No landscape in China is as timeless as that of Guizhou. The hills, covered in stripes of green created by the tiers of rice paddies, look the same today as they have for over six centuries. Above the valleys, mist slowly rises, obscuring your view of the houses that have settled sentient into the top of the mountains. Unlike the rapid evolution that is presently shaping urban China, much of Guizhou remains unchanged. WildChina’s rustic journey through Guizhou and Guangxi, recognized as one of National Geographic Traveler’s “Tours of a Lifetime,” will make you feel like you have strolled into an old Chinese watercolor.
A trip to the countryside does not mean sacrificing culture, as Guizhou is the home of the Miao minority people. Plan your visit during the Miao festivals and you are in for a real treat. This year, a trip on either Nov. 9-11th or Nov. 10-12th will land you in the middle of the celebrations. During this time, you will see women in black tunics patterned with bright reds and blues, and atop their brows will rest shimmering silver head-dresses. They will laugh smile and dance, and will even offer you a sip of their powerful rice wine.
Guizhou’s remoteness makes it an ideal location for service trips for those who are interested. Only recently, WildChina led a group of Harvard Business School alumni to Guizhou to help in the in the construction of irrigation channels for rice paddies. Opportunities are also available for students on summer break and anyone looking to lend a hand in China during their next vacation. Thinking back on her student’s experience in Guizhou, Adrian Gan, a teacher at the Hong Kong Discovery College noted “Our students have all consistently described their few days living in the Miao Village as one which has completely changed their ideas of what it means to be in community.”
If you have seen China’s cities, or are simply looking for a trip that is on the road less traveled, Guizhou is the perfect answer. When your trip is over, you won’t feel like you are exiting a foreign museum, but like you are leaving a foreign world.
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If you have questions about traveling to Guizhou, feel free to contact us at info@wildchina.com
Cormorant fisherman photograph by Yam-ki Chan
