Discover the rich ethnic cultures of Southwest China on this immersive 18-day Southwest China trip through Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. Explore ancient towns, spectacular rice terraces and traditional villages while experiencing the heritage of the Hani, Bai, Naxi, Miao, Dong and other ethnic communities. From traditional crafts and local cuisine to music, dance and hands-on cultural experiences, this journey offers an in-depth exploration of Southwest China’s diverse landscapes and living traditions.
Upon arrival in Guangzhou, meet your guide and driver at the airport before transferring to a local restaurant for dinner. Transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight stay.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Dinner
Enjoy a short morning sightseeing tour of Guangzhou before taking the afternoon flight to Kunming. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour, followed by a visit to the Yunnan Ethnic Museum, offering an introduction to the cultural and geographical diversity of Southwestern China.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: None
Visit the spectacular Stone Forest (Shilin), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and discover the traditions of the Sani people, a branch of the Yi ethnic minority. After a traditional local lunch, continue to Jianshui.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Explore the historic town of Jianshui, including Zhu Family Garden, the Confucian Temple, Daban Well, and enjoy a traditional movable-type printing experience at the Xuezheng Examination Hall (optional, RMB 30 per person). After lunch, travel through the Ailao Mountains to Yuanyang, arriving in time to admire the spectacular sunset over the Bada Rice Terraces.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Immerse yourself in Hani culture with visits to Qingkou Hani Village, the Honghe Rice Terraces Museum, and Aicun’s Blue Rice Terraces. Experience traditional village life by dressing in Hani costumes, joining a coloured rice cooking demonstration, and enjoying a Hani Basket Banquet featuring local red rice, before exploring Azheke Folk Village and its distinctive mushroom-shaped houses.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Rise early to witness the sunrise over the Duoyishu Rice Terraces before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Then travel back to Kunming, stopping at Fuxian Lake and Fuhai Wetland Park along the way. Upon arrival, visit the historic Jinma and Biji Archways.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel by high-speed train to Dali. Explore Dali Ancient Town and discover the history of the former Nanzhao Kingdom, closely connected with the heritage of the Bai ethnic minority.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Explore Xizhou Morning Market, admire traditional Bai architecture, and sample the famous Xizhou Baba. Experience the Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony before continuing to Zhoucheng for a hands-on tie-dye experience at Puzhen Tie-Dye Workshop. Later, travel to Shaxi Ancient Town, an important stop along the historic Tea Horse Road.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Stroll through the charming Ancient Town of Shaxi, the best-preserved market town along the historic Tea Horse Road. Continue to Shibaoshan, where you will visit the remarkable Shibaoshan Grottoes (including round-trip electric shuttle service), renowned for their exquisite Buddhist carvings dating back over a thousand years. Afterwards, continue your journey to Lijiang.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Explore the UNESCO-listed Lijiang Old Town, Dongba Culture Museum, Yuhu Village, and Baisha Ancient Town. Enjoy an immersive Naxi cultural experience at a local family home, including traditional costumes, tofu making, local snacks, Dongba pictographic writing, and Guozhuang Dance, before enjoying a performance of Naxi Ancient Music in the evening.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast, fly from Lijiang to Guiyang (direct flight subject to seasonal availability; otherwise via Kunming). Upon arrival in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, transfer to your hotel. Later, explore Qingyun Market, one of Guiyang’s most vibrant food streets, where you can discover a wide variety of local snacks and authentic Guizhou flavours. Dinner included and check in Hotel.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Travel from Guiyang to Kaili and visit the Qiandongnan Ethnic Museum for an introduction to Guizhou’s diverse ethnic cultures. Continue to Langde Miao Village to experience a traditional welcome ceremony and Miao cultural performance, explore its historic lanes and traditional wooden houses, and gain insight into local life before returning to Kaili.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel from Kaili to Rongjiang, stopping at Matang Gejia Village to experience traditional batik-making and Shiqiao Miao Village to discover the centuries-old craft of handmade papermaking, before continuing through the Guizhou countryside to Rongjiang.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel from Rongjiang to Zhaoxing, stopping at Basha Miao Village to experience traditional Miao music, dance, and village life. Continue to Zhaoxing Dong Village to explore its Drum Towers, Wind and Rain Bridges, and traditional wooden houses, before enjoying a performance of the UNESCO-listed Dong Grand Song.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Visit Tang’an Dong Village and enjoy views of the surrounding rice terraces before returning to Zhaoxing. Later, transfer to Congjiang Railway Station for the high-speed train to Guilin, where you will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel after dinner.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Full-day excursion to the spectacular Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) Rice Terraces. Visit a traditional Zhuang village and Huangluo Red Yao Village. Experience demonstrations of traditional weaving, embroidery and ethnic costume-making.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cruise along the breathtaking Li River, surrounded by the iconic karst mountains. Arrive in Yangshuo and explore its beautiful countryside. Enjoy a farewell dinner featuring the distinctive flavours of Guangxi cuisine.
Accommodation: 4-star standard accommodation
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Transfer by high-speed train from Yangshuo to Guangzhou, where you will connect with your international departure flight.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
