Unveiling Guizhou: A Mountain Adventure & Ethnic Odyssey[Qingyan Ancient Town + Yunfeng Tunpu Village + Nighttime Huangguoshu Waterfall + Huajiang Gorge Bridge + Wanfenglin + Longgong (Dragon Palace) + Miao/Dong Villages & Terraced Fields | 9 Days, 8 Nigh

Your journey begins upon arrival in Guiyang.

Evening: A Culinary Exploration of Local Flavors

Gastronomic Journey: Savor quintessential local delicacies, including "Siwawa"—a spring roll-style snack where a delicate wrapper enfolds a medley of fresh vegetables—and "Zhuangyuan Hoof," a tender, aromatic, and braised pork hock. Immerse yourself in the vibrant, down-to-earth spirit of the city.

Morning: Venture to Qingyan Ancient Town, where you can stroll along the flagstone streets of the Ming and Qing dynasties and explore historic landmarks such as the Zhuangyuan Mansion and Ciyun Temple.

Scenic Spot Highlight: As one of Guizhou's four great ancient towns, Qingyan is celebrated as the birthplace of Zhao Yijiong, the province's first civil Zhuangyuan (top scholar) of the Ming and Qing eras. The town boasts impeccably preserved architecture from the period, seamlessly blending military fortification with profound cultural heritage. For lunch, savor the town's signature delicacy: Zhuangyuan Pork Hock.

Afternoon: Journey to Yunfeng Tunpu to delve into the exceptionally well-preserved Ming Dynasty military garrison villages. Here, you will encounter a living testament to stone architecture and immerse yourself in the military garrison culture of 600 years ago.

Yunfeng Tunpu: Comprising multiple Tunpu villages, this site has retained the lifestyle customs and architectural styles of migrants from Jiangnan during the Ming Dynasty, with its signature Dixi Opera and stone dwellings standing as its most iconic features.

Evening: Embark on a Night Tour of Huangguoshu Waterfall, where the cascade is transformed into a dreamlike spectacle under the glow of illumination.

Scenic Spot Highlight: Huangguoshu Waterfall (Night Tour): The largest waterfall in Asia. The night tour utilizes advanced lighting technology to cast the waterfall in kaleidoscopic, ever-changing hues, offering a visual experience that is a world apart from its majestic grandeur by day.

Morning:
A visit to the Huajiang Bridge offers a sweeping view over the majestic Beipan River Gorge, allowing you to bear witness to the engineering marvel that has turned an impassable chasm into a thoroughfare.

Scenic Spot Overview:
Spanning the Beipan River, this highway bridge stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of Guizhou's dramatic gorge landscapes and modern engineering. Beneath it, the canyon plunges into great depths, with the river surging powerfully through.

Afternoon:
We proceed to Wanfenglin, where you can immerse yourself in a pastoral panorama that perfectly captures the sentiment: "Though peaks abound across the land, it is here alone that they gather in a forest."

Scenic Spot Overview:
Recognized as one of China's five most stunning peak forests, Wanfenglin is comprised of nearly 20,000 karst peaks. Interspersed among this forest of stone are Buyi villages and emerald rice paddies, earning it the title of "China's Museum of Conical Karst Landforms."

Evening:
The evening is dedicated to savoring Xingyi's signature egg fried rice, accompanied by an array of local delicacies, including Shuan Ba Tou and savory chicken glutinous rice balls.

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Morning: A visit to the Maling River Bridge offers a vantage point over the Maling River Gorge, where deep-cut peaks and a cascade of waterfalls reveal the rugged grandeur of the karst landscape.

Attraction Spotlight: The Maling River Bridge, the world's first large-span steel truss cable-stayed bridge, spans the Maling River Gorge. It stands as a signature achievement within Guizhou's "Museum of Bridges."

Afternoon: The itinerary continues to Wanfeng Lake, where you will glide across a waterscape dotted with countless islands, taking in the harmonious blend of serene lakes, mountain vistas, and the fishing village charm of the Bouyei people.

Attraction Spotlight: Formed by the impoundment of the Tianshengqiao Hydropower Station, this highland lake is a haven for islands and encircled by peaks. It is an idyllic destination for both angling and leisurely escapes.

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Morning: Venture into Longgong to marvel at the stalactite spectacles of the "Underground Li River," and immerse yourself in a karst wonderland where mountains embrace caves, and caves cradle flowing waters.

Destination Overview: Longdong (Dragon Palace) is a national 5A-level scenic area, a comprehensive showcase of karst formations—from caves and gorges to waterfalls and peak forests. It boasts China's largest karst cave waterfall and the country's longest water-eroded cave.

Afternoon: Journey by road to Guiyang and pay a visit to the city's emblem, Jiaxiu Tower.

Morning: A Visit to Jidao Miao Village

Destination Overview: Jidao Miao Village stands as a pristine, well-preserved enclave of Miao culture, where the ancient stilted architecture and traditional ways of life remain steadfast. The village boasts a century-old cobblestone path and a cluster of historic granaries, both steeped in profound historical significance.
*Photo Suggestions: Panoramic view of the stilted dwellings in Jidao Miao Village; the scenic charm of the ancient path.

Afternoon: An Exploration of Datang Miao Village & Exchange with Intangible Cultural Heritage Bearers

Destination Overview: Datang Miao Village is distinguished by its unique "waterborne granaries" and the distinctive culture of the "ultra-short skirt Miao." Here, you will have the privilege of engaging directly with custodians of intangible cultural heritage, delving deep into the artistry of Miao silver forging and batik, and unraveling the very essence of Miao culture.
*Photo Suggestions: The waterborne granaries of Datang Miao Village; a live demonstration of batik by a heritage bearer.

Evening: Savoring the Signature Sour Soup Fish

Culinary Delight: Indulge in Kaili's signature dish, "Laokaili Sour Soup Fish." The broth, crafted from fermented tomatoes and litsea cubeb, is paired with fresh paddy fish, delivering a zesty, tangy, and appetizing flavor.

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Morning: A Visit to [Zhouxi Qingman Miao Village]

Attraction Overview: One of the most captivating aspects of this village is the chance to step into any Miao household and witness, firsthand, the entire journey of crafting traditional Miao attire—from creation to completion. The fabrics for these garments are predominantly hand-woven at home, stemming from a self-sufficient cycle of planting, spinning, weaving, and dyeing. A locally cherished folk song, the "Cotton Ballad," beautifully narrates this entire process—from sourcing cotton seeds, clearing and tilling the land, sowing and tending, to harvesting the cotton, removing seeds, fluffing the fibers, spinning the yarn, weaving the cloth, dyeing, and finally, sewing.

Midday: Exploration of Danzhai's [Gaoyao Terraced Fields]

Attraction Overview: As one of the most extensive terraced landscapes in southeastern Guizhou, Gaoyao Terraced Fields paints a different masterpiece with each passing season. In spring, the fields brim with water, mirroring the sky like glass; summer washes them in lush greenery; and autumn sets them ablaze with golden waves of rice. It is truly a paradise for photography enthusiasts.

Midday: Hands-on [Papermaking] Experience in Shiqiao Village & Lunch with an Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor

Attraction Overview: The ancient art of papermaking in Shiqiao Village has been passed down for a millennium, preserving the pristine craft of "papermaking from mulberry bark" to this day. Here, you can personally immerse yourself in the papermaking process and share lunch with Mr. Wang Xingwu, a renowned inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage.

Culinary Adventure: Wander through the bustling, vibrant Rongjiang market, then embrace a culinary challenge for dinner with the distinctive "Niubie Hotpot." A signature delicacy of the Dong ethnic group, it boasts unique ingredients and a rich, intense flavor profile.

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Morning: A Visit to Congjiang’s [Biashai Miao Village]

Destination Spotlight: Regarded as "China's final tribe of gun-bearers," Biashai Miao Village is where the Miao people continue to uphold ancient traditions, including the practice of carrying firearms and the art of shaving with a sickle. Here, you will witness authentic performances of the sickle-shaving ritual and the ceremonial gun salute that welcomes guests.

Midday: Savoring the [Congjiang Fragrant Pig Banquet]

Culinary Journey: The Congjiang fragrant pig is a rare and prized breed in China, celebrated for its delicate, tender, and aromatic meat. The whole-pig banquet stands as the highest form of hospitality, offering a true taste of local tradition.

Afternoon: Exploring [Zhaoxing Dong Village] & Embracing the Dong Grand Song

Destination Spotlight: As the largest Dong village in the nation, Zhaoxing is honored as the "First Village of Dong Country." The village is a harmonious spectacle, featuring five iconic drum towers, five ornate flower bridges, and five traditional stages. You will have the unique opportunity to learn the Dong Grand Song—a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—under the guidance of a local inheritor.

Evening: Indulging in the [Alpine Flowing Water Long-Table Banquet]

Culinary Journey: Immerse yourself in the Dong tradition with a long-table banquet, where you will partake in the distinctive "Alpine Flowing Water" toasting ceremony. The feast features authentic Dong delicacies, including sour fish soup, glutinous rice, and other local specialties.

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 Morning: A Visit to [Tangan Dong Village]

Destination Overview: Nestled gracefully on a mountainside, Tangan Dong Village blends seamlessly with the surrounding terraced fields and forests, standing as the heart of the "Dong Ecological Museum." In the early hours, mist swirls gently over the terraces, painting a scene straight out of a timeless utopia.

Following lunch, the journey concludes with a departure from Congjiang High-speed Railway Station, either for the return home or onward to the next destination.