13 Days Yunnan and Guizhou Minorities Discovery Tour by Speed Train

Morning, visit the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan - Songzanlin Monastery. Afterwards visit Bita Lake & Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park, which is located in one of the most biologically-diverse regions of the world.

Today drive another 4 hours to Lijiang. On the way, stop to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world. After Lijiang arrival, head to visit Ancient town of Lijiang and stroll on Square Street.

After breakfast at hotel, drive to visit Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Then head to visit Yufeng Temple and Baisha Mural.

In the morning, drive back to Dali, one of the important cradles of Yunnan ancient culture. Upon arrival, visit Dali Ancient Town and Three Pagodas, the symbol of the history of Dali.

After breakfast at hotel, take an Erhai Cruise for about 4 hours. Erhai, is the second largest lake in Yunnan after Dianchi Lake. Then transferred to visit Xizhou Bai’s Houses (Yan’s Courtyard included) to see the ancient house of Bai people.

Explore this city at leisure until being transferred to Dali railway station for the overnight train to Kunming.

Breakfast at hotel, our tour guide and drive will pick you up from your hotel and then drive about 85km to the Stone Forest, a notable set of limestone formations and two parts of which have been UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the South China Karst. Besides, Stone Forest is also famous for the ethnic culture of the Sani People (a branch of the Yi ethnicminority).

After the visit, drive back to Kunming and visit Flowers and Birds Market.

After the breakfast, head to visit the epitome of ethnic groups of Yunnan - Yunnan Minority Village. Get to know their architecture styles, costumes, etiquette, etc. Then continue the tour to Western Hill & Dragon Gate. Stand on the Dragon Gate and have a panoramic view of the “Pearl on the Plateau” - Dianchi Lake.

After that, be transferred to the downtown and stroll around the Green Lake Park, watching the locals doing tai chi, performing local opera, and other activities. During the winter times, there are huge flocks of Siberian black-headed gulls flying around.

Today we will take 3-hour high speed train to Kaili which is well known for Miao ethnic group. Upon arrival, met by the tour guide and start today's tour.

Drive to Matang village to see Gejia group, which is an unrecognized nationality with Hou Yi as their ancestors. It is famous for exotic attires, colorful festivals and countryside feelings.

We will spend the whole day to explore Miao minority group. First visit Kaili Ethnic Minority Museum, which displays some buildings, food and drink, costumes, festivals, production, recreation, etiquette, morals and beliefs etc. created by Miao People.

Then head to Qingman Village, which is one of the most prominent and populated Miao Villages within the Province. See the Miao ladies dressed in their beautiful and colorful dresses along with their traditional headdresses and silver accessories.

Afterwards, visit Shiqiao Miao Village. The Miao people there still lives a self-sufficient living style. The village is renowned for traditional paper-making. It is a nice place to experience and learn the traditional paper-making.

After the tour, drive back to Kaili for overnight.

After breakfast, head to Jidao Miao Village, Upper Langde Miao Village, and Datang Miao Village to explore the culture of Miao people.

After the visit, drive to Xijiang for overnight. Appreciate the night view of Xijiang.

In the morning, explore Xijiang Miao Village, the largest Miao village in Asia. There are 12 natural villages, 1200 families and 6000 people, who dwell in wooden houses built by their hands. Appreciate an amazing view of the nature and experience the local life here.

Then drive back to Guiyang for your flight or train to your next destination. Service ends.