Our next trip in the series of annual in-depth visits to the Provinces of China is to Guizhou Province. The capital, Guiyang is around 900 kms to the North West of Hong Kong and we shall fly there from Shenzhen.
Guizhou is famous for its spectacular Huangguoshu waterfall which is one of the largest in Asia at some 75m high and over 80m wide and for other waterfalls nearby. The Province has dramatic karst scenery of which the beautifully exquisite and vast Zhijin cave is a prime example. One of its caverns is 175 m wide and over 100m high and contains amazing stalactites and stalagmites. At this time of year we can hope to see some fields of the yellow rapeseed in bloom and some rhododendrons in flower in the hills. The Province boasts ancient towns such as the 600 years old Qingyan and we plan to include one such in the itinerary.
Guizhou is also famed for its ethnic tribal people, including the Miao and Dong peoples who live in traditional rural villages. They have a rich variety of costume styles and produce fine works in batik and embroidery. They are well known for their distinctive ethnic songs and dance as well as the fine silver ornaments they often wear. The “Longhorn Miao”, for example, wear head dresses characterized by their long shining horns.
Tentative Itinerary
(Subject to refinement)
Day 01, Saturday 1st April, 2017
Meeting point to be advised in Central/Sheung Wan at 10:30 am to catch a coach to take us to Shenzhen North, High Speed Railway Station (via the Shenzhen Bay border crossing). Catch High Speed train to Guangdong South and transfer to High Speed train to Congjiang in the SE of Guizhou, arriving at about 6:30 pm. This route allows us to see the scenery along the way, including as we pass by Guilin. Transfer by coach to the Dong Village of Zhaoxing. Overnight in a local hotel in Zhaoxing Dong village.
Day 02, Sunday 2nd April, 2017
Explore Zhaoxing Dong village, with its Drum Towers and “Wind and Rain” Bridge. Enjoy an ethnic performance of hill tribe dance and music and see local activities such as indigo dyeing. In the afternoon visit another lively nearby Dong village with its Drum towers and “Wind and Rain” bridge. Then we drive through attractive hilly countryside, with rice terraces, to experience life in the Dong village of Xiao Huang and a Miao village nearby before returning to Zhaoxing for overnight in the same hotel.
Day 03, Monday 3rd April, 2017
We take a further look around Zhaoxing. After lunch we go to Congjiang and take a High Speed train to Guiyang (about 2 hours) where we transfer to a coach to Anshun. Overnight in a hotel in Anshun.
Day 04, Tuesday 4th April, 2017
By coach we visit Huangguoshu, and walk to the magnificent waterfalls and parks at Doupotang and Huang Guo Shu. This is a 5A attraction and one of the biggest waterfalls in the whole of China.
If time permits, on the journey returning to Anshun, we shall visit a Stone House village of the Buyi (or Buoyei) tribal people. Overnight in the same hotel in Anshun.
Day 05, Wednesday 5th April, 2017
By coach we travel through the attractive karst scenery to visit the Longgang “Dragon Palace”. Here we can stroll alongside the river before taking an elevator ride up to a beautiful lake and descending by some steps to board boats to travel through impressive caves. Overnight in the same hotel in Anshun.
Day 06, Thursday 6th April, 2017
By coach we shall travel back to the outskirts of Guiyang (about 2 hours) to what is known as the “Ancient” town of Qingyan. This town was established in the Ming dynasty with town walls, city gates and a fort. It is largely reconstructed but retains Chinese architecture. It is now traffic free. There are plenty of sites of interest and displays of Guizhou Huaxi Di opera and dance with the facial masks of Nuo. There are some secluded, narrow winding streets as well as the main walking streets with its restaurants serving local speciality foods and shops with local products. Overnight in a hotel in Qingyan town.
Day 07, Friday 7th April, 2017
We have much of the morning to explore further in Qingyan before an early lunch and leaving Qingyan at about 11:30 am for the airport by coach to catch the HK Airlines flight departing at 15:15 for Hong Kong, due to arrive at Chek Lap Kok at 18:20.
The costs for joining this trip are HKD 16,800 for Members on a twin - sharing basis, with Non- Member Supplement of HKD 750. The Single occupancy supplement would HKD 2,800. The Booking Deadline is 6 March 2017.
If you wish to join the trip, please contact either eugenia@phoenixtrvl.com or peterstuckey@yahoo.com.hk for a Booking Form or download one here and let Phoenix Services have your Booking Form and cheque (payable to Phoenix Services (HK) Ltd.) by 6 March 2017.