The Miao people, south-central China

These people were on the tour to the Miao village.

Before that tour, I first went from Beijing to the city of Changsha. This was on 2 high-speed trains connected.

Our lodgings were very different in Changsha (above photo) and Fenghuang (below).

Fenghuang is said to be one of the most beautiful towns in China.

Many restaurants here display the live animals out front in cages and aquariums, for customers to choose from.

Our tour group hiking up to visit a Miao village. The Miao are a predominant minority in this south-central region of China.

Our tour guide.

Washing area just outside the village.

Kitchen of the Miao restaurant where we ate a fantastic lunch.

Smoking meat inside the restaurant.

Oops, duplicate photo.

Early evening and I thought the tour was finished, but we ended up doing a 2-hour hike in a local national park

...then yet another stop. This time outside of town at a huge crafts market.

Fenghuang is beautiful at night.

Breakfast on Yinji Inn's terrace.

For 128 yuan, about $20, you get a 2-day ticket in Fenghuang. This is good for 8 cultural sites in town, and a boat ride on the river.