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The 2024 China Storyteller Partnerships is unveiling an immersive Guizhou tour from Sept 24 to 28. Join us on a journey like no other as we explore the stunning landscapes and unique culture of Guizhou.
Known for their rich cultural heritage, unique traditions, and vibrant community life, the Bouyei ethnic group embodies the cultural mosaic of Guizhou province.
A group of global influencers and journalists recently had the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Bouyei culture across Guizhou.
In Xingyi, famous for its picturesque mountains and lush valleys, the expats reveled in the breathtaking nighttime scenery of Fenglin Bouyei Scenic Area.
With ancient architecture already aglow with lights, guides from the local Bouyei community greeted the delegation with fireworks that danced across the building facades.
"You might feel like you've stepped into Disneyland when you're here. But what's special is how China keeps these cultures and traditions alive," said Miette Dierckx, a Belgian influencer living in China.
They were treated to a captivating dance show by local women, who also performed ancient songs that showcased the vast cultural history this ethnic group is famed for.
The young men and women of the Bouyei mainly express their love for each other through singing. They have nine kinds of love songs, including acquaintance, testing, praising, secret love, and eloping.
Guests were also gifted with Kangbao, pouches filled with fragrant rice bran that are given to symbolize romantic love.
"I'm very fascinated with this (kangbao). I really like the way they told the story about the boy and the girl. I loved the dance scene. I think it's really professional." said Laura Ugalde Aburto, a Mexican influencer who joined the trip.
Later in their Guizhou tour, the group was brought to Yanyu village, where the authentic spirit of Bouyei culture was on full display.
Anticipation filled the air as the journalists and influencers were welcomed by the village's entire population, who escorted them up the road leading into town.
Villagers erupted into a colorful celebration featuring a mesmerizing dragon dance accompanied by the lively beats of traditional Bouyei music.
Participants enjoyed watching as dancers gracefully maneuvered through the streets, bringing the mythical dragon to life while embodying the ethos of prosperity and harmony cherished by the Bouyei community.
As trumpet players lined the roadside and drummers moved amongst the crowd, local women, clad in traditional Bouyei ethnic clothing, urged guests to participate in the traditional rice wine greeting, a symbol of hospitality and respect among the Bouyei people.
The rich, fragrant brew warmed hearts and gave guests the energy and confidence to enter the village via fast and precise bamboo pole dancing.
Further engaging with the local culture, the group participated in various Bouyei ethnic games, highlighting the community's playful spirit and competitive nature.
Similar to catching the bouquet at a wedding, one ethnic game involved ladies tossing large bran bags across the village square to find love! If you caught one of the many bags flung through the air, you would be betrothed to its sender. If the young man can't catch the bag, the girl will sing to ask for a gift. Therefore, some women purposely throw it very high so the men can't catch it and the girl can receive a gift.
"Yanyu has been wonderful. It was, without a doubt, the warmest welcome I have ever received,” remarked Toby Symonds, a British influencer.
The Guizhou tour left the expat group not just with souvenirs but with heartfelt connections and a deeper understanding of the Bouyei people's heritage.
The warmth of the Bouyei culture enriched their tour of Guizhou, affirming that the province's ethnic diversity holds countless tales waiting to be told.
Nestled in the hills of Zhenfeng county in Guizhou province's Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Yanyu village offers a vibrant glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Bouyei tribe. As part of my journey with the 2024 China Storytellers Partnership tour, I immersed myself in their age-old traditions.
During my visit, I was warmly welcomed by the entire community, who greeted us with dragon dances and copious amounts of rice wine. But what really intrigued me was the village's own style of tie-dyeing, reflecting the tribe's deep connection with nature and community.
After witnessing the villagers dyeing banners for the parade, I rushed for my suitcase, eager to apply their art to my attire! They demonstrated this meticulous process using natural dyes derived from plants and minerals, skilfully transforming plain fabric into stunning, intricate designs that tell unique stories. Each piece is not just a garment but a canvas of history and identity. The materials used are also essential components of traditional Chinese medicine.
As I watched them work, they shared tales of their ancestors and the significance of their craft. Emphasizing sustainability, they highlighted the importance of preserving ancient techniques in the face of modernization.
I was initially hesitant about this deeply colored dye, but the villagers assured me I'd have perfectly azure designs. The experience was not merely about fashion; it was a celebration of culture and creativity deeply rooted in the Bouyei way of life.
As tourism grows, Yanyu village remains a shining example of how cultural heritage can captivate visitors while fostering respect and appreciation for the traditions that continue to thrive in modern China.
Foreign social media influencers visited the Yanyu village in Zhenfeng county, Southwest China's Guizhou province on Thursday. They were welcomed by the fragrant rice wine and exquisite?kangbao, which are pouches filled with rice bran, from the Bouyei people.?
The Yanyu village has more than 600 years of history, with all those traditions well-preserved. And Belgian social media influencer Miette Dierckx had the chance to experience some customs such as spinning and dancing.
Click the video to experience a day like Bouyei women with Mimi!
Foreign journalists and content creators participated in the 2024 China Storyteller Partnerships in Guizhou province to explore its beauty and culture from Sept 24 to 28.
The event invited foreign media reporters and content creators from eight countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Russia, Belgium, Turkey, Vietnam and Mexico.
The members experienced thrilling activities in different cities in Guizhou such as rafting, rock climbing and kayaking, attended the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports 2024, danced with the Bouyei people to learn about the local culture and customs, and visited the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge and the Suntree Tea Plantation.
Joe Matthew Burns, a British expert from China Daily, said he was amazed by Guizhou's scenery when viewing it from the air plane. He expressed that Guizhou has become one of his most desired destinations.
"Living in China for a long time has fostered a deep affection for the land," he said, adding that he regards China as his "second hometown."
German content creator Robert Michael Adolf, whose Chinese name is Baozi, has been staying in China for a while and has visited over 50 ancient villages in Guizhou. "The hospitable local customs and the charm of ethnic cultures is why I deeply love Guizhou."
The invited foreign media reporters and content creators used their lenses and writing to capture and share Guizhou's efforts in promoting cultural and tourism integration during the trip.
Mexican content creator Laura Beatriz Ugalde Aburto said she realized that the journey was not just about capturing beautiful sceneries but also about taking in the spiritual essence of Guizhou.
"I want to showcase Guizhou's unique charms to the world, especially to the people of Mexico and Latin America," she said. "The trip to Guizhou has brought me unexpected surprises."
Ibrahim Orcun Gokturk, a journalist from Türkiye, said that Guizhou's practical experience in cultural heritage protection and sustainable development is valuable for Türkiye and the world.
Foreign social media influencers visited the Geological Museum of Guizhou on Saturday, experiencing a unique "time-traveling" through the museum.
Located in Guiyang, Southeast China's Guizhou province, the Geological Museum of Guizhou houses more than 100,000 items in its collections, including paleontological fossils, minerals and crystals, and ore specimens.
Learning about Guizhou, which was once an ocean area with hundreds of prehistoric species living, Ugur Kayan, a Turkish social media influencer, said it was "unbelievable."
A group of China-based foreign correspondents and social media influencers paid a visit to the Suntree Tea Plantation in Gaozhai village, Zhuchang town, Guiyang city in Southwest China's Guizhou province on Saturday.
Suntree Tea Plantation is located along Baihua lake in Guiyang city, maintaining traditional ecological cultivation and preservation methods, which prohibits the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and growth hormones, to eliminate artificial or environmental pollution.
"SUNTREE white tea" was awarded the title of "Tea treasure" by the tea industry development research center of the Chinese academy of social sciences in 2013.
Southwest China's Guizhou is known for its unique Karst landforms and has since developed many outdoor sports based on it, and via ferrata – a climbing route equipped with fixed ladders, cables and bridges?– is one of them. Click the video to experience this 600 meter-long intense climbing journey from 165 meters above the ground.
Foreign correspondents and social media influencers visited the construction site of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Southwest China's Guizhou province on Friday, marveling at the project with comments like "incredible" and "spectacular".
The bridge, which is under construction, spans across the renowned "Earth's Crevice," the Huajiang Grand Canyon, with a total length of 2,890 meters and height of 625 meters from the bridge deck to the Beipanjiang River below. Upon completion in 2025, the bridge will not only boast the world's longest main span among mountain bridges but also set a new record as the world's tallest bridge.
The Bouyei people welcomed foreign correspondents and social media influencers in Yanyu village, Zhenfeng county, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province on Thursday.
They offered fragrant rice wine and exquisite kangbao, which are pouches filled with rice bran. They performed traditional songs and dances. Together with foreign social media influencers, they participated in bamboo pole dancing, spinning, tie-dyeing, pounding glutinous rice cakes, and wrapping zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
German social media influencer Robert Michael Adolf, whose Chinese name is Baozi, is a TikTok blogger who has been deeply involved in Guizhou for three years. This young German man especially loves visiting the countryside and has explored many ancient villages across Guizhou. He is not only attracted by the warm-hearted people but also by the incredible natural beauty.
Robert expressed his desire to use his own camera to capture the traditional customs and cultures of China's ethnic groups, emphasizing their unique charm. He mentioned that he aims to showcase these traditions to a broader international audience, enabling more people abroad to gain a deeper understanding of China's local customs and practices.
Robert told reporters that he is fortunate to encounter so many well-preserved intangible cultural heritages and unique ethnic customs in China. He said his greatest wish is to enable more overseas fans to have a better understanding of China, of each province of China, and of China's ethnic groups.
Foreign friends and the Bouyei people gathered around a bonfire, igniting the night with their dance in Zhenfeng county, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Thursday. What happens when traditional music collides with contemporary moves? Let's unravel the modern flair of Bouyei dance together!
Global guests gathered on Thursday in Xingyi city, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Guizhou province, to unveil International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports 2024. The theme is "Integration of Culture, Sports and Tourism Presents a High-Quality Life".
The certification criteria and guidelines of world famous tourism mountains were launched at the conference. Fourteen mountains, including Fanjing Mountain in Guizhou province, were endorsed as the first batch of world-renowned tourism mountains at the ceremony. Xingyi was awarded as a world health and wellness city.
The event has three parts — historical and cultural experiencing areas, main activities, and supporting activities — involving 17 different types. Since 2015, the conference has been held for 7 consecutive years, functioning as a significant platform for Guizhou to show its distinctive tourism resources and for the world to understand the province.
In recent years, Guizhou has deeply promoted the industrialization of tourism and tried to make itself a world-class tourist destination.
According to data, from January to August this year, the number of tourists received in Guizhou increased by 10.9 percent year-on-year, among which the number of tourists from China's other provinces rose by 8.8 percent year-on-year. The figures show that the tourism industry here is steadily developing.
A group of foreign correspondents and social media influencers based in China visited the Xingyi Global Geopark Museum in Southwest China's Guizhou province on Wednesday. Designed per international standards, the museum features six halls on the Xingyi region's fauna, marine evolution, biodiversity, Triassic reptile relationships, and the geopark's landscape and culture.
Join China Daily reporter Joe Burns on an exhilarating 13.8-kilometer water ride through the Maling River Canyon. Experience the thrill of rafting in this stunning location in Xingyi city, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province.
The 2024 China Storyteller Partnerships commenced their Guizhou tour on Tuesday. Foreign journalists and content creators visited Fenglin Bouyei scenic spot in Xingyi city, located in the Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture of Southwest China's Guizhou province. Local girls of the Bouyei ethnic group performed traditional dance.
The scenic spot is a typical cone-shaped karst landform, with solitary peaks, stalagmites, clints and karst caves. Over 600 Bouyei-style residential buildings and supporting facilities were built along the mountain.
The British China Daily specialist, Joe Matthew Burns, and German content creator, Robert Michael Adolf, were utterly enchanted by the distinctive culture of the Bouyei ethnic group, as well as the mesmerizing night light shows. Embark on their adventure as they delve into the stunning architecture and rich ethnic heritage of Xingyi in the Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province.
Mexican content creator Laura Ugalde was captivated by the mesmerizing dance performances of the Bouyei ethnic group. Join her journey as she explores the enchanting landscapes and ethnic culture of Xingyi, Qianxinan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Guizhou province.
Editor's note: Guizhou province in Southwest China is a mountainous area, with 92.5 percent of its land covered by mountains and hills. The province has built nearly 30,000 bridges since the late 1970s. These eye-catching bridges facilitated transportation, bringing greater benefits to local residents.
Beipanjiang Bridge: World's highest bridge
Located on the boundary of Southwest China's Guizhou province and Yunnan province, Beipanjiang Bridge sits over 565.4 meters above the Beipanjiang Grand Valley and has a largest span of 720 meters, making it the world's highest bridge and the second-longest steel girder cable-stayed bridge.
With a total length of 1,341.4 meters, the four-lane bridge was opened to traffic in December 2016, as a part of an expressway linking Hangzhou city in East China's Zhejiang province and Ruili city in Guizhou's neighboring Yunnan province. It has shortened the travel time between Liupanshui city in Guizhou province and Xuanwei city in Yunnan province from over 4 hours to within 1 hour.
In 2018, the bridge won the Gustav Lindenthal Medal, considered the Nobel Prize in the international bridge industry. In 2019, it received the Award of Special Merit of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, another prestigious international bridge award.
Qingshuihe Bridge: World's sixth-highest bridge
Qingshuihe Bridge is the world's sixth-highest and China's second-highest bridge with a height of 406 meters.
As a part of Guiyang-Weng'an Expressway, the bridge, spanning 2,171 meters, links Kaiyang county and Weng'an county in Guizhou province. Since its operation in December 2016, the travel time between Guiyang city and Weng'an county has shortened to 1 hour.
Balinghe Bridge: World-class base of extreme sports
Located in Anshun, Guizhou province, Balinghe Bridge is a suspension bridge over the Balinghe Valley connecting Zhenning and Shengjingguan in the province.
As China's longest steel truss suspension bridge, it has a total length of 2,237 meters, with the main span crossing the river extending 1,088 meters.
The bridge is a world-class base of extreme sports, including bungee jump, parachuting, trapeze and gliding. With a height of 370 meters, it is the highest Guinness-certified commercial bungee jump facility.
As a key section of the G60 Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, it opened to traffic in December 2009, slashing the travel time across the river from 1 hour to 4 minutes.
In 2014, it won the Luban Prize for Construction Projects, regarded as the Oscars of Chinese architecture.
Pingtang Bridge: World's highest reinforced concrete bridge tower
Pingtang Bridge, constructed in a mountainous area of Guizhou province, has the world's highest reinforced concrete bridge tower. The tower, 332 meters high, stands equivalent to a 110-storey skyscraper.
The bridge, spanning 2,135 meters across the Caodu River Valley, serves as a major connection on the Pingtang-Luodian Expressway. Opened to traffic in December 2019, it has cut the travel time between Pingtang and Luodian from 2.5 hours to 1 hour.
Its unique design features classical attire and dance elements of local ethnic groups, thus blending strength and beauty. In 2021, it was awarded the Gustav Lindenthal Medal.
Near the bridge is the Sky Bridge service zone. It is a tourist destination-type of service area, featuring a bridge museum and a sightseeing hotel.
Yachihe Bridge: World's longest steel truss, cable-stayed bridge
Yachihe Bridge, standing 434 meters above the Yachi River on the boundary between Qianxi county and Qingzhen city in Guizhou province, has a total length of 1,450 meters. Its 800-meter span is the world's longest for a steel truss, cable-stayed bridge structure.
After the bridge was open to traffic in July 2016, the travel time between Guiyang city and Qianxi county was cut down from 2 hours to 50 minutes.
In 2018, it won the Gustav Lindenthal Medal.
The 2,890-meter-long bridge is located in Bouyei-Miao autonomous county of Guanling and is part of an expressway linking the Liuzhi special district of Liupanshui city and Anlong county of Bouyei-Miao autonomous prefecture of Qianxinan, Guizhou province.
The last main tower of the bridge was completed on Oct 24 of 2023. And the main cables of the bridge have been set completely in recent days since its construction beginning on April 9 of 2024.
With a designed construction period of 42 months and a total cost of two billion yuan (about $280 million), the bridge will become the world's highest one, surpassing the Beipanjiang Bridge, after its completion.
