COLORS OF CHINA

In this tour you will admire spectacular Hani rice terraces in Yunnan, south-west China. Hani rice terraces are distributed within four counties of Honghe prefecture, in Yunnan, and they have an history that spans around 1300 years. In 2013, Hani rice terraces were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Villages, colors, wonderful cultural and natural landscapes!

Suggested travel period:

***Yuanyang: depending on the season, it is possible to see different landscapes. In June, Hani people start to plant rice and terraces are green everywhere. While in October, the harvest season, rice terraces become gold. However, the best season to visit these terraces is Winter. From November to April, above all in January and February, rice terraces have different stripes of colors with various shades, and it is the ideal panorama for photography. 

***Jiayin Tasa, terraces of cherry blossoms and palms: from February to March, cherry blossoms are in full bloom and it is the good period to visit this place. 

***Red Terrace Fields: November, December and April are the best months for a photographic tour! 

Day 1 XI’AN    (-, -, D)

Arrival in Xi’an, meet local English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel. Time at disposal. Lunch not included. In the afternoon meet the guide to visit Big Goose Pagoda and Xi’an ancient city walls. Afterwards, walk along the muslim district. Special dinner with Jiaozi (Chinese dumplings) in a local restaurant. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 2 XI’AN/KUNMING   (B,L, -)  flight 

After breakfast, meet the guide and transfer to visit Terracotta Warriors 兵马俑 (45km, 1h drive) with more than 8.000 stone statues of warriors to guard Qin Shi Huang Di emperor’s tomb. Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the airport and take the flight to Kunming. Upon arrival, meet local English speaking guide and go to the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 3 KUNMING-DONGCHUAN RED LAND (B, L, -)

After breakfast, meet the guide and visit Green Lake Park. This lake has clear water and it is also know as the “jade of the town”. Then, go to visit Yuantong Temple, with wonderful pavilions, it houses a Sakyamuni buddha and the only Theravada buddhism hall of mainland China. Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch, departure towards Dongchuan Red Land (250km, about 4h drive), with red terrace fields. Upon arrival, reach Lepu’ao to admire a stunning sunset among terrace fields. Then, transfer to the hotel. Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 4 DONGCHUAN RED LAND-KUNMING (B, L, -) 

All day excursion to Red Terrace fields. Packed breakfast. Departure at dawn (around 5:30am) to Damakan to watch sunrise. Then, continue by visiting the colored part of Qicai Po, Jinxiu Yuan Panoramic Garden and the Solitary Tree, also know as the thousand-year Dragon. It is believed that this tree protects land and human being as a saint. Back to the hotel. Lunch in local restaurant.. In the afternoon, back to Kunming. Upon arrival, hotel check-in. Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 5  KUNMING–JIANSHUI (B, L, -) 

After breakfast, departure towards Jianshui county (210km, about 3,5-4h drive). Upon arrival, lunch in a local restaurant. Visit the old bridge, and The Zhu Family’s private garden 朱家花园, a kind of labyrinth hiding an amazing bonsai collection that belongs to a dynasty of very rich farmer landlords who lived during the great reign of Guangxi (1875-1909) the emperor. Then, take a walk in the old part of Jianshui. Back to the hotel, dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 6 JIANSHUI-YUANYANG (B, L, -)

After breakfast, meet the guide and visit a Tofu factory with fresh-made soy milk tasting. Afterwards, visit the old well of Jianshui and the Confucius Temple. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon, departure towards Yuanyang county (150km, about 3h drive). Upon arrival, go to see the sunset at Tiger Mouth Rice Terraces. Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 7 YUANYANG-HONGHE (B, L, -)

Packed breakfast. Transfer to Duoyishu rice terraces to see the sunrise. Then visit Bada rice terraces and al Qingkou village, a traditional village of Hani, famous for its mushroom-shaped houses. Lunch in local restaurant. After lunch, departure towards Honghe county (65km, about 1.5h drive). Upon arrival, visit the historical complex of residences of caravans, composed by eleven ancient buildings. Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

***Every year, on 10th October of lunar year (on November in 2017, date to be confirmed)  in Yuanyang, depending on weather conditions, it is possible to take part to Hani’s feast. It is a tradition of Hani ethnic minority, as a wish of happiness and good luck. During this celebration, Hani families make traditional dishes and bring them on the streets, creating a long table outdoor. All the villagers wear traditional customs and gather together to eat and celebrate with traditional music and dances. 

Day 8  HONGHE (B, L, -)

After breakfast, meet guide and transfer to Baohua municipality. On the way, stop to Leyu Rice terraces and Guidong. Upon arrival in Baohua, visit Samaba rice terraces, symbol of rice terraces culture, this place combines forest, villages, rice terraces and rivers in harmony. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer to Jiayin county of Honghe to visit Jianyin Tasa terraces, with palms and Japanese cherry-trees. Afterwards, visit the Twelve Dragons Fountain in Tasa village, here is a good spot to see the sunset over the terraces. Back to the hotel, dinner not included. Overnight in hotel.

Day 9 HONGHE–KUNMING     (B, L,-)  

After breakfast, meet the guide and departure towards Kunming. Lunch in local restaurant. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check-in. Afternoon, time at disposal. Dinner not included. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 10  KUNMING (B)

After breakfast, meet the guide and transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.