Classic China With Guizhou Minority

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Hong Kong

  Hong Kong served as China's sole western gateway in the past, now it draws droves of visitors to sample exquisite cuisine and diverse cultures. Upon touching down at Hong Kong International Airport, your guide awaits to whisk you away to the hotel.

  • Hong Kong

• Day 2: Hong Kong

  It's a free day on your own. Due to the well-developed public transportation and the wide use of English, you can explore this city on your own leisurely without any problem. We suggest spending the day like this:

  Ride the iconic Star Ferry across the iconic Victoria Harbor for iconic views. Grab the famous Peak Tram for stunning skyline panoramas from Victoria Peak. Indulge in international cuisine while taking in the sights.

  Shop till you drop hopping between glitzy malls and lively wet markets. No trip is complete without catching the spectacular nightly "Symphony of Lights" laser show, best viewed from the ferries or Kowloon waterfront bars.

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  • Hong Kong

• Day 3: Hong Kong - Guilin

  Continue the city exploration on your own and then be transferred to the railway station for the high-speed train (3.5 hours) to Guilin. On arrival, a local tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.

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  • Guilin

• Day 4: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  Rise early and hit the road for Guilin's natural spectacles - the renowned Li River! A 50-minute drive delivers you to the dock to embark on this scenic voyage. Settle back and unwind as lush peaks painted in endless shades of green glide serenely past. Savor the slow pace on calm waters, absorbing mesmerizing vistas around each tranquil bend. Spend 3-4 leisurely hours soaking up Guilin's lush beauty from the river. Disembark refreshed in bustling Yangshuo around 2 pm. Stretch your legs wandering West Street's lively laneways.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 5: Yangshuo

  Free day for you to relax in the idyllic countryside. You may like to take a leisurely bamboo rafting; a slight countryside cycling or try your hand at Chinese cooking. All of these can be arranged by your hotel directly or with the help of your guide.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 6: Yangshuo - Guilin - Congjiang - Zhaoxing

  Kick off an exciting day excursion by boarding the high-speed train to Congjiang with your Guilin guide. Arriving in about one hour, a private van then transport you deep into rural Guizhou.

  Upon reaching Zhaoxing, immerse in centuries of Dong heritage by visiting its most iconic hamlet, the renowned Zhaoxing Dong Village. Wander its atmospheric alleys fringed with drum towers, taking in charming local architecture. Meet friendly villagers and gain insights into their musical traditions and cuisine. Perhaps catch a cultural performance or sample local food.

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  • Zhaoxing

• Day 7: Zhaoxing, Local Minority Villages

  Today promises cultural immersion as you visit several unique villages housing various ethnic groups. Begin with Basha Miao Village, the final home to China's gunman tribe. Journey to the mysterious Zhanli Dong Village, guarding ancient secrets of population balance. Experience the musical heritage of Xiaohuang Dong Village, the birthplace of the polyphonic folk song Dage. Conclude in authentic Huanggang Dong Village, retaining its charm overlooked by time. Interact with villagers throughout and gain nuanced insights into their diversity while admiring well-preserved traditional architecture and lifestyles in each remote hamlet.

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  • Zhaoxing

• Day 8: Zhaoxing - Congjiang - Guiyang

  Visit Tang'an Village, hike from there for around 2 to 3 hours to enjoy the terraced field scenery, and then get to Congjiang railway station for the high-speed train to Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province. Upon arrival, a local tour guide will welcome you and send you to your hotel.

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  • Guiyang

• Day 9: Guiyang - Anshun - Guiyang, Ancient Towns

  Tianlong Tunbao in Anshun is an ancient town built in the Ming Dynasty. For more than 600 years, people here have maintained traditional dress and customs. As a branch of the Han nationality, they are completely different from other Han people or the ethnic minorities in Guizhou.

  Today, you will drive forward northwest for about 1.5 hours to visit this special town, and there you may happen to watch a local opera performance. Later on, another 1.5 hours driving to the east will take you to Qingyan Old Town, another historical town with lots of relics of Ming and Qing Styles.

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  • Guiyang

• Day 10: Guiyang - Xi'an, Hanyang Tomb

  Take a flight departing from Guiyang in the morning. Arrive in Xi'an 2 hours later, be met by a local tour guide, and accompanied to visit Hanyang Tomb, which will show you the court life of the imperial family and the production scene of ordinary people in the Han Dynasty about 2,000 years ago. Later, drive about one hour to your hotel downtown.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 11: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors

  Today's highlight is the legendary Terracotta Warriors. Different from the Hanyang Tomb visited one day before, the Terracotta Warriors will demonstrate the great military power of the Qin Dynasty which was just before the Han Dynasty. You can spend around 2.5 hours there to marvel at the remarkable archaeological discovery consisting of thousands of soldiers, along with chariots and horses, arranged in battle formation pits. After that, stroll through Muslim Street and have a glimpse of Chinese Muslims' real life.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 12: Xi'an - Pingyao, Local Family Cooking

  Visit a local family in the morning. There, make dumplings or stretch noodles, cook homely dishes, and enjoy a meal with the family members. If time permits, you will have an opportunity to go to market with the host. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train to Pingyao. Arrive after 3 hours, be met and escorted to your hotel.

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  • Pingyao

• Day 13: Pingyao, Pingyao Ancient City, Wang Family Compound

  Follow your tour guide to explore the well-preserved Pingyao Ancient City, and visit the oldest bank in China - Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Ming-Qing Street, and other historic sites hidden in the town.

  Late in the day, get out of the old town to visit Wang Family Compound, which is regarded as one of the most renowned examples of Chinese residential complex and a masterpiece of Chinese vernacular architecture.

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  • Pingyao

• Day 14: Pingyao - Beijing, Shuanglin Temple

  This morning, you'll explore the renowned Shuanglin Temple located just a short drive from Pingyao City. Established in the 6th century, this expansive temple complex spanning 15,000 square meters houses over 2,000 remarkably preserved painted clay sculptures and frescoes dating back centuries. After taking in this treasure trove of Chinese Buddhist art, board a high-speed train to Beijing. On arrival, be transferred to the hotel and enjoy some free time on your own.

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  • Beijing

• Day 15: Beijing, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven

  As the political center of today and old times, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City should be always on your visit list in Beijing. Your exploration of the capital city will start with them.

  After spending around 40 minutes on the square, you will then proceed to the Forbidden City to admire the palace where imperial families lived and listen to the stories behind them.

  The next stop is Jingshan Park, where you can get a fabulous panoramic view of the Forbidden City and the surrounding cityscape. Finally, end today's tour at the Temple of Heaven, a divine place the feudal emperors visited yearly to pray for a good harvest.

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  • Beijing

• Day 16: Beijing, Jinshanling Great Wall

  What better finale than encountering one of the world's most iconic landmarks? Following breakfast, embark on a scenic 2.5-hour drive into history at Jinshanling Great Wall. Nestled 130km from Beijing amid splendid isolation, it promises exclusivity over congested spots.

  Spend the afternoon hiking moderately along centuries-old battlements, taking in sweeping vistas for 3-4 leisurely hours. Absorb nature's beauty mingling with human monumentality along the way. As daylight starts to fade, relish this last taste of grandeur before winding back to the city.

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  • Beijing

• Day 17: Beijing, Departure

  Time to say goodbye. When you are ready, the guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and send you to the airport for your flight back home.

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