China Escape Tour to Guilin, Guizhou and Zhangjiajie

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Guilin

  Arrive in the picturesque city of Guilin, known for its dreamy karst landscapes featuring towering hills along the Li River. Upon arrival, be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel to rest and recover from your journey.

  • Guilin

• Day 2: Guilin to Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  Embark on a scenic cruise along the Li River in the morning, gliding past dramatic limestone peaks, bamboo groves, and riverside villages. This scenic cruise can be an unforgettable experience for anyone who visits Guilin.

  Arrive in Yangshuo in 3-4 hours and enjoy free time. You can stroll along the West Street or relax by the riverbank amid stunning rural scenery.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 3: Yangshuo - Congjiang, Countryside Cycling & Zhaoxing Dong Village

  Enjoy a morning bike ride through Yangshuo's idyllic countryside - passing rice paddies, water buffalo, and karst hills.

  Later, take a high-speed train to Congjiang and transfer to Zhaoxing Dong Village, where stilted houses and drum towers welcome you into Dong ethnic heritage.

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  • Zhaoxing

• Day 4: Zhanli Village & Huanggang Dong Village Discovery

  Venture into remote Dong villages, where ancient customs and traditions are well-preserved and locals' genuine smiles reflect their simple values.

  Your first stop is Zhanli, where each couple traditionally has only two children-always one boy and one girl. According to rules passed down from generation to generation since the village was first built: no marriage outside the village is allowed, in order to keep the secret of a mysterious herb said to help women give birth to a child of the desired gender.

  Continue to Huanggang, the hometown of Dong songs. Here, villagers believe that "food nourishes body and songs nourish the heart". So, from children learning to speak to the elderly with unsteady steps, almost everyone here can sing. Strolling in the village, you may encounter locals singing or playing lushing - a traditional reed instrument-singly for the joy of it.

  Late afternoon, drive back to Zhaoxing Dong Village for some leisure time and self-guided exploration. Although a bit commercialized, the winding streams, quaint drum towers, and boutique shops tucked away in narrow alleys still hold the charm of unexpected discoveries.

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  • Zhaoxing

• Day 5: Zhaoxing - Kaili, Tang'an Rice Terrace Hike

  Start your day with a rewarding hike from Zhaoxing to Tang'an Village, where you'll find Xanadu-like rice terraces, shaped by the natural contours of the land as well as the hard work and wisdom of the local people. Walk along the scenic paths, and immerse yourself in the slow-paced life here.

  After lunch, drive about 3.5 hours to Kaili, the cultural heart of Guizhou's ethnic Miao communities. Upon arrival, settle into your hotel and prepare for your upcoming ethnic exploration!

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  • Kaili

• Day 6: Miao Village with Blocking-Wine & Countryside Hiking

  This morning, hike from Lower Langde to Upper Langde (approx. 40 minutes), where you will be greeted by the traditional Miao ethnic "blocking wine" ritual - a vibrant welcome ceremony in which you'll be invited to drink the villagers' home-brewed wine.

  Explore the village and meet locals dressed in traditional Miao attire adorned with exquisite silver jewelry. Enjoy a colorful performance that offers a glimpse into the Miao people's most important daily rituals and their unique way of expressing joy and sorrow.

  After lunch, set off on a scenic two-hour trek to Baode, another untouched Miao hamlet. Along the way, pass by vegetable gardens, rice paddies, and fields dotted with wildflowers in bloom. Parts of the trail follow narrow ridges between the paddies, where you may encounter local farmers tending to their fields.

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  • Kaili

• Day 7: Kaili - Zhengyuan, Silver Handcrafter Village & Zhenyuan Ancient Town

  In the morning, transfer from Kaili to Kongbai, a tranquil village known for generations of Miao silversmiths. Catch a glimpse into the Miao ethnic group's history as you learn about the types and intricate patterns of their silver jewelry, the cultural significance of silver, and how it is deeply woven into everyday life. Afterward, take a 2-hour drive to Zhenyuan. This quiet town remains relatively untouched compared with many other ancient towns in China. Explore this riverside town's ancient alleyways and historical buildings.

  In the evening, enjoy a peaceful night cruise on the Wuyang River, an unforgettable way to experience the town's nightlife, as the riverside glows under colorful lights.

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  • Zhenyuan

• Day 8: Mount Fanjing Exploration & Local Foot Therapy

  In the morning, drive 2 hours to reach the UNESCO-listed Mount Fanjing, a sacred Buddhist peak with surreal rock formations and mist-shrouded trails. Home to over 7,100 species, including some found only in China, it's also one of the world's most species-diverse areas.

  Ascending by cable car and continue on foot to discover otherworldly landscapes: the iconic Mushroom Rock delicately balanced on a narrow base, and the twin peaks of Red Cloud Golden Summit soaring above the clouds. With a bit of luck, you may witness sea of clouds or even the rare "Buddha's halo" phenomenon.

  After the tour, indulge in a traditional foot massage - the perfect reward after an invigorating day.

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  • Tongren

• Day 9: Tongren Grand Canyon Hike & Boat Ride, Phoenix Ancient Town

  Head to Tongren Grand Canyon for a light hike, following thrilling cliff-side walkways - which are completely safe yet allow you to experience the dramatic landscape up close. Along the way, enjoy the refreshing spray of cascading waterfalls, crystal-clear mountain streams, and the delicate beauty of wildflowers and butterflies. Continue with a short boat ride along peaceful water, flanked by cliffs and lush greenery.

  Afterward, drive about one hour to the atmospheric Phoenix Ancient Town, famed for its riverside stilt houses and twilight views. As night falls, you can step into a bar to listen to folk rhyme while soaking in the mesmerizing evening scenery.

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  • Fenghuang

• Day 10: Fenghuang - Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area

  Today, a 3-hour scenic drive will take you to Zhangjiajie. Here, begin your adventure at the dramatic Tianmen Mountain. Ascend via the world's longest cable car, soaring over lush valleys and sheer cliffs. At the summit, challenge yourself on the glass skywalks suspended above a vertical drop, and take in sweeping views from cliffside platforms. Explore the Tianmen Cave or "Heaven's Gate" - a giant natural arch carved into the mountain. The blend of heart-pounding walkways and majestic mountain beauty makes Tianmen a perfect introduction to the region's charming landscapes.

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  • Zhangjiajie

• Day 11: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park & Tianzi Mountain

  Spend the day exploring Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, celebrated for its towering sandstone pinnacles that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Begin at Yuanjiajie, where dramatic rock columns emerge from a sea of mists, including the renowned "Hallelujah Mountain" and the vertigo-inducing Bailong Elevator, the world's highest outdoor lift. Continue to Tianzi Mountain, a highland viewpoint offering panoramic vistas over deep valleys and endless spires cloaked in mist. This surreal, otherworldly terrain is a paradise for photographers, hikers, and nature lovers alike.

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  • Zhangjiajie

• Day 12: Golden Whip Stream Hike, Yellow Dragon Cave, Departure

  Conclude your Zhangjiajie experience with a peaceful hike along the Golden Whip Stream, where a gentle trail winds through lush forest and past crystal-clear waters, flanked by towering cliffs and fantastically shaped peaks. Keep an eye out for monkeys along the banks and enjoy the serenity of one of the park's most beautiful walking routes.

  Afterward, descend into the Yellow Dragon Cave, one of China's largest karst caverns, filled with fantastical stalactites, underground rivers, and dramatic chambers. Then, transfer to the airport, bringing your scenic and cultural journey to a close.

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