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South-East Guizhou - The Heart of China's Ethnic Minority Cultures

Chinese minority

Kaili  Along the Xiang-Qian(Hunan-Guizhou) Railway to the southeast of Guizhou province, Kaili city is the capital of Miao and Dong Minority Autonomous region and the central tourist city in the southeast.

Cong'an    Lying about two hours north of Kaili by bus, this hamlet's claim to fame is its market, held every five days. Set along the river, Chong'an retains its village size and atmosphere as well as many of its wooden homes and buildings. There are also some good walks along the river and into the Miao villages nearby.

Suoga    Suoga Township, 60 km from Liuzhi Special District, is the home of Longhorn Miaos. There are 12 villages, and Longga Village is the best known.

Suoga Township is the only habitat of the Longhorn Miao, a branch of the Miao ethnic group that, with a population of just 6,000, is the smallest in China. Longhorn Miaos have survived the cold weather and barren soil in the 1,600-meter Daqing Mountains for centuries, and still live a self-supporting tribal lifestyle far removed from the modern world. Foreign researchers have dubbed them living fossils of primitive society.

The Longhorn Miaos are so called due to their unique hairstyles and headdresses. Women wear wooden cones, around which they bind their hair, securing it up with white woolen cord. This headgear symbolizes the group's respect for nature. Today, men no longer wear these long horns, other than during important festivals, and cover their heads with black handkerchiefs instead. Women still don their long horns, but seldom wrap their hair around them.  

The Longhorn Miaos have a number of traditional customs that persist to this day. One is known as wedding beating', where the bride's family will playfully wrestle with the groom, the matchmaker, and his friends. Another is the Daga funeral rite, when the deceased's family receives a list of gifts from mourners carved onto bamboo which is read out before the grieving family. 

Leishan County  Leigong Mountain ("God of Thunder" Mountain) and its surrounding areas, roughly defined by modern-day Leishan County in the southeast of Guizhou province, are the ancestral home of the Miao minority group. For centuries the Miao have settled amidst the tranquil foothills and valleys undulating away from their revered mountain. Visiting their villages and gaining a glimpse into their culture has become one of China` s most unique travel experiences.

Pai Ka Village 
The village of Pai Ka is known for its manufacture of Lushengs, the characteristic musical instrument of the Miao. Visit the home of a Lusheng maker and buy a lusheng as a unique souvenir.

Xin Qiao Village
Xin Qiao Village is known for its traditional dance performances, as well as the Miao version of the miniskirt.  Dances are held in the village square. A huge gong is tied to a wooden post in the middle of the square. An all-male band of Lusheng players, with the bandleader also in charge of striking the gong, plays for an all-female group of dancers. The lushly dressed female dancers, whose total number can reach 100, move in lines and circles, forming different patterns. Their bodies, adorned with silver headwear, necklaces, bangles, and anklets become musical instruments as well, emitting a metallic melody in sync with the rhythm of their footsteps.The most popular dances include "The Pheasant Dance", "The Wooden Stool Dance", and "The Joyful Children Dance."Guests can participate in the dances.

Besides dancing, the Miao women of Xin Qiao are also known for their tradition of wearing miniskirts. The Miao miniskirt, measures 16 centimeters in length, but is made from 7 meters of local cloth.

Xijiang Village   Hidden in the folds of the Leigong Hills, Xijiang is thought to be the largest Miao village. It's a superbly picturesque place, set in a natural basin and bordered by paddy fields drenched in green, with wooden houses rising up the hillside. The village is a site in itself and there are also plenty of pleasant walks you can take around the hillside.

Xijiang has a population of nearly six thousand, making it one of the largest Miao villages, though technically it is comprised of eight smaller villages located close to one another. Like most Miao villages, Xijiang lies in a valley. Situated on two hills in the valley, a small stream bisects the village.

Xijiang contains many examples of Miao architecture, which is known for its harmony with nature. Many of the inhabitants live in a type of house known as diao jiao lou. These are wooden houses with tile roofs and stilt-like supports built on hillsides. Cobblestone paths hiding under the tiled eaves lead the way to each Miao family. Xijiang` s silverwork and batik also rank among the village`s claims to fame.

Mao Mao He Village
Mao Mao He village (" Cat Cat River" village) is a tiny example of human settlement. Built along one rugged tree-lined path, Mao Mao He is known as a great place to sample the regional cuisine. Dinner shows often complement the great food.

Bullfighting
Unlike Spanish bullfighting, Miao bullfighting is only between bulls. Visit Leishan County in October and November, the annual festival season of the Miao, if you want to catch the bullfights.

The Sisters' Rice Festival in Shidong    The Sisters' Rice Festival (sister's meal festival) in Shidong brings villagers from many remote mountain areas together in search of a mate. A kaleidoscope of colors, local customs and traditions, signature costumes and hairstyles provide a never-ending fashion show. Lucky lads with Sisters' Rice.   The Sisters' Rice Festival is sometimes called Sisters' Meal Festival or Eat Sisters' Rice Festival. The legend says that there was once an old man and his wife who had three beautiful daughters. One day while they played on the riverside, the young girls felt lovesick. Zhang Guolao, a bearded God who carried a bamboo tubular drum, possessed the spirits of the girls, telling them to prepare five-colored rolls of glutinous rice filled with shrimp, fish and other special things. When young men came down from the mountain, the beautiful girls presented the rice to them. In this way, the young girls found their marriage partners.

The Sisters' Rice Festival always begins with special family meals. Sharing traditional foods such as rice that has been colored with the dyes of different leaves, berries and flowers, then cooked in bamboo tubes, and homemade rice wine, is similarly practised among the many Miao tribes. Some of the dyed rice is molded into balls that hold hidden treasures. These rice balls are presented to the young men who come to visit, and each treasure has a different meaning. Pine needles mean "You should give me embroidery needles." and corn silk is a suggestion of fine yarn. A thorn tells the lucky fellow "You are the one!" Chopsticks or red flower pistils say, "Let's marry quickly -- the sooner the better." And a single chopstick, some garlic or chili means, "Find someone else!"Also in anticipation of the Sisters' Rice Festival, the grandmothers, mothers and other female relatives polish and shine the collection of silver neck rings, bracelets, anklets, earrings, hair pins and combs, rings and pendants, phoenix crowns and headpieces that the young courting-age girls will wear. The Miao believe that silver, representing light, dispels evil spirits. Silver is also a symbol of wealth and beauty, and some young women wear several kilograms of it at one time.Dazzling embroidered skirts, blouses, aprons and jackets are decorated with many different tooled silver ornaments. Pretty necks are encircled with bands of silver and linking silver chains that support large shining lockets, glittering beads and hanging tassels. Elaborate silver headpieces crown the heads of the girls as they proudly display their self-made costumes.

The Qingshui river side becomes lively and exciting as the music and dancing begins. As they walk and dance, the lovely Miao girls jingle and shimmer in the sun. Their cheeks burn with excitement while they flirt with handsome young men, each of whom is searching for a beauty worthy of his strength and handsomeness.Meanwhile, you will find many elders at the cockfighting competitions, trading at the daylong markets, or leisurely rowing long dugout canoes on the river beside the festival ground. This is a time of camaraderie and "catching up."  

When darkness falls, the festival beat increases as the Dragon dances begin. Candles are lit inside the 25-meter-long hollow paper dragons. Battles begin as the fiery dragons weave in and out of the hooting crowds chasing each other. Drums and fireworks complete the noisy atmosphere. Long into the night, the partying continues... A typical Miao village.

Bamboo flutes and wooden drums echo sounds throughout the valley as the dawn breaks, beginning the next day's festivities. As crowds slowly gather, the lovely dancing girls strut like peacocks while the boys look on admiringly.

Mid-morning approaches, and the elders rush off to the bullfights. Excitement rises as the mighty bulls lock horns, trying to wrestle each other to the ground. All day long, one bull after another is defeated and then the final match begins. The winning bull brings great honor and riches to his owner for the following year, so although it is festival, the participants enter into the fights with a certain seriousness. Such anxiety calls for much merriment, eating, drinking and friendly betting. The champion bull's horns are festooned with chickens, ducks, red ribbons and flowers as he is led around the battleground and through the town, snorting proudly for all to see. Finally he is bathed in the soothing waters of the Qingshui. The crowds thin out as people join picnics and special feasts. Into the evening, the elders continue to make the rounds, greeting their friends, swapping stories and songs, sharing tobacco and wine.As the moon rises high in the night sky, young lovers wander off. The mountain paths are busy with the sounds of tinkling footsteps and clear melodious voices singing gentle love songs to the tunes of Lusheng pipes.And love is in the air.  

Guizhou is fascinating. Home to several minority tribes, there is a festival happening in a different village all the time! If you are in search of virgin forests and well preserved natural ecosystem, quiet river journeys or solitary mountain trekking, then pack your bag and head for Guizhou. The misty mountain air is refreshing, life goes on at an easy pace and everyone is hospitable. Just allow enough time to stay twice as long as you plan! (Source: China Today)

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Day02, Yangshuo.

Day03, Yangshuo to Longsheng and Chengyang.

Day04, Chengyang to Zhaoxing.

day05, Zhaoxing.

Day06, Zhaoxing to Longli via Liping.

Day07, Rongli to Rongjiang.

Day08, Rongjing to Xijiang via Leishan

Day09, Xijiang to Kaili.

Day10, Kaili send to Guiyang airport / or Kaili train staion, trip end.

Packages / per person / per day / in Chinese RMB Yuan:  

1800Y /  pax / groups of 1,     800Y / pax / groups of 6  / max 

inclusive:  

vehicle, English speaking guide, 2~3 star hotel, meals, arrangement

Day02, Zhenyuan to Xijiang via Leishan.

Day03, Xijiang to Sanjiang, Zhaoxing.

Day04, Zhaoxing back to Kaili.

Day05, Kaili send to Guiyang airport, / or Kaili train station, trip end.

Packages / per person / per day / in Chinese RMB Yuan:  

1800Y /  pax / groups of 1,     800Y / pax / groups of 6  / max 

inclusive:  

vehicle, English speaking guide, 2~3 star hotel, meals, arrangement

Day01, Meet at Guiyang airport and drive to Kaili. If your flight arrive early, on the way will stop and go to visit a Gejia people’s village, then drive to Kaili. Hotel:  3 star Kaili hotel

Day02, After breakfast, get ready and drive to Xijiang town via Langde. Stop at Langde for lunch. Then drive to Xijiang village, check in your hotel. Hotel:  3 star Xijiang hotel

Day03, Xijiang to Congjiang county town, over night, will going to visit Basha village. Hotel:  3 star Congjiang hotel

Day04, Congjia to Longli ancient town, visit the old street, have lunch there, then drive to Zhaoxing Dong village, check in your hotel. Hotel:  the best Dong hostel

Day05, In the morning, will visit this Dong village, and after lunch, drive to longji rice terraces via Chengyang Dong village, over night at Dazhai village. Hotel:  the best hotel in Dazhai

Day06, Longji drive to Yangshuo. Will take the beautiful highway which is drive through the Guilin peaks and villages. Arrive Yangshuo, check in your hotel. Hotel:  4 star Yangshuo Green Lotus hotel

Day07, After breakfast, do a cycling trip along the Yulonghe river, enjoy the dreamland of Yangshuo scenery, after lunch, make a boat tour on the Li river. Hotel:  4 star Yangshuo Green Lotus hotel

Day08, After breakfast, drive to Guilin, again will take the Yangshuo scenery highway, after 1 hour, arrive Guilin, to visit the famous Elephant trunk hill of Guilin, after that send to Guilin airport, your trip end.

Packages / per person / per day / in Chinese RMB Yuan:  

1800Y /  pax / groups of 1,    1400- 800Y / pax / groups of 2-6  / max 

inclusive:  vehicle, English speaking guide, 2~3 star hotel, meals, arrangement

Day02, Kaili to Xijiang.

Day03, Xijinag to Longli via Sanjiang.

Day04, Longli to Zhaoxing.

Day06, Sanjiang to Kaili.

Day07, Kaili send to Guiyang airport / or Kaili train station, trip end.

Packages / per person / per day / in Chinese RMB Yuan:  

1800Y /  pax / groups of 1,     800Y / pax / groups of 6  / max 

inclusive:  

vehicle, English speaking guide, 2~3 star hotel, meals, arrangement

Day02, Yangshuo.

Day03, Yangshuo to Longsheng and Chengyang.

Day04, Chengyang to Zhaoxing.

Day05, Zhaoxing to Longli via Liping.

Day07, Rongli to Rongjiang and Xijiang via Leishan

Day09, Xijiang to Kaili.

Day10, Kaili to Liuzhi via Shidong

Day11, Liuzhi to Suoga long hron Miao area

Day12, Suoga, see the Long horn miao people's villages, back to Guiyang

Packages / per person / per day / in Chinese RMB Yuan:  

1800Y /  pax / groups of 1,     800Y / pax / groups of 6  / max 

inclusive:  

vehicle, English speaking guide, 2~3 star hotel, meals, arrangement

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