Introduction:

Guizhou, the wonderland in the southwest of China has been secluded from the rest of the country by its mountainous terrain and its distance from other regions. Venturing deep into the villages tucked away among the mountains, we will explore traditional ethnic minority villages inhabited by Miao and Dong groups. Trekking further, we will meet the enigmatic Gejia people, who are unfamiliar with the Hans, who make-up 91% of the population of China. Venturing from one village to another, we will meet ethnic minority donned in colorful traditional costumes while selling crafts and produce at the markets. When exploring outside of the villages will meet and interact with villagers tending to their rice fields. Numerous local cultural festivals take place throughout year and if lucky, the fortunate visitor might be at the right place at the right time to witness this spectacular events. This will be a trip that will leave you wondering about how time and space could lead to such diversity in people’s life, art, and customs in this, one of China's most isolated regions. The scenery will leave you breathless and you will surely have lasting memories of the unspoiled beauty of its people, mountains and valleys.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Guiyang to Langde
Our adventure will start when we meet at Shanghai’s Hongqiao airport then take a flight to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou. From Guiyang we will drive to Langde, a real gem with traditional wooden houses and waterwheels. We will stay the night in the village.

Day 2 Langde to Rongjiang
We will spend a whole morning in Langde and after lunch will continue our drive to Rongjiang. Rongjiang is a Dong village beside Ba La river. We will stay the night in the village.

Day 3 Rongjiang to Congjiang via Ju Dong
After a 1-hour drive from Rongjiang, we will take a 1-hour hike along Du Liu river. You will see many villages on the opposite side of the river with stunning scenery. We will take a ferry to Ju Dong village and leave in the late afternoon by boat to Congjiang. We will stay the night in the town.

Day 4 Conjiang to Basha
Today we will visit Basha, a small Miao village with very little signs of modern influence. The people rarely venture out of the village except for selling firewood and shopping for daily necessities in markets. Both men and women can be seen in traditional costumes, wearing their hair long. We will also trek in the mountains, visit locals working in the farm or even help locals to get water from the lakes miles away from the village since there’s no water pipe. Be a one-day Miao person, isn’t it cool? We will stay the night in the village.

Day 5 Basha to Longsheng
We will leave Basha in the morning to visit Longsheng, where the mountains are covered with terraced rice fields, some of them reaching up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). On the way we will visit Sanjiang, also known for the unique architecture, particularly their Drum Towers & Fengyuqiao---Weathered Bridges. If a couple in love, hand in hand, walks through the long pavilions of these bridges without looking back, they can live happily forever. We will stay the night in the village.

Day 6 Longsheng trekking
Today we will hike the magnificent terraced rice fields of Longsheng, carved into the hillside over hundreds of years by the local Zhuang and Yao people. The peaceful tranquility in the forests can strike you to your innermost core. The only sounds we hear come from a babbling brook or chirping bird. We will stay the night in the village.

Day 7: Longsheng to Guilin
The morning is open to you wander around the village. After lunch we will drive to Guilin city. We will stay the night in Guilin city.

Day 8: Guilin to Yangshuo
After breakfast we will drive to Zhujiang Pier (about 40-minute drive) to start the 4-hour boat cruise along the tranquil Li River which is the highlight in Guilin until you get to Yangshuo County. The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each bend of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River become one of China's top tourist destinations. After dinner, we can wander in the bustling West Street of Yangshuo. Overnight in Yangshuo

Day 9: Biking in Yangshuo
We will start our day by cycling cross Aishan village via the old country road to Yongcun village. We will pass picturesque hamlets, tucked among subtropical plants and stretched in between rice paddies. Also we will see the famous Moon Hill. After climbing 819 steps to the summit of Moon Hill, we will have an astonishing bird's-eye-view of the surrounding hills and have a close look of the "Moon", which represent the underground river canal. We may be lucky to see water buffalo, rice farmers and cormorant fishermen. If the biking is not enough then lets go rafting on Yulong River. Overnight in Yangshuo.

Day 10: Trekking along Li River
The morning is open to you to wander around the town or experience the best rock-climbing in China. After lunch we will drive back to Guilin and take a flight back to Shanghai. Here will part ways to rest and reflect on our incredible journey, but don’t forget to visit www.withyana.com/bbs to exchange thoughts and pictures with your fellow travelers and to find out when your next adventure begins! We will meet again the week after in the post-trip gathering. YANA will put everyone’s pictures on to one CD-ROM and give every one a copy.

 

Trip Cost

The cost of each trip will normally cover the following:
> All land transportation
> All domestic air transport and transfers as stated in the itinerary and airport departure tax
> All services of trip leaders and local guides
> All scheduled meals and accommodation
> All entry fees

YANA trips do not include:
> Food other than breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and beverages other than tea, coffee, or soft drinks at meals arranged by YANA
> Travel and medical insurance
> Gratuities to leaders or guides
> Excursions other than those specified in trips > Private snacks and drinks

Rules of Participation

Everyone who participates in a YANA activity is asked to read, agree to the following:
1. I will follow the guidelines set by YANA in order to insure your safety during my involvement with this group.
2. If my medical condition requires regular treatment or which may be affected by strenuous activity or altitude, heat, cold or particular foods I will notify YANA in writing in advance.
3. I will buy a valid medical and travel insurance for the duration of the trip.
4. I will not bring illegal drugs to any YANA gathering or activity.
5. I will not hold YANA, or any of its participants responsible for any injury that I suffer on any YANA trip.
6. I will respect the local culture and protect the natural environment on any YANA trip.
7. I understand I am taking my own risks while participating with the group, and do not hold anyone responsible for those risks. If there happens any accident, the organizer will be obliged for first-aid. But the organizer will not take any law and commercial responsibility. Attention: after the beginning of the activity, this agreement will automatically take its effect and you are supposed to agree to it.