7 Days Colorful Guizhou Tour: Huangguoshu, Xiaoqikong & Hidden Ethnic Villages

Welcome to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou! Your guide and driver await you at the airport/train station for a smooth transfer to your downtown hotel. Breathe in the fresh air!

Guiyang Arrival Ideas:

Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE) is the primary airport serving the city, offering direct flights to major cities across China, including Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Wuhan, and Xiamen, as well as international destinations such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Guiyang is a significant railway hub in Southwest China, serving numerous bullet trains that connect Guiyang to major cities such as Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, and other cities within Guizhou.

Free Time Idea:

1. Qianling Park (黔灵公园): Escape into nature at Guiyang's largest urban park. Hike up Qianling Mountain, visit Hongfu Temple, and meet the playful monkeys along the trails.
2. Jiaxiu Pavilion (甲秀楼): This iconic three-tiered pavilion stands gracefully in the Nanming River. It's a symbol of Guiyang, especially beautiful lit up at night. Take a stroll around the area and soak in the historical ambiance.
3. Qingyun Market (青云市集): Just 1 km from Jiaxiu Pavilion, Qingyun Market is a lively night market once known as Guiyang's "midnight canteen." Stroll through its vibrant stalls, sample local snacks, and soak up the bustling nightlife atmosphere.

After breakfast, drive 2.5 hours to reach Anshun for the Huangguoshu Waterfall Tour, the location of the largest waterfall in China and Asia. You will hear the roaring water a kilometer away and admire the waterfall's dynamic views!

Back in the 17th century, Xu Xiake, a famous ancient Chinese geographer and pre-internet celebrity, traveled to this resort. His blog boosted the reputation of this waterfall nationwide! Follow the popular path he took:

Head to Doupotang Scenic Area (陡坡塘), known for its 105-meter width. It is one of the filming locations for the TV series version of Journey to the West, one of China's Four Great Classical Novels. During the wet season, the water flow is rapid and makes a low roar, hence its nickname "Roaring Waterfall." Many tourists enjoy imitating the scenes of Journey to the West pilgrims. Feel free to try it!

Next, take a sightseeing bus to Tianxingqiao Scenic Area (天星桥), to admire the most complete karst landscape in the scenic area - caves, waterfalls, and water stone forests interwoven. You can enjoy view from various angles, with no repetitive vlog or plog scenery. It is especially famous for Silver Chain Dropping Pool Waterfall (银链坠潭瀑布). Unlike ordinary waterfalls, where water falls linearly, multiple small waterfalls converge and cascade from a circular stone beach into the deep pool below.

Afterward, take a sightseeing bus to Huangguoshu Waterfall (黄果树瀑布). As the main waterfall with a huge drop, 77.8 meters high and 101 meters wide, it consists of 18 waterfalls with different styles. At first glance, it can be folded into four layers. During the summer flood season, the water volume per hour is enough to fill 1296 swimming pools, falling into the 17-meter-deep pool. The roaring sound of water hit rocks day and night. You will build a deep connection with nature, find scenery changes from high up, straight on, and from the side.

Behind the waterfall is the 134-meter-long narrow Water Curtain Cave (水帘洞), a great place to touch the flowing water and see how it falls. You will walk to it and return by escalator.

After visit, the guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Anshun City.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive towards Libo (approximately 4 hours, covering about 350 kilometers).

Upon arrival, dive into the ethereal beauty of Xiaoqikong Scenic Area (小七孔景区), often referred to as the "Earth's Green Emerald Belt" for its stunning jade-green lakes and rivers. As a core part of the South China Karst UNESCO World Heritage Site, this Seven Small Arches Scenic Area showcases the essence of karst landscapes - lush forests, crystal-clear streams, waterfalls, caves, and dramatic limestone formations all in one place.

Your visit combines leisurely walking and shuttle bus rides, allowing you to experience the best of Xiaoqikong's natural charm. Wander across the iconic Xiaoqikong Bridge (小七孔古桥), which gracefully spans the emerald-green waters of Hanbi Pond. Its seven semicircular arches create perfect reflections on the water's surface, forming complete circles that seem painted into the landscape amid lush greenery.

As you continue, discover surreal scenes, such as the mighty Laya Waterfall (拉雅瀑布), where water drops over 30 meters from a mossy cliffside, forming a powerful, curtain-like cascade. The multi-layered 68-Level Waterfall (68级叠水瀑布) follows each layer displaying its own character, rhythmic and graceful, like nature's flowing poetry.

A truly unique sight is the Water Forest (水上森林) - a green labyrinth where rare trees grow directly from the riverbed, and roots intertwine with clear flowing streams. Walk along submerged stone paths and feel the magic of “trees rising from the water, and water flowing through a forest.”

Don't miss the Cuigu Waterfall (翠谷瀑布) cascades 60 meters down a forest cliff, a silver river pouring from the sky. And marvel at the incredibly blue waters of Wolong Pond (卧龙潭), often compared to the famous lakes of Jiuzhaigou. The pond flows gently over the top of a curved dam, forming a graceful crescent-shaped waterfall.

After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Libo for check-in.

After breakfast, you will depart from Libo and drive towards Jiabang Rice Terraces near Congjiang County (approx. 3.5 to 4 hours, covering about 200 kilometers).

Nestled deep within the Moon Mountain region, Jiabang Rice Terraces are one of Guizhou’s most spectacular and lesser-known natural wonders. Spanning over 10,000 mu (about 666 hectares), these meticulously carved terraces cascade like shimmering steps. In spring, they mirror the sky; in summer, they burst with lush green rice; and in autumn, they glow with a golden hue.

Home to the Mao and Dong ethnic groups, the terraces are dotted with traditional wooden stilt houses, creating a harmonious blend of agriculture and culture. The Miao ancestors developed a unique rice-fish-duck symbiotic farming system, an age-old practice where fish and ducks are raised in the paddies, naturally enhancing soil fertility and providing natural pest control.

Take a gentle hike through the terraces and villages, soak in breathtaking views, admire iconic wooden houses, and glimpse authentic Miao life untouched by mass tourism. Tonight, stay overnight at a local guesthouse in the Jiabang Rice Terraces area, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the tranquil countryside, especially at dawn and dusk when the terraces glow with enchanting beauty.

In the early morning, as a soft mist blankets the mountains, you will wake up to the serene beauty of Jiabang Rice Terraces. Clouds rise slowly from the valleys, veiling the terraces in a dreamy haze, like a scene from a fairyland. Shrouded in mist, the terraces, stilt houses, and working farmers appear ethereal, fading in and out of view.

After enjoying breakfast, depart from Jiabang and drive toward Zhaoxing. Along the way, you will visit Zhanli Dong Village, Biasha Miao Village, and Zhaoxing Dong Village, immersing yourself in the vibrant traditions of the Dong and Miao ethnic groups.

Your first stop is Zhanli Dong Village (占里侗寨), a legendary and tranquil village where every household has exactly one son and one daughter. Legend has it that there was a female herbalist in Zhanli who used a herb called "Huanhua Grass" (herbal fertility tea) to balance the gender of fetuses. However, Zhanli also has ancestral rules stating that this herb can only be taken by villagers. Don't be disappointed; even if you can't uncover the secret of herbs, you will surely appreciate the peaceful life by the flowing stream near Zhanli Bridge. Also, don't forget to look for the village's "male well" and "female well," which are said to be key medicinal guides for taking "Huanhua Grass."

Next, journey to mysterious Biasha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨), known as "China's Last Gunman Tribe." Stepping through the village gate is like traveling back to an ancient era. The men wear dark blue cloth jackets and straight, wide-legged trousers, with firelocks and machetes hanging from their waists, displaying a heroic spirit. The men here start learning to shoot from a young age; for them, the firelock is both a tool for hunting and a weapon to protect their homes.

Biasha men are distinguished by their "Huge (户棍)" hairstyle, where the surrounding hair is shaved off with a sickle, leaving only a topknot in the center, symbolizing "harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity." Boys' hair is not cut from birth until their coming-of-age ceremony, when elders shave it off with a sickle. It is said that this tradition has been passed down since the time of the legendary tribal leader Chiyou.

Furthermore, the Biasha people have worshipped trees since ancient times, and their grandest sacrificial ritual is the worship of the tree god. In Biasha, when a new life is born, the family will plant a tree in the forest representing that little life; when life ends, people will use this tree that accompanied them throughout their lives to make a coffin for burial, allowing them to rest peacefully.

Finally, drive approximately 1 hour to Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), known as the "Number One Dong Village." It is one of the largest and most well-preserved Dong villages in China.

Zhaoxing Dong Village is world-renowned for its spectacular drum tower complex. The village is home to over 6,000 residents, all from the Lu family line, divided into five major clans. Each clan forms a “group” or “tuan” - Ren, Yi, Li, Zhi, and Xin - representing the Confucian virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and integrity. Each “tuan” is centered around a drum tower and has its own drum tower, wind-and-rain bridge, and opera stage. The drum towers serve as gathering halls and are viewed as the spiritual and communal hearts of each group.

You can wander through the five "Tuan," exploring each of the five uniquely styled drum towers, and appreciate the wisdom and exquisite architectural skills of the Dong people. Strolling across the wind and rain bridges, with the flowing water and gentle breeze, you will feel as if you are in a beautiful landscape painting. You can also walk up to the village gate viewpoint for a stunning panoramic view over the entire village.

Optional Experience:

Watch a Dong Grand Song performance and listen to this heavenly music, which has been listed by UNESCO as a "Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." These polyphonic songs, sung without instruments, are hauntingly beautiful and deeply moving.

After breakfast, depart from Zhaoxing and drive toward Langde Miao Village (approximately 3 hours, covering about 180 kilometers).

Langde Miao Village (朗德苗上寨) is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Folk Song and Dance." It is nestled amidst lush mountains and terraced fields. Unlike more commercialized villages, Langde retains its untouched, authentic charm, where ancient customs and the rhythm of songs and dances unfold slowly.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted with the "Twelve Cups of Block-Way Rice Wine” ceremony. Villagers dressed in magnificent silver headdresses and embroidered clothing will welcome guests and offer rice wine in ox horn cups. This is the highest etiquette of the Miao people for receiving distinguished guests, with each cup of wine representing blessings for a month. Afterward, you will walk along the stone-paved path to the Lusheng ground in the center of the village. Here, a wonderful Miao song and dance performance will take place, featuring toasting songs, Miao flying songs, and Lusheng dances in succession, leaving you mesmerized.

As an open-air museum of the Miao culture, the village exudes a rich ethnic flavor everywhere. Stroll among the stilted wooden houses (diaojiaolou) with a hundred years of history, traditionally built on stilts and scattered on the hillside in a well-arranged manner. The clothing here is also unique; the Miao residents are characterized by wearing long skirts, hence the name "Long Skirt Miao," representing the most gorgeous branch of Miao costumes.

Next, drive about 1.5 hours to Matang Gejia Village (麻塘亻革家寨). The villagers of Matang believe themselves to be descendants of Hou Yi, the legendary archer. Their clothing is mainly decorated with batik and red embroidery. They fashion their headdresses into the shapes of bows and arrows, and their necklace pendants resemble various weapons, reminiscent of ancient generals. Legend has it that in ancient times, a general's wife went to the battlefield in her husband's armor and won a victory. To commemorate her, women wear general's attire during festivals.

Beyond their attire, the Gejia people's batik artistry is also very famous. The patterns are quite unique, often depicting powerful creatures like tigers and other animals, as well as flowers, birds, and insects, reflecting the Gejia people's deep love for nature. In the village, you can observe the villagers making batik by hand using beeswax.

Optional activity: Try your hand at creating your own batik masterpiece and take your finished work home as a unique souvenir.

After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Kaili for check-in.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive back to Guiyang (about 2.5 hours, 160 km). Your guide will see you off at the airport or train station for your departure.

Extend Your Travel: Guizhou is close to Yunnan, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, and Guangxi. From Guiyang Railway Station, you can take a high-speed train to popular travel destinations such as Kunming (3 hours), Fenghuang Ancient Town (2 hours), Chongqing (2-2.5 hours), Chengdu (3-3.5 hours), and Guilin (2 hours).

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel for your Guizhou Tour. We are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!