Welcome to Congjiang, embark on a "cultural journey with warmth"

A 3-day, 2-night family trip guide to Congjiang, Guizhou, specially designed for a family of three (two adults and one child). It highlights Dong ethnic customs, secret terraced fields, slow life in ancient villages, and parent-child interactive experiences. The budget is controlled within 3,000 RMB, about 1,000 RMB per person, with a relaxed pace, safe and comfortable, suitable for families with children aged 5-12.

📍 Destination Overview
Congjiang County, located in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou Province, is a multi-ethnic area inhabited by the Dong, Miao, Yao, and other ethnic groups. Here you will find:
- 🌾 Jiabang Terraced Fields — one of China's top ten most beautiful terraced fields, shrouded in mist like a fairyland
- 🏘️ Basha Miao Village — China's last armed tribe, mysterious and primitive
- 🏯 Xiaohuang Dong Village — hometown of Dong grand songs, heavenly music passed down for a thousand years
- 🌿 Gaozeng Dong Village — an original ecological Dong village with well-preserved drum towers, wind and rain bridges, and stilted buildings

This place is free from over-commercialization, with simple folk customs, perfect for children to learn about ethnic culture, get close to nature, and unleash their nature.

💰 Budget Overview (for a family of three, economical and comfortable)

| Item | Cost (RMB) |
|------|------------|
| Round-trip transportation (high-speed train + local transport) | 1200 (round trip from Guiyang, carpool/bus) |
| Accommodation (2 nights, Dong village homestay + terraced field inn) | 800 (400 RMB/night) |
| Meals (3 days, authentic Dong and Miao flavors) | 600 (about 200 RMB/day) |
| Attraction tickets + experiences + local transport | 350 (including terraced field shuttle, performances) |
| Others (insurance, souvenirs, drinking water) | 50 |
| Total | About 3000 RMB |

✅ About 1,000 RMB per person, authentic lodging, original flavors, deep experiences, excellent cost performance

🗓 Itinerary Overview (3 days 2 nights, relaxed pace)

| Day | Theme | Accommodation |
|-----|-------|---------------|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Congjiang → First experience at Gaozeng Dong Village | Gaozeng Dong Village homestay |
| Day 2 | Full-day tour of Jiabang Terraced Fields + parent-child farming experience | Jiabang Terraced Field Mountain Residence |
| Day 3 | Explore Basha Miao Village → Return trip | — |

> ✅ Suitable for: families with children, cultural travelers, photography enthusiasts

📅 Detailed Itinerary

✅ Day 1: Arrive in Congjiang, step into "Life under the Drum Tower in Dong Village"

Transportation suggestions:
- Take the bullet train from **Guiyang North Station to Congjiang Station (about 2 hours, ticket 120 RMB/person)
- From Congjiang Station to Gaozeng Dong Village:
- Taxi about 60 RMB (30 minutes)
- Or take the local minibus (10 RMB/person)

Recommended departure time: depart in the morning, arrive before noon

Noon: Check into Dong village homestay + lunch and rest
- Recommended homestays: "Gaozeng Drum Tower Family" or "Dongting Mountain Residence"
- Room type: family room (1 large bed + 1 small bed)
- Price: 380-450 RMB/night, this trip chooses 400 RMB level (including three breakfasts)
- Advantage: located in the village, window faces the drum tower, listen to Dong songs at night

Lunch recommendation:
- Homestay restaurant or "Village Grandma's Meal"
- Must-try: sour soup fish, stir-fried cured meat with bamboo shoots, glutinous rice, oil tea
- Per person: 50 RMB

Afternoon: Light experience in Gaozeng Dong Village
- Visit the drum tower, wind and rain bridge, explain to children:
- "The drum tower is the 'heart' of the Dong village, where meetings, singing, and discussions happen"
- Parent-child activities:
- 🧵 Learn to weave grass grasshoppers (taught by village elders, 20 RMB/person)
- 🎵 Listen to Dong mothers sing folk tunes (impromptu performances often in the evening)
- Photo spots:
- 📸 Drum tower panorama, wind and rain bridge reflections, children wearing Dong costumes (rental 30 RMB/set)

Dinner:
- Homestay "Long Table Banquet" experience (reservation required, 150 RMB/table)

✅ Day 2: Jiabang Terraced Fields — a farming classroom in the sea of clouds

Theme: Nature + Farming + Parent-child interaction

Transportation:
- Gaozeng → Jiabang Terraced Fields: carpool about 80 RMB/car (1.5 hours mountain road)
- No main entrance fee for the scenic area, but a sanitation fee of 10 RMB/person is required to enter the village

Accommodation upgrade:
- Recommended stay at "Jiabang Cloud Mountain Residence" or "Terraced Field Family Inn"
- Room type: scenic family room (with balcony, facing terraced fields)
- Price: 400 RMB/night (including three breakfasts)
- Advantage: open the window in the early morning to see the sea of clouds over the terraced fields, like a fairyland

Morning: Terraced field walk + parent-child farming experience (core highlight)
- Walk along the small paths by the terraced fields, explain to children:
- "How does rice grow?" "Why do terraced fields look like stairs?"
- Participate in:
- 🌾 Rice planting/harvesting experience (seasonal, planting in May-June, harvesting in September-October)
- 🐮 Lead a calf to step in the muddy field (children’s favorite, 30 RMB/time)
- 🎒 Make a scarecrow (parent-child cooperation, enhances hands-on skills)

Noon:
- Inn lunch: stir-fried cured meat with fern cake, wild vegetable soup, glutinous rice

Afternoon: Jiache Village viewing platform + cave exploration (optional)
- Walk or take a village tricycle to Jiache Village viewing platform (free)
- 🌄 Overlook the entire terraced fields, mist swirling, a photography paradise
- Optional: nearby small cave adventure (safe shallow cave, children can enter)

Evening:
- Watch the sunset from the inn balcony, cloud sea surging, like a dream
- Children can write a "travel diary" or draw "the terraced fields in my eyes"

Dinner:
- Inn farmhouse feast, can add homemade rice wine (moderate for adults)

✅ Day 3: Explore Basha Miao Village → Return trip

Theme: Culture + Fantasy + Ritual

Transportation:
- Jiabang → Basha Miao Village: carpool about 100 RMB/car (2 hours)
- Or return to Congjiang town then transfer (more reliable)

Tickets:
- Basha Miao Village: 80 RMB/person (half price for children)
- Includes: armed ceremony performance, adult rite explanation, lusheng dance show

Tour highlights:
- 🔫 Basha Gunmen: China’s only legally armed tribe, men wear "Hugu" hairstyle
- 🎭 Armed welcome ceremony: three gunshots, deeply impresses children
- 🌳 Life tree culture: each child plants a tree at birth, coffin made from the tree after death
- You can plant a "friendship tree" with your child (50 RMB/tree, certificate included)
- 🧵 Miao embroidery experience: mothers can teach children simple patterns

Lunch:
- Village "A Yong Restaurant": sour soup beef, glutinous rice chicken, roasted fragrant pig

Afternoon return:
- Basha → Congjiang Station: taxi about 80 RMB (1 hour)
- Congjiang Station → Guiyang North: bullet train return (120 RMB/person)
- Recommended departure before 3:00 PM to avoid evening rush hour

🍽 Must-try foods in Congjiang (recommended for a family of three)

| Name | Specialty | Recommended place |
|------|----------|-------------------|
| Dong-style sour soup fish | Red sour fermentation, appetizing and fresh | Gaozeng homestay |
| Stir-fried cured meat with fern cake | Glutinous and salty, local specialty | Jiabang inn |
| Oil tea | Slightly bitter then sweet, refreshing | Village grandma |
| Glutinous rice | Plant-dyed, colorful | Festivals or long table banquets |
| Roasted fragrant pig | Crispy skin, tender meat, Basha specialty | Basha Miao Village |

🎒 Pre-trip packing list (parent-child exclusive)

- ID cards, household registration book (for children’s tickets)
- Comfortable sports shoes (non-slip preferred, many mountain roads)
- Children’s sunscreen, hat, mosquito repellent
- Rain gear (disposable raincoat is best)
- Small backpack (child carries own water and snacks)
- Wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer
- Camera/phone waterproof bag (for terraced field photos)
- Small notebook + colored pens (for children to record the trip)

📸 Photo tips (parent-child photo guide)

- 📷 In front of the drum tower: family photo in Dong costumes
- 🌾 In the terraced fields: capture children leading calves stepping in mud
- 🌅 Viewing platform: sunset silhouette + panoramic cloud sea
- 🔫 Basha gunmen: stunning moments of the armed ceremony
- 🌳 Life tree: commemorate the tree planting ceremony

✅ Why recommend Congjiang for families with children?

- 🌾 Jiabang Terraced Fields = natural "outdoor classroom," children learn while playing
- 🏘️ Dong and Miao villages = living "ethnic culture museums," more vivid than books
- 👶 Slow pace, fewer people, safe, perfect for families with kids
- 💰 3,000 RMB for a high-quality parent-child cultural trip, excellent value
- 🚆 2 hours direct from Guiyang, ideal for a weekend mini-vacation