ICMGP2009 - Guizhou, CHINA

During the conference we will have a half-day break, thus the conference will provide a few half day trips in the vicinity of Guiyang, which the delegates can choose to attend. After the conference, multiple field trips will be offered in the breath-taking Guizhou province, each lasting between one and four days.

Besides these organized field trips, the participants can easily access local recreation sites, namely Qianling Park (famous for its native monkeys and buddhist temple) which lies about 1 km west of the venue and the 600 years old Jiaxiu Pavilion, etc.

Route A: Tianhe Pool

23 kilometers away from the southwest suburb of Guiyang in Guizhou Province, is located the Tianhe Pool Scenic Area. This area is composed of a beautiful combination of waterfalls, crystal springs, deep pools, stone bridges, unusual caves, and strange rock formations. It was originally a large crypt but the pool formed as water accumulated at the bottom. The Tianhe Pool Scenic Area is also a typical Karst cave formation that features a stone curtain as well as a great number of stalagmites, stalactites, and stone pillars. In short, the site is an exceptional tourist destination, full of stunning natural scenery and cultural displays.
Made up of clear rivers, hidden caves, silos, cliffs, and stone bridges, the area can be divided into three parts: the Water Cave, the Drought Cave, and the Outer Scenic Area.
The Water Cave is 1,000 meters long, 80 meters across at its widest, and 20 meters across at its narrowest. Boats are available to visit the water cave. Rowing a boat and enjoying the journey from the bright outdoors into the darkness of the cave, and then returning to the sunshine, is an unforgettable experience. An electric torch (flashlight) is recommended - the inside of the cave is rather dark. Outside, below the water cave, is Crouching Tiger Lake, where various farm equipments such as a water mill can be seen at a farmhouse. Caves and lush vegetation are everywhere.
Near the Water cave is the Drought Cave. Just in front of these two caves is a deep pool surrounded by crags. Drought Cave consists of three levels, with a total height of 200 meters. Of the three levels, the third one is the most breathtaking. Here, a stone bridge extends over two cliffs. This is the so-called Naihe Bridge, under which is a seemingly bottomless pool. Right by the exit of the Drought Cave is a Miao (an ethnic minority of China) village. Amongst other things, visitors can experience a native Miao wedding there.

Route B: Qingyan Ancient Town and Huaxi Park

The ancient town of Qingyan, founded in 1378 during the Ming Dynasty, is 29 kilometers south of Guiyang. The town retains a lot of its historic layout and ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the town, visitors have the chance to see well-preserved stone-slab lanes, archways, watchtowers and battlements. Today, the ancient town is famous for its "9 temples, 8 shrines, 5 pavilions, 3 caves, 2 ancestral halls, 1 palace and 1 academy". Most of these places are well preserved and are worth visiting.
Huaxi (Flowery River) park is 15 kilometers south of the city center of Guiyang. The Flowery River, the Core of the entire scenic area, greets visitors at the entrance and accompanies them all the way into the park. Sometimes, it presents a mirror-like surface reflecting stunning images of the weeping willows along the banks and of the mountains in the distance. Elsewhere, it either hurls itself over rocks, forming falls and pools; or the flow may completely disappear underground.

Route A：Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Bridge

Huangguoshu Waterfall is located in South-western Guizhou, connected to Guiyang by a 137km long highway. Huangguoshu (litt. Yellow Fruit tree) fall is the largest in China and one of the most famous in the world., The height of the fall is about 74 m and its width exceeds 80 m. Its water rushes down to a pond named Xiniu Tan (Rhinoceros Pond) with thunderous roars which can be heard up to five kilometers away. During the flooding season, the water rolls down to Xiniu Tan like ten thousand horses galloping and shakes the ground and the hill surrounding it. The waves create a fountain spray adding an even more mystical glow to this place. You are bound to leave profoundly impressed.
Tianxing Bridge (Bridge of Stars) is Situated 5 kilometers down the Grand Waterfall, Tianxing Bridge Scenic Spot is made up of Tianxing (Bridge of Stars) Bonsai, Tianxing Cave, Silver Chains Waterfall and Stone Forest on the Water. It is a natural “Fairy Tale World” combining all the picturesque landscapes of Karst formations like stones, water, roots, vine, caves and waterfalls.

Huangguoshu Waterfall

Route B：Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village
The Miao people (also known as Hmong outside China), one of the most fascinating ethnic minorities in southwest China, are found mostly in Guizhou Province. However, if you really want to experience authentic ethnic cultures, you must visit Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village, which is about 200 kilometers east of Guiyang. It's no doubt an unforgettable visit.
The Miao people are both mysterious and moving. They are identified by their dialect, dress, location as well as other customs. For example, the local Miao communities can be divided into Long Skirt Miao, Short Skirt Miao, Black Miao, Flowery Miao and Long Horned Miao. On the other hand, their location can also distinguish them from one another as there are River Miao and Mountain Miao sub-groups. The villagers in Langde wear long skirts, hence they are "Long Skirt Miao". The Miao style houses "Diaojiaolou" and its featured and creative festivals will be sure to astonish you.
Composed of around 500 villagers in ten families, the Langde Miao Village is considered small. The villagers preserve their traditional habits and customs. Entering the village, visitors find themselves literarily immersed in a work of art.
Welcoming Ceremony: You find it amidst hills and bound by waters. Upon arriving you encounter some beautifully dressed girls blocking the entrance path. It's a welcoming party and guests are allowed in after drinking their twelve courses of “way-blocking wines” -- a most ceremonious etiquette. Here, people are wearing colorful festival dress. Women wear gorgeous and complex silver jewelry, and some young ladies adorn silver horned crowns on their heads; the men’s attire is dark blue, with chuddar of the same color covering their heads. Each man carries a Lusheng (a bamboo-made music instrument) and stands in line to play it..
Miao-style Houses (Diaojiulou): After the ceremony, you can enjoy the high wooden Miao-style Houses as you walk through the village. Each has several wood pillars as support and therefore, is called "Diao Jiao Lou" in Chinese. Homes are usually two to four storeys high. The upper level is usually for storage; people live in the middle level; while fowls are sheltered under the house. An ethnic minority museum was built in this village where some ancient ethnic cultural relics are exhibited. Seen from a distance, the whole village looks like a mirage.
Festivals: Festivals are occasions for Miao people to get together and show off their culture. They have many traditional festivals all year round. Nevertheless, the most well-known are Lusheng Festival, Sisters' Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. Miao girls' costumes are used in their dance, causing their silver ornaments to twinkle lightly.
After enjoying the wonderful performance, you can be invited into local people’s homes and if you still want to linger here, guest rooms in Diaojiaolou are of course available.

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Route A: Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Bridge, Tianhe Pool, Qingyan Town, Huaxi Park

Route B: Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Bridge, Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village

Route A: Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Bridge, Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village, Tianhe Pool, Qingyan Town, Huaxi Park

Route B: Huangguoshu Waterfall, Daxiaoqikong
Daxiaoqikong literally means ' seven big and small holes'. and takes its name after the two famous bridges in the area. It is located in the southeast of Guizhou province, approximately 200 kilometers away from Guiyang. This place is really picturesque and you will definitely be fond of the humble local people.
This beautiful spot lies in a long, narrow and quiet valley about 12 km long and less than 2 km wide. As a national scenic spot, Xiaoqikong is a combination of peaks , caves, forests, lakes and waterfalls, enjoying a reputation as a natural miniascape. This natural and unique scenery, having sixteen scattered points of interest, is regarded as a world treasure. The “famous sixteen” are the following: Xiangshui River, the Boar Forest, the Mallard Lake, the Valley of Terror, the Water Forest, the Yongji Spring, Dragon-Teasing-Nine-Pearls, the Flying-Cloud Cave and the 68-step Dieshui Waterfall.

South of Da qikong & xiao qikong , the landscape is dominated by the spectacular formations with karst peaks. The most famous of these places is located near the city of Guilin in Guangxi province, hundreds of km to the Southeast of Guizhou..

Route A: Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Bridge, Daxiaoqikong, Langde Miao Ethnic Minority Village

Route B: Huangguoshu Waterfall and Tianxing Bridge, Daxiaoqikong, Tianhe Pool, Qingyan Town, Huaxi Park