Hike through untouched wilderness and engage with ethnic minorities along the way. 

Guizhou province represents a treasure trove of natural wonders that have yet to be developed for tourism. From cascading waterfalls and winding underground cave complexes to ancient forests and rippling jade-hued rice terraces, the possibilities for hiking and exploration are endless. In fact, it has been locally dubbed the “Kingdom of Mountains,” because 97% of its vast expanse is blanketed in lofty mountains or sprawling plateaus. 

Our incredible hiking tour is designed to take you off the beaten track so that you can properly explore all of the breathtaking natural landscapes that Guizhou province has to offer. 

Since Guizhou province is also one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the country, we would be remiss if we didn’t visit a few ethnic minority communities along the way. We’ll be stopping off at several authentic ethnic minority villages that have yet to be developed for tourism, so that we can learn about their unique cultures, histories, and traditions. 

Alongside some truly unforgettable hikes, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with real communities from the Dong, Miao, and Gejia ethnic minorities. 

Participants Max: 8     Duration: 13 days and 12 nights     Hiking Level: Light 

Tour in 2024:  9^th of Sep - 21^st of Sep

Tour in 2025:  1^st of Sep - 13^th of Sep

Highlights

The splendid terraced fields

Since Guizhou province is predominantly mountainous, terracing the fields up the hillsides and mountainsides was one of the only methods for local people to farm their food. Thus the province is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful terraced fields in China, which have been an integral part of the landscape for hundreds of years.

During our tour, not only will we admire the terraced fields from afar, we will also have several opportunities to hike along terraced fields in order to get an up-close look at this unique style of crop farming.

Highlights

The isolated traditional way of life

Due to the mountainous nature of the countryside, most of the villages in Guizhou province were hemmed in and, before the construction of roads, it was incredibly difficult to travel to other villages or settlements. This meant it was much harder for them to communicate with other ethnic groups, or even communities of the same ethnic group. 

Most of these remote communities had to thus become self-sufficient. They grew their own food, depended on their own local language, and hand-made their own clothes by weaving, dyeing, and embroidering cloth. In spite of modern developments, this traditional way of life has largely been preserved in these regions, meaning you will have the opportunity to witness their unique way of life.

The art and craftsmanship of ethnic minorities

Several ethnic minority groups are renowned throughout China for their breathtakingly beautiful styles of art, architecture, and craftsmanship. In particular, the Miao people are known for their silver-smithing and embroidery, which endows their traditional dress with a definitive elegance. The Dong people, on the other hand, are famed for their talent at singing, as each Dong village will be home to a number of singing troupes known as Kam Grand Choirs. 

Most ethnic minorities in Guizhou province live in a special type of building known as a Diaojiaolou, which is unlike any other in China. It is a style of stilted wooden building that it specifically designed to stand over rivers or up mountainsides, which makes it ideal in the lush countryside of Guizhou.

Highlights

Enjoy the Traditional Performances of the Miao, Dong, and Bouyei Ethnic Minorities

Highlights

The different subgroups of the Miao ethnic minority

The history of the Miao ethnic minority is shrouded in mystery, but modern research suggests that they may have been among the earliest settlers in China. Researchers have found that many Chinese words related to rice farming were borrowed from the Miao language, which indicates that the Miao were some of the first rice cultivators in the country and may have done so over 5,000 years ago!

Since the Miao ethnic minority has such a long history in China, it should come as no surprise that it is also extremely culturally diverse. For this reason, it has naturally been separated into a wide variety of subgroups. During this trip, we will visit communities of Long Skirt Miao, Short Skirt Miao, Passion Miao, and Green Miao. We will also pay a visit to the village of Basha, which is home to a community of Short Skirt Miao that is unlike any other in Guizhou province. Let’s discover how different these subgroups actually are and find out what they still have in common!

During the tour we will:

1. Enjoy the splendid untouched mountain views;
2. Immerse ourselves in the culture and lifestyle of the Dong and Miao ethnic minorities;
3. Visit isolated ethnic minority villages;
4. Witness first-hand the delicate traditional dress and adornments of the Dong and Miao people;
5. Listen to the beautiful songs and watch the graceful performances that are associated with the traditional culture and customs of the Dong and Miao minorities;
6. Sample the signature dishes of the delicious local cuisine.

What information will we provide you with in advance?

Useful information about the Dong and Miao ethnic minorities, including their culture and customs, their way of life, their architecture, their traditional dress and adornments, the geography of their hometowns, and their current situation.

Itinerary

Day 1    Arrive in Guangzhou

We recommend flying directly into Guangzhou if possible, as it is the largest city in southern China and thus benefits from several direct flights from Europe. You can, however, choose to fly into Beijing or Shanghai instead, and take a connecting flight to Guangzhou. We can advise you on flight times.

We will pick you up at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

Before we head off on our amazing cultural adventure in the mountains of Guizhou province, let’s enjoy a welcome dinner together made up of signature dishes from traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Included: Dinner. We will enjoy a welcome dinner together of traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Guangzhou

Please Note: We will arrange two airport pick-ups during the day for tour participants: one at midday and one in the evening. If your flight arrives very early or very late, please let us know in advance and we will make arrangements accordingly. In this instance, you may be expected to pay extra for a personal pick-up service or for a taxi to our hotel.

Itinerary

Day 2 Hike along the Rice Terraces

In the morning, we will take the high speed train from Guangzhou to Congjiang , which will take about 2.5 hours. Then we will drive to a small Dong village, where we will hike down through the beautiful terraces in the mountains to the larger Dong village of Zhaoxing. The hike will take about 2.5 hours.

Zhaoxing is one of the most famous Dong villages in China, in part due to its size but predominantly due to the fact that it has five Drum Towers. Each tower is specially named in order to promote a certain virtue, and is different in terms of its method of construction, size, height, and external appearance. According to local legend, this village was supposedly founded during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), meaning the village ancestors settled there over 840 years ago! Read more about Zhaoxing.

Once the hike is finished, we’ll take some time to explore this beautiful Dong village.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Dong cuisine.

Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse in Zhaoxing.

Itinerary

Day 3 Enjoy the Unique Performance of Dong and Miao People

On this day, let’s take a break from hiking and enjoy several breathtaking performances from the local ethnic minorities. 

We will drive to the village of Huanggang, which is one of the oldest Dong villages in China and boasts five drum towers that were all built 800 years ago! Huanggang is famous for its Dong architecture, the local method of fabric- dyeing with indigo, and its Kam Grand Choirs.

After lunch, we will travel to visit the last hunting tribe in China: the Miao people of Basha. Basha is the only place in China where the residents are still legally allowed to own and carry guns. When the Chinese government tried to confiscate the guns from the villagers of Basha, they refused and it was decided that they should be allowed to keep their rifles as part of their rich cultural heritage. 

Alongside exploring the beautiful village, we will also have the opportunity to watch a traditional singing and dancing show performed by the locals.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Dong and Miao cuisine.

Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse in Basha.

Itinerary

Day 4 Engage with a Local Miao Family in Yangkai

Today we will head out into the wilderness of Guizhou!

We will drive to a small and remote village named Baizhao. From there, we will hike for around 3.5 hours to the smaller village of Yangkai. 

There are only 18 families of Miao people living in Yangkai. We will have the unforgettable opportunity to stay overnight in the home of a local Miao family. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Miao cuisine.

Accommodation: Homestay in Yangkai.

Day 5 Explore the Jialiang Friday Market

In the morning, we will take a leisurely hike (approximately 1.5 hours) through the countryside to a designated spot where we will meet our minivan driver. From there, we will drive to the Jialiang Friday Market. This is the largest traditional market in the area and attracts a wide variety of people from different ethnic minority communities. 

In the afternoon, we will drive to the town of Rongjiang.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Miao cuisine, and then have typical Chinese cuisine for dinner.

Accommodation: 3-Star hotel in Rongjiang

Itinerary

Day 6 Meet the “Passion” Miao People

We will drive to the first Passion Miao village, which is called Xingming. After paying a short visit, we will walk for about 1 hour in the mountains and marvel at the stunning views of terraced fields as we make our way to the village of Dangyi. 

After lunch, we will drive to another Passion Miao village called Baijiu. We will have the opportunity to explore this old village and explore the surrounding fields. We will also stay overnight in the home of a local family and learn where their ethnic subgroup’s unusual name came from. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Miao cuisine.

Accommodation: Homestay in Baijiu.

Day 7 A Scenic Hike Along the Rice Terraces

As often as we have seen them, we’re sure you still won’t be tired of the beautiful rice terraces! On this day, we will pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in Guizhou province. We will hike from the village of Jiu to the village of Li, which will take about 3.5 hours. Our path will lead us through remote countryside and allow us to marvel at some breathtaking views of the nearby mountains.

In the late afternoon, we will drive back to the town of Rongjiang.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Miao cuisine, and then have typical Chinese cuisine for dinner.

Accommodation: 3-Star hotel in Rongjiang

Itinerary

Day 8 Marvel at the Kam Grand Choirs of the Dong People

Let’s spend more time delving into the fascinating culture of the Dong people!

We will visit the Dong village  in order to admire their Drum Tower, which is the oldest of its kind in the world! Then we will hike approximately 4 hours to the village of Wugong, where Dong and Miao people have lived together in harmony for over 900 years. 

After dinner, we will have the chance to enjoy another singing performance from the Kam Grand Choirs, which will be performed by the locals of Wugong.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Dong cuisine.

Accommodation: Traditional guesthouse in Liu.

Day 9 Conquer Leigong Mountain

In the morning, we will drive to the village of the Long Skirt Miao, where we will be welcomed by a vibrant singing and dancing performance. 

We will have the special chance to have lunch with a local family before embarking on our long hike. Once we’ve eaten, we’ll head to the village of Chang, where we’ll start our 5- hour-long hike to the top of Leigong Mountain. From the summit, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Miao cuisine, and then have typical Chinese cuisine for dinner.

Accommodation: 4-Star hotel in Kaili

Itinerary

Day 10 Discover the Traditional Craftsmanship of Ethnic Minorities

In the morning, we will drive to the start of the hiking trail and then hike for 1 hour to the village of Wangba, which is home to the Geijia people. Although the Gejia people are technically classed as Miao people, they claim to be the descendants of the Manchu people in China, which has never been officially acknowledged. We will pay a visit to a local family, who will demonstrate their batik cloth-dyeing technique. 

Then we will drive to the Green Miao village of Qingman. The Green Miao are renowned for their skill at silk weaving, embroidery, and brocade. 

In the afternoon, we will head to the village of Shiqiao and see how the local people make paper from mulberry tree bark following a traditional method that is over 2,000 years old! 

In the evening, we will drive to Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou. 

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We’ll enjoy food together made up of dishes from traditional Miao cuisine, and then have typical Chinese cuisine for dinner.

Accommodation: 4-Star hotel in Guiyang

Itinerary

Day 11  Staying Overnight in a Real Karst Cave

In the morning, we will drive to the starting point of our hiking route. From there, we will walk for about 2.5 hours until we reach an old Bouyei village. There, a delicious traditional Bouyei lunch awaits us! After lunch, we will be treated to a traditional Bouyei performance, where the local people will sing while playing eight different instruments.

In the afternoon, we will hike for about 45 mins to a wild karst cave, where we will see the real rock formations inside of a karat cave that has not been converted into a tourist attraction.

After visiting the wild karst cave, we will take another walk for about 45 mins to the camping cave! The huge camping cave is in the middle of a mountain. Outside, we will have a stunning view of the landscape. The local Bouyei people will come to the cave to cook for us. You will have a chance to sing with them together!

On our last night in Guizhou province, let's have a quiet nights' sleep embraced by the mountains.

Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All meals will consist of local Chinese cuisine.

Accommodation: Private tent in the camping cave

Itinerary

Day 12 Embrace Traditional Cantonese Culture

We will need to drive for around 2 hours back to Guiyang. From there, we will take the high speed train back to Guangzhou, which will take about 5 hours.

In the evening, let’s enjoy our farewell dinner of traditional Cantonese cuisine together, and relax after a long trip in this old Cantonese town.

Included: Breakfast and dinner. Breakfast will be local Chinese cuisine, and our farewell dinner will consist of traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Accommodation: 3-Star hotel in Guangzhou

Day 13 Onward journey

In the morning, we will escort you to the airport or train station with plenty of time for you to catch your flight or train.

If your flight isn’t until the afternoon, please let us know and we can arrange some extra sightseeing in Guangzhou for you.

Prices and What’s Included 

Unlike other tours in China, we do not ask you to tip your tour guides and drivers each day. Instead, we pay our tour guides and drivers a fair wage, so they do not need to ask for tips.

Cost pp: £2,600/7-8 people in one group; £2,950/5-6 people in one group; £3,530/3-4 people in one group; £3,980/2 people in one group.

Single supp: £480 (Please be advised that, if you are the last person joining the tour or if there is no one in the group who you can share with, you may need to pay for the single supplement. We will advise you if this is the case when you enquire about the tour.)

What’s Included: 12 nights of shared accommodation (based on 2 people per room at hotels); all transportation costs during the designated tour time (high speed trains and private mini coach in Guizhou); meals shown in the itinerary (three meals in Guizhou everyday); all entrances fees to the designated attractions within the tour; and services of our tour guides for the entirety of the tour.

What’s Not Included: Flights; visa; and travel insurance.

If you like the look of this tour but would prefer to take it privately, we can tailor it to your specifications and design a bespoke tour for you or your group. Simply contact us on info@asiaculturaltravel.co.uk for a free email consultation with one of our travel experts.

How can I sign up to this tour?

Step 1 ⇒ Contact us directly to talk about the tour in more detail.

Step 2 ⇒ Book online and pay the £100 deposit. If you have an exclusive discount code, please enter it into the Enquiry box.

Step 3 ⇒ We will send you the invoice confirming you have been booked on the tour. Once you receive the invoice, you have 30 days to pay an additional £500, which will secure your place on the tour.

Step 4 ⇒ Please note that the final cost of the tour will be based on the number of participants and will be split into two payments. The first payment must be made within 3 months of the tour’s start date and is based on the minimum price of the tour minus your £600 deposit. After that, you will need to pay the remaining balance one month before the tour is due to leave based on the tour subscription. In the meantime, we will advise you on how to apply for your visa and keep you updated on the subscription of the tour.

Step 5 ⇒ Once you have made the final payment, we will send you our exclusive tour e-book, which contains a detailed itinerary of the tour and in-depth information on the areas we’ll be visiting.

Step 6 ⇒ Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure!

We are happy to answer any questions you may have and we will always keep you up to date on the progress of the tour subscription.