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Mount Fanjing rising above green mountain ridges and clouds
8 DAYS · TONGREN · FANJING MOUNTAIN · ZHENYUAN · JIANHE · XIJIANG · LIBO · QINGYAN · GUIYANG

Guizhou: sacred peaks and Miao villages

Fanjing Mountain's summit temples and a night among Miao stilt houses.

8 days
Tongren to Guiyang
7 nights
Seven distinct stays
Year-round
Rafting season Jul to Sep
Minimum 2 
Privately guided throughout
Introduction

A mountain trail through Guizhou's sacred peaks and minority villages.

Nestled in a hidden corner of southwest China, the mountainous trail of eastern Guizhou is a marvel of natural wonders and diverse ethnic minority culture. The journey takes you into the sacred Fanjing Mountain and through Zhenyuan's ancient water town.

Break at the hot spring city of Jianhe, get acquainted with Miao minority culture at Xijiang and admire the emerald-coloured waters of Libo, before ending at the provincial capital, Guiyang.

More in Sichuan, Yunnan & Guizhou →
Route map of the eastern Guizhou journey from Tongren to Guiyang
Highlights

Why advisors choose this journey.

  1. Fanjing Mountain

    Visit Fanjing Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  2. Riverside water town

    Stay at a riverside hotel overlooking a 2,000-year-old Zhenyuan water town.

  3. Natural hot springs

    Retreat to Jianhe hot spring city, known for its radon-rich natural springs.

  4. Miao village immersion

    Full immersion in local minority culture with an overnight among 1,000 Miao village houses.

Day by day

Full Itinerary.

  1. TongrenD1
  2. Fanjing MountainD2–3
  3. ZhenyuanD3–4
  4. JianheD4–5
  5. XijiangD5–6
  6. LiboD6–7
  7. Qingyan / GuiyangD7–8

Airport to hotel

Upon arrival in Tongren, the gateway to Guizhou's eastern area, we transfer 30 minutes to your hotel.

If time permits, we drive 41 km / 1 hour to Wanshan National Mine Park, a former mercury mine from the Qin and Han dynasties, 2,000 years ago. Walk the glass path hanging 100 m high on the cliff, or through the colourfully lit tunnel.

Colourfully lit tunnel at Wanshan National Mine Park near Tongren
Overnight
Fanjing Mountain
Meals
No meals included

Tongren to Fanjing Mountain

Set off 82 km / 3.5 hours to Fanjing Mountain (UNESCO), one of China's 14 "Man and Biosphere" projects for the UN global nature reserve.

Majestic Mount Fanjing rising above green mountain ridges

UNESCO World Heritage Site Fanjing Mountain

Ride a shuttle bus and cable car to view the Red Cloud Golden Peak, with its rocky thumb soaring nearly 100 m above the surrounding mountains, capped by two temples linked by a short bridge at its summit.

Overnight
Fanjing Mountain
Meals
Breakfast and vegetarian lunch included

Wander ancient towns

Drive 160 km / 3 hours to Zhenyuan old town. Wander this 2,000-year-old town, cut through by the Wuyang River, with over 160 scenic spots featuring palaces, pavilions, temples, intricate residences and ancient bridges.

At night, you can take a boat tour of the old town.

Pleasure boats below the pagoda-topped ancient bridge in Zhenyuan
Overnight
Zhenyuan
Meals
Breakfast included

Zhenyuan to Jianhe

Drive 50 km / 1.5 hours to Shibing's Shanmu River. Its crystal-clear water comes from a 1.3 m underground riverbed, safe for white water rafting (July to September). Alternatively, drive 1 hour to Yuntai Mountain for its karst formations. Continue 64 km / 1.15 hours to Jianhe, blessed with six natural hot springs (38 to 50°C), and check in to your hotel.

Zhenyuan's riverside houses and temples along the emerald Wuyang River
Overnight
Jianhe
Meals
Breakfast included

Experience Miao culture

Leave for a 63 km / 1 hour drive to Xijiang, China's largest Miao community with over 1,000 ethnic families. Visit the local museum and the mountainside wooden stilt houses. As the village lights up in the evening, enjoy a singing and dancing performance at the central square.

Miao women in full festival dress dancing in the village square at Xijiang
Overnight
Xijiang
Meals
Breakfast included

Icon of karst water scenery

After breakfast, drive 3 hours to Libo and visit the Seven Big Arches Scenic Area and the Seven Small Arches Scenic Area, located among the karst peaks. The natural splendour is combined with the authentic cultural flavour of the Tujia and Yao minority people.

In the late afternoon, check into your hotel and have a good rest.

Stilted wooden houses climbing the hillside at Xijiang Miao village
Overnight
Libo
Meals
Breakfast included

Explore Qingyan

This morning we drive 4 hours to Qingyan old town. After lunch, explore Qingyan old town, one of Guizhou's four ancient towns, a Ming-era fortress resting atop a mountain.

The Seven Small Arches stone bridge over emerald water at Libo
Overnight
Qingyan
Meals
Breakfast included

Hotel to airport

Enjoy the morning at leisure until your private transfer to Guiyang airport, scheduled according to your flight time.

Jiaxiu Pavilion on the Nanming River at sunset, Guiyang
Meals
Breakfast included
Hotel information

Where you will stay.

In Tongren

One recommended stay

Tongren National Guesthouse

Tongren · Executive Room

Set within the National Local Conditions and Customs Garden, with an indoor pool.

We use Tongren National Guesthouse for its arrival-night setting within the National Local Conditions and Customs Garden, giving a gentle first taste of Guizhou's ethnic culture before the journey heads further into the mountains. The indoor pool is a genuine comfort after a long flight into Tongren. We recommend the Executive Room for the extra space.

Good to know
  • Built within the Minority Customs Park on the site of a former government compound.
  • Wide, manicured gardens make it the most tranquil base in Tongren.
  • The best-appointed base for exploring the nearby Wanshan Mercury Mine heritage site.
Tongren National Guesthouse tower rising above the river
Twin guest room with river view at Tongren National Guesthouse
Private dining room with city view at Tongren National Guesthouse

In Fanjing Mountain

One recommended stay

Mount Fanjing Qixi Resort Hotel

Fanjing Mountain · Riverview Room

An ideal spot for travelers wanting to discover Jiangkou and Fanjing Mountain.

We choose the Qixi Resort for its position at the foot of Fanjing Mountain, putting guests close to the cable car up to Red Cloud Golden Peak without a long drive on the summit morning. Rooms overlook the river running through Jiangkou, a peaceful setting after the climb. We recommend the Riverview Room for falling asleep to the sound of the water.

Good to know
  • A stylish boutique option situated right at the foot of the Fanjing Mountain gate.
  • Its riverside location in Jiangkou offers a tranquil soundtrack for post-hike rest.
  • Interiors blend modern minimalism with Guizhou textures and materials.
Mount Fanjing Qixi Resort Hotel lit at dusk
Guest room with balcony at Mount Fanjing Qixi Resort Hotel
Restaurant interior at Mount Fanjing Qixi Resort Hotel

In Zhenyuan

One recommended stay

Mandu MD Sitang Villa Homestay

Zhenyuan · Riverview Room

The best accommodation in the Zhenyuan area, opened in 2024.

We book this small homestay in Zhenyuan because it sits right on the Wuyang River within the old town itself, rather than in a newer district outside it, so guests can walk out to the ancient bridges and pavilions at night. Being newly opened, rooms are fresh and well maintained, a nice contrast with the historic setting outside. We recommend the Riverview Room for watching the town light up after dark.

Good to know
  • A recent addition to the riverfront with a fresh, contemporary design aesthetic.
  • Private soaking rooms include large in-room tubs fed by mineral-rich spring water.
  • By the New Bridge, it offers a quieter riverside view away from the main bar strip.
Riverview lounge at Mandu MD Sitang Villa Homestay, Zhenyuan
Terrace with hillside view at Mandu MD Sitang Villa Homestay
Living room interior at Mandu MD Sitang Villa Homestay

In Jianhe

One recommended stay

Jianhe Hot Spring International Hotel

Jianhe · Room with Hot Spring

An international 4-star hotel with in-room hot spring and outdoor public pool.

We use this hotel in Jianhe because it draws directly on the town's natural hot springs, piping mineral-rich water into the rooms rather than relying on a generic spa. After days of driving and hiking through Zhenyuan and Shibing, an in-room hot spring is a genuine, restorative stop before Xijiang. We recommend the Room with Hot Spring rather than a standard room.

Good to know
  • Taps directly into local radon-rich springs, famous for their therapeutic qualities.
  • A vast outdoor hot spring park with dozens of pools at varying temperatures.
  • Wellness-focused rooms feature private terrace soaking tubs with forest views.
Visit hotel website →
Jianhe Hot Spring International Hotel entrance lit at night
Guest room with in-room hot spring at Jianhe Hot Spring International Hotel
Banquet hall at Jianhe Hot Spring International Hotel

In Xijiang

One recommended stay

Wuwei Shanshe Homestay

Xijiang · Room with Balcony

Located near the Xijiang Thousand Households Miaozhai Observation Deck.

We choose Wuwei Shanshe Homestay for its location practically beside the Thousand Households observation deck, so guests can walk out to see Xijiang's stilt houses light up at dusk without a shuttle ride. The homestay's earthen, timber-built rooms feel like a natural extension of the Miao village around it. We recommend the Room with Balcony for the hillside village view.

Good to know
  • Perched beside the Xijiang observation deck for 24-hour panoramic views of the village.
  • The wabi-sabi design uses earthen walls and reclaimed wood for a calm retreat.
  • Near the upper shuttle stop, avoiding the village's steep climbs with luggage.
Fireplace lounge with hillside view at Wuwei Shanshe Homestay
Guest room with earthen walls at Wuwei Shanshe Homestay
Dining terrace overlooking the village at Wuwei Shanshe Homestay

In Libo

One recommended stay

Xiaoqikong Ruijing Hotel

Libo · Deluxe Room with Balcony

A boutique hotel within walking distance of the Seven Small Arches ancient bridge.

We select Xiaoqikong Ruijing Hotel because it sits inside the Seven Small Arches scenic area itself, meaning guests can walk to the ancient arch bridge and karst waters rather than driving in each day. Its British-influenced styling, from the Ker Green hotel group, is a distinctive change of pace after the region's traditional guesthouses. We recommend the Deluxe Room with Balcony for the scenic area outlook.

Good to know
  • The only hotel located directly inside the Libo Xiaoqikong Scenic Area.
  • Managed by the British Kew Green group, with distinctive international service standards.
  • Guests can walk to the Seven Small Arches bridge before the daily crowds arrive.
Xiaoqikong Ruijing Hotel entrance lit at dusk
Guest room with garden view at Xiaoqikong Ruijing Hotel
Restaurant interior at Xiaoqikong Ruijing Hotel

In Qingyan

One recommended stay

Ven Courtyard

Qingyan · Superior Room

A Tunpu architecture-inspired boutique hotel in Qingyan Ancient Town.

We finish the trip at Ven Courtyard because its Tunpu-inspired architecture sits naturally within Qingyan Ancient Town, next to the former residence of Qing dynasty scholar Zhao Yijiong, giving a fitting historic close to the journey before Guiyang. Modern comforts are added without disturbing the fortress town's character outside. We recommend the Superior Room for the quietest night within the old town walls.

Good to know
  • Occupies a heritage courtyard beside the home of Guizhou's first imperial scholar.
  • Architecture faithfully preserves the Tunpu style unique to the Qingyan fortress.
  • An elegant sanctuary within the walls, with refined tea rooms and calligraphy.
Ven Courtyard reflected in the water at dusk, Qingyan
Four-poster guest room at Ven Courtyard, Qingyan
Breakfast restaurant at Ven Courtyard, Qingyan
Official quotation

Rates & what is included.

The indicative cost covers the full journey for the party size shown. The single supplement applies only when one guest occupies a room alone. All rates in CNY.

  • Tongren National Guesthouse · Tongren · Executive Room
  • Mount Fanjing Qixi Resort Hotel · Fanjing Mountain · Riverview Room
  • Mandu MD Sitang Villa Homestay · Zhenyuan · Riverview Room
  • Jianhe Hot Spring International Hotel · Jianhe · Room with Hot Spring
  • Wuwei Shanshe Homestay · Xijiang · Room with Balcony
  • Xiaoqikong Ruijing Hotel · Libo · Deluxe Room with Balcony
  • Ven Courtyard · Qingyan · Superior Room
Indicative cost per person
CNY 32,000
Single supplement
CNY 3,900

Based on 2 guests sharing twin rooms. Minimum 2 guests to operate. Single supplement added only for single-room occupancy. All rates in CNY.

What's included

  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotels as stated, on bed and breakfast basis
  • All transportation and transfers in a private vehicle in each city
  • Local English/Mandarin speaking expert guide in each city
  • Meals as stated
  • All entrance fees to sights stated

What's not included

  • International and domestic airfare
  • Lunches and dinners not included in the tour program
  • Beverages in restaurants where meals are included
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses, e.g. telephone bill and laundry
  • Visa (if required)
  • Travel insurance
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