Day 1 Various locations → or → Guilin ★ Meet up day
All day
Gather all day and check in to designated hotel in Guilin
Tourists arriving early can explore the Two Rivers and Four Lakes (including the sunset and night views of the Sun and Moon Pagodas), Elephant Trunk Hill (a Guilin landmark), Tashan Park, and East-West Alley for photography. They can also sample Guilin's local delicacies at Zhengyang Pedestrian Street. Please ensure the safety of your property during free time.
Transportation to the meeting hotel
: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: ① Take a taxi directly from the airport to the meeting hotel for 60-80 RMB (online taxi prices are a guide). ② Take Airport Bus Line 1 to the Civil Aviation Building stop (approximately 60 minutes, fare 20 RMB). From there, take a taxi to the meeting hotel (approximately 2 kilometers).
Guilin Railway Station: Approximately 1.2 kilometers, starting price.
Guilin North Railway Station: Approximately 8 kilometers, approximately 20 RMB.
Guilin West Railway Station: Approximately 13 kilometers, approximately 30 RMB.
Day 2 Guilin → Chengyang Eight Villages
All day
After breakfast, go to Chengyang Bazhai to photograph the Dong ethnic group’s wedding customs
The most ceremonious part of a Dong wedding is the "bride's return home" ceremony, typically held on the third day of the Lunar New Year. Each wedding family chooses an auspicious date for the ceremony, followed by a grand procession to escort the bride to her in-laws' home. A large procession of the groom's relatives and friends carries red pigs, pickled fish and duck, rice, candy, rice wine, and other gifts as they send the bride back to her parents' home. The sound of firecrackers echoes throughout the village. At this time, multiple processions from across the village converge at the village gate, and the sound of firecrackers echoes throughout the eight villages, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Upon seeing the procession, everyone stops to watch, eager to catch a glimpse of the bride and to share in the joy of a Dong wedding. We stayed overnight at Chengyang Eight Villages for an immersive photoshoot.
Day 3 Chengyang Eight Villages → Basha Miao Village → Zhaoxing Dong Village
All day
Get up early to photograph the sunrise at Chengyang Bazhai
The Chengyang Eight Villages are hailed as one of China's most beautiful villages. Their stilt wooden buildings, drum towers, and wind and rain bridges create a unique and picturesque scene against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains, rivers, and fields. The name "Chengyang Eight Villages" refers to the eight natural Dong villages of Dazhai, Pingpu, Pingzhai, Yanzhai, Ma'an, Pingtan, Dongzhai, and Jichang, representing a microcosm of the Sanjiang Dong Township.
In the morning, go to Basha Miao Village to photograph the cultural buildings
The Gunslinger Tribe in Basha Miao Village is a must-see for folk photography. Here, men carry hunting rifles on their shoulders and knives on their waists. China-TravelNote will arrange a special folk photography project here. Basha Miao men and women wear unique headdresses and distinctive Black Miao clothing. Basha men fire guns and cannons, so photographers must use high-speed shutter speeds to capture these captivating moments. Don't miss the unique sickle-shaving ritual. Basha women swinging on a forest swing is also a great subject. We'll also capture some of the women embroidering. At the end of the tour, you can take photos with the Basha Miao men and women.
In the afternoon, go to Zhaoxing Dong Village for check-in and photo shooting
This place is famous for its drum tower group, which is listed in the Guinness World Records and is known as the "Hometown of Drum Tower Culture and Art". Photographers walking here, please slow down your pace, slow down the shutter, and quietly appreciate this village that has condensed a century of vicissitudes.
Day 4 Zhaoxing Dong Village
All day
Get up early to take photos of the morning scenery of Zhaoxing Dong Village
Terraced fields surround the village, a river runs through it, drum towers face each other and are connected by flower bridges, and the indigenous Dong people work on the ridges of the fields in the morning mist.
Full-day photography of the Spring Festival folk activities in Zhaoxing Dong Village
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, every corner of Zhaoxing Dong Village is filled with festive joy, and every folk activity carries the Dong people's beautiful hopes for the New Year. On this day, visitors can not only enjoy a variety of folk performances and savour authentic Dong cuisine, but also immerse themselves in the unique charm of Dong culture and experience the warm hospitality of the Dong people. As the New Year's bells fade, Zhaoxing Dong Village remains thriving with its unique folk celebrations. Specific activities are subject to local arrangements and may be adjusted according to weather conditions.
Day 5 Zhaoxing Dong Village → Longsheng Guangnan → Guilin
All day
Get up early and go to Guangnan Village to take pictures of the Dong ethnic group's New Year celebrations
Every year on the sixth day of the first lunar month, the Dong people of Guangnan Village in Longsheng, Guilin, gather in front of the Drum Tower in their festive attire. They celebrate the New Year with unique folk cultural activities such as a folk parade, the Spring Ox, grass dragon and grass lion dances, reed pipe music, pipa singing and dancing, and a banquet for hundreds of families. They pray for a good harvest and family happiness, and this is the beginning of the new year's production. After filming, we returned to downtown Guilin to stay.
Day 6 Guilin → Tianxin Village → Guilin Airport ★ Disbandment Day
All day
Get up early and go to Tianxin Village to photograph the pastoral scenery
Here, you'll find classic karst mountains, small bridges and flowing water shrouded in mist, farmhouses reminiscent of Tao Yuanming's works, and villagers plowing their fields with oxen. At sunrise, the sun and its rays, reflected in the ponds between the fields, create a beauty reminiscent of the artistic conception depicted in ancient poetry. The farmers and oxen were specially arranged to collaborate on the creation of this work.
The group will be transferred to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport at noon (estimated arrival time is around 1:00 PM). Please book flights after 2:30 PM. High-speed rail passengers will proceed to the station (Guilin Station, approximately 1.1 km; Guilin North Station, approximately 8 km) depending on their train number, concluding this unforgettable Guizhou and Guangxi folklore photography tour.
