This 8-day expedition unveils Guizhou’s untamed karst landscapes—one of Earth’s most dramatic limestone realms, where rivers carve subterranean labyrinths and mist-cloaked pinnacles rise like shattered cathedral spires. Designed for discerning nature travelers, the journey systematically explores the province’s altitudinal gradients, from subtropical valley jungles to wind-scoured dolomite plateaus, revealing how erosion sculpts biodiversity across microclimates.

The route begins in Guiyang’s tea-terraced foothills before penetrating deeper into Guizhou’s core geological wonders. The Xiaoqikong Wetlands present a liquid mosaic—turquoise travertine pools linked by cascades that form delicate mineral veils across rock faces. The journey reaches its crescendo in the Libo-Huanjiang Karst, a UNESCO-listed wilderness where thousand-meter limestone towers erupt from primordial forests, their sheer walls revealing 200 million years of geological history written in stone.

Exclusive access defines this expedition: navigate hidden tributaries by bamboo raft to explore untouched grottoes where calcite formations glitter like frozen waterfalls, trek ancient trails used by Miao herbalists to harvest medicinal plants, and participate in a traditional Dong village ceremony honoring sacred water sources. Evenings balance immersion and comfort—dine on sour fish hotpot in stilted villages where elders sing polyphonic "grand songs," then retire to cliffside lodges cantilevered above the clouds.

Precision logistics enable deep exploration: join local geologists for sunrise surveys of karst windows where morning mist transforms valleys into ethereal seascapes, learning to identify rare mineral deposits in the golden light. Each day brings new discoveries—from deciphering ancient Miao batik patterns that mirror karst formations to documenting rare cliff-dwelling orchids that bloom only after monsoon rains. As the journey concludes, you'll carry with you not just memories of breathtaking landscapes, but a profound understanding of how water, stone and time have conspired to create one of China's most extraordinary natural wonders.

Trip Highlights:

1. Immersive Experience in Xijiang Miao Village: Explore China’s largest Miao ethnic settlement, wander through traditional stilted houses, savor a grand long-table feast, and enjoy vibrant cultural performances showcasing the Miao people’s heritage.

2. Hiking Through Libo’s Water Spring River Gorge: Trek along the lush Zhangjiang Gorge, surrounded by pristine karst landscapes, and discover rare native flora thriving in this untouched ecosystem.

3. Botanical Exploration in Maolan Nature Reserve: Venture deep into the UNESCO-listed Maolan Biosphere Reserve with expert guides to observe unique and endemic plant species hidden within its ancient forests and limestone formations.

4. Karst Cave Expedition: Navigate through a labyrinth of untouched caverns, marveling at subterranean rivers, towering stalactites, and otherworldly rock formations in this thrilling spelunking adventure.

5. Scenic Hike Along Qinglong Stream: Follow the crystal-clear waters of Qinglong Stream through dense forests, passing cascading waterfalls and serene emerald pools in one of Guizhou’s most pristine natural settings.

6. Discovering Hidden Gems in Libo’s Xiaoqikong Scenic Area: Wander through the ethereal landscapes of the "Green Jewel of Earth," where turquoise lakes, misty waterfalls, and lush forests create a paradise for rare botanical treasures.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1: Arrival in Guiyang. Meals: D

Upon arrival in Guiyang, our team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. If time permits, take a leisurely stroll around the city to acclimate to Guizhou's unique atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic local cuisine, including sour fish soup, cured meats, and wild mountain vegetables.

Overnight: Guiyang Dongyu Hotel

D2: Xijiang Miao Village. Meals: BLD

Depart for Xijiang, the largest Miao ethnic village in China. Wander through its iconic wooden stilt houses and terraced fields, soaking in the rich cultural heritage. The surrounding hills are dotted with wild herbs and medicinal plants used in traditional Miao remedies.

Overnight: Shan Yu Shan Xun Homestay

D3: Libo Shuichun River. Meals: BLD

In the morning, take a car to the Shuichun River Scenic Area in Libo and hike along the Zhangjiang River Canyon, where a scenic hike along the gorge reveals rare orchids such as Cleisostoma paniculatum and Liparis bootanensis. The limestone cliffs host unique species like Loxostigma kurzii and Petrocodon dealbatus, thriving in the humid microclimate.

Overnight: Xiaoqikong Lijing Garden Inn

D4: Maolan Karst Forest Reserve. Meals: BLD

Enter the pristine Maolan Nature Reserve, a UNESCO-listed karst forest teeming with biodiversity. Today’s focus is on the Gesneriaceae family, including Lysionotus oblongifolius, Lysionotus pauciflorus, Lysionotus denticulosus, Hemiboea magnibracteata, and the delicate Odontochilus elwesii.

Overnight: Xiaoqikong Lijing Garden Inn

D5: Deep Exploration of Maolan. Meals: BLD

Continue your botanical quest in Maolan, searching for Hemiboea subcapitata, Hemiboea cavaleriei, Epithema carnosum, and the rare epiphytic orchid Eria corneri. The reserve’s untouched valleys and waterfalls create ideal habitats for these elusive species.

Overnight: Xiaoqikong Lijing Garden Inn

D6: Cave Exploration & Waterfall Trails. Meals: BLD

Embark on a thrilling cave trek, starting at Dong Sai and passing through Black Cave, Immortal Cave, Nine Skies Cave, and Golden Lion Cave. Later, hike along the Qinglong Waterfall and Qinglong Bridge route, where ferns and mosses flourish in the damp, shaded environment.

Overnight: Xiaoqikong Lijing Garden Inn

D7: Xiaoqikong Scenic Area. Meals: BLD

Explore the enchanting Xiaoqikong area, home to Petrocodon liboensis, Hemiboea subcapitata, Aeschynanthus buxifolius, Phaius flavus, and Ceropegia longifolia. After a full day of discovery, return to Guiyang for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Guiyang Dongyu Hotel

D8: Departure from Guiyang. Meals: BL

Enjoy a relaxed morning with free time to explore local markets for souvenirs—perhaps some wild honey or medicinal herbs. Private transfer to the airport concludes your journey.

We will arrange one of our WildFloraTour experts for this trip based on the focus of this trip. All our experts have rich experiences of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides for your references.

Cory Li      WildFloraTour plant expert

Cory Li,co-founder, and general manager of WildFloraTour is a super fan of nature, especially for flowers. His passion for nature grows from the beauty of greens in the little boys' eyes. As a native of Sichuan Chengdu, he has spent a lot of time exploring nature in the mountains nearby his hometown. During his study at Sichuan University, he began to take lots of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing and started to study knowledge about flora by himself. After graduation, he even spent more time in the wild than office exploring wildflowers in Sichuan and nearby provinces with other nature lovers and photographed about two thousand wildflower species. He even found several new distributions of some endemic species and even some new species of plants along with some other nature lovers. He loves to share his findings and stories behind the photos with other nature lovers on the internet and became a “flora idol” in southwest China. He never expected becoming famous out of this, he just enjoys sharing the beauty of those lovely flowers with others.

Ke Huang      WildFloraTour plant expert

Huang Ke, who graduated with a master's degree from Sichuan University, joined a local NGO after graduation, dedicating himself to environmental protection and biological resource surveys. Through years of study and fieldwork, he has gained a profound understanding of the diverse animals and plants in Southwest China. His work has taken him to remote forests, high-altitude meadows, and pristine river valleys, where he has documented rare species and contributed valuable ecological data.In addition to his field research, Huang Ke actively participated in the editing of several nature-related books, including the "Wild Bird Cartoon Guide" series, Between the Forest and the Sea, Picture of Giant Pandas, and Chengdu Nature Notes, which aim to enhance public awareness of biodiversity and conservation. His botanical research has also led to the discovery and publication of new plant species, such as Primula xilingensis and Primula meishanensis, enriching scientific knowledge of China’s flora. His passion for nature continues to drive his efforts in research, conservation, and education.

Ray      WildFloraTour plant expert

Ray graduated from Leshan Normal University, majoring in plant science. As an expert at WildFlora, Ray is responsible for the daily operations of WildFloraTour. He possesses a profound passion for nature, which prompted him to resign from his job in his hometown of Deyang and relocate to Chengdu to pursue his dreams and join WildFloraTour. Having specialized in botanical studies during his university years, Ray has acquired a distinct advantage in his work, affording him opportunities to discover endemic species and make thrilling new findings. Additionally, Ray is an avid photographer who captures the ephemeral beauty of nature, preserving invaluable moments that inspire others to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. At WildFloraTour, he collaborates with a team of plant specialists to design customized tours that cater to the individual interests of each traveler who has keen interests in plants. Whether it involves botanical exploration, cultural immersion, or wildlife safaris, Ray and his team strive to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience that fosters a deeper connection with nature.

Bella      WildFloraTour bird and mammal expert

Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, was graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grown up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom’s garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients. She takes great pride in the work she is doing, now she is ready to help you plan your best birding trip in China in cooperation with her colleagues.

Karen       WildFloraTour logistic expert

Karen Lin is a native of Chengdu, Sichuan province. She loves and knows the culture of her hometown well, such as ancient Shu civilization, folk customs and ancient Chinese poetry.She has over 14 years' experience in foreign affairs service and tourism. She is familiar with the whole process of group operation. She is always good at thinking and full of ideas, and always gives the guests a warm experience with the special attention and consideration.Karen loves birds and enjoys go out for birding with the team, sometimes, she works as assistant for the group. She likes nature and is good at parent-child natural activities and education. In addition, she has long devoted herself to public welfare, especially caring for the elderly and disabled people, environmental protection, and reading promotion. She organizes and participates in a number of related volunteer work. She is a passionate and intelligent member of our team.

Philip      WildFloraTour culture and bird expert

As a half Kangba Tibetan, Philip is the founder of WildfloraTour and is native of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He has a deep love for his Kangba Tibetan heritage and the land where he was born and raised. Philip's career has gone from mining technician to teacher, to translator, and finally to a guide and tour operator. Along the way, Philip discovered his passion and love for helping tourists understand the beauty and history of his people and homeland. Philip is known for his ability to plan and execute unique and exciting adventure trips exploring the sights off the usual tourist routes. He is active, open-minded, and adventurous and always ready to share interesting and useful information with his clients. As a travel professional working in this field for more than 15 years, Philip believes travel is an art and a process of learning and discovery. Each trip is a unique artistic work created with knowledge and expertise based on the resources available and the interests and tastes of travelers. To help more people to understand the unique resources in panda habitats and neighboring areas, he established Wildflora to bring his educational fun-filled tours to more people eager to explore and learn about China. Besides, Philip is an active and knowledgeable birder and a dedicated photographer.

Besides, one of WildFloraTour's local guides in Southeast China will participate in this trip to ensure a high-end traveling experience.