The Mountain-River Corridor: A Civilizational Journey from the Land of Snow to the Sea
Trace the veins of rivers and mountains to traverse a cultural corridor stretching from the Roof of the World to the Pearl of the Orient. Over 19 days and 18 nights, journey through four destinations — Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, and Hong Kong — as you connect a rich array of experiences: Tibetan Buddhist faith, the historic commercial heritage of the Tea Horse Road, Bai ethnic culture, breathtaking karst geological wonders, Miao and Dong ethnic cultures, Guilin’s poetic, picturesque landscapes, and the vibrancy of a world-class modern international metropolis. Complete an in-depth, immersive cross-regional journey through multi-ethnic civilizations, from the sacred snowy highlands to the shores of the South China Sea.
Design Concept
This is a cross-region journey along a civilization corridor stretching from the edge of the Roof of the World to the shores of the South China Sea. Starting with the Tibetan Buddhist heritage of the Hengduan Mountains, it follows the ancient Tea Horse Road eastward, linking the Naxi Dongba culture, the enduring legacy of the Bai ethnic group’s Nanzhao Kingdom, magnificent karst geological wonders, the ethnic cultural corridor of the Miao and Dong peoples, and the poetic, picturesque scenery of Guilin, before finally arriving in Hong Kong, an international metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures converge.
This 19-day itinerary covers four regions: Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi and Hong Kong, with each leg corresponding to a unique form of civilization: the Gadan Songzanlin Monastery in Shangri-La establishes the spiritual tone of the snow-covered plateau; the formidable Tiger Leaping Gorge and the sacred Baishuitai site speak to the interweaving of geology and faith; the Old Town of Lijiang and Shaxi Ancient Town preserve the commercial heritage of the Tea Horse Road; the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple and boat rides on Erhai Lake unfold the vivid scroll of the Buddhist Nanzhao Kingdom; the Stone Forest and Wanfeng Forest present a 2-billion-year geological epic of karst evolution; the Xijiang Miao Village and Zhaoxing Dong Village showcase the living wisdom of the Miao and Dong ethnic groups; the Li River scenic corridor and bamboo raft rides on the Yulong River capture the essence of Guilin's poetic landscape, before finally completing the transition from tradition to modernity in Hong Kong's modern urban setting.
This tour is ideal for travelers from Europe, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan. On this long journey from the snow plateau to the ocean, you will gain a deep appreciation for the depth and diversity of China's multi-ethnic civilization.
Detailed Itinerary
Pricing
Inclusions
【Transportation】Dedicated private chartered vehicle service for the entire trip (covers fuel, toll fees, and driver meal and accommodation allowances); airport and train station transfers as per the itinerary; high-speed rail tickets for the Shilin-Xingyi and Guilin-Hong Kong West Kowloon routes; all fees for in-scenic-area sightseeing buses, cruise ships, bamboo rafts, cable cars and other transport. 【Accommodation】18 nights of carefully selected lodging throughout the trip (2 nights in Shangri-La, 2 nights in Lijiang, 1 night in Shaxi, 2 nights in Dali, 1 night in Kunming, 1 night in Xingyi, 1 night near Huangguoshu Waterfall, 1 night in Qingyan Ancient Town, 1 night in Kaili, 1 night in Rongjiang / Congjiang, 1 night in Ping'an Village, 1 night in Guilin, 2 nights in Yangshuo, 1 night in Hong Kong). 【Dining】18 breakfasts and 35 main meals (covering lunches and dinners) included for the entire trip (featuring Tibetan-style cuisine, Naxi specialty dishes, Bai ethnic flavored meals, Miao and Dong ethnic specialty dishes, Guangxi local cuisine and other regional specialty dishes); complimentary drinking water is provided throughout the trip. 【Experiences】All first-entry tickets to attractions in the itinerary are included (Songzanlin Monastery, Pudacuo National Park, Baishuitai Terraced Pool, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Mu Mansion, Shibaoshan Grottoes, Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas, Erhai Lake cruise, Stone Forest, Wanfenglin Scenic Area, Malinghe River, Huangguoshu Waterfall, Xijiang Miao Village, Zhaoxing Dong Village, Longji Rice Terraces, Elephant Trunk Hill, Li River cruise / bamboo raft, Ruyi Peak cable car, *Impression Liu Sanjie* performance, etc.) 【Personnel】Dual guide service for the entire trip, with senior bilingual (Chinese-English) cultural tour leaders and local professional guides. 【Insurance】High-coverage travel accident insurance for the entire trip. 【Other】Digital pre-trip guidebook, exclusive commemorative items and materials for the itinerary.
Exclusions
【Transportation】International round-trip airfare from your departure location to China, plus associated visa fees. 【Personal Expenses】Personal costs not covered by the itinerary, including but not limited to handicraft purchases, extra à la carte drinks and other personal spending. 【Single Room Supplement】A supplementary fee applies if you opt to occupy a room by yourself. 【Other】Hong Kong visa/endorsement fees (if required). 【Other】Additional fees incurred due to force majeure (including but not limited to weather conditions, road conditions, policy changes and other similar factors).
Notices & Booking Info
Notices
【高原适应】香格里拉海拔约3300米，抵达后请避免剧烈运动，多休息多饮水；建议提前咨询医生是否需要准备高原药物；行程前段在高原地区，后段降至低海拔 【徒步与体能】行程含多处轻徒步（虎跳峡、遇龙河、龙脊梯田等），以景区步道为主，无需专业登山技能；建议穿防滑舒适徒步鞋 【穿着与装备】云南高原地区早晚温差大，建议叠穿（速干内层+保暖中层+防风外层）；广西地区较炎热，注意防晒；随身携带轻便雨衣；建议带防晒用品、驱蚊液、个人常用药品 【民俗礼仪】参观藏传佛教寺院请着装得体，勿穿短裤短裙，勿大声喧哗，勿随意拍摄；进入苗侗村寨请尊重当地风俗，拍摄村民前请先征得同意；体验非遗项目时请尊重传承人指导 【旅行规范】全程遵守无痕旅行原则：不采摘植物、不丢弃垃圾、不偏离指定步道 【行程调整】领队有权根据天气、路况灵活调整行程顺序；如遇不可抗力将安排替代体验 【预订建议】建议提前至少45天预订（行程长、跨四地、住宿点多）；预订时请确认饮食禁忌、特殊需求、体能情况及签证状态 【签证提示】行程涉及香港，请提前确认港澳通行证/签证有效性
Booking & Cancellation
To be supplemented.
You May Also Like
6-Day Heilongjiang Ice and Snow Folk Culture Tour: Snow Town, Jingpo Lake and Manchu & Korean Intangible Cultural Heritage
6-Day Heilongjiang Ice & Snow Folk Culture Tour: explore Snow Valley, Snow Town and Jingpo Lake, experience intangible cultural heritage from both the Korean and Manchu ethnic groups, wrap up your trip with the lively, warm bustle of a local morning market, and enjoy the perfect blend of stunning snowscapes and authentic local everyday charm.
US$1339
6-Day Yichun Lesser Khingan Mountains Ice and Snow Intangible Cultural Heritage Tour: Hands-On Woodcrafts, Oroqen Folk Customs, and Snowy Sea of Forests
6-Day Lesser Khingan Mountains Ice and Snow Intangible Cultural Heritage Tour: delve deep into Yichun's primeval Korean pine forests and Oroqen ethnic villages, experience woodcraft handmaking, winter ice fishing, and explore the vast snow-blanketed forest expanse, for a slow-paced, immersive winter travel experience.
US$1339
Silk Road Spanning Thousands of Miles: Civilization Journey from Chang'an to the Western Regions (18-Day In-Depth Itinerary)
Follow the chime of camel bells to traverse the millennia-old Silk Road that runs from the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties all the way to the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains. This 18-day, 17-night itinerary builds on the core highlights of the Silk Road to explore Northern Xinjiang, with visits to the Heaven Lake of Tianshan, Kanas Lake, and immersive experiences of Tuva folk customs, bridging the Silk Road civilization with the grassland civilization of the Western Regions.
US$4018
5-Day Guizhou Duliu River Dong Ethnic Sound & Rhythm Tour
From the millennia-old songs echoing through drum towers to the world-renowned Village Super League, uncover the civilization nurtured by this river. This 5-day, 4-night exploration invites you to discover the past and modern resurgence of Dong ethnic river valley civilization. Follow the course of the Du Liujiang River on this in-depth cultural journey, spanning wet rice farming, sound arts, ecological wisdom and traditional craft heritage, as you witness the revival of this ancient civilization in the contemporary age.
US$1116Ready to Go?
This route can be customized to your schedule, group size, and preferences. Leave your requirements and our consultant will create a tailored plan for you.