Journey of Chinese minority Culture: Exploration of colorful ethnic customs

This journey offers travelers a vivid experience of China’s diverse ethnic cultures and natural beauty, exploring the unique customs, history, and landscapes of Guilin, Yangshuo, Guiyang, and Lijiang.

In the vast land of China, the cultures of ethnic minorities are as bright as the stars, and each ethnic group has its own unique customs, history and charm. Let's embark on a cultural journey to Guilin, Yangshuo, Guiyang and Lijiang to experience the colorful customs of China's ethnic minorities.


Guilin: A Natural Wonder with Picturesque Landscapes

Guilin, known as “the city with the best landscape in the world”, is famous for its rolling karst mountains and the crystal-clear Li River. The natural scenery here is like an endless landscape scroll, attracting countless tourists to stop and linger.

In Guilin, there is nothing more worth experiencing than a boat trip on the Li River. Starting from Guilin, you will be mesmerized by the picturesque scenery on both sides of the river as you slowly drift along the Li River. The mountain peaks, the river, and the small villages dotting the landscape are like a living landscape painting. On board, the tour guide will tell you the marvelous legends of Guilin landscape and bring you the beauty of mountains and rivers.

In addition, there is another attraction in Guilin that should not be missed - Elephant Trunk Hill. The Elephant Trunk Hill, named after its mountain shaped like an elephant drinking water, is one of the symbols of Guilin. The Li River at the bottom of the mountain and the Elephant Trunk Hill mirror each other, forming a beautiful natural picture.

More Guilin itineraries:

2-Day Guilin Trip

3-Day Guilin Ethnic Culture Tour


Yangshuo: Explore the Ethnic Minorities

Yangshuo, a scenic spot in Guilin, is famous for its magnificent landscape and strong ethnic customs. Here, you can not only enjoy the picturesque natural landscapes, but also get a deeper understanding of the culture of local ethnic minorities.

The Dong and Miao villages around Yangshuo are perfect places to explore the local folklore. The Dong are famous for their characteristic hanging footstools and wind and rain bridges, while the Miao attract tourists with their rich traditional festivals and splendid ethnic costumes. You can visit these ancient villages, feel the simple folk customs, taste the authentic ethnic food and experience the traditional handicraft making.

Every year, Yangshuo holds a number of festivals with local characteristics, such as the Dong's Great Song Competition and the Miao's Miao New Year Festival. These festivals are both lively and full of ethnic charms, and are a great opportunity to learn about and experience the cultures of ethnic minorities.


Guiyang: Colorful Ethnic Culture and Historic Towns

Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, is located in southwestern China and has been known for its diverse ethnic cultures and long history. In this city, you will have the opportunity to experience in-depth the traditional culture of the Miao and Dong ethnic groups and explore the historical Qingyan Ancient Town.

Qingyan Ancient Town, is a well-preserved ancient town near Guiyang. Many buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties have been preserved in the town, and the quaint streets and traditional houses make you feel like traveling back to ancient times. You can stroll through the alleys of the ancient town, feel the tranquility and simplicity of the town, and taste the authentic Guizhou snacks.

In Guiyang, you can also visit some traditional villages of Miao and Dong ethnic groups. These villages not only have unique architectural styles, but also rich ethnic customs and cultural activities. The embroidery craft of the Miao, the wooden building architecture and song and dance performances of the Dong are all experiences you can't miss.


Lijiang: Cultural Treasures of the Naxi and Ancient City Scenery

Lijiang, a bright pearl in Yunnan Province, is famous for its ancient cityscape and unique Naxi culture. Known as the “Venice of the East”, Lijiang Old Town is a place where people can linger with its simple architecture and charming water system.

Lijiang Ancient City retains a large number of ancient buildings and traditional Naxi culture. The small bridges and rivers, humanistic landscapes and ancient streets and lanes in the ancient city demonstrate the History and Culture of the Naxi people. You can stroll through the streets of the ancient city and visit the Dongba Culture Museum to learn about the Naxi Dongba culture and ancient Dongba script.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain near Lijiang is also a natural attraction worth visiting. The snowy peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain glisten in the sunlight, making it a paradise for photographers. You can take a cable car up the mountain to enjoy the magnificent views of alpine meadows and snow-capped glaciers.

More Lijiang itineraries:

3-Day Lijiang Tour

Dali and Lijiang Old Town Tour


Summarize

This minority culture tour will take you through the natural beauty and colorful ethnic customs of China. From the landscapes of Guilin to the ethnic villages of Yangshuo; from the ancient towns and ethnic customs of Guiyang to the ancient cities and snowy mountains of Lijiang, each place will let you experience the unique charm of China's minority cultures. Let's start this journey full of exploration and discovery with our deep emotion to this land!


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What Our Clients Say?

Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews

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Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s): Shanghai
Date of Experience: May 08,2024
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Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories. Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s): Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of Experience: June 02,2025
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Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic! Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale. For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return. A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s): Zhangjiajie
Date of Experience: May 08,2025
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