Explore the Fantastical Karst Landforms of Southwest China
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
—John Muir, “John of the Mountains”
Nestled like a rippling jewel in the southwest of China, the province of Guizhou is known for its rolling hills and verdant mountainous terrain. Among all of the breathtaking scenery that this province has to offer, none are more fantastical or magnificent than the Karst mountains and caves.
The term “karst” refers to a type of topography that is formed when soluble rocks, such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum, are gradually worn away by rainfall, lakes, rivers or other flowing water. Typically this weathering produces sinkholes and caves but, when the water is acidic enough, it can wear down limestone bedrock, which results in the formation of Karst mountains. After millions of years of erosion, the landscape in Guizhou province has been blessed by the spectacular landforms that we see today.
During this tour, we will witness the majesty of nature first-hand.
We will have the opportunity to hike on and around these beautiful mountains; we will marvel at breathtaking waterfalls in Karst valleys;
we will discover an amazing “underground world”; we will journey through colossal caves;
we will visit the land of Avatar; we will delve into Chinese history within ancient towns and villages;
and we will engage with ethnic minorities communities, where we will be amazed by their unique culture and art.
Participants Max: 8
Duration: 14 days and 13 nights
Tour in 2024: 27th of Oct- 9th of Nov
Tour in 2025: 26th of Oct- 8th of Nov
Highlights
Maling River Gorge
Carved into the rock over millions of years by the surging Maling River, the Maling River Gorge is about 75 kilometers (47 mi) and has an average depth of between 200 to 400 metres (656-1312 ft.). This ethereal landscape is home to around 100 waterfalls, which are all at least 100 metres (328 ft.) in height. The most famous of these are the Pearl Waterfall and the Rainbow Waterfall.
The Pearl Waterfall is so-named because it is located on a high cliff, meaning that its droplets are often dispersed by the wind and give the appearance of sparkling pearls floating in the air. By contrast, the Rainbow Waterfall is actually made up of a series of eight waterfalls that all cascade down nearby cliff-faces. Since they are all within such close proximity to one another, the area surrounding their base is frequently shrouded with mist and the splashing water can cause rainbows to appear when the sun is shining.
Highlights
The Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks
A landscape unlike any other awaits those who are curious enough to wander deep into the lesser-known countryside of Guizhou province. Known poetically as Wanfenglin or “The Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks”, this breathtaking landscape is so-named because the verdant Karst mountains scattered across its expanse are so plentiful that they give the appearance of a strange and beautiful forest. From February to April, the area is blanketed in rich golden hues as the rape flowers blossom, which adds an extra layer of beauty to the region.
As far back as the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the renowned geographer Xu Xiake decided to pay a visit to this unusual landscape and praised it highly, stating: “There are many peaks and mountains in this world, but only here can the peaks be truly called a forest.” If anything, Xu Xiake’s praise might be an understatement, as this stony “forest” is made up of nearly 20,000 peaks! Read more about The Forest of Ten Thousand Peaks.
Highlights
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
The landscape of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has attracted admiration throughout the world, in part thanks to its inclusion in James Cameron’s cinematic epic Avatar. Yet there’s far more to these incredible mountains than what you may have seen on the silver screen!
Embedded deep within the subtropical forests of northwestern Hunan province, the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is home to a dizzying collection of 243 peaks and over 3,000 sandstone pinnacles, which naturally dominate the landscape.
The Avatar Hallelujah Mountain can be found in a section of the park known as Yuanjiajie, which offers breath-taking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and thus ranks as the most popular part of the park. While seeing the panoramic view from the top of Yuanjiajie will undoubtedly take your breath away, the view from the bottom of the mountains is certainly no less magnificent. Be forewarned, however, that the area around the stream is inhabited by wild macaques, so be sure not to monkey around or you might attract some unwanted attention! Read more about Zhangjiajie National Park.
Highlights
Ziyun Getu River Scenic Spot
Surrounded by Karst mountains and embedded with hidden caves, the Ziyun Getu River Scenic Spot is a paradise for nature lovers. It is arguably most well-known for three main sightseeing areas: the Swallow Cave, the Chuangshang Cave, and the Blind Valley.
In-keeping with its name, the Swallow Cave is home to thousands of nesting swallows that can be seen flying in and out of the cave, particularly at sunrise and sunset when they head out to gather food or come home to roost for the night. The Chuangshang Cave, by contrast, is actually an underground tunnel that has a section of the Getu River running through it!
At the end of the Chuangshang Cave lies a glass elevator that carries visitors all the way up to the Blind Valley. This ancient valley has been protected by the surrounding mountains for hundreds of years and is home to a primitive forest that is packed with rare plant species.
Highlights
Zhijin Cave National Geopark
With its ethereal splendour and strangely beautiful rock formations, Zhijin Cave has often been described as a vast underground palace and appears to have been torn straight from the pages of a fairytale. In fact, the name “zhijin” literally translates to mean “weaving gold,” which should give you some idea as to how beautiful this cave system is. Located in the small village of Minzhai, Zhijin Cave is a karst cave that is 173 metres (568 ft.) wide and 150 metres (492 ft.) tall at its largest point. To put that into perspective, you could fit the entire Statue of Liberty into its largest cavern with plenty of room to spare!
What makes this cave system particularly special is that it is home to a dizzying array of karst formations and has even earned the nickname of the “Karst Museum.” Over forty different types of karst formations can be found throughout the cave system, which makes it reasonably unique amongst karst cave networks. In particular, it is home to rare karst formations made from semiolite, prehnite, and bloodstone, which endows the interior of the cave with a variety of magical shapes and colours. The sharp stalactites hanging from the ceiling and the piercing stalagmites rising from the floor give the interior of the cave an entrancing alien appearance. Read more about Zhijin Cave.
Highlights
Huangguoshu Waterfall
It is 74 metres (243 ft.) high and 81 metres (266 ft.) wide, making it the largest waterfall in China. It is actually a cluster of waterfalls and is named after the largest waterfall of the cluster, Huangguoshu Waterfall, but also contains Doupotang Waterfall, Luositan Waterfall, Spider Cave Waterfall, Lumei Pond Waterfall, and Longmen Flying Waterfall, to name but a few. Each of these waterfalls has its own unique charm, but Huangguoshu Waterfall is undoubtedly the most magnificent. This cluster of waterfalls is located on the Baishui River and is about 45 kilometres southwest of Anshun City, Guizhou. It is more often referred to as Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park.
Highlights
Mount Fanjing
The name “Fanjing” is actually an abbreviation of the term “Fantian Jingtu” (梵天净土), which refers to the Pure Land within Buddhist scripture that is supposedly ruled by the heavenly king Brahma. It should come as no surprise that Mount Fanjing thus ranks as one of the most sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Alongside being named after the Pure Land, it is also reputed to be bodhimaṇḍa, the place in which one reaches enlightenment, for the Maitreya Buddha.
As well as its spiritual pedigree, this sprawling mountain range is famed for its biodiversity and is inhabited by a number of rare species, including the Guizhou golden monkey, the Chinese giant salamander, forest musk deer, and Reeve’s pheasant. Journeying through the mountain’s wild forests and passing by its venerable old temples is like taking a step into a fairytale wonderland.
Highlights
Fenghuang Ancient Town
The name “Fenghuang” literally translates to mean “Phoenix”, which in Chinese tradition is associated with good fortune and longevity. Its most unique feature is undoubtedly its wooden diaojiaolou, which perch delicately over the river. The incorporation of the river into the town’s layout demonstrates how important it is to the villagers to live in harmony with nature. It is not uncommon to see women washing clothes or men casting their fishing nets into its expanse, much like they have done for centuries. Boatmen wait by the banks, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a scenic cruise up and down the river.
the vast majority of Fenghuang’s population is made up of Miao and Tujia people. Miao traditions, architecture, and culture dominate the town, from their elegant traditional dress to their intricate handicrafts. Read more about Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Highlights
Hibiscus Town
Originally known as the village of Wang or Wangcun, Hibiscus Town was renamed in 2007 due to its inclusion as a set in the wildly popular Chinese film Hibiscus Town. The film, which was originally made in 1986, follows the struggles of a peasant woman named Hu Yuyin after she is labelled a "new rich peasant" and it is widely regarded as the most famous Chinese film about the Cultural Revolution. The town itself has a history stretching back over 2,000 years ago and has been the home of the Tujia ethnic minority for centuries. Its greatest claim to fame, however, is undoubtedly the Furong Waterfall, which is located within the town itself. This 60-metre (197 ft.) tall waterfall forms a focal part of the landscape in the town and the soothing sound of the cascading waters can supposedly be heard from over 16 kilometres (10 mi) away! Alongside the waterfall, the town is dotted with beautifully preserved traditional architecture that is sure to transport you back in time.
Highlights
Loushang Ancient Village
Much like Qingyan, the ancient village of Loushang was established during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and boasts a history that stretches back for over 500 years. This quaint village is connected by a network of 2,000 metres (6,500 ft.) of paved roads that are designed in the shape of the character “shou” (寿), which translates to mean “longevity” and expresses the wishes of those who constructed the village that its locals may enjoy a long life.
Since the village has yet to be developed for tourism, it represents an ancient slice of calm within the mountains of Guizhou province. Perhaps its only claim to fame is that it is a popular resting spot for Siberian white cranes, which can often be spotted at the entrance to the village.
Highlights
Stay overnight inside a Karst mountain
After admiring some of the stunning Karst landforms China has to offer, do you want to get to know them a little better? How about sleeping inside of a Karst cave?
The huge camping cave we will use is situated deep within the centre of a mountain. From the mouth of the cave, we'll be able to enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. You may be surprised to hear that this Karst cave has two storeys inside! The ground floor of the cave has been kept in its natural condition. We will have our dinner there with the local Bouyei people, who will welcome us by singing beautiful folk songs and offering us their homemade wine! Traditionally, you would have to choose between drinking the wine or singing a song back to them. Don't worry if you can't drink or sing, however, as they won't be offended.
The second storey has been built using a wooden frame and has a wooden floor. Although it may not provide the most authentic experience, it helps to keep the camping area clean and flat, which in turn makes it more comfortable. After our long day of hiking, we all deserve a soft bed to sleep in, so you'll be delighted to find that your "camp bed" isn't like a normal camp bed. Before we have dinner, it is a good choice of sitting in a chair, gaze out at the surrounding landscape, and drink some tea (or some beer, if you prefer!).
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Chongqing
We recommend flying directly into Chongqing if possible, as there are direct flights from London every Saturday and several direct flights from other European cities.
You can, however, choose to fly into Beijing or Shanghai instead, and take a connecting flight to Chongqing. We can advise you on flight times.
We will pick you up at Chongqing International Airport.
Before we head off for our amazing Karst adventure in the mountains of Guizhou province, let’s enjoy a welcome dinner together made up of signature dishes from traditional Chongqing cuisine.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chongqing
Meals Included: A welcome dinner together made up of Chongqing cuisine.
Please Note: We will arrange two airport pick-ups during the day: 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 A Fairytale World Inside an Underground Cave
In the morning, we will take the high-speed train from Chongqing to Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou, and arrive there at around midday. Then we will take on our private mini coach to Zhijindong Cave National Geopark, which is the largest underground Karst cave in China.
Prepare for a magical journey into a fairytale world!
Later in the afternoon, we will drive to Anshun in order to rest after a long trip.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Anshun.
Itinerary
Day 3 China’s Largest Waterfall and the 24-Zig Road
In the morning, let’s go to visit the largest waterfall in China, the Huangguoshu Waterfall! We will hike from the top of the hill and then head downhill so that we can get close to the waterfall. You may be surprised to hear that we’ll pass a Catholic church along the way!
In the afternoon, we will go to visit a “challenging road” — the 24-zig, which became famous as a symbol of the support from the US army during the Second World War. It is named because of the 24 sharp bends that give the road a zig-zag appearance.
You can either experience the 24-zig road in the car, or take a cable car to enjoy a breathtaking aerial view of it from the top of the mountain.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Xingyi
Itinerary
Day 4 The Forest of Hills
We will spend the whole morning hiking along the pathway in the Forest of Hills. In March, we will arrive as the spring flowers start to blossom, while in October we will get to see the golden splendour of the autumn fields.
After lunch, we will drive to a special Buddhist temple that has been built inside of a large cave within a mountain. Its name is the Thousand Buddha Temple.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: Guesthouse inside the Forest of Hills
Itinerary
Day 5 Venturing Down into a Deep Valley
Let’s change things up as we find another way to marvel at the Karst Mountains, by taking a boat out onto Wanfeng Lake.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Maling River Gorge, where we will enjoy a hike from the top of mountain down to the valley. During our hike, we will have the opportunity to see some beautiful waterfalls cascading down the cliff-sides.
If we have time after our hike, we will go to the Jade Emperor Peak to admire a marvelous panoramic view of the Forest of Hills.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: Guesthouse inside the Forest of Hills
Itinerary
Day 6 An Excursion Through the Caves
We will drive to the Ziyun Getu River Scenic Spot, which is home to several communities of Bouyei and Miao people. We will board a boat to travel through two large caves, and then take a lift to the top of the mountain. From there, we will have a birds-eye view of the magnificent Blind Valley.
In the afternoon, we will drive to the starting point of our hiking route. From there, we will walk for about 2 hours until we reach an old Bouyei village.
Then 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!
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: Private tent in the camping cave
Itinerary
Day 7 Travel Back to the Ming Dynasty
Loushang Ancient Village （楼上古寨）was built in 1494 and was originally home to people from only one clan, the Zhou family. Thanks to its remote location nestled deep inside the mountains, the village has been well-preserved and offers us a vivid insight into what life was like over 500 years ago.
We will drive for about 4 hours to reach the village in the morning, and in the later afternoon we will go to stay in a Tujia ethnic minority village.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: Tujia-style guesthouse in the village of Yunshe.
Itinerary
Day 8 The “ Pure Land of Brahma”
Today, we will head out on a breathtaking tour to admire the natural world! In the morning, we will hike up Fanjing Mountain. Its name refers to the Pure Land in Buddhist scripture that was said to be ruled over by the heavenly king Brahma and it thus ranks as one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism in China. The mountain is unsurprisingly home to a series of beautiful Buddhist temples. However, for nature lovers, its unique rock formations will undoubtedly be more attractive to look at.
We will spend around 4 hours hiking and wandering throughout the mountain range so that we can fully appreciate its natural beauty.
On this day, our hotel will be in the most beautiful town in Hunan Province, Fenghuang or Phoenix Ancient Town, which is home to the Miao and Tujia people.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Guizhou cuisine.
Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Phoenix Ancient Town
Itinerary
Day 9 The Village Above a Waterfall
We will spend the morning exploring the beautiful Fenghuang or Phoenix Ancient Town, and then in the afternoon we will drive to Wang Village, which is also known as Hibiscus Town.
The village itself is quite small, but the waterfall within it is a real wonder to behold. There is a local specialty in the village known as rice tofu, which became famous due to its inclusion in the film Hibiscus Town. Perhaps you could give it a try at lunchtime.
We will spend the whole afternoon in the village. Of course, we won’t miss the waterfall! We will have the opportunity to get quite close to the it, so that we can enjoy its splendor. In the later afternoon, we will drive for another hour and a half to get to Zhangjiajie.
All three meals included: We’ll enjoy 3 meals together made up of dishes from traditional Hunan cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Zhangjiajie
Itinerary
Day 10 Experience the Magic of the Avatar Mountains
Finally, we will pay a visit to the Zhangjiajie National Park, where thousands of sharp hills are waiting for us in the clouds. We will spend two days in the park!
The park consists of three core areas: Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, and Yangjiajie Scenic Area. On the first day, we will head to Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie to enjoy the most stunning view from the top of the mountains.
In Yuanjiajie, we will take the Bailong Elevator. Rising to a height of 326 m (1,070 ft.), it is the highest outdoor elevator in the world!
We will also take the cable car to get to the top of Tianzi Mountain.
Meals included: Breakfast in the hotel, dinner made up of local Hunan cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Zhangjiajie
Itinerary
Day 11 Hiking in an Otherworldly Paradise and Conquering the Glass bridge
Today, we’ll have yet another opportunity to embrace the beauty of nature by taking a lovely hike. We will follow the path alongside the Golden Whip Stream, where we can walk through a beautiful and tranquil valley.
Then let’s head to the Yangjiajie Scenic Area. We will meet some locals along the way, although you may be surprised to hear that these “locals” are really wild monkeys!
On this day, everyone is free to explore the scenic area at their leisure. If you are afraid of getting lost, however, you can always stay with one of our guides instead.
In the afternoon, you can choose to challenge yourself by crossing the glass bridge, which we can visit within the sprawling Zhangjiajie Geopark. This is an optional activity. If you let us know in advance, we will arrange to drive anyone who wants to take part to the scenic area and have one of our guides accompany you. Participants will need to pay for their entry ticket and split their guide's ticket between them, as this activity is not included in the overall tour price. Read more about Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon.
Meals included: Breakfast in the hotel, dinner made up of local Hunan cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Zhangjiajie
Itinerary
Day 12 Return to City Life
We will drive for about 3 hours to Shi’en Train station, where we will take the high speed train back to Chongqing.
After a short rest in the hotel, let’s go out to Chaotianmen Square where the Jialing River merges with the Yangtze River. It is more beautiful at night, since you can watch the shimmering colours of the surrounding neon lights on the water.
Then let’s soak in the vibrant nightlife of the city in Hongyadong, where we can engage with local Chongqing culture. Hongyadong has a history that stretches back over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest and most venerable sites in the city of Chongqing. It was originally used as a military fortress when the region was ruled by the ancient State of Ba (1046-256 BC) and continued to be used in this capacity right up until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Nowadays, its most striking feature is an 11-storey stilt house that abuts the steep cliff-face and is said to resemble the hauntingly beautiful Diaolou of Guangdong province. Standing at an impressive 75 metres (245 ft.) in height, this building is so large that it even contains a small waterfall, which trickles down the rocky cliff-face and can be seen on the building’s second floor.
Hongyadong is also the most popular place for street food and traditional Chongqing cuisine. You will be free to explore the area at your leisure and sample any of the food that catches your eye.
Meals included: Breakfast in the hotel, Guests are free to sample the local food themselves.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chongqing
Itinerary
Day 13 The “Hilly City”
Chongqing is nicknamed the “Hilly City” or the “Mountain City” because the city was originally built on a mountain range.
This morning we will take a walk along the footpath in the old town. During the walk, we will witness some of the oldest buildings in Chongqing and we will get to see the local's traditional way of life. There is a short wooden walkway alongside the old wall, where we will be able to see the Yangtze River and the skyscrapers in the modern part of the city.
In the afternoon, we will travel to Ciqikou Ancient Town, where traditional local culture has been preserved for hundreds of years. This venerable old town was once a major trading port along the Jialing River and is now well-known for its dedication to maintaining its ancient customs, such as dragon dances and its teahouse culture.
Meals included: Breakfast in the hotel, dinner of traditional Chinese cuisine.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Chongqing"
Itinerary
Day 14 Your Onward Journey
In the morning, we will escort you to the train station or airport with plenty of time for you to catch your train or flight.
If your flight isn’t until the afternoon, please let us know and we can arrange some extra sightseeing in Chongqing for you.
If you decide to continue traveling, we’ll be on hand to help you book any travel tickets or hotels should you need us to. If you need any recommendations on where to travel, please do not hesitate to ask us.
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: £2,350/9-10 people in one group; £2,850/7-8 people in one group; £3,150/5-6 people in one group; £3,850/3-4 people in one group.
Single supp: £650 (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: 13 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 and Hunan, taxi and underground in Chongqing); meals shown in the itinerary (three meals in Guizhou and Hunan 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.
Please click here to download the brochure for this tour.
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.