Southern China Natural Wonders & Ethnic Group Adventure Tour

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Guilin Arrival

  Fly to Guilin via Shanghai or Guangzhou. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and then privately transferred to your hotel in the city center. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to walk around Central Lake and Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. Note: If you travel to Guilin via Hong Kong, you can take a high-speed train from Hong Kong to Guilin. The train takes around 3 hours. Let us know if you need any services in Hong Kong, such as transfers, sightseeing, train ticket booking, etc.

• day 2

  Full-day excursion to Longji Rice Terraces

  

  After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your guide in the hotel lobby and then drive for around 2 hours out of the city to Longji Ping’an Village. The village is located on a mountaintop at 800 meters. The Zhuang ethnic people have lived here and cultivated the rice terrace fields for over 600 years. From two viewing points, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the rice terraces. In the village, you can still see the Zhuang people’s lifestyle and their unique wooden houses. You will transfer back to Guilin city in the late afternoon. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 3

  Li River Cruise to Yangshuo & Stroll the West Street

  

  Guilin and Yangshuo are famous for their karst landscapes, which are an important part of the World Heritage Property of South China Karst. Today, you will take a Li River cruise downstream to Yangshuo and view the highlights of the karst hills on both sides. The cruise lasts around 4 hours, with lunch served on board. After disembarking at Yangshuo Pier, you will stroll along West Street, also called “Foreigners Street,” which is said to be the street most visited by foreigners in China. Optional evening Sound & Light Show: Impression Liusanjie Show Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 4

  Free Day for Your Own Exploration of the Yangshuo Countryside

  Yangshuo is a paradise for outdoor activities. You’re free to choose from the following optional activities: ▪ Hiking tour along the Yulong River ▪ Biking tour through the Karst Hills and by the river ▪ Cooking class / Taichi class / Chinese calligraphy class ▪ Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River ▪ Motorcycle sidecar tour ▪ Tea culture tour to Qixianfeng Tea Farm ▪ Ruyi Peak tour with glass walkway adventure Meal: Breakfast

• day 5

  Transfer to Guilin Station for the high-speed train to Zhangjiajie.

  

  You will be picked up from your hotel on time and transferred privately to Guilin train station in the early afternoon for a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie (around 7 hrs). Check in to your hotel in Zhangjiajie city. Meal: Breakfast

• day 6

  Visit Tianmen Mountain with the Glass Walkway and Ten-Mile Gallery

  

  After breakfast in the hotel, you will visit Tianmen Mountain in the morning. You will take the world’s longest cable car (30 minutes) to the top of the marvelous Tianmen Mountain, the ‘soul attraction’ in Zhangjiajie. It is also a paradise for adventurers and nature lovers. Challenge yourself by walking on the cliff-side Guigu Plank Road, which features a 60-meter glass suspended walkway. Learn about the history of Tianmen Temple. Enjoy a great view of the 99-bend mountain road. Admire the Tianmen Cave—the stairway to heaven—and walk down the 999-step stairway. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the core area of Zhangjiajie National Park – Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque Ten-mile Natural Gallery, a 5.8-kilometer valley lined with karst hills on both sides. It takes about one hour for a one-way walk, and a small train is available for an additional local fee. You will stay two nights in a hotel at Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 7

  Take the Bailong Elevator to view Avatar Hallelujah Mountain and visit the Tianzishan Reserve.

  

  Ascending the peculiar mountains in Yuanjianjie Scenic Area by the Bailong Elevator—a glass elevator built into the side of a huge cliff, and the fastest elevator in the world. Spend about 2.5 hours discovering the amazing pillar scenery of the Southern Sky (also named Qiankun Pillar), which served as inspiration for the famous “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain.” Afterwards, take the sightseeing bus to visit the spectacular Tianzi Mountains Nature Reserve, including Helong Park, West Sea Scenic Area, and other sights. Here, you can enjoy an amazing panoramic view of Zhangjiajie's sandstone peak forests. After the visit, descend by cable car and transfer back to the hotel. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 8

  Visit Huangshizhai in the morning, then transfer privately to Fenghuang in the afternoon.

  

  With the name of “Natural Gallery,” Huangshizhai is famous for its panoramic view from the platform at the top. The best place to take photos is the Star Terrace, which is easily accessed by cable car. Walk to other sites like South Heaven Gate, Natural Murals, South Heaven Pillar, and more. After the visit, drive 3.5 hours to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Check in to your hotel in the town, and the rest of the day is free at your leisure to explore the small town. The ancient town is beautiful during the day, but nighttime is when it really comes alive! Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 9

  Cruise on the Tuojiang River at Fenghuang Ancient Town, then drive to Fanjingshan Mountain.

  

  Taking a small boat ride on the Tuojiang River, you will pass through the most essential part of the old town, which stretches from Beimen Pier to Longevity Palace. Visit the famous Chinese writer Shen Congwen's Former Residence; his book, "The Border Town," made this small town famous around the world. Rainbow Bridge, the landmark of the ancient town, was first built during the Ming Dynasty and then renovated in 1670. In the afternoon, you will be privately transferred to Jiangkou County for an overnight stay. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 10

  Full-Day Tour to Fanjingshan Mt., Train to Kaili

  

  Explore Fanjingshan Mountain, the hidden gem in Guizhou, today. Fanjingshan is a 40-minute drive from Jiangkou County. You will be guided to take a transfer bus to Yu’ao Station, from where you will take a cable car up to the mountain sightseeing area. Immerse yourself in the unique mountain views and the buildings on top. Red Cloud Golden Summit, Mushroom Stone, and Old Golden Summit are popular sites that offer you a true experience of this mountain. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the train station and take a high-speed train to Kaili. Meet your guide in Kaili and transfer privately to your hotel for check-in. Meal: Breakfast

• day 11

  Adventure Tours to Miao Ethnic Villages

  

  Guizhou is a mountainous area with 17 different ethnic groups. Among them, the Miao, Dong, Buyi, and Shui groups have larger populations. Around Kaili, most villages are inhabited by Miao people. Today, you will visit some of these villages to learn about their folk customs, unique architecture, traditional textiles, and more. After breakfast, visit Langde Long Skirt Miao Village, where you may have the chance to witness a grand welcome ceremony featuring dancing and a Lusheng performance. Later, visit Maliao Miao Village, which is famous for making silver ornaments—an important decoration in traditional Miao dress. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 12

  Experience Paper Making in the Ancient Way, Train to Chengdu

  This morning, continue your exploration to Shiqiao Miao Village, where the locals are the inheritors of the ancient method of papermaking. You can observe the traditional way of making paper, or even try it yourself. The National Museum uses some of the paper from here for ancient book restoration. In the afternoon, transfer to the train station for a high-speed train to Chengdu, which takes around 4.5 hours. Meal: Breakfast

• day 13

  Full-Day Tour to Leshan Giant Buddha

  

  After breakfast, you will be transferred to Leshan by private car (about 120 km from Chengdu). Today, you will first visit the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest stone-carved Buddha sculpture in the world. The Giant Buddha is about 71 meters high and 24 meters wide. A short ship cruise to visit the Buddha will be included. Then, you will go to the Mahao Cliff Tomb, which is a large multi-room tomb excavated during the Eastern Han Dynasty. You will also have a chance to take a cruise to view the Buddha from the middle of the Ming River (optional and payable locally). For foodies, you must not miss Leshan foods and snacks, which are an important part of Sichuan cuisine. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 14

  Private Chengdu Tour for Giant Pandas and a Stroll at Kuanzhai Alleys

  

  This morning, you will go to the Chengdu Panda Breeding Center to have a closer view of the lovely pandas. At this center, you can see many pandas, especially baby pandas being taken care of in the nursing room. Young pandas playing together or with their mothers are always the most attractive. After the visit, go to the nearby Wet Market to see what and how local people buy their daily food. That’s the real life of local Chengdu people. You will have a chance to learn how to make spring rolls or wontons. After lunch, pay a visit to Renmin Park, a great place to experience local people’s lives and entertainment. They enjoy their days by drinking tea, playing mahjong, dancing, and singing in the square. If you are interested, our guide will explain some basic rules of mahjong. Stroll through Kuanzhai Alley, one of the three conservation districts of historic sites in Chengdu City. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

• day 15

  Private transfer to the airport and fly back to sweet home.

  Picked up from the hotel on time and transferred privately to the airport for your flight back to your sweet home. Meal: Breakfast