Qikou - A Ancient Yellow River Port 2021
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Step into the past for a weekend visiting the historic Yellow River port town of Qikou and its surrounding cave house villages in Shanxi Province near Beijing. At one time, Qikou was at the heart of China’s economy as an important Yellow River port and commercial hub diverting trade and cargo from water to land. While Qikou with its rich past of trade, hustle and bustle, and the hard life of men towing boats up river has all but been forgotten, the castle-like multistory courtyards with cave houses, stone paved roads, and the ancient dragon temples remain to tell the stories of a bygone glorious time when Qikou was an active financial center.
Highlights
Connect with the “Mother River” of China, while cruising along the Yellow River to see the natural “calligraphy” and having a short hike through the grotesque-shaped rocks by the riverside.
Explore the picturesque nearly abandoned Phoenix-shaped village with cave houses constructed along the loess cliffs in harmony with nature. Penetrate the “castle” walls of the maze-like village, getting lost in its history and culture.
Appreciate the charms of Qikou through local fellows’ folk songs, the rhythm of a blind playing the three stringed musical instrument, and the eyes of a brilliant local artist. If you like, we can also learn to DIY a traditional Qikou cloth tiger.
Itinerary in brief
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DAY 1 Travel to Qikou | Yellow River Cruise and Short Hike, Qikou River Port Exploration
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DAY 2 Loess Plateau Villages with Cave houses | Phoenix Village, Xiwan Village and Black Dragon Temple
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Qikou
Yellow River Cruise and Short Hike, Qikou River Port ExplorationTravel from Beijng to Qikou by airplane. After a boxed lunch, enjoy a cruise along the Yellow River appreciating its historical significance and natural marvels. Later, hear from a local artist about his love of the local landscape; a love which he has translated into oil paintings and sculptures. Try your hand at the traditional art of making stuffed cloth tigers, a Qikou specialty. After finishing your lesson, experience the culture and history of the town as you explore the ancient port town of Qikou at your leisure. Enjoy the abundant local dates and Qikou’s unique local noodles.-
Accommodation: -
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Cave houses and Loess Plateau Exploration
Awake early to hike up the phoenix village, a plateau escarpment that embraces a beautiful historic cave-house village on the loess plateau. After exploring the plateau and taking in the magnificent views, pay a visit to the Black Dragon Temple; home of the dragon god who protected ancient sea and river farers with good weather. After lunch, continue onwards to Xiwan Village, with a uniquely structured multistory castle-like dwelling comprising interconnected courtyards and cave houses throughout the whole village that provided a unique way of life. After being immersed in the village’s history, architecture, and culture, we’ll make our way back to 21st century Beijing.-
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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Travel to Qikou
Yellow River Cruise and Short Hike, Qikou River Port ExplorationTravel from Beijng to Qikou by airplane. After a boxed lunch, enjoy a cruise along the Yellow River appreciating its historical significance and natural marvels. Later, hear from a local artist about his love of the local landscape; a love which he has translated into oil paintings and sculptures. Try your hand at the traditional art of making stuffed cloth tigers, a Qikou specialty. After finishing your lesson, experience the culture and history of the town as you explore the ancient port town of Qikou at your leisure. Enjoy the abundant local dates and Qikou’s unique local noodles.
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Accommodation: Qikou
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Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Cave houses and Loess Plateau Exploration
Awake early to hike up the phoenix village, a plateau escarpment that embraces a beautiful historic cave-house village on the loess plateau. After exploring the plateau and taking in the magnificent views, pay a visit to the Black Dragon Temple; home of the dragon god who protected ancient sea and river farers with good weather. After lunch, continue onwards to Xiwan Village, with a uniquely structured multistory castle-like dwelling comprising interconnected courtyards and cave houses throughout the whole village that provided a unique way of life. After being immersed in the village’s history, architecture, and culture, we’ll make our way back to 21st century Beijing.-
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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Date Early-bird Price Standard Price Single Supplement Deposit Mar. 20 – Mar. 21, 2021 ¥2500 ¥2800 ¥200 ¥800 Payment due before Mar. 14, 2021 ; Early-bird price deadline Mar 8. 2021
This trip is guaranteed to operate with a minimum 5 participants. If the trip is cancelled because of the lack of participants, China Culture Plus will fully refund any deposits or fees paid within 3 days after the notice.
What's Included
- Airfare between Beijing and Lvliang
- China Culture Plus Top English-Speaking Guides
- Basic Accommodations with Breakfast Included
- All the scheduled transportations in Qikou
- Lunches and Dinners in Qikou area
- Admission Fees and Activity Expenses, as Noted in the Itinerary
What's Not Included
- Transportation to and from Beijing Airport
- Expenses of a Personal Nature
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
A deposit is required for each participant once your reservation is confirmed. Payment of the full trip fee is due at least 3 days prior to departure. Payment can be made via Wechat, Alipay, Bank Transfer, and Cash or Credit Card at our office with an appointment.
CANCELLATION POLICY
China Culture Plus trips are refundable, minus the deposit, with a formal written cancellation prior to the departure. Please click here to see our full cancellation policy.
In the case of trip cancellation, please refer to the conditions and terms below:
- Five days or more prior to trip departure – Refund will be less the deposit and any additional payments that have been made on your behalf including plane tickets or hotel reservation deposits.
- Between 5 – 3 days prior to trip departure - 50% of total tour price will be forfeited
- Less than 3 days prior to trip departure - no refund
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What to expect
This Qikou activity will be light to moderately strenuous. Travelers should be prepared for at least 3-5 hours of walking or hiking on both days. “Loess Plateau hiking” include a long hike downhill through some steep dirt trails and paved paths on the loess plateau down into the valley, and up to the Phoenix-shaped village. Some sections along the trail can be slightly slippery, extra caution and slip-resistant and sturdy shoes are recommended. The rest of the walking is mostly through the villages and is relatively easy.
Where to stay
We will have one night’s stay at the local guesthouse (the best available in the village). The guesthouse provides all the basic facilities, you can choose the cavehouse room to spend the night if you prefer the local style.
What to eat
Of course, we will try the local specialties – Wantuo, a kind of noodle only found in Qikou, the local tofu, organic free range chicken dishes, and other regional dishes. Please let us know ahead of time if you have any dietary restrictions, specific allergies to peanuts, fish, or other foods, or sensitivities to MSG, so that we can plan accordingly.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes. A pair of hiking boots or sturdy shoes is recommended.
- The typical daily temperature ranges from 3℃ to 20℃.
- Passport, camera, chargers (A green health passport on your phone)
- Personal medications (we will have basic first aid supplies).
Please check our Blogs for more information
