Immerse in the traditional craftsmanship of Dong fabric, explore Dong culture, and enjoy the natural beauty and cuisine of Guizhou.
Participants Max
8
Duration
8 days and 7 nights
Tours in 2024
17th of Aug - 24th of Aug
14th of Sep - 21th of Sep
Trip Highlights
About Dong Fabric
Made from nature.
01
Craftsmanship
Known as the "Hermès of fabrics," Dong fabric is renowned for its intricate and unique craftsmanship.
03
Processes
The indigo dye is derived from 24 solar terms and the fabric is woven through 72 processes.
02
Glossy
Each piece undergoes multiple stages of dyeing, steaming, and beating to become a soft, glossy fabric that resembles leather.
04
Perfection
It is then beaten thousands of times and treated with cowhide juice, egg whites, and sorghum to achieve perfection.
YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive in Guangzhou
We recommend flying directly into Guangzhou if possible, as it is the largest city in southern China and benefits from several direct flights. You can also choose to fly into Beijing or Shanghai and take a connecting flight to Guangzhou. We can advise you on flight times.
We will pick you up at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Before we embark on our amazing cultural adventure in the mountains of Guizhou province, let's enjoy a welcome dinner featuring signature dishes from traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Guangzhou
Please Note: We will arrange two airport pick-ups during the day for tour participants: one at midday and one in the evening. If your flight arrives very early or very late, please let us know in advance, and we will make arrangements accordingly. In this instance, you may be expected to pay extra for a personal pick-up service or for a taxi to our hotel.
Day 2:
Journey to Zengying Village
In the morning, take the high-speed train from Guangzhou to Congjiang (2.5 hours). Upon arrival, drive to Zengying Village, check into the local guesthouse, and enjoy lunch.
After lunch, travel to Yaxian Village (20-minute drive). The workshop begins at the Drum Tower with a brief introduction to the process and a welcome ceremony led by our workshop expert.
Participants will then split into small groups to engage in fabric making at local Dong homes, learning traditional weaving techniques directly from the villagers.
Cultural Highlight: In the evening, enjoy a traditional Dong long table feast in Zengying Village, a customary way to welcome guests with local cuisine and homemade rice wine.
Please Note: We provide 5 meters of fabric per person. If you wish to have more, please contact us in advance.
Accommodation：Local guesthouse in Zengying Village.
Day 3:
Immersive Fabric Dyeing Experience
Start the day with a traditional local breakfast in Zengying Village. After breakfast, proceed to Yaxian Village for a hands-on fabric dyeing workshop under expert guidance. Learn about dye preparation and techniques while participating in dyeing and drying the fabric.
Cultural Highlight: In the evening, the host family will perform Pipa songs, showcasing the Dong community's musical talents, as every Dong person is a musician.
Please Note: If rain disrupts the drying process, alternative cultural activities will be available.
Meals: Home-cooked Dong dishes, providing an authentic family-style experience.
Optional Activity: DIY Dong cuisine, where you can prepare traditional dishes using local ingredients. Contact us in advance to customize this experience.
Accommodation：Local guesthouse in Zengying Village.
Day 4:
Advanced Fabric Workshop
Continue your exploration of traditional Dong fabric-making techniques. Today, you will learn the processes of coating fabric with egg whites and cowhide juice, followed by steaming to set the dyes and textures.
Cultural Highlight: In the evening, enjoy a bonfire night where you can listen to the Dong Grand Song, an immersive way to experience the musical heritage of the Dong community.
Meals: Home-cooked Dong dishes, providing an authentic family-style experience.
Optional Activity: Enjoy a meal by the paddy fields with freshly caught Dao Hua fish. For a hands-on experience, arrange a hike to catch the fish and cook it in traditional Dong style. Contact us in advance to customize this experience.
Accommodation：Local guesthouse in Zengying Village.
Day 5:
Fabric Mastery
Continue refining your traditional Dong fabric-making skills. Today, focus on the fabric pounding technique used by Dong women to enhance durability. This comprehensive workshop integrates all essential processes, allowing you to master each step and feel the fabric's crafted warmth and texture.
Meals: Home-cooked Dong dishes, providing an authentic family-style experience.
Optional Activity: After the workshop, you have the option to unwind with a hike to a nearby waterfall, swim in clear waters, and enjoy a traditional Dong barbecue by the lake. Contact us in advance to customize this experience.
Accommodation：Local guesthouse in Zengying Village.
Day 6:
Fabric Mastery Recap and Farewell
Conclude your workshop with a final review of the fabric-making techniques you've practiced. Consolidate your skills and prepare to apply them beyond the village.
Say goodbye to the villagers and friends you've made.
Please Note: If you're interested in taking more Dong fabrics home, please contact us in advance so we can assist with the arrangements.
Travel to Kaili, the capital of Qiandongnan, which is approximately a 2-hour drive. Kaili is a hub for traditional crafts, where you can explore a wide variety of handmade items from various ethnic minorities, including fabrics, embroidery, and silver jewelry.
Meals: Savor a special meal featuring Kaili's renowned red sour soup fish, a perfect culinary conclusion to your cultural exploration.
Accommodation: Three-star hotel in Kaili.
Day 7: Embroidery Market Visit and Return to Guangzhou
In the morning, visit the embroidery market, the largest in the region, showcasing a stunning array of exquisite handcrafted items. This market is a treasure trove of traditional crafts, featuring intricate embroidery, fabrics, and silver jewelry from various ethnic minorities. It's the perfect place to admire and purchase unique souvenirs, representing the rich cultural heritage of the area.
After exploring the market, we will take a high-speed train back to Guangzhou, which takes approximately 4 hours.
Meals: Breakfast in Kaili. Lunch in Kaili on your own. Dinner in Guangzhou on your own (we can recommend good local restaurants).
Accommodation: Three-star hotel in Guangzhou.
Day 8:
Onward Journey
In the morning, we will escort you to the train station or airport, ensuring you have plenty of time to catch your train or flight.
If your flight isn’t until the afternoon, please let us know and we can arrange some extra sightseeing in Guangzhou for you.
This final day ensures a smooth transition as you conclude your journey, reflecting on the rich experiences and cultural insights gained during your time with us.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel.
Accommodation: Not provided.
Course Experts
Lonely Planet
“A classic Dong village feels like a step back in time to ancient China.”
Prices and What's Included
Cost per person（Summer Special）:
- $1,299 for 6-8 people in one group
- $1,499 for 4-6 people in one group
- $1,699 for 2-4 people in one group
Single Supplement:
$200 (Please be advised that if you are the last person joining the tour or if there is no one in the group who you can share with, you may need to pay for the single supplement. We will advise you if this is the case when you enquire about the tour.)
What's Included:
- 7 nights of shared accommodation (based on 2 people per room at hotels)
- All transportation costs (high-speed trains, private mini coach in Guizhou, and within Guangzhou upon arrival and departure)
- Meals shown in the itinerary (three meals in Guizhou every day, first Cantonese dinner in Guangzhou, and first sour soup fish dinner in Kaili)
- All course fees and materials (5 meters of fabric per person)
- Cultural activities: Traditional long table feast on the second night, pipa performance on the third night, bonfire night and Dong Grand Song performance on the fourth night, and market visit on the seventh day
- Course book and course videos for review after the tour
- Village and cultural introduction materials sent to you before the trip
What's Not Included:
- Flights
- Visa
- Travel insurance
- Additional materials cost beyond 5 meters
- Optional activities
If you like the look of this tour but would prefer to take it privately, we can tailor it to your specifications and design a bespoke tour for you or your group.
How to Sign Up for This Tour
Step 1: Contact us directly to discuss the tour in more detail.
Step 2: Book online and pay the $100 deposit. If you have an exclusive discount code, please enter it into the Enquiry box.
Step 3: We will send you an invoice confirming your booking. Once you receive the invoice, you have 30 days to pay an additional $500, which will secure your place on the tour.
Step 4: Please note that the final cost of the tour will be based on the number of participants and will be split into two payments. The first payment must be made within 3 months of the tour’s start date and is based on the minimum price of the tour minus your $600 deposit. The remaining balance is due one month before the tour begins. During this time, we will advise you on how to apply for your visa and keep you updated on the tour’s subscription status.
Step 5: Once you have made the final payment, we will send you our exclusive tour e-book, containing a detailed itinerary and in-depth information on the areas we’ll be visiting.
Step 6: Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure!
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and will always keep you up to date on the progress of the tour subscription.
Book Dong Fabric Mastery Workshop
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