can try drifting through the mountains, exploring caves or doing other adventures in Guizhou.

Ethnic minorities thrive

FOLK FUN: A traditional folk opera in Pingba County, Guizhou Province, arouses great interest from a tourist

Guizhou is also one of the provinces in China that is home to many ethnic minorities. There are 49 nationalities in the province whose population makes up 37.8 percent of the total population of the province.

Because of the barriers of mountains, many villagers have little connection with the outer world, which allows their traditional way of life to remain undisturbed as it was even 500 years ago.

The traditional ethnic culture has been well preserved, including beliefs, conventions, festivals, ceremonies, music, songs and dances, languages, characters, architecture and ancient handcraft skills passed down thousands of years.

A trip to a minority village can present a whole new world and a side of China seen by few. Many of these people are born entertainers who in some cases even communicate by singing. Visitors can wear the clothes of minority nationalities and perform together with the locals, a new experience well away from the electronic technology-dominated entertainment in the modern world.

And when the need for refreshment arises, Maotai spirit, the national wine of China, is a good choice. Because of the good quality of the water in Guizhou, it is an ideal location to produce many famous brands of wines, drunk with local snacks and traditional cuisine.

So with all the plus factors going for Guizhou, why is it not well-known as a southwest travel destination? It is partly because of the landform of the province. It is undeveloped, meaning the transportation infrastructure limits the numbers of visitors. There is also a lack of promotion and awareness about the features of the area that are even unknown to many locals.

But with the opening-up steps and economic development beginning in the province, the beautiful scenery and supreme air quality in Guizhou is catching the attention of travelers. Nothing this good can remain a secret for too long.