Culture & Trekking Trip to the Ethnic Minority Villages of Southwest China - 11 Days

Highlights

• Seek out ancient temples and gardens amid Hong Kong's modern streets
• Travel up the scenic Li River alongside rice paddies and karst towers
• Meet tribespeople in ethnic minority villages scattered through the countryside
• Enjoy folk singing from tribal choirs with a history spanning thousands of years

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hong Kong, Tour the Kowloon Peninsula

Welcome to China! You'll arrive in Hong Kong, a city on China's southern coast. It's part of a semiautonomous region, meaning Hong Kong has its own identity, spirit, and culture separate from the rest of China—though there are plenty of similarities. You'll witness this dichotomy firsthand right upon arrival as you ride the train from the airport to Hong Kong's high-rises and bustling streets on the Kowloon Peninsula.

After checking in at your hotel, meet a guide and stretch your legs on a half-day tour of this dynamic city. Your first stop is Wong Tai Sin Temple, a famous Taoist temple in the central Kowloon City District. Established in 1921, it's dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, a deity revered for his power to heal and grant wishes.

From there, continue to the ornate Nan Lian, a public garden located east of Kowloon in Diamond Hill. Spanning 8.6 acres (3.5 ha), it's designed in the style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), considered a golden age in Chinese history. You'll have a great time wandering its meandering paths and snapping pics of its golden pavilions, waterfalls, lotus ponds, and more. If there's time, finish the tour at the famous Bird Market, a narrow alleyway in Kowloon filled with shops selling diverse species of birds and insects.

Day 2: Hong Kong Sightseeing Tour

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll hit the streets of Hong Kong along with your expert local guide to experience the sights and flavors of this dynamic city. Start with a classic ride on the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for panoramic city views. Then, head to Repulse Bay, a wealthy suburb in the south of Hong Kong famous for its beautiful beaches.

From there, continue to Aberdeen Fishing Village (also known as Old Hong Kong), located on the island's south coast adjacent to a naturally sheltered harbor. One highlight is a famous floating seafood restaurant. Stop here to enjoy some of the city's freshest seafood dishes amid epic views of Victoria Harbour. An even more memorable experience involves a ride around the harbor in a traditional sampan (a flat-bottomed wooden boat), which is typically operated by elderly locals.

The last stop on the tour is the renowned Stanley Market. Located in a quaint village on Hong Kong's south coast, this commercial area is a huge hit with locals, expats, and tourists for its enormous selection of brand-name clothing, accessories, home furnishings, souvenirs, ornaments, and knickknacks of all kinds. An added bonus is that the market features a dizzying array of great eateries. 

Day 3: Train to Guilin, Visit Reed Flute Cave

Board your first high-speed train in China this morning for the ride 3.5 hours north to the countryside city of Guilin. During the journey, kick back and relax as Hong Kong's high-rises give way to verdant rice paddies backed by soaring mountains. Upon arrival in this major hub on the Li River, drop off your bags at your accommodation and set off on the next adventure—heading west of Guilin to discover the mystical Reed Flute Cave.

Step inside the caverns and marvel at towering stalagmites and dripping stalactites, which come alive in an array of colorful lights. These caves were created over millions of years and reach a whopping 1,640 feet (500 m) in depth. Venture deeper into the hidden chambers to see rushing waterfalls and ink inscriptions dating back to the eighth century CE. As you exit, admire the reeds growing near the entrance (hence the name), then transfer back to Guilin in the afternoon.

Day 4: Li River Cruise to Yangshuo, Hike the Yulong River

This morning, take a cruise on one of China's most picturesque waterways, the Li River, all the way from Guilin to the resort town of Yangshuo. This is the best way to see the region's classic karst (limestone) formations, and you'll enjoy the gentle breeze as you visit famous landmarks, including the Nine-Horse Fresco and Yellow Cloth Shoal (depicted on the 20 yuan note). You'll also pass idyllic farms, villages, and fields as you marvel at the otherworldly towers dotting the landscape.

After around four hours, you'll disembark in the town of Yangshuo for a guided tour of the vibrant West Street. The oldest street in town, it dates back 1,400 years and is filled with local artisans by day and lively bars and restaurants by night. Purchase handwoven textiles or locally made pottery, stop in one of the many cafés, and wander the charming street lined with historic buildings.

Once you've settled into your accommodation, you'll meet a local guide for a hike around the countryside. During this two-hour jaunt, you'll stroll past meandering rivers and flourishing rice paddies backed by soaring karst towers. Most of this route follows the Yulong River, which itself is a sight to behold due to its pristine waters gracefully winding through lush greenery amid limestone peaks. You may even spot water buffalo and local fishermen skillfully navigating their bamboo rafts along the river's gentle currents—all adding to the pastoral charm.

Day 5: Hike the Longji Rice Terraces, Visit Zhuang Village

A scenic two-hour drive along the highway will take you from Yangshuo to Longji, where you'll enjoy epic vistas of the Longji Terraced Fields. Also known as the "Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces," they earned this nickname due to the terraced fields blanketing the green hills, which, when viewed from a distance, resemble the scales of a great dragon.

Upon arrival, you'll lace up your hiking boots and set off on a half-day trek around these otherworldly landscapes. As you go, you'll marvel at panoramic vistas of rolling hills and rice paddies that change color with the seasons. The area is also home to 10 ethnic tribes, like the Zhuang and Yao people. In total, there are around 56 officially recognized minority groups in this country, each with rich histories dating back thousands of years. These groups have their own distinct languages and cultures that have played significant roles in shaping China's cultural and historical landscape.

During the hike, you'll stop in one such community. The Ping'an Zhuang Village is home to over 50 families comprised of both Zhuang and Yao peoples. The Yao people in the village are easily identifiable due to their distinct long hair, with some women's hair reaching over 6.5 feet (2 m) in length. Besides meeting friendly locals, you'll also hike to a viewpoint on a mountaintop above the village, where you'll be treated to dazzling views of the countryside. At the end of the day, you'll return to the village of Longji, where you'll overnight.

Day 6: Hike to Dazhai Village, Transfer to Guilin

Set off once again this morning on a full-day hike amid the unrivaled beauty of the Longji landscapes. Most of the route follows a mountain ridge offering fine views of the countryside (don't forget your camera!). You'll make your way along the terraced rice fields and ascend steep mountainsides until you reach Dazhai Village. Here, you'll meet friendly Yao people and enjoy a cultural exchange before hiking back to Longji. Then, you'll meet your driver for the two-hour ride back to Guilin, where you'll spend the night.

Day 7: Train to Zhaoxing, Visit Zhaoxing Dong Village

Transfer to the station this morning and board a train for the 50-minute ride northwest to the Congjiang Station, near Zhaoxing Village. Home to the Dong ethnic minority, this village is renowned for its well-preserved traditional architecture, which includes stately drum towers, historic wooden houses, and beautiful wind and rain bridges. After checking into your accommodation, you'll head out for a half-day tour to discover the rich culture of the Dong people. You and your guide will start at the village gate, where you can hike up to an observation deck for panoramic village views.

To learn more about the town's heritage, visit the Zhaoxing Dong Culture Museum. It offers valuable insights into this culture. Among other things, it features exhibits showcasing traditional textiles and detailed displays of traditional Dong architecture. These include models and photographs of iconic structures such as the drum towers and bridges. 

Day 8: Day Trip to Tang'an Village, Folk Music Performance

Another full-day adventure through unspoiled countryside is in store as you leave Zhaoxing on a drive to Tang'an. Situated on a mountainside surrounded by paddy fields and verdant plantations, it's renowned as the most pristine Dong village in China. Though smaller than Zhaoxing Village, Tang'an shares many of the former's traditional features while emanating a more rugged ambience. 

Once here, you'll explore the village and, with the help of your guide, meet friendly locals. Then, embark on a 2-3-hour scenic hike to enjoy the fine mountainside views that have made this area famous. After the hike, return to the village in time to catch a folk music performance. These communities are renowned for their "Grand Song of the Dong People," a UNESCO-recognized form of polyphonic (choral) singing performed by village residents. It's a tradition passed down over generations for thousands of years.

Day 9: Day Trip to Ethnic Villages, Transfer to Rongjiang

This morning, leave Zhaoxing on a full-day tour of some of the region's lesser-known minority villages. Along with your driver, travel about 1.5 hours to Biasha Miao, known as "the Last Gunslinger Village in China." Interestingly, this is the only place in China where people can legally own guns. Legend has it that the Biasha people are descendants of a famous warrior in Chinese mythology, hence the traditional warrior dress of the Biasha men (they also carry swords and firelock muskets). While here, enjoy a Biasha folk performance that features a one-of-a-kind haircut ritual—done with a sickle!

After spending time in Biasha Miao, take a short drive to Zhanli Dong, a village known for its fertility culture and traditional Dong buildings that blend harmoniously with the surrounding forest. As for the fertility aspect, this village has a 600-year-old tradition of using a kind of "changing flower plant" to make herbal medicines for family planning purposes. According to the myth, this unique plant can alter a baby's sex, and the legend is it ensures each family in the village has one son and one daughter. As a result, for centuries, Zhanli has sustained zero population growth.

If time permits and you'd like to explore further, you can visit the charming Xiaohuang Dong. This village is renowned as a "village of song" for its Dong Grand Song (Kam Grand Choir), so expect another memorable folk music performance. At the end of the day, you'll meet your driver for the 1.5-hour ride west to Rongjiang County, considered the birthplace of Miao and Dong cultures.

Day 10: Transfer to Kaili, Visit Ethnic Villages

It's a two-hour drive north this morning from Rongjiang to Kaili. This city is located in southeastern Guizhou province and is known for its rich ethnic diversity, as it's a cultural hub for the Miao, Dong, and other minority groups. Today, you'll have the opportunity to explore Kaili's two distinct factions within the Miao ethnic minority.

First, travel just north of Kaili to Matang Village, which is home to approximately 400 members of the Gejia people, a specific subgroup of the Miao community. Renowned for their expertise in batik artistry, this tribe plays an integral role in preserving and promoting traditional crafting within Kaili's cultural landscape. Their vibrant attire and meticulously handcrafted embellishments serve as distinctive markers that set them apart from other Miao groups.

Next you'll visit Upper Langde Village, where you'll experience more traditions of the Miao people. This village is renowned for its typical long-skirt Miao culture and is known as "the village of Chinese art of folk song and dance." Upon arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed with traditional customs such as firecrackers and folk songs about wine. As you enjoy these traditional performances, notice the vibrant colors of Miao women's long skirts as well as the village's traditional Miao architecture.

Day 11: Transfer to Guiyang, Depart 

Your final journey on this epic China adventure involves a two-hour transfer west to the city of Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province. Here, you'll arrive at the airport in time to catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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