Yao Ethnic Treasures: 5 Days of Nature & Intangible Cultural Heritage
$1659
Welcome to our unique Yao ethnic minority tour. Over these 5 days and 4 nights, we will visit two of the most distinctive Yao cities – Jinxiu in Guangxi and Liannan in Guangdong. Jinxiu is home to five Yao subgroups: Pan Yao, Chashan Yao, Shanzi Yao, Ao Yao, and Hualan Yao. We will enjoy the long-drum dance, hailed as a "living fossil of ethnic dance," and the indigenous people's incredible feats of "climbing the knife mountain and descending into the fire sea." We will experience Yao herbal baths, a national intangible cultural heritage, and learn how to make Yao oil tea, often called "Chinese coffee." This is a deep exploration of the Yao people's scenery, lifestyle, cuisine, and spirit.
Itinerary Summary
Climb Shengtang Mountain, a sacred peak of the Yao people, to catch the breathtaking sunrise and sea of clouds; witness the breathtaking authentic traditional stunt performances of "climbing the knife mountain and descending into the fire sea."; visit the national intangible cultural heritage "Yao weaving and embroidery" workshop; experience a Yao herbal bath.
Explore the ancient town, try on Yao costumes; join the evening torch parade.
Daily Itinerary
Ni Hao! Today we will travel to Jinxiu County, Guangxi, the region with the greatest diversity of Yao subgroups in the world. Known as the "World Yao Capital," it is home to five Yao subgroups: Pan Yao, Shanzi Yao, Chashan Yao, Hualan Yao, and Ao Yao.Today is designed for a relaxed pace, allowing you to acclimate to the altitude and ease into the journey.
Chartered vehicle
4-star hotel
No meals included on this day.
Stroll around Jinxiu Yao Autonomous County town2. Explore and eat at the Zhangjiajie Night Market Food Street.
- 1. Today is our arrival day. Our guide and driver will pick you up at Guilin Liangjiang Airport/High-speed Railway Station and take you to Jinxiu, Guangxi (approximately 230 kilometers, travel time approximately 4 hours).
- 2. Jinxiu is located over 700 meters above sea level, with a significant temperature difference between day and night. Please ensure you bring warm clothing for your comfort.
Shengtang Mountain is a sacred mountain in the hearts of the Yao people. Today, we will wake up early to climb Shengtang Mountain and enjoy the spectacular sunrise and sea of clouds. In the afternoon, we will visit Guzhan Yao Ethnic Minority Village to enjoy a lively long table feast, featuring countless authentic local delicacies such as taro with braised pork, stir-fried bamboo shoots with cured pork, and poached chicken. In the evening, we will watch Yao warriors perform incredible feats, including climbing sharp knife ladders barefoot (climbing the mountain of knives), walk across red-hot plowshares (walking through a sea of fire), and perform the Long-Drum Dance, among other performances. These performances will give us a deep understanding of the bravery, resilience, and optimism of the Yao people.
Chartered vehicle
4-star Hotel
Dinner
1. Shengtang Mountain
2. Guzhan Yao Ethnic Minority Village
3. Yao Ethnic Long Table Feast
4. Yao Ethnic Folk Skills Performance
- Today we will be climbing Shengtang Mountain, approximately 1979 meters above sea level. The ascent is expected to take 3 hours. Please wear comfortable shoes.
This morning, we will visit the Jinxiu Yao Ethnic Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the history, clothing, and spirit of the five major branches of the Yao ethnic group. Afterward, we will visit a intangible cultural heritage workshop to experience Yao weaving and embroidery, feeling the wisdom of the Yao people over thousands of years. Embroidery masters will be on hand to guide us through the process. In the afternoon, we will experience a Yao herbal bath to soothe and rejuvenate our body and mind. Then, we will taste Yao oil tea, experiencing the fun of beating and brewing the tea ourselves.
Chartered vehicle
4-star Hotel
No meals included on this day.
1. Jinxiu Yao Ethnic Museum
2. Yao Weaving and Embroidery Non-material Cultural Heritage
3. Yao Herbal Bath Experience
4. Yao Oil Tea Making and Tasting Experience
- Yao herbal baths have blood-activating effects, so the bathing time should not be too long.
Today, we will visit the Millennium Yao Village, located in Qingyuan, Guangdong. It is the largest and oldest Yao village in China. We will have the opportunity to try on traditional Yao costumes and take memorable photos. Afterward, we will explore the unique stone houses and participate in cultural activities such as the bamboo pole dance and long-drum dance. In the evening, we will join the grand Torch Parade, experiencing the vibrant enthusiasm and charm of the Yao people.
Chartered vehicle
4-star hotel
No meals included on this day.
1. Liannan Nangang Millennium Yao Village
2. Try on Yao costumes
3. Experience interactive activities such as the bamboo pole dance and long-drum dance
4. Participate in the nighttime torch parade
- Today, we will travel to Qingyuan, Guangdong (approximately 320 km, with a travel time of around 3.5 hours).
Today is the last day of the trip. You are free to explore the area on your own or relax at the hotel. We will meet you at the hotel for the airport/train station transfer at the scheduled time.
Chartered vehicle
No meals included on this day.
- Please check and take all your personal belongings before departure. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please send a scanned copy of the personal information page of your passport to your booking agent at least 15 days before departure, so that we can purchase your train tickets and make reservations for attractions..
3. Travelling in China will heavily rely upon using local payment apps – Wechat and Alipay for making payments. It’s essential to install them on your phone and have a data package ready prior to your travel. You shouldn’t rely on credit card for travel in China.
4. While travelling in China, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. You may consider installing a VPN to access those sites and apps.
5. Please note that there are some prohibited items for trains and flights in China.