16 Days Amazing Minority and Majestic Scenery Tour

Wish you a good journey to China, and our guide will meet you outside the customs of Kunming Airport after you clear the customs, and then transfer you to check in the hotel. The rest of the day is flexible for your will, have a rest or take a walk near the hotel. Today you will stay at the hotel in Kunming.

After your breakfast, transferred to Kunming airport to catch the morning flight to Dali. Be met at Dali airport and drive to Chongsheng Monastery to visit the Three Pagodas, which is one of the three curiosities of Chinese ancient architecture. Each pagoda has splendid Buddhist scriptures, Buddha and many other cultural relics. Then you will explore around Dali Old Town. The magnificent towers, elegant streets, small and exquisite courtyards, colorful flowers blooming in profusion will give you a feeling of antiquity, serenity and elegance. Afterwards, you will have chance to climb up on the Ancient Wall Gate.

Today's Activities

In the morning you will visit Zhoucheng Village. As the ancient handicraft industry center, Zhoucheng village is well known for its craftsmanship. You will not return with empty-handed. Then stroll around the morning market in Xizhou, which is country marketplace for local Bai minority. It is an ideal destination for you to experience a different way of life. Afterwards, you will visit Bai Ethnic House. Most of the houses are made of marble in unique style to express Bai Ethnic people's depth of their wisdom and culture. After lunch, drive to Lijiang. You re free to explore around Lijiang Old Town. It has numerous streams and brooks crisscrossing the houses. Everytime you walk on the paddle-paved road, a stream is running beside you. Tonight you will have a sound sleep at the featured hotel in Lijiang.

Today's Activities

After breakfast, we will drive you to the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is the largest snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere.

You will catch a cable car  to the summit of the Yak Meadow, one of 13 peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The landscape rises and falls on the meadow. In spring and summer, you can find yaks with black and white skin wandering in grass and all kinds of flowers. In autumn and winter, you will wonder at the sharp contrast between the mild edge of the meadow and the peaks of the snow mountain. The view is unforgettable. Looking down at Ganhaizi and continuous mountains, you will find that the snow mountain is so close to you. Cool wind gently blows on your face. All the things here are so beautiful and peaceful.

Then carry on to Jade Water Village where you can visit the famed explorer Joseph Rock's former residence. Located at the base of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Jade Water Village is a tranquil reminder of a former time.

Greeted by the rays of sunrise, you enjoy an excursion to the wonderland Potatso National Park, which is an integral part of the Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visits including Plateau Lake Shuodu, and the fabulous Lake Bita. Staying beside the lakes, you can deeply feel the quiet and leisurely life of high-land people. Enjoy other alpine vegetation, forests of rhododendron and virgin forests.

After lunch explore a local village and be a guest in a Tibetan family with a taste of Tibetan specialities such as yak butter tea, yogurt and Tibetan barley. Then head for Songzanlin Monastery, which is the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery in southwest China. In the main hall you will appreciate a series of precious Buddhism-related objects like scriptures written on palm leaves, the Shakyamuni statues, etc. Downhill along the hill slop, you will find smaller temples and monk's residences where about 700 monks live. If you want to deeply experience the Buddhists' life, you can join in the evening class. You will have a peacefull mind and remain in deep thought.

Transfer to Shangri-la Airport to catch the morning flight to Kunming. Be met at Kunming airport and drive to the Stone Forest for your visiting. Taken shape about 270 million years ago, this limestone landscape is a true miracle of natural creation. You are surely bewitched by the intricate stone formations and countless labyrinthine vistas. Later drive back to the hotel in Kunming.

In the morning you will visit two famous attrations in Kunming city, the "Kunming 's Jade" - Green Lake Park, and the vibrant Flowers and Birds Market. Afterwards transferred to Kunming airport for your flight to your next destination. Upon your arrival at Guiyang airport, our local English speaking tour guide will meet you and drive to check in the hotel in Kaili City. Free time is at your leisure in the rest of the time. You can stroll along the local market, experience for yourself the local life, and buy some souvenir. You will spend the night in Kaili.

After visiting the Kaili Museum, you will drive to explore Qingman Miao Village. It is famous for the Zhouxi-style skirt the Miao people wear. The Zhouxi-style skirt is a kind of pleated skirt, belonging to one of the short-skirt Miao costume. Then continue to visit Shiqiao Miao Village to see how paper is made in the traditional way.

Today we will drive to Rongjiang Country and visit minority villages on the way. The first stop is the famous Datang Short-Skirt Miao Village, where women have worn a kind of traditional short skirt for 500 years. Another highlight in this village is the granary built over a pond with the multi-function of fire-proofing, rat-proofing and ant-proofing.  Afterwards, you will visit Paika Miao Village to appreciate how the Lusheng is made. Lusheng is the Miao people's most important musical instrument.  Then you will enjoy the nice natural view of Leigongshan Mountain and Shui Ethnic Village. Later transfer back to the hotel in Rongjiang.

After breakfast, we will head for the direction of Zhaoxing. Before we arrive at Zhaoxing, we will stop by Biasha Miao Village to explore the legend of the Last Gunmen's Tribe of China. It needs 2.5 hours' drive. In village, almost all the adult male villagers have a blunderbuss for hunting. And the male villagers' distinctive hair dresses are known as the existing most ancient style in China. After that, we go on our drive to Zhaoxing Dong Village and visit the largest Dong People's Village in Qiandongnan area. (2 hours). Ok, just have a good dinner nearby and good night in village's best hotel.

After breakfast, you can have fun in Local minority market. With a full impression of Dong people's real life, you will be attractive by their simple and happy lifestyle. Then, we will continue our driving to Sanjiang for having a sound lunch there (3 hours). Then with half an hour's drive, we can reach Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge to explore the nearby Dong People's villages. The Wind and Rain Bridge is a wonder of Dong minority. Rather than a bridge, it is a combination of bridge, corridor and pavilion where passers-by could shelter themselves from wind and rain. At night, you will stay the best hotel of Chengyang.

Let's set out from downtown Guilin in the morning. With 2 hours driving you would arrive at Longsheng, which is famous for the Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces. It is the most amazing terrace in China; layers of terraces swirl and climb up, from the river valley of torrent to the summit of Longji Mountain, presenting you a varied miracle in each season. Then walk around the village to visit families of Yao and Zhuang people. You can enjoy some dancing arts, come across the local customs of long hair combing, and also join in to experience their original life, tasting pure Longji tea and Longji wine. Stay overnight on the mountain in Ping'an Hotel.

Today you will drive about 2 hours from Longsheng county to Guilin city for your one day's city tour. One of must-sees is without doubt the Elephant Trunk Hill, which is a masterpiece of karst landscape and regarded as the symbol of Guilin. Afterwards let’s steer to another element that matters a lot to Guilin landscape, Reed Flute Cave. You just can’t believe those stone curtains, pillars, stalagmites could ever flicker into a color-capricious palace. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Guilin.

After breakfast, transfer to the dock for your Li River cruise to Yangshuo. The centerpiece of any trip to Guangxi; this section of the Li River, appearing like an artist's masterpiece with the eye-feasting landscape and the country scenery will never disappoint you.