Natural Wonder Discovery, on UNESCO's List
10-Day Private Tour: Guiyang - Qian Dongnan - Tongren - Hunan
Huangguoshu Waterfall, Ground Opera
Minority Crafts Experience, Zhenyuan Gorge Cruise
Fanjing Mountain Hiking
Fenghuang Ancient Town, Zhangjiajie
Highlights
- Discover the cave habitat of Sun Wukong at one of the largest waterfalls in Asia.
- Explore mysterious villages of minority people hidden deep in the mountains.
- Find peace at an old yet delicate town with a horseshoe-shaped river running through.
- See the cloud-wrapped mushroom rock at the latest UNESCO World Heritage site of 2018.
- Feast your eyes on the unique Avatar Hallelujah Mountain in Zhangjiajie.

Itinerary Details
This 10-day itinerary is a feast of geographical features, a highlight being one of UNESCO's 2018 World Heritage Sites.
Beginning with formerly hidden minority groups in Guizhou, southwest China, and moving on to Zhangjiajie, Avatar's wonderland, this journey includes wonderful, abundant landscape: roaring silver waterfalls, mountainous rural areas, unruffled rivers along canyons, and huge mountain rocks of different shapes.
Welcome to Guiyang! Your private guide will meet you at the airport/train station arrivals hall and transfer you to your hotel in a private car.
Tailor-Made Idea:
We offer a half-day tour of city highlights, including a brief introduction to Guiyang's history, with a walk past different architecture and an opportunity to taste classic local snacks. Let us know, if you are interested and will arrive before noon.
Hotel options:
Howard Johnson Plaza Guiyang
Sofitel Guiyang Hunter
breakfast & lunch
If you are a nature lover, your visit to Guizhou would not be complete without an excursion to Huangguoshu Waterfall.
You may have seen other world-renowned waterfalls. Here, however, you can not only see the silver waterfall cascading down the cliff 20-stories in height; but also touch and feel it by walking through the water-curtain cave of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, muse of the Chinese classic TV series, Journey to the West. On sunny days, rainbows often appear on the spray.
Explore a world of stone by taking a stroll after refreshing yourself in the karst landscape park. Built 600 years ago for military use, the old village retains its original style and pace of life. It is interesting to see stone foundations, stone walls, flagstone roofs, stone watchtowers and even stone dog holes everywhere.
Locals like to dress up and perform their unique folk drama, Ground Opera, as a way of explaining their long and checkered history. Just take a seat and enjoy it.
Tailor-Made Idea:
The rainy season at the waterfall is June and July, but try to avoid the students' summer vacation in July and August. From November to April, during the dry season, the waterfall is less voluminous.
Hotel options:
Howard Johnson Plaza Guiyang
Sofitel Guiyang Hunter


breakfast & lunch
Guizhou is home to dozens of China's 55 official ethnic minorities. The Miao are a large ancient group with many sub-groups and a myriad of cultures. Today you will explore the charms of the Miao.
Settled deep in the mountains and provided only with limited resources, rural people are good at using whatever is available to make a living: they know, for example, how to make paper from wood pulp. There is a village where people are still today making paper by hand, carrying on the legacy of their ancestors.
Learn how to make a piece of paper from one of the heirs of the technique, step by step. You are encouraged to be as imaginative as possible and make a unique paper craft with your own hands, under the guidance of an experienced natural-paper maker.
Have lunch in a farmer's house, cooked with fresh ingredients. Then visit a small yet unspoiled village famous for its dustpan-like shape. Stroll along the bluestone path, allowing you to have a closer look at the daily lives of minority people.
Hotel options:
Heaven Sent Dragon Hotel

breakfast & lunch
The village you are going to visit in the morning is quite a special one.
People there dress differently. Female villagers used to belong to the army, so some of their costumes are still like army-uniform. They are famous for ancient batik craftwork. Villagers hang a pair of dyed cloths on the door instead of antithetical couplets on red paper.
You will have a chance to step into their dye-house and see how to make a fine batik. Participate in the process.
After lunch, visit another special Miao village, which is famous for its females' gorgeous mini-skirts and its unique creative way to store food, used for centuries.


breakfast & lunch
Located on the outskirts of Zhenyuan County, Wuyang River is an offbeat retreat with a picturesque view of lovely gorges. Feel the breeze on deck and see exotic peaks changing shape, as the cruise ripples through the dazzling green water.
Then transfer to the ancient town. Straddling both sides of a horseshoe-shaped river, the town has a longer history than many other such towns.
The style of architecture in the main street is like that of many other old towns in China, but when you walk along the four old alleys away from the river, an extremely well-preserved and well-maintained labyrinth of the ancient Ming dynasty (1368-1644) town, lit up with red lanterns by night, it is like stepping into the past.
On the other side of the river, there is a vertical complex of temples, grottoes and caves, dedicated to the three faiths of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Climb up and enjoy bird's-eye views of the cozy town.

breakfast and lunch
Fanjing Mountain became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, and got its name from the term in Chinese meaning “Buddhist Brahma's Sacred Land”. It is a significant pilgrimage site in China for Buddhist worshippers from all around the world.
The most popular area consists mainly of two peaks: the Old Golden Summit (2,494 meters) with the giant Mushroom Rock, and the Red Golden Summit (2,336 meters), whose peak is cut into two separate peaks connected by a bridge up the lofty gap.
The mountain is home to an array of wildlife. Prepare to be amazed when hiking by the wonder of nature. If you are lucky enough, you may meet some rare animals.

breakfast and lunch
You will be transferred to Fenghuang via a 1.5-hour journey.
It would be a good idea to slow down and stroll around Fenghuang ancient town. Visit some interesting shops and homes, and discover some interesting nooks and crannies. The local minority handicrafts are really delicate and special in this region.
At night, the town becomes more quiet and peaceful. It is wonderful to sit in a bar beside the river and enjoy the marvelous sunset.

breakfast and lunch
It takes about 5 hours to drive from Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie, so it is better to start the day early. Although it's a long journey, you won't be bored along the way, as you will visit Red Stone Forest National Geopark, where you will see all kinds of strangely-shaped rocks everywhere.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, and Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie are its most renowned sights.
Take the cable car up Tianzi Mountain and look through the glass walkway to see spiky sandstone peaks beneath your feet.
After a simple lunch on the mountain, visit Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, which was the inspiration for the Hallelujah Mountains in Avatar.
Tailor-Made Idea:
April to October is considered the best time to visit Zhangjiajie. April to June is the rainy season with extensive fog, adding an enchanting atmosphere to the scenery. From September to October the autumn foliage becomes colorful.

breakfast and lunch
Baofeng Lake is in the middle of this mountainous area. It is relaxing to float across the clear water, observe the hills of various shapes, and enjoy entertainment provided by local minority people, as they sing their traditional songs.
Regarded as the 'soul' of Zhangjiajie, Tianmen Mountain is the highest mountain there. The views range from graceful ancient trees and karst hillocks, to long roads carved from the sides of the cliff.
You will enjoy a breathtaking view of the world's longest cable car, the suspended glass walkway almost a mile (1,430 meters) above the ground, and the '99 Bends' mountain road.

Trip Notes
Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustments for you.
1. Extend the Tour
- Guilin and Yangshuo: Add 2-3 days for Li River Cruise and Yangshuo countryside.
2. Hotels and Meals in Remote Areas
In remote areas, such as Zhenyuan, Tongren and Fenghuang, star-rated hotels might not be as good as the same standard of hotels in big cities.
hina Highlights has carefully selected the best restaurant and hotel available, based on criteria like location and environment. Your private guide will assist you in ordering the dishes you like and will accompany you to check in to your room.
3. Transportation
As China's new big data valley, the network of Guizhou high-speed rail now links to many directions over the country.
Guizhou is a mountainous province but roads to every villages are accessible. So car is a ideal vehicle when transferring between villages. To provide you with a comfortable experience, private car is provided.
Tour Price
Price includes:




98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Great tours!
I had an amazing two trips on the Great Wall and the Forbidden City with the guide Ivy during my stay in China. She was very helpful and answered all of our questions with an enthusiastic approach. I have nothing to say but to highly recommend the trips they offer on the Great Wall hiking/camping and also the in-depth Forbidden City tour! Thank you Ivy and China Highlights. more
May 2023,
Serhat Altay
![]() |
Amazing First Time to Beijing with China Highlights
Tom, my private tour guide was there when I landed and accompanied me all the way through to sending me off at the airport after check-in at the end of my trip. Zhao the driver, who also did all the driving during my trip, was calm, confident and knowledgeable in taking us around. Both Tom and Zhao were punctual too. The Great Wall of China Hike I wanted to do started in a very remote, unrestored part of the wall. This would not had been possible without Tom problem solving many issues we had on the way up and I could not have done this on my own a a foreigner. It was well worth the effort and probably the highlight of my trip.The remainder of the tour around Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Kingdom and The Temple of Heaven was paired with a detailed commentary by Tom of which I learnt a lot. more
May 2023,
Munsie
![]() |
Beijing - city of surprises
A fantastic guide was waiting for us - Jack, who told all the stories with passion and commitment. He also fulfilled those wishes that were not in the plan. I highly recommend visiting Beijing with this guide. more
May 2023,
Joanna i Piotr Kuzebscy
![]() |
Liu Yuan was a superb guide and a lot…
Liu Yuan was a superb guide and a lot of fun to spend time with during my first visit to Beijing. It was a wonderful intensive three days. more
May 2023,
Pam S.
![]() |
Great weather and a good trip out with Lily!
Many thanks to my guide Lily for customising the trip to make it as efficient and enjoyable as possible. She arranged to start an hour earlier to beat the crowd and I got to enjoy the Great Wall before the crowd streamed in and while the weather was cool. I requested to switch the next attraction to visit from Temple of Heaven to Ming Tomb and she not only accommodated the prompt request, but made all the necessary arrangements even before the trip coordinator managed to reply! Kudos! Our driver was jovial and friendly, always on top of traffic conditions and took detours to beat slow moving traffic. Hassle free day and I wouldn’t have been able to cover the two attractions so easily and comfortably without them! more
May 2023,
Meibao
![]() |
This was our first time traveling to Beijing
This was our first time traveling to China, so we really wanted to experience some of the major historical sights of Beijing together with a tour guide. Our itinerary was very carefully planned out according to our interests and tailored to our needs. First, we went camping on the Great Wall and hiked from Jiankou to Mutianyu, and the next day we got an in-depth tour of the Forbidden City as well as a tour of the Temple of Heaven and a taiji experience in the gardens. Our tour guide, Ivy, was truly wonderful in preparing and organizing our personalized itinerary. She is very friendly and knowledgeable, and she was always able and willing to answer all of our questions. Ivy provided us with a truly amazing first visit to China and I would warmly recommend China Highlights for everyone who wishes to travel to China and I would especially recommend Ivy as a tour guide for your trips! more
May 2023,
Annalina Wheeler
![]() |
Tom is the BEST tour guide EVER!
Just had the most AMAZING tour with Tom. He was beyond knowledgeable, so generous with his time and made me feel so at ease which was super important as I am travelling by myself. Thank you Tom for the best day-you have totally made my China trip a fabulous experience, one I will never forget! more
May 2023,
SHARRYN HINCHLIFFFE
![]() |
Superb service and wonderful time in Beijing
Superb service from Jack who were with us for 4 wonderful days in Beijing. Jack was clearly knowledgeable about the history and able to deliver insight information to us about places. He was also kind and accommodating to my mother who has bad knees. Both China Highlights and Jack were flexible about the itinerary to ensure that we enjoy the best of Beijing. We'll definitely use China Highlights' services again for our next trip to China. more
May 2023,
Chani
![]() |
Amazing Trip
First time booking a trip with China Highlights and was fortunate to have Sunny as my private tour guide. We went to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall, then arrived and walked around Gubei Water Town, and then visited the Simatai portion of the Great Wall at night. Was a very enjoyable trip as we were able to see a night time drone show in the sky, ride a private boat through the canals of the Gubei Water Town, and eat a delicious lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Sunny is super knowledgeable when it comes to the history of the Great Wall and took the time to explain various interesting facts and stories which made the trip very meaningful. The driver we had was also a very nice man who was always on time and eager to help. Was an unforgettable experience and would highly recommend Sunny and China Highlights :) more
May 2023,
Allen C
![]() |
Tour to the great wall from the airport
My guide Tom was ver kind and knowlegable, he explained everything to me about the great wall and even went out of his way to help me the next day at Bejings downtown! amazing service!!! thank you so much Tom! more
May 2023,
Fer Villasefior
![]() |
Great tour, fantastic guide!
This tour was fantastic! I loved hearing about the history of the Forbidden City and admiring the views at the Great Wall. William was a fantastic tour guide. We were a group of families with several young children, and he was very accommodating and flexible with timing and arrangements. I totally recommend this tour and William as a guide! more
May 2023,
Ryan Corless
![]() |
Four excellent sightseeing days in Beijing
We had wonderful four days in Beijing. The entire trip was tailored exactly to our wishes. From experiencing local food, to exploring the major sites of the city up to hiking the great wall of China. Additionally, we had two amazing guides Ina and Fan taking care of all the tickets and coordination required. Also, they could not only tell us everything about the sights we visited and give us an insight to local customs and traditions, but they did so in perfect German. The chauffeur service from Mr Chang was also excellent, getting us from A to B without any hazzle. The past couple of days were one of the most carefree trips we have had so far. more
May 2023,
Katha
![]() |
Great tour from William
Great tour organized by China highlights, our tour guide was William - his knowledge was impressive, his English was great and he was always on time. We did the four day tour including the wall and forbidden city - would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an English tour guide. more
Apr 2023,
Lawrence
![]() |
Beijing 2 day private tour
The tour itself was great, private driver to and from, my guide Ivy was great English speaking guide. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about her country. Was a great time exploring the Great Wall of china and then my second day did a city tour (forbidden city, hutong tour, summer palace). Felt extremely safe, and was confident having an English guide. Thank you china highlights. (Provide them what you want and they’ll make it happen). Prices are reasonable as I looked at a few places but for private tour, my own schedule, and confidence of getting around safely you can’t go wrong. more
Apr 2023,
Mark
![]() |
Very enjoyable
Everything was to the vest standard, the history all very well explained by the Tour Guide in Beijing, Ivy. Really enjoyed it, and appreciated the time. more
Apr 2023,
Jonathan
![]() |
Amazing Beijing Experience
I had an amazing time in Beijing and glad Tom was my tour guide. He went above and beyond and I’m truly grateful. Tom did all that he could to ensure my stay in Beijing for two days was pleasant and thanks to him, I say that it was. The driver was also nice and courteous, I called him Jon. The company is blessed to have a good tour guide like Tom on their team so if you are planning to come down to Beijing, make sure you ask for Tom. Thank you Christy and Kimmy for replying all my emails with questions that I had. more
Apr 2023,
Pedro V
![]() |
Great experience
We had a great experience with China Highlights and Roger was highly efficient and helpful planning our itinerary exactly how we needed. more
Apr 2023,
Brenda Sarmanho
![]() |
Excellent service and tour guide!!
Excellent service and communication from the travel agent Roger Li and amazing tour and experience of Great Wall of China from our tour guide Amber. Highly recommended! more
Apr 2023,
Evangelos Athanasopoulos
![]() |
Maggie was such a tremendous help for…
Maggie was such a tremendous help for our recent Beijing trip. Very prompt and helpful in helping us plan and adjust/amend to our requests. more
Apr 2023,
Hi
![]() |
HK-Beijing-Wuhan-Guilin-HK
We travelled first to Beijing for a few days before moving on to Wuhan for the wedding and then for a few days in Guilin along with my son and daughter in law. It was a great trip and all went smothly with the help of the guides we had along the way. William in Beijing and Jenny in Guilin were excellent. Chas in HK was also very helpful in getting us to the right place and the right time to fly home. more
Apr 2023,
Alan Harris
![]() |
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.