- 4.9/5 524 Latest reviews
- Destination: China
- Duration: 15 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
Discover the diverse cultures of China’s ethnic minorities on a 15-day journey through the country’s south and west. Begin in Guilin, taking in the striking green karst hills and cruising the renowned Li River. Continue to Guizhou to visit the vibrant minority villages of Zhaoxing and explore the historic towns of Guiyang. Then venture into Yunnan to admire the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Dali and Lijiang. The tour also includes a visit to Lhasa to see the iconic Potala Palace and concludes in Shigatse with a trip to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 2
Guilin - Yangshuo
Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Countryside Tour
3 - 5
Zhaoxing
Miao and Dong Villages, Terrace Filed Hiking
6 - 7
Anshun - Guiyang
Tianlong Tunbao Ancient Town, Huangguoshu Waterfall
8
Dali - Xizhou
Village of Bai People, Erhai Lake Boat Cruise, Horse Carriage Ride
9 - 10
Shaxi - Lijiang
Lijiang Old Town, Naxi Culture, Mufu Palace, Shaxi Old Town
11 - 12
Lhasa
Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery, Barkhor Street
13 - 14
Shigatse
Yamdrok Lake, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Free Market, Karuola Glacier
15
Lhasa
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Guilin
Start your exploration of China’s rich ethnic cultures in Guilin, the celebrated gateway to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Time permitting, you are invited to visit Odynovo’s headquarters for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how your tailor-made tour is designed. Meet your travel consultant in person, see the team at work, and discover how every detail of your journey is carefully prepared to ensure a seamless experience.
- Guilin
- Day 2: Guilin to Yangshuo
Begin your morning with a leisurely cruise along the Li River to Yangshuo, enjoying a delicious lunch onboard. As the boat drifts past emerald waters and misty, bamboo-lined hills of unique shapes, it feels like entering a living Chinese landscape painting.
After roughly four hours, arrive and check in at your hotel for a brief rest. Later, join your guide for a cycling tour through Yangshuo’s picturesque countryside. Ride past traditional villages tucked among rice paddies, observe local rural life, and take in the tranquil scenery of karst mountains and meandering streams.
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- Yangshuo
- Day 3: Yangshuo to Zhaoxing – The Village of Drum Towers
Travel with your guide to Guilin railway station for a high-speed train to Congjiang. Upon arrival, transfer to a private vehicle for a visit to Zhaoxing Dong Village, the largest Dong minority settlement in southeast Guizhou. Known as “the village of drum towers,” it features five remarkable drum towers—masterpieces of Dong architecture—constructed without nails and representing the five Dong clans residing in the village.
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- Zhaoxing
- Day 4: Miao and Dong Villages
Spend the day immersing yourself in the distinctive cultures of local ethnic groups. Begin at Basha Miao Village, the last Chinese community where men are legally permitted to carry guns. Next, visit Zhanli Dong Village, famed for its traditional customs believed to influence the gender of newborns. Continue to Xiaohuang Dong Village, renowned for its UNESCO-listed Dong Chorus Singing, and finish at the lesser-known Huanggang Dong Village, which preserves its original architecture and traditional way of life.
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- Zhaoxing
- Day 5: Zhaoxing to Guiyang – Terrace Field Hike
In the mountainous ethnic regions, every inch of farmland is carefully cultivated, resulting in cascading terrace fields of various shapes and sizes, creating one of the area’s most iconic landscapes.
Spend two to three hours in the morning hiking from Tang’an Village, taking in the picturesque scenery of the terraces. Afterwards, head to Congjiang railway station for a high-speed train to Guiyang, where a local guide will meet you upon arrival.
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- Guiyang
- Day 6: Guiyang – Anshun Excursion & Return
About a 1.5-hour drive from Guiyang lies Tianlong Tunbao Ancient Town, where a Han Chinese subgroup has maintained their unique dress and traditions for over six centuries, creating the rich Tunbao culture. Stroll through the town to admire well-preserved stone houses and gain a rare insight into life six hundred years ago.
In the afternoon, visit Huangguoshu Waterfall, one of Asia’s largest and most spectacular falls. Follow the paved walkways to experience the waterfall from multiple viewpoints, including the famous Water Curtain Cave, where you can feel the roar of water cascading just behind a misty veil of rock.
End the day with a return to your hotel, carrying unforgettable memories of Guizhou’s stunning landscapes and enduring cultural heritage.
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- Guiyang
- Day 7: Guiyang to Dali – Leisurely Exploration of the Old Town
Take a high-speed train to Dali, a picturesque and romantic autonomous prefecture inhabited by the Bai minority, known for their preference for the color white.
After approximately 4.5 hours, arrive and meet your local guide for a transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at your own pace, strolling through the old town to discover city gates, bustling streets, ancient temples, and vibrant shops and bars.
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- Dali
- Day 8: Explore a Bai Village & Cruise on Erhai Lake
In the morning, visit Xizhou to discover a traditional Bai village. Wander through the vibrant morning market to see local minorities trading their goods, explore an ancestral home of a notable family, and experience the genuine hospitality of the Bai people.
Later, enjoy a one-hour horse-drawn carriage ride to Haishe Wetland Park, where you can admire the scenic landscapes of Erhai Lake and its surrounding countryside. Conclude with a relaxing boat cruise on the lake, taking in the tranquil and picturesque surroundings.
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- Dali
- Day 9: Dali to Lijiang – Shaxi Old Town Exploration
Shaxi Old Town, once a bustling trading hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road, remains one of the best-preserved towns in the region. Caravans once transported tea and other goods through the mountains of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet along this historic route.
During the four-hour drive to Lijiang, stop to explore Shaxi’s Sideng Market Square, listed on the World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites, and soak in the charm and history of this remarkable town.
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- Lijiang
- Day 10: Lijiang Old Town & Naxi Heritage
Lijiang is home to the Naxi people, an ethnic minority known for their unique language, rich traditions, and contributions to poetry, painting, music, and dance.
Spend the morning exploring Lijiang Old Town, visiting Mufu Palace, the grand residence of the town’s former chieftain family. Enjoy panoramic views from Lion Hill and listen to the beautifully preserved Naxi ancient music. Outside the old town, visit the Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture for an in-depth look at the fascinating Naxi heritage and the Dongba religious practices.
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- Lijiang
- Day 11: Lijiang to Lhasa – Arrival on the Tibetan Plateau
Take a morning flight from Lijiang to Lhasa, arriving on the majestic Tibetan Plateau, also known as the Roof of the World. Upon landing at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, meet your Tibetan guide and transfer privately to your hotel, where you can rest and acclimate to the high altitude of over 3,600 meters.
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- Lhasa
- Day 12: Lhasa – Key Landmarks and Cultural Highlights
Spend the day exploring Lhasa’s most iconic sites. Begin with the Potala Palace, originally built in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 17th century, which served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas until the mid-20th century. Today, it stands as a museum showcasing Tibet’s artistic and cultural treasures.
Next, visit the sacred Jokhang Temple, where the scent of incense, flickering butter lamps, and devoted pilgrims create a spiritual atmosphere that feels otherworldly. Just outside, wander along Barkhor Street, which retains the charm of the old town and reflects the heart of traditional Tibetan life.
Conclude your day at Sera Monastery, where you can observe lamas engaging in lively debates over Buddhist scriptures.
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- Lhasa
- Day 13: Lhasa to Shigatse – Yamdrok Lake Scenery
Approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Lhasa lies Yamdrok Lake, one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes and the largest inland lake at the northern foothills of the Himalayas. Depart from Lhasa in the morning and marvel at the lake’s turquoise waters, reflecting the surrounding snow-capped peaks in breathtaking beauty.
Continue your journey to Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, enjoying distant views of the Karuola Glacier along the way.
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- Shigatse
- Day 14: Shigatse to Lhasa – Tashilhunpo Monastery Visit
Start your day by visiting Shigatse’s lively Free Market to observe local life, then explore the impressive Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas and the largest active religious institution in Tibet. Take time to wander the vast complex, watch monks go about their daily routines, and learn about the history of Tibetan Buddhism.
Later, embark on a roughly seven-hour drive back to Lhasa. Although the journey is long, the stunning landscapes along the route provide plenty of breathtaking views to make the trip enjoyable.
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- Lhasa
- Day 15: Departure from Lhasa
Say goodbye to Lhasa as your meaningful journey through rural China comes to an end. Transfer to the airport and board your flight home, carrying unforgettable memories of this remarkable experience.
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