7 Days Best of Guizhou Tour with Nature & Culture Highlights

Day 1 Guiyang Arrival

Pick up in Guiyang - Transfer to Your Hotel

Welcome to Guiyang, the beautiful “City of Forest” and provincial capital of Guizhou! Upon your arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arrival hall in the airport / train station and escort you to your hotel in Guiyang downtown. The rest of today is on your own to explore the cool Guiyang city!

You can go to visit Jiaxiu Pavilion, the symbol of Guiyang city with a history of more than 400 years. Standing on a rock on Nanming River, with two stone bridges linking, the wooden tower of 3 storey and 22.9 meters high is a must-see for visiting Guiyang. It is particularly appealing at sunset and night when the entire quaint tower is outlined clearly and ignited into orange and golden, against the dazzling night view of the surrounding modern skyscrapers of Guiyang city center! Take a nice walk along the river to enjoy the river wind and cityscape of Guiyang!

Also, you can walk to Cuiwei Garden at the south of the bridge to immerse into the rich elegant charm of the over 500 years old traditional classic garden with Jiangnan flavored courtyard and solemn temples. Roam in the garden to meet the quiet halls, pavilions, corridors, gardens, walls, rockeries, ponds, blossoms, bamboo forests, etc. linked harmoniously and interestingly for a traditional Chinese architectural and cultural savory!

After today’s visiting, be escorted back to your hotel and stay overnight in Guiyang!

Arrival Ideas: Visitors can get to Guiyang by flights from about 14 international destinations including Bangkok, Phuket Island, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, etc. and about 70 domestic cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Changsha, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, etc. Besides, Guiyang has high speed trains from Chongqing (2hrs), Chengdu (3.5hrs), Guilin (2hrs), Guangzhou (4.5hrs), Changsha (3hrs), Wuhan (4.5hrs), Kunming (2hrs), Nanning (5hrs), Shanghai (8.5hrs), Beijing (8.5hrs), Xian (7.5hrs), Zhengzhou (6.5hrs), etc.

• Jiaxiu Tower in Guiyang
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Day 2 Guiyang - Huangguoshu Waterfall - Guiyang (B)

Transfer to Anshun - Doupotang - Heavenly Star Bridge - Huanguoshu Waterfall

After breakfast, drive about 2.5 hours to Anshun for today’s trip to Huangguoshu Waterfall, which is the largest waterfall in Asia. You will appreciate different views of the waterfall, especially go behind the waterfall and see how water starts dropping and touch the waterfall.

Visit Doupotang Scenic Area which is one of the shooting places of well-known TV series of one of the four Chinese literature classics - “Pilgrimage to the West”. Walk pleasantly there to appreciate the 105 meters wide and 21 meters high waterfall formed on the more than 100 meters calcific beach bar, which dumps from the top giant pool of 15 thousand square meters wide. As the waterfall always roars strongly during flooding period, it is also named “Roaring Waterfall”.

Next, take the sightseeing vehicle to have a close admiration of Tianxingqiao Scenic Area (Heavenly Star Bridge). Catch all its essences of Karst landscape to know why it is complimented as a fairyland of Karst ecology miniature landscape with different sceneries at different angles and idyllic environment of birds and flowers, water and mountain, forest and cave, etc. Here you will watch the stone of forest of 0.4 square kilometers grows on water with verdant undershrub and cactus, and meet the Beauty Banyan looking like a beautiful lady with graceful posture.

Then, take the sightseeing vehicle to see the iconic Huangguoshu Waterfall of 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide. With such magnificent and shocking scenery, it is the No.1 largest waterfall in whole Asia and one of the most famous waterfalls around the world. Walk around the waterfall to admire its distinct landscape from different angle and feel its breathtaking roaring of falling into the 17 meters deep shoal. Besides, you will encounter with more inspiring places including the 134 meters dragon-like Water Curtain Cave behind the waterfall, more than 3,000 excellent bonsais displayed exquisitely in the bonsai garden, and more to feel the grand sight of the large scenic area.

After the visiting, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Guiyang downtown with driving for about 2 hours and help you check in. Have a nice sleep!

• Mr. Cheong's group from China visited Huangguoshu Waterfall with China Discovery in September 2023
• Mr. Cheong's group from China visited Huangguoshu Doupotang Waterfall in September 2023
• Waterfall of Silver Chain Dropping to the Pool
• Tianxingqiao Scenic Area Stone Forest on Water

Day 3 Guiyang - Kaili (B, L)

Qingyan Old Town - Drive to Kaili

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and then drive about 1 hour to visit Qingyan Old Town at the south part of Guiyang City. It is one of the four great old towns in whole Guizhou Province with its legendary history once as a courier station and military fortress. This more than 600 years’ old town keeps the exquisite ancient dwelling houses, temples, city walls, gateways, etc. from Ming and Qing dynasties very well for your historical savory. This traditional old town in south China also surprisingly well keeps a series of religious buildings of Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Catholicism to tell the cultural communication of Chinese and Western countries. Walk amongst the worn out paths polished by rains and steps to imagine the old life there. Besides, visit Former Residence of Number One Scholar Zhao Yijiong who was the first Number One Scholar in Guizhou Province during the imperial examination to feel the rich literal atmosphere in the courtyard, take beautiful photos of the symbolic Stone Archway and Dingguang Gateway, etc., roam at the Secluded Street paved with flagstones to travel back to the past centuries, appreciate closely the Guizhou rarely outstanding wood carvings at Shoufo Temple and stone carvings at Ciyun Temple, and feel the simple life with the shopkeepers busy for their lives.

After the visiting, drive about 2.5 hours to Kaili County. Your guide and driver will help you check in. Have a nice sleep!

• Qingyan Old Town Stone Archway
• Qingyan Old Town Ancient City Wall

Day 4 Kaili - Libo (B, L)

Langde Upper Miao Village - Shiqiao Miao Village - Gaoyao Rice Terrace - Transfer to Libo

After enjoying your breakfast, start today's excursion. The first destination for the day is Langde Upper Miao Village, renowned as "the Hometown of Chinese Folk Song and Dance Art," located approximately 28 kilometers away from Kaili. This charming village offers a refreshing escape from bustling crowds, embracing a tranquil natural ambiance while welcoming visitors with open arms and showcasing its rich cultural heritage. Upon reaching the village, you will be greeted with genuine warmth through a traditional welcome ceremony with the lovely ladies and girls, elegantly adorned in traditional Miao costumes offering "block-the-way" wine. Allow the flavors of the wine to delight your senses while immersing yourself in the genuine hospitality of the villagers. Following the convivial toasts, immerse yourself further in the vibrant atmosphere as you witness an enthralling singing and dancing performance at the Lusheng Ground. Here, the talented men of the village will skillfully play the Lusheng, a traditional musical instrument, while the graceful ladies showcase their artistry through mesmerizing dances. Should you wish, feel free to join in the dance. To enrich your experience, you can take part in the village’s Cultural Program which usually includes catching fish in the field, picking fresh vegetable in the farm and learning to make embroidery. If you want to experience this Cultural Program, please tell your travel consultant in advance to make appointment.

In the afternoon, we will travel to Libo (about 200 km from Kaili) with two stopovers. You will first get to Shiqiao Village which is famous for the national intangible cultural heritage of traditional paper making with trees’ bark by Miao ethnic group. Catch the rare opportunity to see the traditional processes of making papers in the Chuandong, a natural cave where the underground river water flows quietly. Recommended optional activity: learn to make Flower Paper in the craftshop of a local family. Keeping driving to Congjiang, you will make a stop at the Viewing Plaform to enjoy the panoramic landscape of Gaoyao Rice Terrace where over a thousand acres of terraced fields sitting atop a majestic mountain, cascading layer upon layer, stretching all the way from the mountain peak to its base while a beautiful Miao village resting quietly on the terraces.

After the tour, be escorted to Libo County for accommodation.

• Shiqiao Village is good at making flower paper in traditional way
• Stunning Gaoyao Rice Terraces in May
• Upper Langde Miao Village Performance

Day 5 Libo - Rongjiang (B, L)

Xiaoqikong (Small Seven Hole Scenic Resort) - Transfer to Rongjiang

Today, after breakfast, you will met by your local guide and driver and then be escorted for about half an hour to visit Small Seven Hole Scenic Area (Xiaoqikong), the core of South China Karst in Libo for the primitive spectacles of hills, stream, forests, caves, lakes and waterfall matching a quaint fairyland in reality! You will catch all the best landscape highlights by leisure walking and scenic sightseeing vehicle. Have a glimpse of the symbolic Small Seven Hole Bridge often showing on the photos of Xiaoqikong. The bridge of 40 meters long and 2.2 meter wide from 1835 AD looks serene and quaint with the verdant ancient trees on both banks. Walk to Laya Waterfall to see the real look of the charming water flying from the mountain like the pure dress of a lady. With cool spray from the waterfall, the dotted Karst stones on water and jade green mountain background, this site is extremely idyllic for the best mood for a trip! Continue to roam along the 1.6 kilometers long 68-layer Waterfall to soak in the poetic natural sonata of 68 levels of diverse styles of waterfalls and drops with the bright flowers, virid forests, chirping of birds, etc. embracing your. Next, continue your exploration of the Xiangshui River with roaring waterfall scenery, luxurious Forest on Water with verdant trees and shrubs growing in water, Nuneijihai Wetland reputed as the kidney of the Earth, Wolong Pond with peaceful bluish green clear water and pearls like waterfall, etc. (Note: Boating at Yuanyang Lake needs extra charge.)

After the visiting, drive about 2.5 hours to your hotel in Rongjiang County for accommodation.

• Qingman Miao Village
• Small Seven Hole Scenic Area

Day 6 Rongjiang - Congjiang - Zhaoxing (B, L)

Biasha Miao Village - Zhanli Dong Village - Huanggang Village - Zhaoxing Dong Village

After breakfast, you’ll start an exciting exploration for a visit to Biasha Miao Village with 84 kilometers’ drive from Rongjiang to Congjiang. Biasha Miao Village is called as “the Last Gunslinger Village in China”. This is the only place in China where residents are still legally allowed to own and carry guns. The Biasha people are said to be the descendants of Chi You, a mythological warrior in ancient China, and have traditions dating back 2000 years. Men of Biasha dress as ancient warriors with black waistcoats and straight black trousers as well as swords, hunting dogs, and firelocks. Women of Biasha wear black pair shirts and pleated skirts, which are simple but embroidered with bright colors. Once getting into the village, you will witness the welcome ceremony - Biasha men line up and fire 3 shots to welcome guests! Later, enjoy the folk performance to learn more about Biasha culture, including customs of farming, hunting, ancestor-worshiping, gaming and marriage. You can even watch an amazing haircut ritual - a live shave with a sickle. If you have more time, you can take a walk around this beautiful village.

In this afternoon, drive to Zhanli Dong Village to listen to the mysterious legend with “one boy and one girl” tradition. Ancestors of Zhanli made a rule during the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) to achieve balance between the population and the amount of cultivated land. According to the legend, there is a herbalist in the village who uses the mythical herbs to control the population. Before couples try to have a second child, they come to the herbalist. She will take water out of one of two wells - a “boy well” and a “girl well” - and brews a soup with a local herb with it. By drinking the mixture, the couple can allegedly decide the sex of their next baby. This happens real in the village, and most of families in Zhanli have two children, with 98% having one girl and one boy. Take a simple walk along the brook and view the boy well and girl well here.

Next, head to Huanggang Dong Village, a village considered as one of the most beautiful and traditional Dong villages in Guizhou. Huanggang, hidden in the mountains, built in ancient Song Dynasty (960-1297), has preserved the most authentic Dong culture. The villagers have had simple and unsophisticated ethnic life for hundreds of years. You can explore their local life and enjoy the unique architecture in the village. There are five drum towers standing in different directions and you can see the elders chatting in the tower or weaving their cloth. Festivals are special here - “Goddess of Thunder Worship Festival” and “Tai Guanren Festival”. If time is right, you can witness such a unique scene. (Note: For the exact time of the festivals, you can contact our travel consultants for more info.)

After the tour, be transferred to Zhaoxing Dong Village for accommodation.

• Huanggang Dong Village
• Haircut Ritual at Biasha Miao Village - a Live Shave with a Sickle
• Zhanli Dong Village

Day 7 Zhaoxing - Congjiang Departure (B)

Zhaoxing Dong Village - Tangan Dong Village - Trains off Congjiang

After breakfast, you’ll explore the largest Dong village in Guizhou - Zhaoxing Dong Village. Zhaoxing Village has been selected as “one of the six most beautiful countryside in China” and together with its drum towers were listed into the Guinness World Records in 2001. It is divided into 5 natural small villages, living in five different areas - which are called “Tuan” locally. Besides, there are five drum towers, five Wind and Rain Bridges and five stages setting in the village. Start your exploration from the village gate and get atop of the viewing platform to enjoy the panorama, where you can also clearly appreciate the five drum towers standing beautifully in the village. Afterwards, pay a visit to the Zhaoxing Dong Culture Museum to have a better understanding about Dong people and its culture in all aspects. Follow the route to visit Xin Tuan (means faith) with the highest drum tower at 25.9 meters, Zhi Tuan (means wisdom), Yi Tuan (means righteousness), Li Tuan (means Rritual) with the first drum tower in Zhaoxing built in 17th century and Ren Tuan (means benevolence).

After that, you can choose to hike from Zhaoxing Dong Village to Tang’an Dong Village which needs about 2 hours or you can take the sightseeing bus there. If by hiking, you’ll pass by the intoxicating rice paddies and primitive Dong villages. In spring, the rice terraces are filled with water; in summer, green seedling grows well at the terraces; in autumn, the rice terraces are decorated with golden rice. Tang’an Dong Village is perched on hillside terraces and it is called the “living museum of Dong minority” with authentic feelings and beautiful landscape around. Visit the Eco Museum and enjoy more peaceful time in the village.

After the tour, get back to Zhaoxing and your guide and driver will escort you to Congjiang Railway Station to catch your train to next destination.

Departure Ideas: High speed trains are well connected Congjiang with Guiyang (1.5-2hrs), Guilin (about 1hr), Yangshuo (1-1.5hrs), Guangzhou (3.5-4 hours), Chengdu (about 5hrs), Chongqing (3.5-4hrs) and more destinations.

• Zhaoxing Dong Village - the Biggest and Oldest Dong village.
• Tang'an Dong Village