Circuit Hunan & Guangxi (13 days)

Welcome by your driver then transfer to South Mountain View Boutique 3 * hotel located near the river and the city center, with many restaurants nearby.

Reception by your English-speaking guide then transfer to the entrance of the Zhangjiajie Natural Park classified to UNESCO since 1992. The movements within the park are made with shuttles included in the entrance fee. You will first reach the Bailong Elevator. At a height of 326 meters, this elevator is supposed to be the highest outdoor lift in the world. It takes 1.58 seconds to transport travelers from the bottom to the top of the Mountain Ridge. Visits in the Yuangjiajie (Halleluja Mt) area, a site offering magnificent views in the heart of lush vegetation, above dizzying rock walls that served as inspiration for the movie Avatar.

Then transfer by shuttle (40 minutes drive) to the site of Tianzi Mountain dotted with nearly 100 natural platforms and 2000 peak steep and dozens of waterfalls. Impressive downhill down the park by cable car, between rocky peaks. Overnight in Wulingyuanau South Mountain View Boutique Hotel (or possibility to sleep in downtown Zhangjiajie closer to the cable car).

+ 1 optional day: Zhangjiajie National Park (Golden Whip and Glass Bridge) (B) After breakfast continue sightseeing in Zhangjiajie Park. Hiking along the panoramic path of the golden whip stream (5.8km) clinging to the cliffs and gorges, with a low-angle view of the rocky peaks. Transfer to the Grand Canyon and the glass bridge. Crossing the bridge then downhill at the bottom of the Canyon (landscapes less impressive than the day before, and with many tourists on the bridge (the glass bridge is very touristy, and the landscapes are less impressive than in the park.) If you prefer go for a wilder hike in Zhangjiajie Park then there is a discount of 260RMB / Pers (-34EUR / pers). Find your driver in the late afternoon and return to the hotel in Wulingyuan or in the city of Zhangjiajie. (Supplement of 800RMB / pers for the day, accommodation included on the basis of 2 travelers).

This morning ride Tianmen Mountain by the longest cable car in the world (7455 meters). The mountain, 1518 meters above sea level, is the highest mountain in Zhangjiajie. A short walk around the promontory, passing over glass walkways hung on the cliffs, to the Tianmen Cave and an arch made famous by Russian pilots having crossed it by plane. Descent of the mountain by borrowing the longest escalator in the world, then walk on a large staircase below the arch.After midday road from 3:00 to the old Miao town of Furong, hung in a circular arc around a large waterfall, still little visited by Westerners.

Overnight Furong Tuwang Xing Gong Hotel, built espalier above the falls. It is a large building of Miaotraditional style that hangs in the greenery on the side of the cliff. Rooms with a breathtaking view of the falls.

This morning departure to the Zuolong Gorge, less visited by Chinese groups. 2h00 hike along winding and steep paths between the faults of the gorges, dotted with small waterfalls, and brinkling bridges. Lunch possible in the Miao village at the top of the mountain at a villager’s house. Find your vehicle then continue to the old town of Fenghuang, center of the Miao ethnic minority. (If you do not want to hike, the Zuolong Gorge can be replaced by visiting the Miao Village of Dehang). In the evening, in Fenghuang you can dine in one of the picturesque overwater restaurants overlooking the illuminated Tuo River. Overnight stay at the Riverside Homestay Jiang Jing Hotel (or similar on the riverside), or upgrade to the Yue Xi Ting Yuan Inn (breakfasts served at a nearby cafe).

The bravest can get up early to see the old town without tourists. Lose yourself through the many small alleys of the city. Boat trip on the river (included). Afternoon free or optional :

• Option A: visit of the historical city of Hongjiang located at 2h30 drive from Fenghuang (surcharge of + 200RMB / Pers, + 26EUR / pers) .Hongjiang (Qianyang) is a former trading town different ethnic villages of Hunan whose old quarter is very old since it dates from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). This city was under the Ming and Qing dynasties one of the most important commercial centers of this part of Hunan. Today the old Hongjiang is almost abandoned, asleep with its narrow streets lined with historic buildings which we appreciate the serenity and architectural quality. Overnight stay in a standard 3 * hotel in Huaihua City (accommodation is currently forbidden to foreigners in Hongjiang).
• Option B: Visit Mt. Fanjiang located in Guizhou near Tongren at about 3:00 am Fenghuang Road (supplement of + 500RMB / Pers + 67EUR / Pers). Still little visited by westerners Fanjingshan is a mountainous natural reserve home to several endemic species (including the golden monkey) and a virgin forest. It is also a sacred mountain of Chinese Buddhism that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. Two of its temples are perched at the top of a solitary peak called the Golden Peak of the Red Clouds. The Buddha Temple and Maitreya Temple are separated by a narrow gorge that visitors can cross via a short bridge. Overnight on site or in Tongren (where you can take the TGV the next morning).

Morning transfer by private vehicle to Huaihua station to take the TGV from Huaihua at 10:34, arrival in Guiyang North at 12:24, then from the same TGV high speed train station to Congjiang (13h32-15h09). Reception of your driver (without guide) at the Congjiang station and together transfer to the small village of Daniansituée in the heart of the mountains, in the “Miao Country” through the village of Fulu to cross the river to a region that has remained long isolated.

Welcome of the Danian team. Installation at the Miao Country Welcome Center and first discovery of the activities of the association Couleurs de Chine. This association helps ethnic minority children by financing their schooling.

Night in Danian (standard comfort).

Today, hiking with local English-speaking guide in the Great Mountains and Miao villages, where ancient traditions have not yet disappeared and the traditional way of life has changed little. The walking tour along the rice terraces allows a concrete approach to the reality of the work and life of the peasants Miao and Yao. You will attend the rural works depending on the season (transplanting rice, handicrafts: embroidery, weaving, dyeing, basketry, transport of wood in the mountains …). Overnight homestay in a remote Yao village (simple comfort – traditional bath with local herbs). These traditional baths taken daily by the inhabitants would explain the exceptional longevity of the Yaos).

Return to Danian in the morning with other possible visits. Lunch and transfer by private vehicle to Zhaoxing, a beautiful and authentic village populated by Dongs and crossed by small canals and streams. Reception of your French-speaking guide and discovery of the many traditional buildings and its superb wooden architectures that make the reputation of the Dong people: Dong Opera Theaters, the 5 towers of the Tambour built by each of the 5 clans of the village, the splendid bridges Wind and Rain. In the alleys and between the canals are the craftsmen: weavers, weavers … Overnight in Zhaoxing in a wooden house of traditional style (good comfort), the Indigo Lodge.

Optional (without Danian, with two days less): reduction of 1800RMB / Pers (-230EUR / Pers)

Today with the guide you can hike from Zhaoxing to the village of Tang’an towards which offers a magnificent panorama of the whole valley (other possible hikes). Perhaps you will have the chance to witness traditional songs that celebrate many of Dong’s everyday life circumstances (not included). Visit of the local ethnic museum. Overnight at Zhaoxing at Indigo Lodge.

In the morning transfer by car to Congjiang TGV station to take the train to Sanjiang. Find a private vehicle with driver then departure for Chengyang, a village of the Dong minority (0:30 drive) renowned for its grandpont Wind and Rain 78 m long and topped with 5 elegant towers. Several bridges of the same type are found in the villages as well as large drum towers. Shows are sometimes organized by minorities.

After lunch, drive to the beautiful region of Ping’an and rice terraces (2h30 of road). The Dragon’s Backbone is arguably one of the most beautiful rice terraces in all of China.Arrival below the village of Ping’an that you will reach on foot after 30 minutes of walking. (Car seats available, not included).

Lodging at Ping’an Guest House 3 * (good comfort with air conditioning) in Ping’an.

This morning, take a short walk around the rice fields of Longji to the different points of view (about 1h30 to 2h00). Back to the village for lunch then find your vehicle and drive to the sugar loaf area south of Guilin near Yangshuo. Installation in your hotel. In the evening, watch a traditional fishing by lantern light with tamed cormorants.

Accommodation at River Lodge 3 * located a little away from the city on the banks of the Li River (good comfort and charm).

After breakfast departure by vehicle with French guide to the beautiful point of view of Xianggong World Heritage Site. Climb to the top of the scenic point for a bird’s eye view of the Li River. Find the vehicle that will drop you 5km away from a trail that you will walk through the citrus orchards and small hamlets to the village of Xingping (1h30 to 2h00 hiking). The path offers a beautiful perspective on the river. You will also visit a small temple nestled on the banks at the entrance of the cave of the Escargot where still live some monks. Cross the river with the local ferry and discover the old Xingping Street where you can have lunch. In the afternoon take a short hike on one of the most beautiful sections of the Li River between Xingping and the hill of the 9 horses, through small fishing villages, rice fields and bamboo groves (1h30 cruise) . It is a landscape of this portion that inspired the illustration of the Chinese 20RMB Note. Return to Xingping Village and then drive to Yangshuo and your hotel.

In the evening, you can attend the sound and light show “Liu San Jie”, based on a very popular Chinese musical, directed by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou. It takes place on the Li River in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by karstic mountains (not included in the quote: 280RMB / pers B2 comfort spot with transport). Overnight in Yangshuo.

After your breakfast, bike ride (or electric scooter with supplement of + 80RMB / scooter, including for the guide) to the perched wild cave remained away from the tourist circuits. The climb is made in a fault of the mountain on steps carved in the rock. Superb view from one side of the cave. Continuation of the bike ride along the Yulong River, through sleepy hamlets, rice paddies and fish ponds to the village of Jiuxian. Lunch in a beautiful inn built in an old house in the village (at your expense). Return to Yangshuo after lunch where it is possible to make an extension to the Dragon Bridge or to loop in a real bamboo raft, without motor, powered by a gondolier on the very bucolic Yulong River. Supplement of radeausur place). Back to Yangshuo. Transfer to the train station or Guilin airport to take the TGV or plane to your next destination.