Rongjiang - Xijiang

Today it's probably the longest journey of the trip. As we have to travel from Rongjiang to Xijiang, we will spend most of the day in the coach. But don't worry; the trip is worth it as we will arrive today in one of the loveliest minority towns of China, in Xijiang. Also here, the local Miao minority just started to realize that tourism can be a major source of income. Even during the May holidays (also called the Golden Holiday Week); only 50 tourists were in town, although this time is probably the busiest traveling period in China.

The locals will dress up and perform their local dances in the late afternoon. The Miao minority is famous for their huge silver hats, which are actually rather helmets and also for their heavy silver jewelry. In China known as rebellious and independent people, the Miao have an interesting migration story to tell and were also secretly occupied by the CIA during the Vietnam War.