Four Days and Three Nights in Xishuangbanna, Guizhou | This is a Trip to Ethnic Customs

Number of days: 4 days
Time: December
Average cost: 6,000 yuan
With whom：a person
Updated: 2021.08.09

Four Days and Three Nights in Xishuangbanna, Guizhou | A Journey to Explore a Mysterious Country

Although it was strange, in the final months of 2020, while everyone in the north had been anticipating snowfall, a sudden wave of travel fervor swept through the south, with much the same slogan: since we couldn't leave the country, let's explore this tiny Southeast Asia. Indeed, the vast tropical rainforests and the alluring Dai and Thai cuisine were truly enticing. So, I took out my last two days of saved annual leave and combined them with my regular vacation and went.

Since I'd already visited other cities in Yunnan, I was thinking of flying directly for a short getaway. However, I stumbled upon my flight's stopover in Guizhou, another popular summer resort. But compared to the peak season scenery, I was more interested in experiencing the tranquility of Guizhou's Qianhu Miao Village during winter. So, I decisively changed my flight and rerouted my route. Okay, I do this kind of thing all the time.

Here is my itinerary:

Colorful Guizhou (Miao) + Xishuangbanna (Dai)

The itinerary looks pretty rushed, but I actually think traveling is just about checking in at the places you want to go every time.

Day 1:

Hangzhou - Guiyang - Bus - Guiyang High-Speed Railway Station - Kaili - Qianhu Miao Village

Day 2: Return - Guiyang Airport - Jiaxiu Tower - Yelang Valley

Day 3: Guiyang to Xishuangbanna

Gaozhuang Xishuangjing - Jinghong Night Market

Day 4: Primeval Forest - Manting Park - Zongfo Temple - Return

Day 1 Departure

As usual with early morning flights, I arrived at the airport a day early, hoping to spend the night on a reclining chair like everyone else. However, I ended up going to the space capsule instead. I had to wake up in just four or five hours to board the flight, but it was definitely convenient, as the departure level was right upstairs.

Today was a packed half-day trip. After getting off the plane, I took the Line 1 bus to Guiyang High-Speed Railway Station. Then, I transferred to Kaili South Station. I saw the scenic area bus right outside, and was dropped off directly at the entrance to the scenic area. I have to say Guizhou's tourism is truly excellent. I was even able to book tickets for the next day in advance.

The first thing I did upon arriving at the scenic spot was contact the hostess of my accommodation. She was a very welcoming and generous Hunanese. The cobblestone path led inward. I have to say, absolutely don't bring your suitcase; you'll regret it.

I was so rushed that I didn't even realize I could catch the local performance at 2 PM. It was right in the center of the Civic Square, with everyone sitting in a circle. The atmosphere was truly breathtaking. As the music started, the Miao instruments played, the graceful dance moves echoed, and the mountains and rivers flowed in the background, I felt like I had arrived in a paradise.

After the nearly hour-long performance, I realized these were local residents, young and old. Perhaps only a deep love for this land could allow such a brilliant performance.

Next, I was free to wander the Miao village. The entire village is truly vast. I followed the road up to the viewing platform. It was truly a different experience when the entire Miao village unfolded before my eyes. I soon entered the village, where narrow, winding steps snaked through the village. To preserve its pristine appearance, vehicles are prohibited. The only traffic is the shuttle bus to the scenic area, and horses help transport goods. I clattered along the stone paving, watching the elderly casually sitting by the roadside, basking in the sun and chatting.

Time passed slowly, the children were walking through the streets after school, and I strolled back to the square and rented a set of clothes for 20 yuan. I have to say that the people here are really simple and honest. Maybe because they saw that I was alone, they rushed to recommend some actions for me to take pictures and check in. I felt like I was traveling through time in an instant. So let's be a Miao girl today.

In addition to the scenery, of course we also had to try the authentic food, so a pot of steaming hot hot and sour soup beef was presented to us. I have to say it was really satisfying. The big chunks of beef were stewed until they were tender and you could eat one bite at a time. And don’t forget to have a bowl of sour soup. I have to say that the taste is very aftertasteful, and it is perfect for warming up in winter.

After a post-meal stroll to digest the food, the Miao village transformed into a different kind of charm as night fell. The picturesque scenery of the mountains and rivers amidst the lights drew me back to the observation deck, where I sat, enjoying the breeze and daydreaming.

Day 2:

With the memories of last night's lights still fresh in my mind, I set off on another five-hour journey. It was still worth it. I recalled the joke the B&B owner had made: she said she hadn't expected to stay there forever, as if possessed by a spell.

We returned to the city around noon and chose to stay near Jiaxiu Tower. The entire Jiaxiu Tower scenery was visible from the window. We went to a nearby Internet-famous restaurant to check in: Let’s check in authentic Guizhou cuisine today. Let’s have a portion of silk dumplings, a portion of fish fillet in sour soup, and a sweet brown sugar pancake. My silk dumplings are really a delicacy. All the snacks are wrapped together, and the soul is this soup. The satisfaction of swallowing the whole thing is really amazing. And the fish fillet in sour soup is very tender.

After a satisfying meal and a few drinks, we rushed to see this stone city, Yelang Valley, near the Guizhou Higher Education Park. I couldn't help but marvel at the masterstroke of craftsman Song. It felt as if we had stumbled into the ancient kingdom of Yelang, and wandering through it was truly photogenic. After the tour, we wandered around the various food courts nearby, searching for delicious food. Suddenly, I remembered the mouth-watering roasting pans, the sizzling oil and the delicious aroma of the meat grilling.

Returning to Jiaxiu Tower to digest my food at night, I have to say that the subtle reflections under the lights of this city park are truly charming.

day3:

I slept until I woke up naturally in the morning, and then took a taxi to the airport. I have to praise this place close to the airport. The time is very stable. It's amazing. The tourists I met in the Guiyang Youth Hostel in the morning turned around and met at the airport. The first moment I arrived at the hotel, I rushed to the first Internet celebrity restaurant by following the navigation. The first feeling of coming here from Guizhou was that I felt a lot warmer in an instant. When I arrived at Gaozhuang, I instantly traveled to Southeast Asia. Every brick and tile on the street was so amazing. I walked into the restaurant, sat on a small wooden chair, and had a whole set meal with roast chicken, barbecued ribs, and rice noodles and glutinous rice on the side. It was a very typical Dai meal. But not to mention the portion, it took me two hours to finish it alone, so I strongly urge you to share a meal.

After dinner, I started strolling around the village, carrying a bag of Laotian coffee. The atmosphere was full. Gaozhuang is a relatively purpose-built attraction, so I personally feel it's still quite commercialized. Dai costumes fill the streets, but late at night, when everyone gathers and the lights gradually come on, it becomes another paradise on earth. The best vantage point is standing in front of the Golden Buddha Temple, looking down at the hustle and bustle of life below, where groups of Dai women have arrived to compete for the fragrance and beauty. A variety of rare Dai delicacies will tantalize your taste buds, and today happens to be Christmas Eve, and at this moment, you suddenly feel a sense of peace and prosperity.

Day 4:

Today is the day we return. Time is tight, so we decided to check in at the primeval forest first. The entire scenic area is filled with tropical rainforests. The key point is not to miss the peacock release performance here. The peacocks flying together are really amazing.

After the stroll, we hurried to take a taxi back to the city. There is another attraction here that you absolutely cannot miss, that is to check in at the Royal Garden of the Dai King, which is connected to the Zong Buddhist Temple. It is really magnificent. In my opinion, the tropical plants are not inferior to the primeval forest, but one is more original, while this one is more magnificent.

As soon as I walked out the door, I turned into a nearby alley. There's a very famous grilled fish pilaf here. I have to say, this unique experience can only be experienced in Xishuangbanna.

Things:

This unexpected trip was a perfect end to my 2020. I spent a very ceremonial Christmas in Xishuangbanna. I think I will never forget the brightly lit night in Gaozhuang Xishuangjing, where I felt like a Dai princess on the run.

I'm also increasingly accustomed to and enjoying the feeling of traveling alone. Sharing the scenery along the way with passers-by, learning about and discovering countless different ways of life from their mouths, really gives me a lot of energy and courage to face the future. This time, I met: a married woman who works at a homestay in a Miao village in Hunan, various online taxi drivers who are very chatty, people who live in the youth hostel, and the person who helped return my hat. Although our conversations were brief, encounters in life are themselves miracles.