Baoshan Stone Town

  Baoshan Stone Town is the last place in Lijiang that has got amazing

scenery with very premitive Naxi culture, yet still unknown to many

explorers. One reason is that it is very far and remote, and not easy

to acceed. Another reason is that it requires great fitness to be able

to go around, bcus the area is basically full of ups and downs, without

an inch of flat space. But also, due to this reason, the whole village

is built up on a huge rock, by the hillside. With the Yangzte River

beneath, the scenery is breath-taking with very step.

  Baoshan is also the nestle of antient Naxi culture. The Naxi people

in Lijiang has their own religion, called Dongba religion, mainly about

nature-worship and ancestor-worship, and it is originated from Baoshan.

There are still alive Dongba Shamann in the region, and the religion is

still practiced in certain ceremonies.
 
  The hiking tour below offers you the chance to go deep into the life

of the mountain Naxi People, and the scenery around here made it the

most beautiful hiking trail throughout Yunnan.

  Day 1 Drive 4 hrs from Lijiang to Baoshan Stone Town. Wonder around

the interesting Naxi Villages in the afternoon. O/N Baoshan Stone Town

  Day 2 Start our trekking higher above the Yangzte River, passong

through the famous Prince's Gate, going by the rarely-habitated Naxi

Villages,  picnic under huge rocks, with amazing view over the Yangzte,

and arrive at the Upper Liuqi Village, after 8-9 hours trek. The

highlight today is the beautiful villages along, and the amazing

mountain view along the Yangzte River. O/N at a local Naxi home

  Day 3 Trek 2 hrs to Lower Liuqi Village, with breath-taking view

along the way, then another 3 hrs downhill to meet our boat on the

river, and take the boat back to Stone Village. O/N Baoshan Stone Town

  Day 4 Drive 4 hrs back to Lijiang. If interested, we can pass through

the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and explore the beautiful nature along

the Blue Moon Valley, and the Dry Sea area. O/N Lijiang

  This tour can be done either by public transportation, or by private

car/van. So the prive varies according to your preference. For detailed

info., please contact Elena directly. Thank you.

1. Tuvas Village in Kanas, Xinjiang

Kanas Tuvas Village is near mysterious Lake Kanas. The small village is located in a valley, and only has about 80 houses. These Swiss-style wooden houses are all surrounded by wooden fences, scattered among pine trees and birch trees.

Tuvas is an ancient minority group. They traditionally lived as hunter-gathers. It is said that the Tuvas people are the descendants of one group of Genghis Khan’s troops. Kumiss, yogurt, milk tea, and butter are special snacks there.

2. Jiaju Tibetan Village, Danba, Sichuan Province

Jiaju Tibetan Village is known as the "Tibetan fairyland". Jiaju Tibetan Village is on a slight hill slope, and consists of about 140 houses. These unique houses are all built with crown-shaped roofs, red eaves, and white walls, which make the houses look like little castles among the forest.

3. Baoshan Stone City, an Naxi Ancient Village Built on a Huge Rock

Baoshao Stone City was built on a huge mushroom-shaped rock, and only has about one hundred houses. The houses are laid out in and orderly way, built on the rock, and linked by stone steps. The locals often chisel the local rock into stone tables, stone benches, stone hearths, and stone water vats.

The Naxi people have cut rice terraces and planted crops (such as rice, wheat, and corn) on the hills around the mushroom rock. The Naxi people there still lead an original life; you can experience the colorful Naxi culture there.

4. Hongcun and Xidi, Two Ancient Villages Near the Yellow Mountains

These two ancient villages have been included in the list of World Cultural Heritage. Both of these villages have a history of more than 900 years. They are renowned for their peaceful rural scenery, well-kept ancient buildings: unique Anhui style dwellings, and profound culture. The mountains, the rivers, and the ancient dwellings, make two highly picturesque landscapes.

Location: Only about 40 kilometers from the Yellow Mountains, you can take a bus from Yellow Mountain Scenic Area to Xidi or Hongcun. The distance between Hongcun and Xidi is about 25 kilometers. You can hire a bike after you arrive at one of them, and then cycle to the other village.

For artists: When visiting these ancient villages, you might want to bring your sketch pad and join the art students and artists, who go out there to capture their beauty on paper.

5. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: the Largest Miao Village in China

If you are interested in the Miao Minority, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village can be a great destination for deepening your understanding of Miao history and culture.

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village consists of more than ten natural hamlets (including the famous Silversmith Hamlet), which are all built on hills. The Miao people are keen on silver ornaments, and their unique silver ornaments are all made exquisitely.

The Miao Minority has many festivals, and the most famous two are: Miao New Year and Guzang Festival (牯藏节, an ancestor-worship celebration based on Miao culture).

Transportation: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is about 210 kilometers from Guiyang City (the capital city of Guizhou Province), which is equivalent to a 3.5-hour drive.

6. Wuyuan in Jiangxi: the Most Beautiful Villages in China

Wuyuan is noted for having "the most beautiful villages in China". In fact, Wuyuan is a county, with many ancient Ming and Qing style architectural features, including 113 ancient ancestral halls, 28 ancient mansions, 36 ancient dwellings, and 187 ancient bridges.

Every village in Wuyuan is built with a river in front, and mountains behind. These villages with elegant buildings are all peacefully harmonious with the natural scenery. Hiking in the surrounding countryside is a popular activity there.

Transportation: Wuyuan is only about 90 kilometers from the Yellow Mountains, and buses linking these two attractions are available every day.

7. Ancient Hakka Villages with Unique Earthen Buildings

You might think these large round or square buildings are fortifications, not dwellings. In fact, they are the Hakka people’s houses: earthen buildings, which are mainly built in flying-saucer-like shapes.

These ancient earthen buildings are mainly located in Fujian Province, especially in Nanjing Prefecture (南靖县) and Yongding Prefecture (永定县). Some of them have hundreds of years of history. If you want to have a visit, two ancient villages are recommended: Hongkeng Village (洪坑村) and Chuxi Village (初溪村) in Yongding Prefecture.

Both of these two villages have a history of hundreds of years, and are built among hills and by rivers. There, you can learn about the construction of earthen buildings, the history of the Hakka, and enjoy the peace brought by the natural scenery.

Transport: Yongding is about 307 kilometers (a 4-hour drive) from Xiamen (check out the transport between Xiamen and Yongding).