Introduction:

If you are interested in Chinese ethnic culture and custom, do not missed visiting the Sister's Meal Festival in Guizhou and joining in the local people's celebrating activities. The journey would be a great memory never fades away for you.

The Sister’s Meal Festival is the oldest festival among the Miao minority which inhabited in Guizhou province. During the festival the young boys and girls can choose their lovers freely. This is a local version of Valentine's Day, filled with equal parts gay mirth and very real stakes, and unlike any other you'll ever see.

The origins of Guizhou's most endearing of festivals are steeped in legend - three daughters find their true loves by following the advice of a local deity, who tells them to prepare rice offerings for the young men arriving from the mountains. Today, this celebration of love and spring is done with all the pomp and color characteristic of the beautiful Miao minority.

We will join the celebration at the very height of the festival. We will watch young Miaos begin their courtship for potential lifelong partners along with thousands of natives who have gathered from many miles around. The Miao girls will be dressed in their very finest, their self-made costumes a dazzling display of flowing colored sleeves, richly textured embroidery, elaborate headpieces and many layers of silver (altogether several kilograms worth, shiningly polished to ward off evil spirits). The spectacular pageantry carries on for several days, with women performing song and dance, flirting as their cheeks burn with excitement. All the while, the ongoing clamor of drums, firecrackers, dragon-lantern battles and water buffalo contests ensure there is never a dull moment.

This trip is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression long after you have left this magical slice of the past.

Itinerary:

Day 0: Evening flight to Guiyang.

Overnight hotel.

Day 1: Guiyang to Shidong via Gejia

In the morning we will drive 3 hours to Matang Gejia Village. The Gejia are often said to be a branch of the Miao minority ethnic group of Southwest China but although they live side by side with the Miao in Guizhou, the Gejia themselves claim a separate identity. The Gejia are famous for their fine batik work but they also do very fine and distinctive embroidery and they frequently combine the two. In late afternoon we will drive 2 hours to Shidong village. Overnight GH.

Day 2: Sister’s Meal Festival

We will spend the whole day at Sister’s Meal Festival watching dancing and singing show, traditional costumes show, bull fight and folk art show etc. Overnight GH.

Day 3: Shidong to Langde

We will enjoy more activities of the festival before driving two and a half hours to Langde, a real gem with traditional wooden houses and waterwheels. Overnight GH.

Day 4: Langde to Guiyang. Fly home.

We will spend the whole morning wonder around this peaceful village. Langde is known as the Miao's Ethnic Village Museum with different Miao's style houses. It is recommended for its silver ornaments, embroidered costumes and local lusheng music and dance performance.

The village is located at the foot of a mountain. There are five 'flower roads' leading to the village. Four wood gatehouses, called the 'gate of village', are placed at the eastern, western and northern entrances of the village. Propped up by wooden supports with ladders leading up, row upon row of wood houses makes a picturesque scene.

After lunch we will drive three and a half hours to Guiyang to catch a flight back home. Trip ends.

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