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

Chinese minority

has long been a remote backwater of China's Southwest, largely untouched by tourism development seen in surrounding provinces such as Guangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. Its relative isolation has made the region one of the best kept secrets in China.Southeastrn Guizhou,The rich minority areas.Technically,in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture,over 13 different minorities live in the forested hillsides and river valleys of this region.Many of these minorities continue to hold epic weekly markets and annual festivals and retain a unique way of life relatively untouched by China's modernising mania.

Kaili,about 195km almost directly east of Guiyang,is the  centre of the Miaosilver culture and the gateway to the surrounding minority villages.

Traveling deep into the mountain area of Guizhou, a province tucked away in Southwest China, we will explore traditional ethnic minority villages inhabited by Miao and Dong groups, and travel further to meet the enigmatic Gejia people, who are unfamiliar to even the (Han) Chinese. We will travel from one village to another, meeting colorfully dressed ethnic minority people selling goods in the markets, making tofu or cultivating rice in their fields. If we are lucky, we might chance upon one of their vibrant festivals, which are held throughout the lunar calendar. This trip offers a unique opportunity to spend time in one of China's most isolated regions, appreciating ancient architectural styles and local customs of the ethnic minorities, while at the same time enjoying the unspoiled beauty of its mountains and valleys.

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.

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.

Trekking China

4wd overland

Snow Mt. climbing

Rock and ice climb

Culture China

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, 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

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

Day02, Kaili to Xijiang.

Day03, Xijinag to Longli via Sanjiang.

Day04, Longli to Zhaoxing.

Day05, Zhaoxing to Longji rice terraces via Chengyang.

Day06, Longji  to Yangshuo via Guilin.

Day07, Yangshuo

Day08, Yangshuo back to Guilin, send to airport / or 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, 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

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