layout & design by Bart Buist  - © photography by Henriette Buist
 

Special trips in Yunnan (Kunming), Sichuan (Chengdu), Guanxi (Guilin), Guizhou (Guiyang)

Overland trip to Tibet from China

We specialize in tailormade trips in (South) China for Yunnan, Tibet, Sichuan, Gansu, Guizhou and Guanxi. Booking one of our trips means you get expert advise and excellent personal service. We can make your trip as long or short as you wish.

We also work as a travelagency for several international tourcompanies. In selecting our local partners we pay special attention to quality and reliability.

We can arrange all kind of hotels, transport and daytrips all over China incl cities as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Pingyao etc.

FOR REVIEWS OF OUR TRIPS PLS CLICK here

More information: send a mail to chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

Yunnan trekkings see: Active & nature

Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu, Guizhou minorities trips see:

Culture & minorities

Tibet culture trips and overland to Tibet from China: see: Tibet tours

(Family) Trips/ Expats in China trips

 

CMT also organizes tailormade trips for foreigners living in China, for their family and/ or visiting friends or relatives. From experience we know that a holiday like this will be enjoyed by everybody no matter what age.

As many foreigners live in big cities we usually design a trip into nature. Yunnan and Guanxi are perfect areas for this with visits to villages and colourful markets.

Below follows an example for a 7-8 day roundtrip in Yunnan. We can also recommend the area around Guilin/ Yangshuo or xiahe (Tibetan area) for a family trip.

YUNNAN HIGHLIGHTS: the mountains and people of Yunnan

Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangrila) 7-8 days

If you would like to see the highlights of Yunnan and you want to maximize your limited time without rushing we would recommend the following route. You'll meet colourful people in mountainous landscapes. Via Kunming you travel to relaxing Dali with its colourful markets, to Lijiang with its wooden houses and canals and to Tibetan Zhongdian with its impressive monastery.

Example route:

Day 1 arrival in Kunming, travel overland by private car (5 hr ride) or arrive in Dali by direct flight from from Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou or Jinghong

Day 2 Dali: choice between a guided daytrip to the Yi people or to the Bai people: visit unspoilt villages & markets

guaranteed a non-touristy trip guided by Henriette (China Minority Travel owner). More info on these Dali daytrips: click DALI HOTELS and Traditional minority trip

FOR REVIEWS OF OUR TRIPS PLS CLICK here

Day 3 private car to (no guide) to the authentic Bai village Shaxi. In the afternoon visit Shibaoshan monastery.

Day 4 private car to (no guide) to Zhongdian (Shangrila) with a stop in Tiger leaping gorge

Day 5 free day in Zhongdian: you can visit the Songzanlin monastery and the old town by yourselves (no guide, no car)

Day 6 private car (no guide) to Lijiang. Free afternoon in Lijiang

Day 7 half a daytrip to enjoy the countryside with bikes and private car around a lake to unspoilt non touristy Naxi villages & have lunch at local Naxi farm (incl guide).

evening: transfer to railwaystation for nighttrain to kunming

optional: you can also fly from Lijiang to Kunming

Day 8 arrange your own taxi to Kunming airport for your flight to Hong Kong or any other city in China

Price: for 2 people- 5850 yuan/ Chinese RMB per person, 4 people- 4550 RMB per person

Incl: guided daytrip in Dali & Lijiang, traditional style accomodation in comfortable boutique hotels incl breakfast, private car for mentioned transfers

Excl: transport Kunming- Dali, all meals and entrance fees

Other optional tours/ extensions:

- another day in Dali to make another guided tour to either the Yi or the Bai people, see Traditional minority trip

reviews on the daytrips see here

- free day in Dali to explore the Cangshan mountains (take one of the cablecars and enjoy a beautiful walk) Instead of the chairlift you can also take (tame) horses (also suitable for children).

latest news: the new cablecar to the top of Cangshan mountains (4100 m) has recently opened

- from Lijiang, a 2 day trek through the Tiger Leaping gorge or trek to Wenhai. Another more off the beaten track option: a 2 day trip to Baoshan Stone city: a small village perched on a giant rock in a deep valley with stunning views on the Yangste river. For a longer trek: see 5 day trek Lugu Lake- Stone city

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ACTIVE TRIP TO YUNNAN: trekking the mountains and meet the people of Yunnan

Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping gorge, Stone city

7 days

If you would like to trek in the stunning mountains of Yunnan and go off the beaten track we recommend the following route. You'll see the highlights of Yunnan like Dali with its colourful markets, Lijiang with its wooden houses and canals and then go off trekking for a few days. The stay in remote and quiet Stone city will be an unforgettable experience.

Example route:

Day 1 arrival in Kunming, travel overland by private car (5 hr ride) or arrive in Dali by direct flight from from Chengdu, Kunming, Guangzhou or Jinghong

day 2 Dali/ choice between a guided daytrip to the Yi people or to the Bai people: visit unspoilt villages & markets

guaranteed a non-touristy trip guided by Henriette (China Minority Travel manager). More info on these Dali daytrips: click 'DALI HOTELS' and Traditional minority trip

Day 3 private car to (no guide) to the authentic Bai village Shaxi. In the afternoon visit Shibaoshan monastery.

Day 4 private car to Lijiang: free time to visit the old town, you can rent a bike and cycle to the Naxi villages by yourselves/ no guide and car

OPTIONAL tour: guided half daytrip to unspoilt Naxi villages on a lake and lunch at local Naxi farm

day 5 drive to the Tiger Leaping gorge and start the trek on the high path

stay in basic guesthouse

day 6 continue trek in the gorge going down to the low path and take private car to unspoilt and beautiful Stone city. Enjoy this authentic Naxi village and hike down to the Yangtse river

stay in basic guesthouse

day 7 drive from Stone city back to Lijiang

Other optional tours/ extensions:

- another day in Dali to make another guided tour to either the Yi or the Bai people, see Traditional minority trip

- free day in Dali to explore the Cangshan mountains (take one of the cablecars and enjoy a beautiful walk) Instead of the chairlift you can also take (tame) horses (also suitable for children).

latest news: the new cablecar to the top of Cangshan mountains (4100 m) has recently opened

- from Baoshan stone city you can make the impressive 5day trek to Lugu lake, see here

- extend your trip to the Tibetan town of Zhongdian (Shangrila)

price: 2 people- 5850 yuan/ Chinese RMB per person, 4 people- 4550 RMB per person

incl: English speaking guide for mentioned trips, traditional style accomodation in boutique hotels incl breakfast, private car for mentioned transfers

excl: transport Kunming- Dali, optional tours, all meals and entrance fees

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(Family) Trips around Guilin: Yangshuo, Pingan/Longji riceterraces and Chenyang

7 days

The area around Guilin and Yangshuo is beautiful and very suitable for families. A bike trip through the riceterraces or a bamboo raft trip on the Li river with a wonderful view on the karstmountains are just a few of the things to do in these surroundings. More up north are the impressive riceterraces and traditional wooden villages of the Dong and Zhuang people.

Example route:

Day 1 transfer from Guilin airport to Yangshuo

You stay in a comfortable guesthouse just outside Yangshuo in the middle of the karstmountains. The rooms were originally farmhouses but have been changed into pretty rooms.

Day 2 Yangshuo: bike trip in karstmountain landscape along the ricepaddies with guide

Day 3 Yangshuo: free day

optional tours: boat trip/ kayaking/ bamboo rafting on the river, rock climbing, Chinese cooking lesson, fan painting, market trip, tai chi lesson etc

Day 4 transfer to Chenyang with guide and private car: a beautiful Dong village with wooden houses and wind- and rainbridges

Day 5 Chenyang with guide and car: hike the riceterraces for nearby villages

Day 6 transfer to Longsheng riceterraces with guide and private car

 

Day 7 Longsheng: hike the riceterraces with guide (no car)

Day 8 transfer to Guilin airport

Other optional tours/ extensions:

- extend your trip to Guizhou to visit the Miao people

- go and see the impressive lightshow directed by Zhang Yimou (director of Olympics opening and movies with Gong Li like 'Raise the red lantern')

- do a Chinese cooking class or tai chi


price: 2 people- 4190 Chinese RMB per person, 4 people 3495 RMB per person

Incl: accomodation in hotels/ guesthouses incl breakfast, mentioned daytrips with English speaking guide, private transfers


Excl: optional tours, all meals and entrance fees

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About us

China Minority Travel (CMT) is based in Dali, in the south-west of China. Tourmanager is Henriette Buist (Dutch). She has been living and working in China since 1997.

E-MAIL US AT: chinaminoritytravel@gmail.com

ROUNDTRIP SOUTH CHINA

Green riceterraces and snow mountains: the colourful people and nature of Yunnan and Guanxi

16  DAYS from Hong Kong, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai etc

ROUNDTRIP SOUTH CHINA

Green riceterraces and snow mountains: the colourful people and nature of Yunnan and Guanxi

16  DAYS from Hong Kong, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai etc

If you would like to see the most beautiful parts of South China and maximize your limited time without rushing we would recommend the following itinerary. This is a colourful trip both culture and naturewise. You'll see many different people and landscapes ranging from riceterraces to mountains. If you have more time you can extend your trip with a visit to Beijing, Xi'an, Pingyao, Chengdu, Shanghai etc.

This example route starts in Hong Kong but you can also start in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or any other Chinese city. The trip

can be adjusted to your wishes. We can also arrange alternative transport (e.g. a nighttrain from Guilin to Kunming).

Day 1 arrival in Guilin/ private transfer to Yangshuo

Day 2 Yangshuo: bike trip in karstmountain landscape along the ricepaddies with guide

Day 3 Yangshuo, free day

optional tours: boat trip/ kayaking/ bamboo rafting on the river, rock climbing, Chinese cooking lesson, fan painting, market trip, tai chi lesson etc

Day 4 transfer with guide and private car to Chenyang: a beautiful Dong village with wooden houses and wind- and rainbridges

Day 5 Chenyang with guide and private car: explore the nearby villages

Day 6 transfer to Longsheng riceterraces with guide and private car

 

Day 7 Longsheng: hike the riceterraces with guide (no car)

Day 8 choice (excl in price): flight or train (about 20 hours) from Guilin to Kunming, overnight in Kunming (or overnight in train)

Day 9 private car to Dali, a 5 hour ride through the mountains

Day 10 Dali: choice between a guided daytrip to the Yi people or to the Bai people: visit unspoilt villages & markets

guaranteed a non-touristy trip guided by Henriette (China Minority Travel owner). More info on these Dali daytrips: click DALI HOTELS and Traditional minority trip

FOR REVIEWS OF OUR TRIPS PLS CLICK here

Day 11 private car to (no guide) to the authentic Bai village Shaxi. In the afternoon visit Shibaoshan monastery

Day 12 private car to (no guide) to Zhongdian (Shangrila) with a stop in Tiger leaping gorge

Day 13 free day in Zhongdian: you can visit the Songzanlin monastery and the old town by yourselves (no guide, no car)

Day 14 private car (no guide) to Lijiang. Free afternoon in Lijiang

Day 15 half a daytrip to enjoy the countryside with bikes and private car around a lake to unspoilt non touristy Naxi villages & have lunch at local Naxi farm (incl guide).

in the evening transfer to railwaystation for nighttrain to kunming

Day 16 arrange your own taxi to Kunming airport for your flight to Hong Kong or any other city in China (excl in price)

Price: 2 people- 10550 Chinese RMB per person, 4 people- 7795 Chinese RMB per person

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Incl: private car Kunming-Dali, English speaking guide for mentioned trips, traditional style accomodation in comfortable boutique hotels or guesthouses incl breakfast, private car for mentioned transfers, nighttrain Lijiang to Kunming

Excl: all mentioned flights, all meals and entrance fees, transfer to Guilin airport/ railwaystation & transport from Guilin to Kunming on day 8, transfer to Kunming airport on day 16, optional tours

Other optional tours/ extensions:

- 2 day trip by car to Baoshan stone city (from Lijiang): a beautiful unspoilt Naxi village built on a rock with great views on the Yangste river. From here you can make the impressive 5 day trek to Lugu lake

- free day in Dali to go to the Cangshan mountains, take the chairlift and make an easy mountain walk of 11 km. Instead of the chairlift you can also take (tame) horses (also suitable for children).

latest news: the new cablecar to the top of Cangshan mountains (4100 m) has recently opened

- 2 day trek through the Tiger Leaping gorge which can be dangerous in July/August as rain may cause landslides

- 4 day trip to Jianshui/ Yuanyang: discover riceterraces, traditional architecture and colourful markets

- trip to Xishuangbanna (can be connected to the Yuanyang trip)

 

Trekkings in Yunnan (Kunming) and Sichuan (Chengdu)

  1. NEW: GAOLIGONGSHAN TREK
  2. 5 days from Lijiang: Baoshan Stone City to Lugu lake: high mountains, deep rivers (northeast Yunnan)
  3. Wenhai/ Lashihai trek, 2 days from Lijiang:  
  4. Tiger Leaping gorge 2 days from Lijiang  
  5. Kham Tibet: Yading national park/ Kham Tibet -Chengdu- Kangding-Litang- Yading- Xiangcheng/Derong-Zhongdian 7 days from Chengdu or Zhongdian
  6. Tibetan spheres in Sichuan: Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong-Songpan-Wolong-Danba-Tagong-Yajiang-Litang-Xinlong-Ganze-Manigango-Dege-Baiyu-Ganze-Luhuo-Daofu-Kangding-Chengdu /24 days        
  7. Xishuangbanna treks/ culture trips 5 days from Jinghong. Wintertime Nov till March is good for treks in this area. From this area you can travel on to Laos.

Period: in general Oct till May is the best period for treks. The rainy season (July till Sep) may cause trouble for hiking.

MORE TREKKINGS AND INFO,  see Active & nature

 

Dali daytrips, Yunnan & Guizhou minority tours
  1. Guizhou trips: 5 days around Guiyang and 10 days Guiyang-Guilin
  2. Riceterraces and Qing architecture, 4 days from Kunming: Jianshui/ Yuanyang: discover riceterraces, traditional architecture and colourful markets
  3. Non-touristy daytrips from Dali Traditional minority trip to Bai & Yi people
  4. Non-touristy daytrip with bikes and car from Lijiang

MORE INFO, see Culture & minorities

 

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Chengdu: Buddhas, art and pandas

Chengdu: home of the pandas, teahouses and temples. If you spend a day or two-three you can see it all. The best time to see the pandas is during feeding time in the mornings. After this visit you can drive to Leshan to admire the 71 m high Buddha. You can climb the many steps and/or can see the full view from the river. From Leshan it's another hour to Emeishan, the Buddhist mountain where still many Buddhist pilgrims go. These days it's not necessary to climb all the 1000+ steps as busses and cable cars can take you to the many temples and the summit. If you want to, you can stay in a hotel right on the mountain top.

Special interest: for silk and archaeology lovers we highly recommend the Brocade and silk museum with exquisite handmade silk pieces and Sangxingdui, the wonderful museum with the intriguing masks dating back to the 12th and 11th century B.C. wikipedia on Sanxingdui, more on Sanxingdui

For trips from Chengdu into Tibetan areas e.g. overland via Tagong, to Shangrila, visits to the unspoilt Tibetan Qiang village of Taopin and the mysterious watchtowers of Danba, see Tibet tours.

 

To Tibet by landcruiser 
MORE TIBETAN TOURS, see Tibet tours

We organize overland trips to Tibet from Yunnan, Sichuan or Gansu. We arrange the permits and landcruiser for you to take these unique roads into Tibet. We can also take you around Lhasa and on to the Nepalese border.

  1. From Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu to Tibet (from Kunming, Zhongdian,Chengdu,Dege,Chamdo, Xiahe)
  2. Tours around Lhasa, to Nepal border
  3. Tibetan trip in/ around Xiahe (Chengdu, Xi'an, Lanzhou): experience the unique and colourful Tibetan way of life
  4. Yunnan & Sichuan heights: jeeptour overland from Zhongdian to Chengdu Zhongdian- Xiangcheng- (optional Derong)- Litang (optional trek in Yading)- Kangding- optional: Tagong grasslands- Chengdu from 7 days
  5. Tibetan spheres in Sichuan: Chengdu-Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong-Songpan-Wolong-Danba-Tagong-Yajiang-Litang-Xinlong-Ganze-Manigango-Dege-Baiyu-Ganze-Luhuo-Daofu-Kangding-Chengdu /24 days 
Payment, cancellation and refunds

Payment: full amount has to be made to our bankaccount 30 days before arrival. Upon booking the trip we will send you our bank details. The international bankfees are to be paid by the clients both when making the payment and in case of refund.

Notification of cancellation must be made to China Minority Travel in writing. Once we receive the notification, we will refund your payment less our cancellation charges, cancellation fees of individual hotels and cancellation fees for booked flights.

Cancellation fee after booking and received payment: 2500 Chinese RMB per booking

29 to 15 days before starting date of trip: 25% of total price

14 to 8 days before starting date of trip: 50% of total price

7 days or less before departure and no shows: 100% of total price

Insurance: all customers are required to insure themselves in their home country! We do not provide insurances.

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Yunnan seasons
Every season in Yunnan is different. Blue, sunny skies and little rain are the keywords for March, April and May. Early spring sometimes until April sees snow especially in the higher towns like Zhongdian (3200 m). From roughly July till September it's the rainy season and nature is at its greenest. With a bit of luck it will be sunny with the occasional shower of rain. From October on it gets drier and less cloudy. In November on a sunny day it can be 20 C! In the winter temperatures will drop but if you put on some extra clothes, this won't be a problem.
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