Overview
An eye-catching journey, from joyous dancing Naxi, cormorant-fishing Bai and to Yao with buffalo farming on terrace fields, every day, every stop has its own ethnic groups and customs.
China is a vibrantly rich nation of contrasting peoples and traditions, all awaiting exploration. Travel from the China’s national capital of Beijing, to the splendid and less-developed southwest provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi along with the century-old towns of Lijiang, Shax, Dali and Guilin, where has the China’s most heavily ethnic population and the colourful fusion of minority cultures. Yunnan enjoys the country’s biggest mix of peoples, while Guangxi holds the nation’s largest ethnic group - Zhuang. This is an eye-catching journey, from joyous dancing Naxi, cormorant-fishing Bai and to Yao with buffalo farming on terrace fields, every day, every stop has its own ethnic groups and customs. For more, there are picturesque, gorgeous landscapes all the way, displaying the great stretches of ever change sceneries from mighty snow mountains to the awesome deep gorges in Yunnan, and the fabulous karst hills flanking the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo that have inspired generations of Chinese poets and painters. In between, the lively ethnic festivities are possibly encountered, and many optional exciting short walks, moderate treks, cycling opportunities can be arranged according to personal requests.
Outline Itinerary
Day 01 Arrival Beijing
Day 02 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Day 03 Beijing Sightseeing (B / L)
Day 04 Flight to Lijiang (B)
Day 05 Lijiang Explorations (B)
Day 06 Lijiang - Shaxi (B)
Day 07 Shaxi - Dali (B)
Day 08 Flight to Guilin via Kunming (B)
Day 09 Boat on Li River to Yangshuo (B)
Day 10 Yangshuo Explorations (B)
Day 11 Dragon’s Back Terraces (B)
Day 12 Guilin Departure (B)
Get Inspired
https://plateautours.com/destinations/yunnan/ethnic-groups-of-china#sigProIde5442e3b0e
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Beijing
Upon arrive at Beijing, the capital of China, you will be met by the local guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free leisure or rest in the hotel for jet leg.
Day 02: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L / D)
Full day sightseeing tour in Beijing. Visit Tian'anmen Square, the world’s largest city square near the centre of Beijing. Then visit the Forbidden City, located heart of Beijing, it was once the Chinese imperial palace for almost 500 years. Later take the particular rickshaw to tour of Beijing's Hutong, a labyrinth of old narrow alleyways lined with authentic courtyard residential houses. Wander around Houhai Lake, stop for some lovely Chinese tea. Climb to the local bell tower, have a birds view of the old Beijing area. Visit a local family in Hutong, learn how to make traditional food of dumplings with the hostess. Have dumpling lunch with the Beijing family and taste the dumpling made by yourself. Then visit Summer Palace, the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China. Dinner will be served as the famous Beijing Roasted Duck in a small courtyard-style restaurant located in Hutong.
Day 03: Beijing Sightseeing (B / L)
Get up early morning, take the public subway (or alternative private vehicle) to Temple of Heaven, experience the bustle local way of life; Visit Temple of Heaven, the solemn site for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven. View the local people doing exercises there. Then we drive the vicinity of Beijing to visit Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, where is lesser crowded and has magnificent scenery set amidst the emerald green hills dominated with fragrance orchards and stunning hamlets offering the amazing views especially in spring and autumn. Today’s lunch will be arranged in nearby local villager’s house to have organic food includes flavor of BBQ fish. In the afternoon return to Beijing downtown, rest time is free leisure.
Day 04: Flight to Lijiang (B)
Take the internal flight to Lijiang in the early morning. Pick-up service to Lijiang old town. Rest time sink yourself in old town of Lijiang, famed for its brilliant ancient architectures, unique Dongpa pictographic script, excellent traditional music, and fabulous lifestyles of Naxi people. Explore the town through deep alleys spreading out in all directions. Visit the Mu’s Palace, the former residence of the chieftain Mu Clan that ruled Naxi people for over 400 years. As the way up the hill behind it, get a finest bird’s view of panoramic Lijiang old town. In evening time, many joyous Naxi square folk dances could watch in central Sifang Street, join them or just take a look.
Day 05: Lijiang Explorations (B)
Today out of Lijiang to visit a pristine village of Yuhu (Jade Lake Village), where gains the name due to a nearby turquoise lake. Additionally, it is the ancient home of famed botanist Joseph Rock who lived here decades of earlier 20th century. Horse trek or moderate hike around for pretty countryside views. Next, visit Baisha village and see the ancient murals preserved there, fusion of Chinese Taoist, Tibetan and Naxi Buddhists and Dongba shamans. Another ancient town of Shuhe will also be visited in the late afternoon. Situated at the foot of Jade Snow Dragon Mountain, Shuhe is one of the earliest settlements for Naxi people and is a former staging post on the Tea-Horse trading route.
Day 06: Lijiang - Shaxi (B)
Take the way southwest to Shaxi via Jianchuan, where has the China’s heaviest Bai minority population. In Jianchuan, wander the flagstone alleyways for extant Ming and Qing architectures, visit a nearby village to get insight of the extraordinary woodcarvings that widely decorated on those old houses. Later visit Shibao Mountain, a notable site with the exquisite Buddhist grottos and the best Bai stone carvings. Shaxi, a serene and pristine small town, while the crucial outpost on one of the old Tea-Horse trading routes. Explore the extremely pretty old town, cross the ancient stone bridge, walking the same trail as the horse caravans. Every step is an annotation for how the past remains an integral part of the very vibrant present.
Day 07: Shaxi - Dali (B)
The trail gets down south towards Dali. En the route, pass through Zhoucheng, a village famed for Bai’s Tie-dyeing art. Visit old town of Xizhou, witness old lifestyles among the local people. Complex of age-old Bai private houses is still well-preserved include Yan’s compound. Try local snacks of Xizhou Baba and the fragrant Three-course Tea, a tea drinking ceremony of the Bai minority. Boating on Erhai Lake, gaze at the cormorant fishing in old ways. Then leisurely walk in Dali old town, step on flagstone streets, look around delicate courtyards, fall in beautiful handcrafts, hang out yourself in bars or tea houses in Foreigner’s Street, take an overlook for Three-pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, visit an interesting Catholic church built in 1927 and framed in typical Bai’s architecture features.
Day 08: Flight to Guilin via Kunming (B)
Morning is free for your own disposal for exploration of this ancient city. At noon, take the flight to Kunming, where you will take the connected flight ongoing to Guilin. Spend a night in Guilin.
Day 09: Boat on Li River to Yangshuo (B)
Cruise on Li River to Yangshuo for the dramatic karst landscapes. In Yangshuo, take a leisurely stroll in West Street; explore the historic village of Fuli with its stone houses and cobbled lanes, visiting the local workshops for famed handmade fans; Evening is a watch for the fabulous show of Impressions Liu Sanjie, directed by Zhang Yimou who directed the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.
Day 10: Yangshuo Explorations (B)
Take a cycle ride along the beautiful Yulong River to explore Yangshuo’s rural charms by passing stunning rice paddies, fish farms and picturesque ancient villages. Hike up the surreal limestone pinnacle Moon Hill with surrounding countryside views. Rest time leave you own free leisure in Yangshuo, or optional learning Chinese landscape painting.
Day 11: Dragon’s Back Terraces (B)
Drive to Longsheng, where boasts stunning views of the terraced paddy fields. Hike up the Dragon’s Back Terraces, the area’s remarkable one rising up to 1000m high with amazing feat of farm engineering on hills dotted with picturesque Zhuang and Yao minority villages. Spend a night in Longsheng.
Day 12: Guilin Departure (B)
Enjoy the beautiful sunrise over the rice paddies. Later drive directly to the airport for the exit flight.
Experiences & Activities
- Visit Great Wall, Forbidden City and other Beijing’s main highlights
- Pedicab Hutong (alleyways) tour, Hutong family visit and dumpling making
- Get lost amongst the ancient and intriguing cobblestone town of Lijiang
- Discover Shaxi & Jianchuan, the crucial nodes on the old Tea-Horse route
- Step back in time in flagstone streets of ancient Dali old town
- Li River boat from Guilin to Yangshuo for the dreamy karst limestone landscape
- Laze in Yangshuo, cycle ride or hike to explore nearby old villages and hills
- Get insight of local handmade fans and chance for learning Chinese painting
- Hike up on stunning Dragon’s Back Terraces dotted with minority villages
- Experience the unique multiple ethnic minorities cultures and lifestyles
