Kunming to Guilin

Also known as the 'City of Eternal Spring', Kunming is covered with blossoms and vegetation all-year round due to its mild climate. Dispersed between the modern roads and high-rises are pops of greenery and intricately designed, grand Taoist temples.

For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Kunming at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Changshui International Airport (KMG), which is 45 minutes' from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up on day two.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to take a wonder around the magnificent Golden Temple Park, also known as Jindian Park. It is home to the largest bronze temple in the country. Stay: Green Lake View Hotel (Comfortable)

This morning we begin our journey with a visit to the Yuantong Temple. Set in the centre of the city this 1200 year old temple is home to monks from three different schools of Buddhism: Mahayana, Hinayana and Tibetan, with separate parts of the building dedicated to each faith.

Leaving the park and the city behind, we drive a short distance to the Qiongzhu Temple, also called the Bamboo Temple. It is known for its 500 unique life size sculptures of Buddhist arhats, people that have advanced along the path of enlightenment but not yet reached nirvana. We will share a vegetarian lunch with some of the monks and take the chance to learn a little of their simple way of life.

We return to Kunming in the afternoon and there is time to explore the town at your own pace. Stay: Green Lake View Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast we take a stroll through Green Lake Park. The park is in the centre of the city and is formed around four small lakes, linked by traditional Chinese bridges. Each morning locals make their way here for their daily Tai Chi session and we'll join them today! The session is suitable for beginners and is a great way to set up our energy for the day.

In the afternoon we drive to the 'Stone Forest' at Shillin. Here the spectacular karst rock formations have formed a forest-like structure over a vast area, creating an atmospheric and surreal environment threaded with streams and greenery. We spend a couple of hours weaving our way through the forest on foot before driving to Qujing for our overnight stop. Stay: Yindu International Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Today we will visit the spectacular Huangguoshu, or Yellow Fruit Tree, waterfalls. The largest in China, the drop measures an impressive 84 metres, with a width of over 80 metres. A climb up a series of steep, water soaked steps leads to a suspension bridge that crosses into a verdant, forested landscape, where, depending on conditions, there is usually an opportunity to walk behind the falls and enter the 100 metre long 'Water Curtain Cave' that lies behind it. Later we drive to the nearby small city of Anshun. Stay: Puhua Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

600 years ago, Han Chinese soldiers settled down near Anshun after returning from war. They created a small collection of villages with houses and streets made of local stone. Some of the villages are still inhabited today, with the people living very traditional lives and considering themselves a specific ethnic group. They maintain some of the old customs from Ming Dynasty times including the languages and costumes. We explore a couple of the villages and walk up to a panoramic vantage point at the Yunjiu Temple, reached by 600 stone steps. This offers wonderful views of the area, the villages, and the dramatic karst stone landscape.

Leaving the villages behind, we head to the large and bustling city of Guiyang. An exciting city, the old and new China coexist here in an exhilarating mix of modern skyscrapers and old temples. Stay: Guiyang Karst Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

In the late morning we drive to Zhenyuan, an ancient town of the Miao people, and a pretty mixture of caves, palaces, pavilions, temples and rivers, set in a marvellous natural landscape. We'll explore the town on foot and climb around 800 steps to a vantage point with beautiful views of the whole area, walking for a time on an old part of the Great Wall. Stay: Fucheng Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast this morning we'll take a two hour walk along the banks of the Wuyang River, taking in the karst scenery as we walk. A short ferry crossing brings us to the local market and the courtyards, narrow streets, ancient houses and temples of the old town. In the afternoon we'll drive to Nande. On the way we stop at Peika villages to gain an insight in to the rural communities of the area. Here we'll meet Mr Mo, a famous local lusheng maker whose skills have been passed down through his family for generations, and we'll learn how he makes the instruments using traditional methods. Stay: Nande Farmhouse (Simple) (B)

The markey in the nearby village of Kaili gives us the opportunity to wander through the streets where Miao and Dong communities sell vegetables and handmade clothing. After seeing what's on sale for the day we'll return to Nande. The village is formed of large wooden houses clinging to the hillside, and old cobbled stone streets and mMany of the inhabitants still wear traditional dress. We take a walk through the village and stop to enjoy some Lusheng dances before enjoying lunch of meat, eggs, vegetables and homemade rice wine in a local farmhouse. Stay: Nande Farmhouse (Simple) (B)

Our first stop this morning is the village square, where we'll watch the locals performing dances to lusheng music. After some time there we'll drive to Rongjiang, a journey of around four hours. On the way we stop at Datang, a Miao village famous for the traditional dress of its inhabitants. The women wear very colourful costumes with silver jewellery and elaborate headwear. Their skirts are much shorter than those of other Miao tribe, a tradition stretching back some 600 years and that may have begun as an act of defiance. Stay: Shangping International Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Just outside Rongjiang, Chejiang Dong village is famous for the massive Banyan trees that line the banks of the river, and its Drum Tower. Highly impressive pagoda-like structures, the Dong drum towers are intricately carved and designed to represent the four seasons and 12 months of the year. Originally used to call the villagers to a gathering to hear the punishment that the council of elders would dispense to wrong-doers, they now serve as social centres for the old men of the village who meet to play cards, drink tea, smoke and chat. The village also contains a Sama Temple, dedicated to the Dong's former heroine who died during a fight with another tribe, and who is now commemorated during new year celebrations.

Leaving the village we drive through the mountains for around four hours to the Jiabang rice terraces. Along the way we will meet the Zhuang people at Sanbao and Ping Ling villages. Known as 'people of the soil' for their agricultural knowhow, the Zhuang worship nature, believing that everything has its own spirit. They also revere their ancestors, whose names are written on strips of red paper on altars in their houses.

Our accommodation tonight is in a simple guesthouse with and excellent location overlooking the terraces and close to a nearby village. Rooms are twin share with shared bathrooms. Stay: Tianzhiyuan Hotel (Simple) (B)

The Jiabang terraces are rumoured to be over a thousand years old and sprawl across the hillsides of lush green valleys which are dotted with Miao houses and small hamlets. A walk through the terraces will enable us to see how they are farmed by hand and with oxen, still using old methods that have been passed down from generation to generation over hundreds of years. In the afternoon we visit a Miao village on the hillside, a chance to learn how the people of the region live and make their living from the terraces. Stay: Tianzhiyuan Hotel (Simple) (B)

We leave early for a three hour drive this morning will bring us to the village of Basha. The Miao people of Basha are unique and follow ancient traditions, possibly dating as far back as the Qing Dynasty some 2,200 years ago. They worship trees, especially maples, as gods, and the bun hairstyles they wear represent the leaves, while their purple clothes represent the bark. A tree is planted when a baby is born in the village and is often cut down to make a coffin when the person eventually dies. Their culture reveres the warrior and the hunter and they are the only people in China who are legally allowed to own guns, which they make themselves. We'll wander around the village to learn about the Basha Miao and attend a traditional dance performed by the villagers.

Leaving Basha village we head to the Dong village of Zhaoxing, around an hour away. Stay: Vip Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Zhaoxing village is one of the largest Dong settlements in China and consists of wonderfully preserved two and three story wooden houses. Pretty bridges cross the rivers and streams that dissect the village, and there are several drum towers and temples. The surrounding countryside of rice terraces and fields provides a lovely backdrop and hints at the way the Dong make their living. After a morning walk through the village we depart for Guilin, a drive of around three hours. Stay: Guilin Shahu Hotel () (B)

After breakfast we head to the Bamboo Reed Dock where we board our boat on the Li River and cruise to Yangshuo. Lunch is taken on board as we sail along the most scenic stretch of the river. We'll pass paddy fields, villages and stunning limestone scenery. In the afternoon we will visit Langzi village, a 350 year old stone village which was reputedly founded by the peasant rebel warrior Qing Zhengyao. While fighting under the rebel leader Li Zicheng, Qing's army was defeated and he fled. Coming across the fertile land and clear waters of the area he decided to stay, and his settlement eventually became the village. Most of the buildings are around 200 years old and from Han Dynasty times. Stay: Yangshuo Guifu Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

This morning we drive to nearby Moon Hill, where we will take a walk for around an hour and a half through the limestone mountain scenery. Those that wish to ascend around 800 steps to the natural archway will be rewarded with splendid views of the area. In the afternoon we take a 40 minute drive to Baisha village where we'll begin a leisurely 12 km walk through rustic countryside and small hamlets, and along the Yulong river. The walk will take around four hours and finishes at Gongnong Bridge. Those that don't want to cover the distance on foot can continue by bus to the end point and take gentle strolls along the river nearby. Stay: Yangshuo Guifu Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

After breakfast we'll drive to Guilin Airport where the tour ends at 11am. The earliest time your flight can depart is 2pm. (B)