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25 Days South China Minorities Discovery by Speed Train

25 Days South China Minorities Discovery by Speed Train

Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi all boast stunning natural sceneries and rich minority cultures. During this tour, we will explore the history and culture of China in Beijing and Shanghai; visit the top cities of Yunnan tour including Shangrila, Lijiang, Dali, Kunming; discover the ethnic villages in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi; also enjoy the best highlights of Guilin and Yangshuo, and feel the vibrant atmosphere & explore bustling markets freely in Hong Kong.

Highlights:

Experience the old and modern culture of China in Beijing and Shanghai.
Explore the ethnic villages in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi.
Visit the top destinations of Yunnan tour: Shangrila, Lijiang, Dali, Kunming.
Enjoy the best highlights of Guilin and Yangshuo.
Feel the vibrant atmosphere & explore bustling markets freely in Hong Kong.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Beijing Arrival
Day 2: Beijing
Day 3: Beijing
Day 4: Beijing – Shanghai
Day 5: Shanghai
Day 6: Shanghai
Day 7: Shanghai – Shangrila
Day 8: Shangrila
Day 9: Shangrila – Lijiang
Day 10: Lijiang
Day 11: Lijiang – Dali
Day 12: Dali
Day 13: Dali – Kunming
Day 14: Kunming
Day 15: Kunming – Anshun
Day 16: Anshun – Guiyang
Day 17: Guiyang – Kaili
Day 18: Kaili – Rongjiang
Day 19: Rongjiang – Congjiang – Zhaoxing
Day 20: Zhaoxing – Sanjiang – Longsheng
Day 21: Longsheng – Guilin
Day 22: Guilin – Yangshuo – Guilin
Day 23: Guilin – Hong Kong
Day 24: Hong Kong
Day 25: Hong Kong Departure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Beijing
Meals:

Upon your arrival, our guide will pick you up from airport and transfer you to your hotel in a comfortable and clean car. Then have a good rest.

Day 2 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, Kung Fu Show
Accommodation: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We will start the tour form the center of the city – Tiananmen Square. Go north through the square and you will reach the Forbidden City. As the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden structure in the world, it has more than 8,000 pavilions and thousands of historic treasures. Then enjoy the lunch.

In the afternoon, head to visit the royal altar of the Ming and Qing dynasties – the Temple of Heaven. Then have a fantastic Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre in the evening.

Day 3 Beijing

Sightseeing and Activities: Badaling Great Wall, Ming Tomb
Accommodation: Beijing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Get up early to visit Badaling Great Wall. Great Wall is one of the greatest architecture projects in human history. Then visit Ming Tomb, where 13 emperors and their wives of the Ming Dynasty were buried. See the appearance of Bird’s Nest on the way to your hotel at a distance.

Day 4 Beijing – Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities: Summer Palace, Beijing hutong
Accommodation: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit the Summer Palace in the morning, , which used to be the summer resort for royal families and emperors. In the afternoon, walking along Beijing hutong alleys, narrow but original. Then take the high speed train to Shanghai. A local tour guide will pick you up at train station and transfer you to your hotel.

Day 5 Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities: Yuyuan Garden, Yuyuan Market, Shanghai Museum, the Jade Buddha Temple
Accommodation: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we will first visit Yuyuan Garden and Yuyuan Market. Yu Yuan Garden(or Yun Garden) is a famous classical garden located in Anren Jie, Shanghai. It abuts the Yuyuan Market. Then we will stop at Shanghai Museum. It is the Museum of Ancient Chinese Art with more than 120,000 precious and rare works of art. In the afternoon, we will head to the Jade Buddha Temple, which is a venerable and famous Buddhist temple built in 1928.

Day 6 Shanghai

Sightseeing and Activities: the bund, East Nanjing Road, Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Accommodation: Shanghai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today visit the bund, which is located along the Huangpu River. It is a famous waterfront and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai. Then we will head to East Nanjing Road – the first choice for many fashion-seeking shoppers. You can find out whatever you want. Afterwards we will stop at Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The ultra-modern Oriental Pearl TV Tower combines ancient concepts with 21st Century technology, where you can get a bird-eye-view of whole Shanghai city.

In the afternoon, we will drive you to the airport for your flight to Xian. Upon arrival, met by the tour guide and transferred to hotel.

Day 7 Shanghai – Shangrila

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: Shangrila
Meals: Breakfast

Explore this city at leisure until being transferred to the airport for the flight to Shangrila. Upon arrival, met by the tour guide and escorted to the hotel.

Day 8 Shangrila

Sightseeing and Activities: Songzanlin Lamasery, Potatso National Park
Accommodation: Shangrila
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, visit the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan – Songzanlin Monastery. Afterwards visit Bita Lake & Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park, which is located in one of the most biologically-diverse regions of the world.

Day 9 Shangrila – Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Tiger Leaping Gorge, Ancient town of Lijiang
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today drive another 4 hours to Lijiang. On the way, stop to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world. After Lijiang arrival, head to visit Ancient town of Lijiang and stroll on Square Street.

Day 10 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Yufeng Temple, Baisha Mural
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, drive to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Then head to visit Yufeng Temple and Baisha Mural.

Day 11 Lijiang – Dali

Sightseeing and Activities: Dali Ancient Town, Three Pagodas
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, drive to Dali, one of the important cradles of Yunnan ancient culture. Upon arrival, visit Dali Ancient Town and Three Pagodas, the symbol of the history of Dali.

Day 12 Dali

Sightseeing and Activities: Erhai Cruise, Xizhou ancient town
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at hotel, take an Erhai Cruise for about 4 hours. Erhai, is the second largest lake in Yunnan after Dianchi Lake. Then transferred to visit Xizhou Bai’s Houses (Yan’s Courtyard included) to see the ancient house of Bai people.

Day 13 Dali – Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:
Accommodation: on the overnight train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Explore this city at leisure until being transferred to Dali railway station for the overnight train to Kunming.

Day 14 Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities: Stone Forest, Flowers and Birds Market
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel, our tour guide and drive will pick you up from your hotel and then drive about 85km to the Stone Forest, a notable set of limestone formations and two parts of which have been UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the South China Karst. Besides, Stone Forest is also famous for the ethnic culture of the Sani People (a branch of the Yi ethnicminority).

After the visit, drive back to Kunming and visit Flowers and Birds Market. Then continue the tour to Green Lake, strolling around the lake, watching locals do dancing and making music.

Day 15 Kunming – Anshun

Sightseeing and Activities: Yunnan Minority Village, Western Hill & Dragon Gate
Accommodation: Anshun
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, visit the epitome of ethnic groups of Yunnan – Yunnan Minority Village. Get to know their architecture styles, costumes, etiquette, etc. Continue the tour to Western Hill & Dragon Gate. Stand on the Dragon Gate and have a panoramic view of the “Pearl on the Plateau” – Dianchi Lake.

In the late afternoon, take the high speed train to Anshun. Upon arrival, met by the tour guide and transferred to the hotel.

Day 16 Anshun – Guiyang

Sightseeing and Activities: Huangguoshu Waterfall
Accommodation: Guiyang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, head to visit Huangguoshu Waterfall which is one of the largest waterfalls in China and East Asia located on the Baishui River in Anshun. The main waterfall is 67 m high and 83.3 m wide and a 134-meter-long curtain cave lies secretly behind the main fall.

After lunch, visit Tianxingqiao Scenic Spot. It is featured various grotesque limestone formations, caves, waterfalls, forest, lakes and ‘Heavenly Star Bridge’.

Stay overnight in Guiyang.

Day 17 Guiyang – Kaili

Sightseeing and Activities: Langde Miao Village, Wu Dong Village
Accommodation: Kaili
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today drive to Kaili and explore Langde Miao Village and Wu Dong Village. As the most picturesque Miao village in Kaili, Langde is also known as the Miao’s Ethnic Village Museum and will present visitors an authentic experience of Miao. Wu Dong Villagers are typical of the “Long Skirt” Miao,” who are known for their singing and dancing.

Day 18 Kaili – Rongjiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Langde Miao Village, Datang Miao Village, Qiaotu Shui village
Accommodation: Rongjiang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, head to visit Langde Miao Village, and Datang Miao Village to explore the culture of Miao people where the female villagers here wearing their traditional skirt.

In the afternoon, continue the tour to Rongjiang and stop at Qiaotu Shui village for a visit. The people here usually dress in black and blue.

Day 19 Rongjiang – Congjiang – Zhaoxing

Sightseeing and Activities: Basha village, Zhaoxing village
Accommodation: Zhaoxing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, head to Basha Miao Village, which is famed for being China’s last tribe of gunmen. Hidden away in a forest, Basha residents still live in their wooden houses, practice centuries-old customs and have their own unique beliefs.

After that, continue the drive to Zhaoxing Dong Village, which is one of the biggest Dong minority villages in China, and also the center of the Dong ethnic folk cultures. All the buildings in the village are wooden-stilt houses. In Zhaoxing Dong Village, there are five drum towers, which are known far and wide for their unique styles.

Day 20 Zhaoxing – Sanjiang – Longsheng

Sightseeing and Activities: Tang’an Dong Village, Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge
Accommodation: Longsheng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will head to Tang’an Dong Village. With a long history of over 700 years, it is a unique eco-museum of Dong Minority which was reputed as “one of the Top 6 Ancient Villages in China”, “the biggest living museum of Dong Minority”, “the cradle of ancient music” and “the land of festivals”. Drive to Zhaoxing for overnight.

After that, drive to Sanjiang and visit Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge. Then continue the drive to Longsheng and check in the hotel.

Day 21 Longsheng – Guilin

Sightseeing and Activities: Dragon’s Backbone – Rice Terraces, villages
Accommodation: Guilin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, head to visit Dragon’s Backbone – Rice Terraces. It was reputed as “an absolute one under the heaven and the first one in the world”. Then visit the villages of Yao people and Zhuang people to experience the ethnic cultures and lifestyle.

After the visit, drive to Guilin and check in hotel.

Day 22 Guilin – Yangsuo – Guilin

Sightseeing and Activities: Li River cruise, Yangsuo old town, West Street
Accommodation: Guilin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, take Li River cruise to Yangsuo for about 4 hours. On the twisty Li River from Zhujiang to Yangshuo, it covers hundreds and thousands of grotesque peaks. Breathe the fresh air, feel the gentle breeze and enjoy the spectacular landscapes here. Have lunch on board.

In the afternoon, disembark at the old town Yangshuo and check in hotel. Then explore the ancient town – Yangsuo. It has a history of over 1400 years. Walk around West Street to find a lot of unique shops selling traditional handcrafts, hand-made scarfs, snacks of local flavor etc.

Drive back to Guilin for overnight.

Day 23 Guilin – Hong Kong

Sightseeing and Activities: Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave
Accommodation: Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, visit Elephant Trunk Hill, and move on to Reed Flute Cave, which is the “Palace of Natural Arts” with beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations illuminated by colorful lights.

Then escorted to airport to take the flight to Hong Kong. After Hong Kong arrival, local tour guide will pick you up and transfer to your hotel.

Day 24 Hong Kong

Sightseeing and Activities: Victoria Peak, Stanley Market, Repulse Bay, Aberdeen
Accommodation: Hong Kong
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we will explore Hong Kong city. The first stop is Victoria Peak – the highest mountain on Hong Kong island. Then transfer to Aberdeen fishing village and take a ride on the boat.

Afterwards continue today’s tour with Repulse Bay and Stanley Market. Known as the Hawaii of Orient, Repulse Bay is the most wonderful bay in the region in crescent-shaped. Stanley Market is another must-go attraction of Kong Kong tour, which is a typical example of a traditional old open-air market known for its bargains with many shops selling souvenirs.