6:
Zhaoxing to Guiyang B/L/D
After
breakfast enjoy a leisurely walk around Zhaoxing, informally
meeting local residents and enjoying the rural atmosphere. Later
we take a scenic drive back to Guiyang (approx 4.5 -5 hours drive).
Transfer to the airport and take an evening flight to your next
destination. (Alternatively extend your stay and travel overland
to Guangxi, Guilin and Yangsuo).
Departure
Dates & Price 2012 - per person (£)
Tour
Reference
|
Tour
date
|
|
Single
Supplement
|
CCD
|
Mar
- Nov
|
£785
|
£200
|
Recommended
visiting times: 1) Azalea blossom viewing - mid April; 2) Sister's
Meal Festival: fair, folk song singing, dancing, hose races- early
April; 3) Lusheng Festival: fare, bullfighting, singing, Lusheng
dance - November. Please note itinerary may be amended during 2)
& 3) period.
China
possesses 470 varieties of Azaleas, over half of the different
varieties of
the world. The hilly areas we visit on this tour are covered by
azalea groves. In late March and April, the azalea flower is in
full bloom and turn the hillsides into a riot of colour
more than 30 miles long.
This spectacular flower show has confirmed this region as being
one of China's most beautiful national parks. Additionally the blooming
season coincides with many colourful ethnic festivals with music
and dances.
Private
tours can also be arranged, please enquire. We
also welcome group booking enquiries, and discount is available
for group over 10 people.
Our
Price will Include.
- All
airport/hotel transfers within Mainland China.
- Sightseeing
tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
- Hotel
accommodation.
- Meals
as specified in the itinerary.
Price
Does Not Include.
- Flights
- can be provided upon your request.
- Visa
fee - We can arrange Visa's subject to your request.
- Travel
Insurance.
Flights:
we can assist in obtaining flight tickets. Some of our programmes
can also be combined for a longer tour, please enquire at the time
of booking.
Your
Accommodation for this tour:
Carefully selected good hotels & guesthouse accommodations equivalent
to 4 and 3 stars. In some remote areas the standard can be lower
but we will provide you with one of the best available in the area.
Your
Meals: As specified in the itinerary. Dishes are using
local cooking style with on-season fresh ingredients and vegetables
when possible. We think this forms part of the important experiences
to visit these charming areas, and experience the authentic, healthy
and delicious meals.
Other
fact of our tour arrangement: Our
itineraries are regularly checked, inspected and updated to provide
ideal and latest sightseeing spots for our travellers, and we organise
our own special activities to try to introduce the real China to
you, and connect closer to local people.
Small
group travel with like minded people and flexibility on tour. Normal
group size 10 people. Suitable for all age travellers.
The itinerary
is designed according to the most updated information of flights
available, although on rare occasions the sequence in which cities
are visited, duration of time spent can change due to local conditions
which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the
main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places
of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide
unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We
reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although
we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please
refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.
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