15 day Highlights of South-West China tour
March 5th-19th, 2010

Friday, March 5th : KUNMING-JIANSHUI (L, D)
Travel for approximately 5 hours from Kunming to Jianshui. Situated 220km south-east of Kunming, this town with a history of 1180 years is home to the Hani and Yi minorities. Visit Wen Miao, the second largest Confuscian Temple in China, built in the Yuan Dynasty with a history of 700 years. In the evening, we climb the Chaoyang Gateway Arch (known as the 'Miniature Tiananmen') to drink tea and listen to the local folk singing. Overnight in Jianshui.

Saturday, March 6th: JIANSHUI-YUANYANG (B, L, D)
In the morning visit the Zhu Family Garden, an expansive Qing dynasty residence with 214 rooms and 42 yards. We also visit nearby Tuanshan village, one of the few remaining medieval, fortified villages in south-West China, with its small, cobbled lanes, 900 year old houses and beautiful carvings. Drive along a bumpy road (125km, 3 hours) to Yuanyang, the center of many minority groups and set in magnificent landscapes of terraced fields.

Sunday, March 7th: AROUND YUANYANG (B, L, D)
Get up early to park yourself at the best vantage point in Yuanyang for sunrise-viewing- the hills behind Duoyishui village. Then visit the Laomeng market, one of the areas' liveliest and most vibrant markets where you will see people from Hani, Yi, Miao and Yao minorities dressed in their traditional clothes. In the afternoon, visit the mushroom houses in Qingkou Hani ethnic village, then hike up to Luoshuba (40 minute hike) to view the sunset.

Monday, March 8th : YUANYANG-JIANSHUI (B, L, D)
Continue your visit to Yuanyang Rice Terraces, trekking to some local villages to capture more spectacular views and to learn more about the locals' special techniques of agriculture. In the late afternoon we drive back to Jianshui (3 hours) for overnight.

Tuesday, March 9th : JIANSHUI-SWALLOW CAVE-LUNAN (B, L, D)
In the morning we visit Swallow Cave, a massive grotto of karst formation 30km to the east of Jianshui. Every year between spring and summer, thousands of swallows will fly here from Malaysia, building nests and giving birth to young swallows. Hike for approx. 3km through the cave, visiting both the dry cave and the water cave. In the afternoon drive on to Lunan, nearby the Stone Forest scenic area.

Wednesday, March 10th: STONE FOREST-LUOPING (B, L, D)
Arrive at the Stone Forest as the gates open to enjoy the amazing landscape of stone pillars before the crowds arrive. In the late morning, set out for the 4 hour drive to Luoping, stopping for lunch on the way. Ascend Jinjifeng (Golden Cock Peak) as the sun is setting for incredible views over the rapeseed-covered fields. Overnight at Hongfuyuan Guesthouse in Luoping.

Thursday, March 11th: AROUND LUOPING (B, L, D)
Spend a full day exploring the sites of Luoping. Return to Golden Cock Peak for sunrise. Then hike for 9km to Nine Dragon Waterfall. After sightseeing the waterfalls, visit some Buyi villages. Overnight in Luoping.

Friday, March 12th: LUOPING-XINGYI-MALING GORGE (B, L, D)
Take a bus to Xingyi. That afternoon, take a 2 hour hike through Heaven Star Gallery at Maling Gorge enjoying beautiful natural scenes of towering cliffs, waterfalls and interesting rock formations. Visit the Local Folk Museum of the Wedding Rituals to learn more about the marriage customs of the surrounding minority groups. Overnight in Xingyi.

Saturday, March 13th : THOUSAND PEAK HILLS-HUANGGUOSHU (B, L, D)
Visit Thousand Peak Hills where you will take an hour long cart ride to the top for stunning views over the surrounding karst peak countryside. Then drive for approx. 3 hours from Xingyi to Huangguoshu. Spend the whole afternoon visiting Huangguoshu Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Asia, and the Tianxing Qiao Scenic Region. Overnight in Anshun.

Sunday, March 14th : TIANLONG TUNBAO VILLAGE-QINGYAN-KAILI (B, L, D)
Visit Tianlong Tunbao Village where the women still dress in traditional Ming dynasty costumes, and houses remain faithful to the Ming architectural styles . Watch the Dixi opera on the stage in the town square and walk up to the top of Tian Shan to visit the Wulong Temple. Then drive on to Qingyan Ancient Town, home to very well preserved ancient buildings dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Drive for a further 3 hours to arrive in Nanhua. Overnight in homestay accommodation.

Monday, March 15th : NANHUA - RONGJIANG  (B, L, D)
Drive from Nanhua to Rongjiang (6 hours), stopping at Datang Miao “miniskirt” village and the Chejiang Dong villages to see the banyan trees. Overnight at the Rongjiang Xilaideng Hotel.

Tuesday, March 16th: RONGJIANG-YINGTAN-BASHA- ZHAOXING (B, L, D)
Drive from Rongjiang to Zhaoxing, stopping at Yingtan Dong Village and Basha Miao Village on the way. Overnight in a small hotel in Zhaoxing.

Wednesday, March 17th : ZHAOXING-DIPING-GUNCHONG-QINGYE (B, L, D)
Drive from Zhaoxing to Gunchong Miao Village stopping at the Long'e market on the way. Then hike for approx. 4 hours to Qingye, passing Pingcha Yao village on the way. Qingye is an interesting village with a mixture of Dong, Miao and Yao nationalities. Overnight in homestay accommodation in Qingye.

Thursday, March 18th: QINGYE-YANGXI-DANZHOU (B, L, D)
Hike down to Yangxi (2-3 hours) on the Beijiang River, where you will board a boat for the 3.5 hour ride to Dalang township. Then drive on to Danzhou village, a town with over 400 years of history and many well-preserved buildings. Stay overnight in the village in homestay accommodation.

Friday, March 19th: DANZHOU-GUILIN (B, L)
Drive from Danzhou Village back to Yangshuo (5 hrs) passing beautiful karst peak landscapes and pretty villages along the way. Tour concludes.

Notes:
1. A simple supplement of 600 RMB is payable for those requesting their own room in the hotels/guesthouses.
2. The price given in RMB is the final price. The equivalent price in USD is based on the current exchange rate between the RMB and the USD which may change.

Price includes:

1. Accommodation 14 nights accommodation. 3 nights in 3 star standard guesthouses, 3 nights in 2 star standard hotels, 4 nights in simple guesthouses and 3 nights in homestay accommodation.
2. Entrance tickets Yuanyang Rice Terraces (100 RMB), Zhu Family Garden (60 RMB), Confuscious Temple (60 RMB), Swallow Cave (80 RMB), Tuanshan Village (20 RMB), Stone Forest (140 RMB), Jiulong Waterfall (60 RMB), Golden Cock Peak (10 RMB), Maling Gorge (80 RMB), Ten Thousand Peak Hills (50 RMB), Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Qiao Scenic Area (180 RMB), Tianlong Tunbao Village (25 RMB), Chejiang Dong Village (10 RMB), Zhaoxing Dong Village (15 RMB), Basha Miao Village (15 RMB)
3. Meals 14 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 14 dinners as indicated on the itinerary. Lunches and dinners will be standard Chinese food including a variety of meat and vegetable dishes and rice. Breakfasts will mostly be noodles, steamed buns, eggs, dumplings or other Chinese breakfast foods.
4. GuideAn English speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour (separate guides for Yunnan and Guizhou/Guangxi).
5. TransportationTransportation is by private vehicle for the duration of the tour. This will be a 7 seater minivan for 1-3 people, or an 11-14 seater Jingbei van for groups of 4-10 people.

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