China Exploration with Guizhou Minority

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Beijing

  Arrive at Beijing Capital Airport where your personal tour guide will meet you and take you to your hotel and assist with the check-in. Make the most of the rest of the day to relax and recover from your journey.

  • Beijing

• Day 2: Beijing, Forbidden City and Summer Palace

  After breakfast, head to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world as well as China's spiritual heart. If you want to see the flag raising ceremony held at sunrise, don't forget to get up early. After passing through the Tiananmen Gate, arrive at the imposing 600-year-old Forbidden City which served as the residence of 24 emperors in the Ming and Qing dynasties and only those who had the permission of the emperor could enter. Afterwards, explore the Summer Palace, an imperial garden where Qing emperors vacationed during the hot days of summer. You can take a short boat ride on Kunming Lake (November to April is unavailable because the lake usually freezes over).

  Optional: In the evening, watch a Kung Fu Show for a taste of Chinese martial art.

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  • Beijing

• Day 3: Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall

  The magnificent Great Wall of China is the most unmissable site for any visitors to Beijing. Built over 2,000 years ago, it stretches around 6,700 km long across northern China. This morning, you'll be able to witness it at Mutianyu, a less visited part of the wall with beautiful mountain views. You may want to take a cable car up and down due to its steep stairs. Afterwards, head to Changling Tomb, the largest and best preserved of the 13 Ming Tombs, and end today's tour in a jade gallery.

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  • Beijing

• Day 4: Beijing - Xi'an, Temple of Heaven

  After breakfast, visit the Temple of Heaven, which is actually not a temple, but a large altar for ancient Chinese emperors to carry out rituals in order to achieve good harvests and eternal peace. Nowadays, it's a popular place for the locals to exercise, practicing Tai Chi, playing instruments, singing or dancing. After lunch, be escorted to the railway station for the high-speed train (4.5-6 hours) to Xi'an. When you arrive, be met by your personal guide and taken to your hotel.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 5: Xi'an, Terracotta Warriors and Muslim Street

  After breakfast, discover the awe-inspiring army of Terracotta Warriors. What makes these clay soldiers so fascinating is not only their great number and life-size, but also their unique, individual facial expressions. After that, continue to Xi'an Art Ceramics Factory where you can learn how these terracotta warriors were made. Visit the Ancient City Wall which is the best-preserved in China before exploring the Muslim Street where you can try some local delicacies, or hunt for souvenirs.

  Optional: Watch an evening Tang Dynasty Show to appreciate the art in the golden era of Chinese history.

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  • Xi'an

• Day 6: Xi'an - Guiyang, Hanyang Tomb, Small Wild Goose Pagoda

  In the morning, try your hand at writing Chinese characters in the Small Wild Goose Pagoda which offers a Calligraphy class in an exhibition hall. Then be transferred to the airport for the flight to Guiyang. On the way to the airport, visit the Hanyang Tomb of Emperor Jing and his wife in the Han Dynasty. On arrival in Guiyang, meet your local guide and be escorted the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

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  • Guiyang

• Day 7: Guiyang - Anshun - Guiyang, Huangguoshu Waterfall

  After breakfast, drive about 2.5 hours to Anshun to see the famous Huangguoshu Waterfall - China's largest waterfall at 74 meters /243 feet tall and 81 meters /266 feet wide. Afterwards, visit Tianlong Tunpu Ancient Town where the centuries-old customs and traditional houses remain intact. With a bit of luck, you may have the opportunity to watch the local Ground Opera once a sacrificial ceremony that was performed by local soldiers to pray for victory in battle.

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  • Guiyang

• Day 8: Guiyang - Kaili, Kaili Folk Museum

  After breakfast, take a 2.5-hour drive to Kaili, home to 48 ethnic groups including Bai, Dai, Dong, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Naxi, and Hani people as well as the cultural hub of the Miao people. Visit the Kaili Folk Museum which houses exhibits including costumes, handicrafts, paintings and architecture of these people, then Matang Gejia Village which is known for its batik and colorful costumes, and Qingman Miao Village where you have the chance to admire its traditional silk felt and cloth weaving.

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  • Kaili

• Day 9: Kaili, Visit Minority Villages

  Today, you'll discover three villages of the Miao people around Kaili: Jidao Miao Village, a lovely quiet village perched by the Bala River where you'll find an old barn, drum and singing hall; Shiqiao Miao Village whose age-old way of using hemp to make paper still survives; and Paika Miao Village where you can learn about its traditional musical instrument called the Lusheng.

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  • Kaili

• Day 10: Kaili - Rongjiang, Chejiang Dong Village

  After breakfast, take a private transfer (3.5 hrs' drive) to Rongjiang. After arrival, visit Chejiang Dong Village which is considered the birthplace of the Dong people who are famed for their drum towers and wind and rain bridges.

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  • Rongjiang

• Day 11: Rongjiang - Zhaoxing, Zhaoxing Dong Village

  Today, drive to Congjiang and visit the Basha Miao Village whose inhabitants still live in wooden houses and follow their ancient customs. You may be surprised that men here have unique hairstyles and are allowed to keep guns. After that, head to Yintan Dong Village that is situated on the mountaintop and known as Guizhou's best preserved Dong village. Continue to Zhaoxing and visit Zhaoxing Dong Village where you'll be amazed by its beautiful wooden houses, drum towers and wind and rain bridges.

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  • Zhaoxing

• Day 12: Zhaoxing - Congjiang - Guilin

  In the morning, transfer to the railway station for a 1-hour high-speed train to Guilin.

  Upon arrival, be met by your private guide and escorted to your hotel. After a short rest, explore the Reed Flute Cave where you may marvel at its extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites illuminated by multi-colored lights. Then visit a Pearl Shop boasting 2,000 different kinds of sea pearls, which is a good place to look around or find souvenirs.

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  • Guilin

• Day 13: Guilin - Yangshuo, Li River Cruise

  After breakfast, drive for about 40 minutes to the pier where you'll leave for Yangshuo on a leisurely Li River cruise (about 3.5-4 hours), which is considered a must-do in Guilin. En route, see spectacular limestone peaks, crystal-clear water, flourishing bamboo groves, and buffaloes grazing on the bank, all of which are picture-perfect for your photo album. Arrive at Yangshuo and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free. You may want to take a stroll along the famous West Street, eat or drink at a local eatery, pub, or café, or shop for some nice souvenirs.

  Optional: In the evening, enjoy the Show Impression of Liusanjie with the stunning Li River and karst hills as the backdrop.

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  • Yangshuo

• Day 14: Yangshuo - Guilin - Shanghai

  After breakfast, explore Yangshuo's countryside (1.5-2 hours) either by bike or by car. During the trip, you can absorb amazing views of rice paddies and hills. If you like, it's also possible to arrange a home visit to learn about the everyday life of the local people. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport escorted by your private guide and driver and fly to Shanghai. On arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 15: Shanghai, the Bund and Yu Garden

  After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of this vibrant, futuristic city. Start from the state-of-the-art Shanghai Museum (closed on Mondays), home to an excellent collection of ancient Chinese artifacts, then wander around the classic Yu Garden with pagodas, pavilions, fountains and flowers to see, then the adjacent Yuyuan Market. Make a stop at a Silk Workshop to learn about how silk is processed before heading to the Former French Concession with its leafy boulevards, boutiques, bars, cafes, etc. Today's tour ends with a walk along the Bund, a waterfront area which has long been seen as the symbol of Shanghai.

  Optional: In the evening, enjoy an entertaining Acrobatic Show, a perfect blend of opera, Kungfu, and dance.

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  • Shanghai

• Day 16: Shanghai, Departure

  Today, spend some free time until you are escorted to the airport for your onward flight.

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