Guizhou Miao and Dong Tribes Adventure Tour
Overview
8 days Miao and Dong tribes adventure tour showcases Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture - the Southeast Guizhou. It is the top choices for travelers who are interested in mystic ethnic minority’s culture. Embark on this journey to Guizhou, spending several days in "another world" with local people to see their original life style, exquisitely-made embroidery dress and shiny silver accessory. And you will visit must-see sights like Jiaxiu Tower, Qingyan Ancient Town, Xijiang Miao Village and Zhaoxing Dong Village, and travel off the beaten path to Zhaoxing, Leishan, Basha Miao Village, Datang Miao Village, Jiabang Rice Terraces, Tang'an Dong village, etc.
Duration: 8 days & 7 nights
Destinations: Guiyang - Kaili - Langde - Rongjiang - Jiabang - Zhaoxing - Guiyang
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Welcome to Guiyang! Upon arrival, you will be met by your ETC tour guide at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, drive to the south suburb of Guiyang City for Qingyan Old Town, known as the southern gateway of Guiyang and one of the “top four ancient towns in Guizhou”. It was built in 1378 during the Ming Dynasty to assemble an army, and today still retains its ancient layout with a plethora of Ming and Qing architectures, temples, memorial archways, celebrities’ former residences, etc. Then get in Jiaxiu Tower first built in 1598, the symbol of Guiyang, to view Nanming River, the beautiful surroundings and admire some cultural relics. Overnight at Guiyang.
Depart from Guiyang, and make the 3-hour drive trip to Kaili. You’ve arrived Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Explore Matang Gejia Village inhabited by about 400 residents, where you can witness Gejia people’s intricate embroidery costumes. According to the Gejia custom, the girls should master the skills of embroidery by the age of 5 or 6. They also make themselves the wedding dress when they are getting married. Drive for another 1 hour, getting to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, which retains the the cultural integrity of Miao people's "primitive ecology". It is China’s and even the world’s largest Miao-populated area, consisted of a dozen hillside villages. You may feel that you are exploring an open air museum of Miao nationality, learning the history, culture, mythology and architecture. Besides, you can discover many traditional handicrafts workshops in Xijiang. Overnight in Xijiang.
Meal: B, L
Today, we set out to Shidong Miao Village built along Qingshui River, made of rows of diaojiaolou (stilted building). The village is also named “Zhanxiang”, meaning “trading port”, due to its prosperous commerce in the old times. In a place where there are the traditions and dwellings well preserved, Miao people also keep their own festivals such as Sister Meal Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Miao New Year Festvial, etc. Then we visit another Miao Village - Langde Shang Village, known as “the hometown of Lusheng music”, 27 southeast of Kaili and 15km away of Leishan. The highlight is the ancient architectural complex of diaojiaolou, hall of Lusheng and wind and rain bridge. There is also chance to enjoy exotic Miao dance and music.
Meal: B, L
Start the day with a visit to Datang Town in Leishan County. Deep in the mountains, a group of old and fashionable Miao people have been living here for over 500 years. The girls always dress in mini skirt with a length of 17 to 24cm, whether it is the hot summer or cold winter, hence the name “Mini-skirt” Miao. The upper garment is usually embroidered with beautiful butterfly patterns. The village also features a unique form of granary – built above water for rice storage. The wooden diaojiaolou in the pool (where there is also fish and weeds growing) has the functions of fire prevention, rat prevention and insect prevention, which has been demonstrated for the last 600 years. Then step into Paika Miao Village, unknown to the world, having been making Lusheng (a reed musical instrument popular among Miao, Dong and Yao people, and crucial to local festivals) for more than 400 years. Here you can visit the Lusheng workshop and listen to beautiful Lusheng music all the time.
Travel from Kaili to Rongjiang, visiting Qiaotu Shui Ethnic Village en route. Shui people have their own beliefs, dwelling houses, costumes, languages and even characters. As for costumes, they love to embroider the cloth with horse trail. Arrive at Dali Dong Village, one of the most beautiful villages in China. You can see blue-tile wooden buildings of railing type amid four hundred soaring ancient trees. Discover the Qing Dynasty stone-pave path, Dong courtyards, and the famous ancient wind-and-rain bridges.
Meal: B, L
This morning, head for Tingdong or Xiajiang for the bustling fair at market-day (according to Chinese lunar calendar). It is interesting that people, many in their ethnic costumes, from nearby Miao and Dong villages gather together to buy and sell home-made/planted goods, such as saplings, vegetables, meat, Tabacco weeds, barbecue, colorful embroidery clothes, silver ornaments, etc. Hit the road again, and make the scenic drive to Jiabang Rice Terraces, one of the best and biggest ones in China. It covers an area of 667 hectares and extends mainly on a 25-km express road. There are wooden diaojiaolou scattered on the terraced fields and shrouded in mist. Stay overnight at a guesthouse at Jiabang Rice Terraces, enjoying charming serenity.
Meal: B, L
Wake in fresh air and take in the incredible views of Jiabang Rice Terraces again. Learn from the locals about the “secret” of local farming – there are carp and ducks raised in rice fields. This old ecosystem has been inscribed into Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. Depart Jiabang for Zhaoxing, exploring Basha Miao Village en route. Hidden in the dense bamboo forest, Basha is known as “the last gunman tribe under the sun”. The old customs such as wearing musket, having haircut with sickle and worshiping ancient trees are still kept. In Basha, you’ll see strong Miao men with a bun, which is said to be handed down from the ancient age. Basha Miao people worship trees as gods, and never cut trees unless it is really necessary. Arrive at Zhaoxing Dong Village later today.
Meal: B, L
With a history of over 850 years, Zhaoxing is considered the most important Dong Village in China. Enjoy yourself a nice walk through the village to admire the magnificent Dong drum tower complex, the traditional village layout, waterwheel, traditional crafts, find specialty foods and snacks, and experience the humble local way of living. Later today, transfer to Tang'an Dong Village, with an excellent natural ecological environment, where you can discover traditional Dong dwellings, flower bridge, old water well, ancient tombs, terraced fields, etc. Overnight in Zhaoxing.
Meal: B, L
It is that end of your 8 days Guihzou adventure and time to say goodbye. Drive all the way from Zhaoxing, through Congjiang, to Guiyang airport. Catch your flight to your next destination.
Meal: B
