Looking for an unforgettable way to spend the winter holidays? China may not be the most traditional answer, but it’s definitely an exciting one! The colder months mark a time in the travel season where there are less tourists and scenery and festivals that are not available during other parts of the year. Here are a few travel suggestions from our expert travel consultants:
China’s national parks. Be it Jiuzhaigou National Park in Sichuan province or the jagged peaks of Yellow Mountain at Huangshan National Park, these reserves are sure to be breathtaking. To see snow-blanketed valleys and the misty, gargantuan mounds that inspired Chinese artists and poets for centuries, check out a sample itinerary here.
Guizhou. In this remote province of southwestern China, ethnic minorities will be busy preparing for festivals such as the Miao and Dong minority New Year. Join in on the boisterous celebrations featuring traditional song, dance, richly embroidered costumes & old rituals like those described by Gloria (a WildChina travel consultant) in her recent trip to the area here. Also, check out this trip which highlights Guizhou travel.
Jinghong, Yunnan. Tropical and warm during the next few months, Jinghong is the capital city of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, a province in southwestern China. When WildChina travel consultant Jenny visited, she said that she spent most of her time in the ethnic minority villages of the Dai and Aini people. Here, the communities are tranquil, and the people are dressed in in traditional clothing, not because they are putting on a costume but because it is still routine to do so.
Hiking through the lush, tea terraces from village to village is one way to experience the local lives of the Dai and Aini people, but another way is to take advantage of their warm hospitality and choose to do a homestay. In Jenny’s words, the architecture and accommodations are basic but the experience was ‘cozy and unforgettable’. The home she stayed in was two stories, as most homes are in that area. The first floor served as a garage for farmers’ carts and equipment, and the upstairs served as the living quarters. Over a seemingly outdated wooden stove, the host family cooked a delicious meal of Dai food, which is a unique Chinese cuisine that is marked by fresh, tropical ingredients and a Southeast Asian influence.
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For more suggestions about China travel during the winter months, please contact us at info@wildchina.com.
Photos by WildChina travelers & Anhui News
