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Inter-Cultural Arts Exchange

Yunnan and Guizhou

April 8 to 23, 2009
Coincides with Sisters' Meal Festival in Guizhou

The Sisters' Rice Festival is sometimes called Sisters' Meal Festival or Eat Sisters' Rice Festival. The legend is there was once an old man and his wife who had three beautiful daughters. One day while they played on the riverside, the young girls felt lovesick. Zhang Guolao, a bearded God who carried a bamboo tubular drum, possessed the spirits of the girls, telling them to prepare five-colored rolls of glutinous rice filled with shrimp, fish and other special things. When young men came down from the mountain, the beautiful girls presented the rice to them. In this way, the young girls found their marriage partners.

Sisters' Meal festival, which takes in the Spring, is specific to southeast Guizhou. During the third lunar month in Shidong, Taijiang County in Southeast Guizhou Province, girls flock to the mountains to collect wild flowers and berries to dye the glutinous rice known as Sister's Rice and everyone cooks up a storm! A storm of glutinous rice that is -- dyed in several colors and formed into balls. Each girl prepares her rice with a symbol then wraps it in a handkerchief or put inside small baskets

The Miao minority "Sisters' Rice Festival" is a celebration of spring and of love. Dressed in finest embroidered and appliqued clothing, adorned in all their freshly shined silver jewelry, young women set out to attract a suitable mate. That's the traditional goal, but fun is the name of the game! Two, sometimes three, festival days are filled with dancing, singing, eating, drinking lots of rice wine, watching bull fights and cockfights, and horse racing.

?The Festival brings villagers from many remote areas together, the girls beautifully dressed in their embroidered costumes. A kaleidoscope of colors, local customs and traditions, signature costumes and hairstyles provide a never-ending fashion show. It is said that the Miao originated from the egg of a butterfly that emerged from a maple tree. The butterfly married a bubble and laid twelve eggs. A mythical bird called the Jiyu watched over the eggs for twelve years and finally they hatched into a Miao man known as Jiangyang, a Thunder God known as Leigong, a water buffalo, snake, dragon, tiger, centipede, elephant and four other omens. All of these symbols are found in the exquisite embroidery and colorful decoration of these artistically talented people.

In anticipation of the Sisters' Rice Festival, the grandmothers, mothers and other female relatives polish and shine the collection of silver neck rings, bracelets, anklets, earrings, hair pins and combs, rings and pendants, phoenix crowns and headpieces that the young courting-age girls will wear. The Miao believe that silver, representing light, dispels evil spirits. Silver is also a symbol of wealth and beauty, and some young women wear several kilograms of it at one time. Dazzling embroidered skirts, blouses, aprons and jackets are decorated with many different tooled silver ornaments. Pretty necks are encircled with bands of silver and linking silver chains that support large shining lockets, glittering beads and hanging tassels. Elaborate silver headpieces crown the heads of the girls as they proudly display their self-made costumes.

The festival always begins with special family meals. Sharing traditional foods such as rice that has been colored with the dyes of different leaves, berries and flowers, then cooked in bamboo tubes, and homemade rice wine, is similarly practised among the many Miao tribes. Some of the dyed rice is molded into balls that hold hidden treasures. These rice balls are presented to the young men who come to visit, and each treasure has a different meaning. Pine needles mean "You should give me embroidery needles." and corn silk is a suggestion of fine yarn. A thorn tells the lucky fellow "You are the one!" Chopsticks or red flower pistils say, "Let's marry quickly -- the sooner the better." And a single chopstick, some garlic or chili means, "Find someone else!"

?Meanwhile, you will find many elders at the cockfighting competitions, trading at the daylong markets, or leisurely rowing long dugout canoes on the river beside the festival ground. This is a time of camaraderie and "catching up." Mid-morning approaches, and the elders rush off to the bullfights. Excitement rises as the mighty bulls lock horns, trying to wrestle each other to the ground. All day long, one bull after another is defeated and then the final match begins. The winning bull brings great honor and riches to his owner for the following year, so although it is festival, the participants enter into the fights with a certain seriousness. Such anxiety calls for much merriment, eating, drinking and friendly betting. The champion bull's horns are festooned with chickens, ducks, red ribbons and flowers as he is led around the battleground and through the town, snorting proudly for all to see. Finally he is bathed in the soothing waters of the Qingshui. The crowds thin out as people join picnics and special feasts.

?The Qingshui riverside becomes lively and exciting as the music and dancing begins. As they walk and dance, the lovely Miao girls jingle and shimmer in the sun. Their cheeks burn with excitement while they flirt with handsome young men, each of whom is searching for a beauty worthy of his strength and handsomeness. Towards evening the newly formed couples break away and begin singing together.

?When darkness falls, the festival beat increases as the dragon dances begin. Candles are lit inside the 25-meter-long hollow paper dragons. Battles begin as the fiery dragons weave in and out of the hooting crowds chasing each other. Drums and fireworks complete the noisy atmosphere. Into the evening, the elders continue to make the rounds, greeting their friends, swapping stories and songs, sharing tobacco and wine As the moon rises high in the night sky, young lovers wander off. The mountain paths are busy with the sounds of tinkling footsteps and clear melodious voices singing gentle love songs to the tunes of Lusheng pipes. Long into the night, the partying continues... Bamboo flutes and wooden drums echo sounds throughout the valley as the dawn breaks, beginning the next day's festivities. As crowds slowly gather, the lovely dancing girls strut like peacocks while the boys look on admiringly.

Detailed Itinerary

Guihzou

Day 1: Arrive Beijing airport and transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Guiyang
Fly Beijing to Guiyang After arrival, a sightseeing tour including Guiyang Flower & Bird Market, Hongfu Temple- the center of Buddhism in Guizhou Province, if time permits, the ancient Ming Dynasty building. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner; Accommodation: 4* Hotel.

Day 3: Kaili
Morning a 2.5 hr drive along the scenic mountain expressway to southeast autonomous prefecture of Miao and Dong people. The Miao who moved to America and Europe are known as Hmong people.  After check-in, visit Kaili folk museum to have an overview of the ethnic groups in Guizhou.

Afternoon visit Shiqiao Miao village to see their traditional way of making paper from the tree bark. Then visit Qingman short-skirt Miao village to experience their daily life by visiting the local families. You will be greeted into the village by drinking the block way wine. Dinner of Miao traditional cuisine. Accommodation: 4 star hotel

Day 4: Kaili 
Morning visit Kaili Sunday Market: wooden carpenter street, blacksmith street, vegetable street, rice winery, bamboo street.

Afternoon visit Jidao long-skirt Miao village. A performance will be arranged. Accommodation: 4 star hotel

Day 5: Attend Sister's Meal Festival
Morning depart at 8:30 am for a 2 hr drive on good road to Sidong village, to attend Miao people’traditional Sister’s Meal Festival. You will have time to wander in the village and talk to the local villagers observe how the girls decorate themselves. (the festival usually begins after 11:00am because villagers will come to Shidong from different villages, and it takes time.). In the afternoon, we will go to to the river side where the young boys and girls will meet to see their dancing and singing. At about 4:30 pm, we will depart the village and back to Kali for dinner. Then continue 2.5 hrs drive on highway to Guiyang. Accommodation: 4 star hotel

Day 6: Drive from Guiyang to Huangguoshu (3.5 hours)
Morning 2.5 hours drive to visit Dragon Palace Cave which is an underground water cave. A 30 min boat ride inside the cave to visit. En route, some hiking can be arranged (based on group members request) to appreciate its gorgeous limestone mountain scenery.

Afternoon enjoy a visit to the spectacular Huangguoshu Waterfall (The Yellow Fruit Tree Waterfall), which at 255 feet in height and 330 feet wide, is the largest waterfall in China. You will walk along a well-cut cliff path in a naturally formed cave at the bank of the waterfall where you can view the water curtain from behind. The walk will be 1-1.5 hours along well-cut steps.  

In Huangguoshu enjoy seeing the Bouyei style stone houses amongst terraced rice paddys on the hillsides. Accommodation: 3*  hotel

Day 7: Drive Huanggoshu to Xinyi (2 hours)
Enroute we'll visit supernatural physiognomy of calcareously, the Valley of Panjiang as well as the black sect of Miao in Zhenfeng Countywith their unique frilled skirts and dazzling silver decorations. ?Afternoon, those interested, visit Maling Gorge and Heaven-star Gallery -requires 2 hours hiking round trip including a 30-40 minutes walk on easy steps to reach Heavenly Star gallery. It is not a steep hill, about 30 degrees. For those who can not walk too long, there is a new elevator built recently, you can take the elevator down to the gorge. The distance between the parking lot and elevator is about 300-400 meters. You can wander around the elevator area, and then take elevator up the gorge and wait for the other hikers. Accommodation: 4 star hotel 

Yunnan

Day 8: Xingyi to Stone Forest to Kunming (7 hrs)
Meet Yunnnan guide and driver for early morning start on drive to Stone Forest. ?The stone forest , one of China's most famous scenic spots and known as the most fantastic scenery under heaven, is located in the Lunan Autonomous County of Yi Nationality, about 150km southeast of Kunming. It is a massive collection of grey limestone pillars, split by rain water and eroded to their present fanciful forms. Covering a total area of 350 square kilometer, it includes the big and small stone forests, and other scenics such as "Moon Lake", "Dadie Waterfall", and "Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave." (Zhiyun Cave is closed, can not be visited at present) Accommodation: 4 star hotel

Day 9: Fly to Lijang
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the morning flight to Dali. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Dali is located on the side of the Cang Mountain 400 kilometres to the west of Kunming, with 1900-meter altitude, is a historical and cultural city inhabited by Bai people, most of whom live in the houses consisting of three rooms and a screen wall. The visit today in this lovely city includes cruise on Erhai, Xizhou Bai Minority Village, Three Pagodas and the Dali Ancient Town. ?Accommodation: 4 star hotel.

* Erhai: in the shape of an ear, covering 250 square kilometres, with its vast pool of water shining under the sun like a sheet of vivid green and the snow mantles of the Cang Mountain reflecting quiveringly in it, it is known poetically as "Silver Cang Mountain and Jade-like Erhar".

* Xizhou Bai Minority Village: a photogenic village 20km north of Dali, where Bai minority people are living and where you will can get some ideas of the Bais' flair for architecture and elegant living.

* Three Pagodas: at the foot of the Zhonghe Peak of the Cang Mountain, part of Chongshen Monastery, they are an emblem of the city's venerated history. The tallest of the trio, which is 69.13 metres tall, was built in 836 AD, while two smaller ones were built during a later period. No visit to Dali is complete with a call at these three pagodas.

* Dali Ancient Town: first established in 1382 AD, with a moat surrounding, this old town has a typical layout like a chessboard, old-timey roofed buildings with dark blue tiles and the white and gray tall walls.

Transfer to airport for the flight to Lijiang, former capital of the famed Naxi Kingdom. The Old Town is a maze of cobblestone streets, narrow canals and decorative wooden houses. Excursion to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yak Meadow) to see the much famed thirteen peaks. En route visit the Baisha village, the ancient capital town of the Naxi Kingdom. In the afternoon, a walk up to the Black Dragon Pond to have a look at the renowned Moon Embracing Pavilion, free time sightseeing of the Old Town of Lijiang. In the evening, a performance of the local Naxi orchestra, a unique and entertaining musical experience (pending schedule). Meals: Breakfast, Dinner; Accommodation: 3 star hotel

Day 10: Lijang
Morning, a 3 hr drive to Lijiang, former capital of the famed Naxi Kingdom. enroute we will visit Heqing and Xinhua Villages. Upon arrival in Lijiang County, we will have an excursion to the Ancient Town and the Lion Hill.

* Heqing and Xinhua Villages: famous for its handicraft craftsmanship of long history, where you can visit gold-making, silver-making workshops, etc. and do some shopping of them if you feel like.

* Lijiang County: located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, 544 km away from Kunming, perched at bottom of the Himalayas and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, it is one of the National Scenic Areas and famed for its Ancient Town of Dayan, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and rich culture of different ethnic minorities.

* Lijiang Ancient Town: also called Dayan Town, built in the late song dynasty and the early Yuan dynasty with a history of more than 800 years, this ancient town consists of clean streams flowing freely through the raod network, the colorful cobbled streets, age-old swaying willow trees, age-old buildings and stone bridges. There are over 22 different ethnic minorities making Lijiang their home, now and then you may see local folks in their own tradtional dress. The Old Town is a maze of cobblestone streets, narrow canals and decorative wooden houses. This is a wonderful place to wander around and imagine you in a bygone era.

* Lion Hill: the name is derived from its resemblance of a lion playing a ball, the mountain is best known for its vast green pines and cypresses planted mostly in Ming Dynasty, over 500 years old. From the Tower of Eternity (Wangoulou) on the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a bird's eye view of the ancient town and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain far away.

Excursion to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to see the much famed thirteen peaks. En route visit Baisha village, the ancient capital town of the Naxi Kingdom. We walk up to the Black Dragon Pool Park to have a look at the renowned Moon Embracing Pavilion and visit Museum of Naxi Dongba Culture:inside the park, where you will see the exhibitions of Naxi culture and dress, Dongba script, information on Lijiang's old town .

* Baisha Mural Paintings: located in Baisha Township, 8km north of Lijiang, there are altogether 53 groups of mural paintings in different temples with fine and smooth lines, bright colors, vivid pattern and harmonious composition. Painted from the early days of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911),these mural paintings are an artistic representation of the different religious cultures such as Buddhism, Lamaism, Daoism and the Naxi Dongba religion.

* Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: it is so called because it looks like a flying jade dragon from afar. The mountain consists of 13 peaks and sprawls 35 km from north to south, its glacier is the modern oceanic glacier closest to the equator in the Northern Hemisphere. By taking the cable car up to certain height, you can enjoy the expansive mountains views and snowy scenery.

Day 11: Lijang to Lugu Lake
Drive on a new road to Lugu Lake which overlaps the Yunann Sichuan border and is a center for Tibetans, Yi and Mosuo villages. Enjoy the landscape on the way to Lugu Lake, five hours driving with village stops along the way. Upon arrival, visit Mosuo Family, and there is optional performance of Spirit of Mosuo--not guaranteed to happen (not include in price, pay direct if available).  Accommodation: Guesthouse

Day12: Lugu Lake
The ancient and mysterious "Land of Grace Girls" - Lugu Lake is situated at the junction of Southwest Sichuan and Northwest Yunnan, with altitude of 2,685 meters. The area of lake surface is 52 square kilometers. Being tucked away in this remote area has preserved the natural environment surrounding the lake, and saved it waters from pollution.

The lake's shores are home to the ethnic Mosuo people, branch of the Naxi. Mosuo people have been living by Lugu Lake since 111 B.C. Over the centuries they have maintained many of their ancient traditions, including their unique mating custom. Under a matriarchy, both males and females live with their mothers and do not marry, yet keep a casual cohabitation relationship. Mosuo women can freely choose their lovers without any interference. Their love lives are not affected by outdated concepts, money, social status, religion or family clans. Women can also switch partners whenever they choose. Each Mosuo man sets out to meet his lover at night, returns early the next morning and helps the matriarchal family carry out its farm work. Men are always the guests of women's families.

Each family is led by the grandmother of the oldest generation, and daily life is run by a capable female member, who also controls the family purse. The uncles are in charge of production and also take care of the children born by the females out of their "visiting marriage".

Visit Lugu Lake, Mosuo Museum and transfer to Lijiang in the afternoon. Accommodation: 4 star hotel

Day13: Return to Lijiang via Tiger Leaping Gorge and Zhongdian
Morning drive to Zhongdian (100 km). Enroute, we drive to the First Bend of the Yangtze River and Iron Chain Bridge in the Shigu (Stone Drum) Town, and then Tiger Leaping Gorge. Accommodation: 4 star hotel

* First Bend of the Yangtze River: formed by the Yangtze River rushing down from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with a sharp turn of 45 degrees at Shigu (Stone Drum) Town before the river continues running on to northeast.

* Shigu (Stone Drum) Town: standing on a green hill, overlooking the First Bend of the Yangtze River with terraced rice fields on the mountains, the town has witnessed many historical events as it has been a natural ferry and a fortress to be seized by the strategists since ancient times. Its sites of interests include Iron Chain Bridge and Opera Platform built in Qing Dynasty, Stone Drum Pavilion.

* Tiger Leaping Gorge: 92 km north of Lijiang County, between peaks of over 3,000 meters above the Jinsha River (upper course of Yangtze River), the legend goes that tigers often leap to the other side of the river by a huge rock lying in the middle of the river at the entrance of the Gorge, hence the name, this 17-kilometer-long Gorge is honored as the deepest and one of the most marvelous gorges on the earth.

* Zhongdian (Shangri-la County): the capital of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, where there are beautiful snow mountains, vast grasslands, plateau lakes, and Tibetan customs, recently has acquired the name Shangri-la which means "the sun and the moon in the heart" in Tibetan language. Tibtans call their home Gyelthang, not Zhongdian, a Chinese ntroduced name . The prefecture touches Tibet in the northwest , Ganzi and Muli in Sichuan to the north , Lijiang to the south and Nu Jiang (Salween River ) Lisu Autonomous prefecture to the west . It has a population of more than 300,000 and Song Zangling Si is at the heart of the Hengduan Mountain Range thatembraces the gorge system of great rivers which rush down from Tibet .

Day14: Fly to Bejing

Day15: Depart Bejing

Prices: $3380 per person based on minimum of six people; Single supplement: $830

Plus Airfare (subject to change): Beijing/Guiyang; Kunming /Dali; Lijiang/Kumming: Estimated at $900

Includes

• accommodations based on double occupancy
• daily breakfast/dinner from Guiyang through Zhongdian
• breakfast only in Beijing
• airport transfers and land transport
• local guides for sigtseeing
• accompanying escort one for Guihou and different one for Yunnan (see note about group of 2-3 people)
• entrance fees of monasteries and monuments

Does not include

• international airfare
• visa fee
• tips
• expenses of a personal nature such as phone, drinks, laundry
• trip cancellation insurance

HOTELS (subject to availability)

Beijing: Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel, 4 star
A modern mid-rise glass building in a unique shape. all the 280 rooms are in executive, fashionable, family like or traditonal styles. a wide selection of cuisine is provided, ranging from cantonese, indian, thai to western. the lobby is small in size, but makes travellers feel comfortable and easygoing a 10 minute walk to Tian Namen Square, Summer Palace, at the city center and next to the famous shopping mall, Henderson Center.

Guiyang: Ramada Plaza hotel, 4 star
A modern property located near the town center of Guiyang, offers contemporary guestrooms equipped with cable television, in-room safes and recliners, welcome fruit baskets; complimentary weekday newspapers, laundry facilities; an indoor pool; high-speed internet access is complimentary. A business center offers fax, photocopy and print services.

Kali: Grand Dragon hotel, 4 star
One of the best hotels in Kali, Features: Air-Conditioning, Closed-Circuit TV, Internet Access, Telephone, Hairdryer, Mini-Bar, Private Bathroom, Pay-Per-View Movies, Business Center, Conference Facilities, Gym, Laundry Facilities, Room Service, Sauna, Bar, Swimming Pool, Tennis Court, Beauty Salon, Massage, Shopping Center.

Shidong: Home stay at local residence‚s house ( best available)
There is no hotel here, we have to overnight at local villager’s house. The condition is poor, without hot water for shower, without private washing room or toilets. No decent food. We are opting to return to kali for overnight after the festival.

Huangguishu Hotel, 3 star best available

Xingyi : Panjiang Inn Guest House, 4 star

Kunming: Jinjiang hotel, 4 star
One of the finest Hotels in Kunming in China, the Jinjiang Hotel is located in the center, just 5kms from the airport. Each of the rooms are spacious and thoughtfully designed. facilities and services include air conditioning, color tv, in-room movies, radio, telephone, mini bar, room service, dry cleaning and laundry service, business center, boutique(s), beauty parlor, health club, sauna, tennis court(s), karaoke, coffee bar and a copious choice of restaurants that serves a wide selection of food and drink. The hotel also has separate non-smoking rooms.

Dali, Asia Star hotel, 4 star
Located between Xiaguan and dali Gucheng, it is backed by the snow-capped Cangshan Mountain range, and facing Erhai Lake. It is only minutes away from city center. The hotel has 300 deluxe rooms and 10 luxury suites, all with mountain and lake views. Room Amenities: ac, internet acess, satellite TV. Hotel facilities: sauna, beauty salon, gym, racket court, lanudry service,

Lijiang: Wangfu hotel , 4 star
Combining the Naxi philosophies of simplicity of decoration and consideration of the environment, the hotel is charming and unique. Blending local cultures, with emphasis on the Naxi culture, the building style is representative of the ancient residential construction techniques. Complete with small courtyards, gates, and waterside pavilions, the peaceful surroundings resemble a traditional Chinese landscape painting. The winding corridors and unique flora contribute to the atmosphere of quiet contemplation.

Lugu Lake: Nv Er Guo Hotel (3 star, best Available)

Zhongdian: Guanguang hotel (4 star)

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