Eastern Guizhou

Eastern Guizhou combines the Qiandongnan prefecture and Tongren. Miao and Dong villages, ancient towns and the World Heritage-listed Fanjingshan set each other off.

Eastern Guizhou covers the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture and Tongren, and is the part of Guizhou with the richest ethnic-minority culture. The west of Qiandongnan is mainly Miao country. Xijiang Thousand-Household Miao Village in Leishan is built up the hillside and glitters with lights at night. Zhenyuan Ancient Town stretches along the Wuyang River and was once an important stop on the old Hunan–Guizhou post road. Festivals are frequent around Kaili. The south, around Liping, Congjiang and Rongjiang, is Dong territory. Zhaoxing Dong Village is known for its drum towers and wind-and-rain bridges, Congjiang's Basha Miao Village and Jiabang Terraces are strikingly scenic, and Rongjiang has become famous in recent years for its village football tournaments. Longli Ancient Town in Jinping is a Ming-dynasty garrison town whose layout has been well preserved. To the north, Tongren is home to Fanjingshan, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, whose Red Cloud Golden Summit and Mushroom Rock are its signature sights. The classic route starts from Guiyang or Kaili: 2–3 days for Xijiang and Zhenyuan, 2–3 days south to Zhaoxing and Congjiang, then 1–2 days north to Fanjingshan, for 6–8 days in all. For transport, the Shanghai–Kunming high-speed line has stations at Kaili South and Tongren South, the Guiyang–Guangzhou high-speed line passes through Congjiang and Rongjiang, and there are also Tongren Fenghuang Airport, Kaili Huangping Airport and Liping Airport. Village mountain roads are winding, so drive with care. Fanjingshan tickets must be reserved in advance, and on holidays it is best to head up the mountain early. Please ask permission before photographing ethnic costumes and homes.

Destinations

Itineraries