Arrive in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its pleasant climate year-round. After a domestic transfer from Shanghai, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or take a gentle stroll through Kunming’s lively streets.

Overnight stay in Kunming.

After breakfast, begin exploring Kunming’s cultural and natural treasures. Visit the Stone Forest (Shilin), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where dramatic limestone formations create a surreal karst landscape. Learn about the Sani people, a branch of the Yi minority, who have lived in this region for centuries and are renowned for their colorful embroidery and traditions.

Return to the city and visit Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park), a beloved local gathering place with pavilions, willow-lined walkways, and migratory birds in winter. If time permits, explore Kunming Old Street for Yunnan snacks and tea culture.

Overnight stay in Kunming.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion to the world-famous Stone Forest (Shilin), a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 90 km (2 hours) southeast of Kunming. Known as the “First Wonder of the World”, the Stone Forest features towering limestone pillars, natural labyrinths, caves, and scenic viewpoints formed by over 270 million years of geological evolution.

Stroll along winding paths surrounded by dramatic karst formations that resemble petrified trees, giving the site its name. Highlights include Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest, Lizijing Stone Forest, and the Sword Peak Pond.

Along the way, encounter the Sani people, a subgroup of the Yi minority, who have lived here for centuries. Their colorful traditional dress, songs, and dances enrich the cultural experience of the visit.

Return to Kunming in the late afternoon. Evening free to enjoy Yunnan cuisine, such as the famous “Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles.”

Overnight stay in Kunming.

Morning: After breakfast, begin the day with a visit to Xishan Longmen (Dragon Gate on the Western Hills), a remarkable series of grottoes, cliffside pathways, and pavilions carved into the mountainside overlooking Dianchi Lake. This site offers not only impressive stone carvings dating back to the Qing Dynasty but also breathtaking panoramic views across Kunming’s largest lake and the surrounding Yunnan highlands.

Afternoon: After lunch, continue to the historic Daguanlou (Grand View Pavilion), a lakeside architectural complex with more than 300 years of history. Known for its elegant gardens, classical Chinese pavilions, and the famous couplet inscribed on its walls (one of the longest in Chinese literature), Daguanlou is a perfect place to appreciate the cultural depth of Kunming while enjoying tranquil views of Dianchi Lake.

Overnight stay in Kunming.

Morning: After breakfast, visit Wanfeng Lake, one of the largest and most beautiful artificial lakes in southwest China. Surrounded by the striking karst peaks of the Wanfenglin Scenic Area, the lake is a tranquil spot for photography and a chance to appreciate the harmony between nature and local life.

Continue to the Balinghe Bridge, a marvel of modern engineering and one of the highest suspension bridges in the world. Spanning the Baling River Canyon, the bridge offers breathtaking views of the valley far below and the surrounding mountains.

Afternoon: Transfer to Huangguoshu Waterfall National Park, home to the Huangguoshu Waterfall, the largest waterfall in China and one of Asia’s most impressive cascades, standing 77 meters tall and 101 meters wide. Explore scenic trails leading to different viewpoints, including the famous Water-Curtain Cave, where you can walk behind the thundering waterfall for a unique experience.

Overnight stay near Huangguoshu Waterfall or in Anshun.

Morning: After breakfast, enjoy a deeper exploration of the magnificent Huangguoshu Giant Waterfall, the star attraction of Huangguoshu National Park. This spectacular cascade, measuring 77 meters high and 101 meters wide, is the largest waterfall in China and among the biggest in Asia. Walk along well-marked trails to admire the falls from multiple angles — from the base for a powerful front view, from the cliffside for sweeping panoramas, and even from inside the famous Water-Curtain Cave, where you can pass directly behind the roaring wall of water.

Afternoon: After lunch, transfer by road to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, known for its mix of ethnic cultures and lush mountain surroundings. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight stay in Guiyang.

Morning: After breakfast, drive into Guizhou’s countryside to visit Shiqiao Miao Village, famous for preserving a 2,000-year-old papermaking tradition. Here, the Miao people still practice the ancient craft of creating handmade paper from natural bark and plant fibers. Visitors can watch demonstrations of this UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage and learn about the community’s vibrant silver jewelry and batik traditions.

Afternoon: Continue to Langde Miao Village, often called the “Museum of Miao Culture.” Surrounded by rice terraces and rivers, this authentic village is known for its traditional stilted wooden houses, colorful ethnic costumes, and lively folk performances featuring music, dancing, and long-horned headpieces. It offers a deep insight into the heritage and customs of the Miao ethnic minority, one of the largest minority groups in Guizhou.

Evening: Return to Guiyang for overnight stay

Morning: After breakfast, transfer eastward to Zhenyuan Ancient Town, one of Guizhou’s most picturesque and historically rich river towns. Nestled along the banks of the Wuyang River and surrounded by lush mountains, Zhenyuan blends 2,000 years of history with charming alleyways, stone bridges, and traditional architecture.

Visit the iconic Black Dragon Cave (Qinglong Cave), a centuries-old temple complex built into the mountain slope. Combining Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian influences, the site features caves, pavilions, and cliffside halls with panoramic views of the town and river below.

Afternoon: Enjoy a boat trip along the Wuyang River, where emerald waters flow between dramatic karst cliffs, offering a tranquil and scenic perspective of Zhenyuan’s ancient charm.

Evening: Return to your hotel (in Zhenyuan or Guiyang, depending on route).

Overnight stay in Zhenyuan or Guiyang.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer to Zhaoxing, the largest Dong ethnic village in China, renowned for its traditional wooden architecture, iconic drum towers, and covered bridges. Upon arrival, check into a charming local guesthouse, offering an authentic stay amidst the rhythms of village life.

Afternoon: Embark on a scenic hiking trip to Tang’an Dong Village, a smaller and less-visited settlement surrounded by lush terraced fields and rolling hills. The trail offers stunning views of rice terraces, forested mountains, and traditional farmhouses. Along the way, immerse yourself in the peaceful countryside atmosphere and experience the authenticity of Dong culture, deeply rooted in music, architecture, and community traditions.

Return to Zhaoxing for the evening, where you may stroll through the village lanes lit by lanterns, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Dong people.

Overnight stay in Zhaoxing.

Morning: After breakfast, visit the unique Basha Miao Village, often called the “last gunmen tribe in China.” This community of the Miao ethnic minority is renowned for its centuries-old traditions, distinctive wooden stilt houses, and unique cultural customs. The men of Basha still carry traditional rifles and maintain ancient hair customs, where they use sickles to shave their heads in a ceremony passed down through generations. This is one of the most authentic cultural encounters in Guizhou.

Afternoon: Transfer to Congjiang Railway Station and board a high-speed train to Guilin (Guangxi Province), famous for its breathtaking karst landscapes and poetic scenery that have inspired Chinese art for centuries. Upon arrival in Guilin, transfer to your hotel. Evening free at leisure.

Overnight stay in Guilin.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the pier in Guilin and embark on a boat trip along the Li River to Yangshuo. This journey is considered one of the most beautiful river cruises in the world, gliding past a panorama of towering karst mountains, bamboo groves, rice paddies, and charming riverside villages. The ever-changing scenery has inspired countless Chinese paintings and poems, with iconic sights such as Nine Horse Fresco Hill and Yellow Cloth Shoal along the way.

Afternoon: Arrive in Yangshuo, a vibrant town surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Take a leisurely walk through West Street, famous for its mix of traditional architecture, boutique shops, and cafés. In the evening, you may choose an optional cultural performance such as the spectacular “Impression Liu Sanjie” light show set against the natural karst backdrop (additional cost).

Overnight stay in Yangshuo.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the railway station and board a high-speed train from Yangshuo to Guangzhou, the thriving capital of Guangdong Province and one of China’s largest, most dynamic cities.

Afternoon: Upon arrival, begin a Guangzhou city tour. Visit the historic Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Clan Academy), an exquisite example of traditional Lingnan architecture decorated with elaborate carvings and colorful tiles. Continue to the Five Rams Statue in Yuexiu Park, a city symbol representing prosperity and good fortune. Stroll along the lively Beijing Road pedestrian street, where ancient ruins meet modern shops, or enjoy a riverside walk along the Pearl River.

Optional evening activity: a Pearl River night cruise, offering spectacular views of Guangzhou’s illuminated skyline, including the futuristic Canton Tower, one of the tallest towers in the world.

Overnight stay in Guangzhou.

After breakfast, enjoy free time at leisure until your transfer to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) for your onward or return flight.

Bid farewell to your unforgettable journey through Southwest China, from Yunnan’s eternal spring and Guizhou’s ethnic villages to Guangxi’s iconic karst peaks and Guangdong’s vibrant cityscapes.