13-Day Relaxing China Ethnic Culture Vacation: Guizhou Villages, Guilin & Guangzhou

Nihao, welcome to Guiyang. After arriving at the airport or railway station, your Easy Tour China local guide and driver will greet you and drive to the boutique hotel near Qingyan Ancient Town for check-in. Get to know Guiyang from your knowledgeable guide.

If time permits, spend the rest of the day exploring the Ming Dynasty ancient town - Qingyan. The town has a history of over 600 years and is one of the best-preserved military ancient towns in Guizhou, featuring stone-paved streets, ancient city walls, and Ming and Qing architecture. Enjoy your first taste of Guizhou's famous cuisine.

Or head to Jiaxiu Pavilion - the landmark of Guiyang, to admire the ancient buildings along the South Ming River at night.

Good to Know:

You can fly directly to Guiyang from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and other many cities in Southeast Asia. Meals: None Accommodation: 1 night boutique hotel in Guiyang

Today, start your Guizhou exploration of the ethnic minority cultures, experiencing the unique traditional fabric dyeing technique. After breakfast, meet the local artisans who will tell you about the traditional dyeing methods of the Miao or Dong ethnic groups, such as plant dyeing or batik tie-dye techniques. Well, it's time for you to show your skills. Participate in the production process yourself, from collecting natural dyes to designing patterns.

After lunch, drive for about 2.5 - 3 hours to reach Kaili, the capital of Qiandongnan Prefecture. Rest and recharge at your hotel. Or head out to explore at your own pace in the downtown Kaili.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 1 night boutique hotel in Guiyang

This morning, head into Shiqiao Village for a traditional craft experience - ancient papermaking, with a history of over 1500 years. Step into a "paper mill" and know/witness the complete papermaking process: collecting tree bark, soaking, steaming, pulping, and finally the paper. This paper can be used for writing, embroidery, sewing, and more. Want to try it yourself? Sure.

In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Qingman Miao Village with its tranquil and rustic atmosphere. Follow your guide as you stroll through the stilted houses of the village, with opportunities to chat with the locals about their lives. You'll fall in love with their unique Miao traditional clothing, made from embroidery and brocade.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: 1 nights boutique hotel in Kaili

Start your day with a guided tour of Langde Miao Village. Winding cobblestone paths lead to well-preserved Qing Dynasty stilted houses and wind-and-rain bridges dating back to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. The Miao people of Langde Upper Village are known as the "Long-Skirt Miao" because the local Miao women wear traditional embroidered long skirts. Wait a minute, often before you enter the village, you'll be welcomed by local villagers with local wine and Miao song and dance performances – the most solemn Miao welcoming ceremony.

Navigate the mountain roads to discover hidden Maliao Village, or better known as the Silver Village in Guizhou. Generations have made their living from silver ornaments, so almost all the villagers are all silversmiths. Visit a silversmith's workshop and explore the exquisite Miao silver ornament making process, how traditional silver items such as headdresses, necklaces, and earrings are made.

Continue your journey by car to Dali Dong Village.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: 2 nights boutique hotel in Dali Dong Village

After breakfast at the Dali Dong Village, try another traditional craft of Guizhou - unique leaf butterfly paintings. Here you will meet the ladies who create butterfly patterns using natural leaves, plant dyes and traditional inspirations. It's not hard to imagine that butterflies are their national totems/creator goddesses, symbolizing good luck and happiness. These fabric patterns (often combined with flowers, insects, birds, fish and shrimp) are used in the clothing, brocade and fabric of local people.

This afternoon, allow yourself to immerse in the peaceful rural life of on your own. Walk along the ancient stone-paved paths to admire the unique architecture of the Dong ethnic group dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, including five century-old wooden rain bridges and a group of four-sided wooden buildings from the Qing Dynasty. At the same time, watch the villagers gathering and chatting in the drum tower, and sometimes weaving.

Meals: B, L, D

Today you'll say goodbye to your host and take a trip to Jiabang Rice Terraces, one of the most beautiful rice terraces in China. Along the way, there's an opportunity to join a traditional market day of the local ethnic minorities. Unlock more facets of rural Guizhou life, as you see villagers in traditional costumes buying and selling agricultural products, handicrafts, and local food.

This evening/late afternoon - arrive at Jiabang Rice Terraces and enjoy the sunset over the terraces (if weather permits).

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodation: 2 nights boutique hotel on Jiabang Rice Terraces

Awakened by the melodious chirping of insects, with opportunities to capture the morning mist and sunrise over the terraced fields. Guided by your local guide, take a leisurely walk through the best locations to capture the layers of terraced fields, dotted with the stilt dwelling houses of the Miao ethnic group. The landscape of the terraced fields changes with the seasons: the watered spring, the lush autumn, the golden autumn, and the barren winter after harvest. Looking back the history, learn how the local Miao people created this agricultural miracle in the mountains.

You might like to spend the rest of the day simply enjoying the leisurely life in the mountain village. 

Meals: B, L, D

This morning, head straight to the mysterious Baisha Miao Village, hidden deep in the forest of Moon Mountain, where the descendants of Yao Chiyou live. As "the last gun tribe in China", its villagers are legally allowed to carry firearms. Delve deeply into the traditions of worshipping ancient trees, coming-of-age ceremonies, and cutting hair with sickles.

In the afternoon, you will explore Huanggang Dong Village, which has a history of over eight hundred years and has completely preserved a large number of traditional Dong-style stilt houses, drum towers, and flower bridges. Moreover, it is the birthplace of "male voice Dong ethnic chorus". What is it? It is a multi-part, un-musically-directed and un-accompanied choral art form.

Transfer to the high-speed railway station and take the high-speed train to Guilin.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 1 night luxury/comfortable/boutique hotel in Guilin

Take a luxurious Li River cruise ship and navigate along the waterway lined with spectacular Karst peaks on both banks to discover pristine villages and small islands. Spot China's most famous karst wonders, including the Nine-Horse-Painting Mountain and the Yellow Cloth Shoal. Enjoy some delicious local cuisine on board.

After arriving in Yangshuo, you may like to take a leisure stroll along West Street.

In the evening, watch the large-scale live-action water drama "Impression Liu Sanjie", directed by Zhang Yimou (director of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics), with the Li River landscape as the stage, telling the stories of the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong ethnic minorities. Appreciate the beautiful music and dance, accompanied by modern special effects.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: 2 night luxury/comfortable/boutique hotel in Yangshuo

Free day of exploring the idyllic countryside of Yangshuo. Yet, we offer optional activities:

• Limber up and start your day with easy walks to the villages, giving you a unique insight into how local farmers make their living.
• A cooking class allows you to learn cooking one or two signature Chinese homemade dishes - under your a guidance of a local chef/at a local family.
• Or taking a bamboo-rafting journey on Yulong River (recommended in summer) to take in the gorgeous setting leisurely.

 Meals: B

Say goodbye to Yangshuo. Take the high-speed train to Guangzhou, moving from mountainous villages of ethnic minorities to a modern metropolis. Make your own arrangement to take a walk along the Pearl River and see the Guangzhou Tower.

Meals: B

Accommodation: 3 night luxury/comfortable/boutique hotel in Guangzhou

After breakfast, start a full day of exploring the traditional and modern charm of Guangzhou. At the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, learn about one of the most famous figures in modern Chinese history – Sun Yat-sen – and the history of China during this period. Then, visit the Chen Family Temple, the largest, best-preserved, and most exquisitely decorated Lingnan-style ancestral hall in China. Savor up its exquisite brick carvings, wood carvings, and traditional folk art.

For lunch, of course, you won't want to miss the Zaocha-style lunch (morning tea/dim sum). Sample shrimp dumplings, siu mai, chicken feet, rice noodle rolls, egg tarts...

Next, visit the Xiguan Mansions, luxurious residences built by wealthy merchants during the Qing Dynasty. After exploring traditional old Guangzhou residences, head to Shamian Island for a brisk walk among the European-style historical buildings and learn about the history of Guangzhou's concession era.

End of today with a visit to Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, one of the most popular shopping streets in China. Immerse yourself in Guangzhou's bustling commercial atmosphere at this ancient road site.

Meals: B, L

Your guide and driver will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule. End of your 13-day China tour package focusing on ethnic culture exploration.