china street opera

Street opera is an ancient Ming tradition

In the picturesque villages of Guizhou Provence, local people perform traditional Chinese opera in hand-made painted wooden masks. This ancient Ming operatic tradition is still practiced in the villages we visit.

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Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $4495   see pricing
Length: 10 days
Arrive: Shanghai, China
Depart: Beijing, China
Lodging: 6 nights in hotels, 3 nights village homestay (or hotel option) describe
Meals: All meals included
Activity: Walking, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: Village exploration, cultural touring
2 explain

Highlights

  • Discover fascinating villages of traditional Ming dynasty architecture and dress
  • Watch traditional dance performances, enjoy hill hikes, visit musicians and craftsmen
  • Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City and Great Wall

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

In China’s Southwest, discover Guizhou Province, a hidden realm of ancient hill villages and mist-shrouded valleys dotted with spirit shrines. Here in a green, mountainous landscape, tiny villages isolated from modern China preserve ancient cultures. Enjoy a Private Journey in the traditional world of village China, meeting Old Han and Long-Skirt Miao villagers as they make rice paper in the traditional way and cultivate terraced rice fields. Village-to-village hikes bring you into exquisite valleys that seem drawn from classical Chinese landscape paintings, and you enjoy the rare cultural opportunity of village homestays hosted by local families, an experience that our past travelers report to be among the most rewarding adventures on the journey. The trip begins in Shanghai and ends in Beijing. We also offer a choice of two mid-trip extensions: one visits ancient Lijiang and Gyalthang in the eastern Tibetan highlands, and the other visits Lhasa, Holy City of Tibet. At journey’s end, we offer an optional extension to Xi’an, home of the legendary Terra Cotta Warriors.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Old Shanghai

Stroll the Bund and explore Shanghais historic seafront.

Days 2-3
Guiyang / Jichang Village

From Guiyang, capital of Guizhou Province, enjoy a village hike in the Old Han settlement of Jichang, where women still dress in traditional clothing styles worn since the Ming Dynasty.

Days 4-7
Ming, Old Han, and Miao Villages of Guizhou

Explore quaint villages including Dazhai, an enchanting maze of old Ming-style wooden houses set among green paddy fields, set out for optional hill walks, meet the local families. Your support staff is a private guide and a driver, both wonderful traveling companions who offer unique insights into fascinating village cultures. Overnight in village homes for three nights, hosted by a local family. Note: Hotel options are available for those who prefer. Hotel overnight in Kaili on Day 7.

Days 8-10
Beijing / Forbidden City and Great Wall

More than 30 emperors have lived and ruled from Beijing, as evidenced by the incredible ancient monuments scattered across this vibrant international city. Visit the local hutongs (narrow-laned traditional neighborhoods), Tiananmen Square, the vast Forbidden City, and The Great Wall. Depart Day 10.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2, easy to moderate. It is a comfortable, vehicle-based sightseeing trip with optional hikes and village walks on several days. Accommodations are in 3- and 4-star hotels, with three nights in optional village homestay accommodations.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

When to go

February to mid-November

For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!

Trip Cost

Prices are for 2013
$4495 per person double occupancy
Single supplement: $575
Internal airfare: $655 (subject to change)
Additional Cost for Hotel Options (Days 4, 5 & 6):    $150 per person double occupancy

Discounts available for groups of 6 or more.

more on pricing

Extension Costs
Lijiang and Gyalthang Mid-Trip Extension
   from: $1895
Xi'an Extension
   from: $1125

Trip Cost Includes:

  • Accommodations, based on double occupancy
  • All meals included
  • Private guides and drivers
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicles
  • All admission fees and activities as described
  • All airport transfers and land transportation as noted in the Full Trip Brochure

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, any activities described as optional, optional tipping to local guides, drivers, and hotel/restaurant staff, additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, and so on).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20%
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $250
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

China Private Journey

China

  • Village Homestay, an opportunity to experience the hospitality of a local village family on three nights, with amenities including linens brought from your 4-star hotel in Guiyang (hotel options also available)
  • 4-star Rujin Hotel in Shanghai, 4-star Regal Hotel in Guiyang, 3-star Dragon Hotel in Kaili, 3-star Guxiang 20 Hotel in Beijing

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions options:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extensions:

China

Lijiang and Gyalthang Mid-Trip Extension

Naxi and Tibetan Cultures, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Ancient Monasteries

Cultural Adventures, Walking, Wildlife & Natural History
4 days  -  Level 1

terra cotta warriors xian china

Xi'an Extension

Explore the Cradle of Chinese Civilization

Cultural Adventures
3 days  -  Level 1