20-Day Colorful Minorities
Beijing - Pingyao - Xi'an - Chengdu - Shangri-la - Lijiang - Kunming - Kaili - Guilin - Shanghai
The ethnic customs of China are worth seeing again and again. The original villages of Miao and Dong ethnics, the featured buildings of Zhuang and Yao minorities, hiking on mountain terraces, are all best choices for returning to nature!
Highlights:
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Chinese minorities' culture - Baisha Wall Painting, Dong's Wind and Rain Bridge, Zhuang and Yao Hanging Feet Cottage
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Tibetan religious architecture - Potala Palace, Jorkhang Temple, Songzanlin Monastery
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Splendid natural landscape in western and southern China
Visit Miao people's village - Xijiang, to learn more about their folklore and lifestyle.
With thousands of households here, it is the largest Miao Village in the world.
Longji, in Chinese means Dragon's backbone. It is a great view to see the rice planted on the hills.
Visit Miao people's village - Xijiang, to learn more about their folklore and lifestyle.

Our service includes:
√ China Panda Tour's experienced travel consultant 1 on 1 service 24hours/7days from inquiry to back home;
√ Entrance tickets to listed viewpoints in the itinerary as well as necessary shuttle bus/cable car/sightseeing bus tickets in attractions;
√ Escorted by experienced English-speaking tour guide;
√ Meals mentioned in the itinerary;
√ Private transfers with professional driver between hotel/attraction/airport/railway station/restaurant as listed in the itinerary;
√ Booking of flight/train/cruise tickets per your preferences;
√ Accommodation in each city, hotel level/feature is decided by your choice;
√ Traveler's accidental insurance.

Detailed itinerary:
In the morning, pay a visit to the Great Wall, its grey stones, lofty watchtowers and winding routes all tell a story of soul-stirring history. Later move steps to the Ming Tombs, the biggest imperial mausoleum complex in China. You will visit Dingling, the tomb of Wanli, which is the only excavated one of the Ming Dynasty Tombs. Enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner Peking Roast Duck that absolutely comfort your spirit and stomach after a whole-day sightseeing.
Beijing tour
Day 2
Today firstly visit the Temple of Heaven, where the emperors sacrificed the heaven. Continue sightseeing to Tian’anmen Square, the largest central square in the world. And then enter the Forbidden City. For almost 500 years, it serves as the ceremonial and political center of central court. Looking at the yellow roof, glazed tile and red wall, just imagine what emperors’ daily life would be. Have a whole view of this magnificent palace from Jingshan Park.
Beijing tour
Day 3
After breakfast, go sightseeing in Summer Palace, once "the Garden of Thousands Gardens" royally built in Qing Dynasty. Then experience the rickshaw in Hutongs. Hutong is perhaps the traditional Beijing alleys that show the real old Beijing. Learn to make dumplings with the local residents, learn more about Chinese people's daily life and customs. After that, take bullet train to Pingyao Ancient City. On arrival, be picked up and transferred to hotel for rest.
Beijing tour, Beijing to Pingyao Ancient City
Day 4
Enjoy yourselves in Pingyao Ancient City, which is China's "Wall Street" in Ming and Qing Dynasties and now one of the World Cultural Heritages. Visit the old city wall, stores, county government, guard teams and old-style private banks such as Rishengchang, Xietongqing. Even an ordinary courtyard is full of beautiful brick, wood carvings and window cuts. Experience Chinese traditional paper-cutting and take your works back home!
Pingyao Ancient City tour
Day 5
After breakfast, transfer to Wang's Mansion which is a famous shooting place for many Chinese films and TV series for its well-preserved traditional style courtyards. It was built by the Jingsheng Wang Family using over 300 years in the Ming and Qing dynasties. With a total area of 250,000 square meters, it is an architectural art museum with traditional cultural characteristics. After sightseeing, be sent to train station for bullet train to Xi'an. Check into hotel for rest.
Excursion to Wang's Mansion, Pingyao Ancient City to Xi'an
Day 6
In the morning, transfer to visit the Terracotta Army, which is now the Terracotta Warriors Museum. It is a must-see place when you travelled to Xi'an. Even 2000 years has passed, the wood protects of the warriors are still clear to see. Return to downtown Xi'an, learning China's long history in Shaanxi History Museum followed by visiting the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the symbol of Xi’an City.
Xi'an tour
Day 7
In the morning, have a leisure walk on the Ancient City Wall. Built in Ming Dynasty, this old architecture has an honored history of over 600 years and is the best preserved ancient city wall in China. There is a Muslim Quarter near the Great Mosque that you should never miss. Be sent to the railway station to take a bullet train to Chengdu. Be greeted to hotel and check in.
Xi'an tour, Xi'an to Chengdu
Day 8
As the hometown of Giant Panda, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding should not be missed when you come to Chengdu. After a nice time in the park-like panda base, transfer to People's Park, visit the traditional old tea house. Kuanzhai Alley, the so-called Narrow and Wide Alley, shows what old Chengdu was like. After that be sent to airport for flight to Shangri-la. Have a good rest to acclimatize the high altitude in the rest of day.
Chengdu tour, Chengdu to Shangri-la
Day 9
Whole-day sightseeing in Shangri-la. After breakfast, drive to Yila Grassland and circle Napa Lake, where the idyllic scenery forms a perfect quiet countryside view. Songzanlin Monastery, or Ganden Sungtseling, which is referred as the Little Potala Palace. In the rest of the day free on own to explore Dukezong Ancient Town, also named Moonlight Old Town.
Lhasa to Shangri-la, Shangri-la tour
Day 10
In the morning, transfer to Lijiang. Along the way you will have a stop at the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world. Arrive in Lijiang at noon time. The buildings, after countless dynasty baptism, have survived and gathered each nation's culture and blossom. You will visit Black Dragon Pool Park and Mu's Residence, hike on Lion Hill to have a whole view of the ancient city.
Shangri-la to Lijiang
Day 11
In the morning, take a short driving to visit Jade Dragon Sown Mountain. Its 13 snow peaks are constant that like a dancing dragon in the sky which makes an unforgettable view. Since Lijiang is in the subtropical zone, it is amazing that this mountain which is 5596 meters above the sea level, can stand proudly there. Later visit Baisha Wall Painting in Baisha Village, learning more about the history and culture of Naxi ethnic group. Enjoy a peaceful time in Shuhe Ancient Town.
Lijiang tour
Day 12
Catch a bullet train from Lijiang to Kunming. Upon arrival, go for an excursion to Stone Forest. About 300 million years ago, Kunming stone forest scenic spot was a vast land. After a long geological evolution, it finally formed extremely precious geological relics, covering many Karst landform on earth. You will watch different stones shaped like monkeys, flowers, Yi ethnic beauty Ashima etc. In the late afternoon, transfer to downtown Kunming. Check into hotel and free on own.
Lijiang to Kunming, Stone Forest excursion
Day 13
In the morning, take high-speed train to Kaili in Guizhou Province. On arrival, transfer from Kaili to Leishan County. You will check into local guesthouse in Xijiang Miao Village and then go sightseeing around this traditional and beautiful village. It is the largest Miao village in the world, where the origin folklore and culture of Miao people has been completely preserved. Overnight in Miao village to get deeper feelings of Miao lifestyle.
Kunming to Kaili, Kaili tour
Day 14
Move steps to Congjiang today. Drive from Leishan to Congjiang in the morning, en route enjoy the original scenery of southeast Guizhou, which is China's remote area that relatively poor in economic development. Firstly visit Chejiang Sanbao Dong Village cluster characterized by numerous drum towers. It has more than 800 households, known as "the No.1 Dong village in the world". Check into hotel for rest.
Kaili to Congjiang, Congjiang tour
Day 15
In the morning, take an excursion to Biasha Miao Village. Because of its remote location, Biasha Miao Village still retains its ancient and primitive way of life. In addition, it is called "China's last shooting tribe". After that, pay a visit to Zhaoxing Dong Village, which is more magnificent compared with Sanbao Dong Village, especially the Wind and Rain Bridge makes you deeply touched with emotion.
Liping excursion
Day 16
Take bullet train to Guilin in the morning. On arrival, drive to the delightful Longji Rice Terrace Field. Longji, which means Dragon’s Backbone, is not only the globally top rice terrace field cluster, but also the culmination of both profound wisdom and strenuous labor. Make a visit to the Zhuang and Yao Villages. The hanging-feet cottage and coiled layers from the foot to the top of the mountain form a spectacular picture. Transfer to downtown Guilin and check into hotel.
Congjiang to Guilin, Guilin tour
Day 17
Take the Li River Cruise in the morning. The 83km waterway from Guilin City to Yangshuo County, like a meandering jade belt wrapped in green peaks, making Li River the world’s largest and most beautiful Karst landscape area. With fresh breath, everything is so poetic! Walk freely on West Street, or you can choose to ride a bicycle in local villages, or go rafting on Yulong River, which is said to be the essence of Li River.
Guilin tour
Day 18
In the late afternoon, be sent to airport for flight to Shanghai. and then walk in the Former French Concession. Go through Nanjing Pedestrian, coming to Shanghai’s landmark, the Bund. It mainly includes Oriental Pearl TV Tower and 52 distinctive mansions in different styles. Enjoy a panoramic view of Shanghai from the 100th floor at “the Eye of Shanghai” - Shanghai World Financial Center. Check into hotel and have a good rest.
Guilin to Shanghai, Shanghai tour
Day 19
Recommended hotels:
China Panda Tour has selected below hotels in 3/4/5 star categories for your choice. These are depends on several & years' of our guests's feedback. Should you have other preferred hotels, please feel free to ask us to quote or you can book that yourselves.

Beijing Hotels
Crowne Plaza Beijing Wangfujing★★★★★
Crowne Plaza Beijing hotel owns a central location on Wangfujing Street and easy access to Beijing's scenic points and business district.

Novotel Beijing Xin Qiao★★★★
Novotel Xinqiao has a long history since 1954 and hosted numerous prominent and global leaders. Centrally located within walking distance to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing shopping area.

Traveller Inn Hua Qiao Beijing★★★
With a traditional Chinese style architecture, the hotel is located in the heart of the CBD and the Hutong conservation area, adjacent to the embassy district, Lama Temple.