Deep within the lush green folds of the mountains, nestled amidst a tapestry of verdant forests and rolling hills, lies the enchanting Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village—a verdant gem that shimmers with the rich cultural heritage and vibrant spirit of the Miao ethnic group.
Qianhu Miao Village displays an epic of Miao development and becomes an attraction for viewing and studying Miao traditional culture. It has more than 1,400 households and over 6,000 people, and the Miao population accounts for 99.5%, which is the largest Miao-inhabited village in China. Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village boasts a rich Miao culture, with Miao architecture, clothing, silver jewelry, language, cuisine, and traditional customs being well-preserved and visible throughout the village.
Qianhu Miao Village in Xijiang has a unique wooden structure of stilted houses built in the mid-mountain. It comprises more than 1,000 households with stilted houses that adapt to the ups and downs of the terrain. This village is considered a typical Miao village of stilted houses and has been included in the first batch of the State-Level Non-Material Cultural Heritage List. Xijiang is known for preserving the integrity of Miao's "primitive ecology" culture and is a great place to appreciate and understand the long history and development of the Miao people in China.
Things to Do in Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
1. Drink up to 12 rounds of homemade rice wine
At the north gate of the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village scenic area, the Miao people greet visitors in their finest attire, surrounding twelve large rectangular tables. Miao girls serve up homemade rice wine, while inviting respected elders from the village to toast. This is the highest etiquette of the Miao people for welcoming guests.
2. The original song and dance performance (11:30-12:10; Can be viewed with scenic tickets)
In Qianhu Miao Village of Xijiang, there are daily performances of original Miao ecological songs and dances, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant Miao culture. Accompanied by the Lusheng, unrestrained Miao girls and boys perform passionate national dances, offering a rich experience of ethnic customs.
3. Long table banquet (Lunch: 12:30; Dinner: 18:30; Time: 40 minutes)
After enjoying the authentic Miao singing and dancing performances, it's time for lunch. You must not miss out on experiencing the unique "long table banquet" of the Miao Village. This feast features specialties like sour soup fish, Miao-style drum-hidden meat, homemade preserved pork and sausages, along with various stir-fried green vegetables from local farms. Accompanied by the toasting songs of Miao girls, the melodies of the serene芦笙(a traditional Miao musical instrument) and the mellow mijou in the girls' bowls, you can truly immerse yourself in the daily life of the Miao people.
4. Xijiang Miao Museum (9:00-17:00; Suggested visit time: 30 minutes)
Xijiang Miao Museum is located in Qianhu Miao Village in Xijiang. It is a typical Miao architectural style. The appearance is a unique stilt house of Miao. There are 11 exhibition halls in the museum, with more than 1220 pieces of Miao cultural relics and more than 350 representative pictures, portraits, and books, showing the uniqueness and diversity of Miao culture from Miao history, production, life, festivals, music, songs and dances, costumes, silver jewelry, Miao medicine, architecture, and religious beliefs.
5. Gage Ancient Alley
There are many cultural attractions that tourists must go to Gage Ancient Alley, walking into the ancient lane with an oil-paper umbrella, and the dark red wooden walls of the old wooden houses on both sides are painted with murals of ethnic customs, recording the mysterious totem of the Miao people, beautiful legends, and the grand Miao year. In the ancient lane, there is the "Source Xijiang" that witnesses the earliest history of Xijiang, the "Family Sacrifice Bridge" that shows the ancient culture of the Miao family, and the living culture displays points that show the oral epic song-singing, love song duet singing, Miao embroidery non-genetic inheritance, silver jewelry making, rice wine brewing and so on created by the ancestors of the Miao people.
6. Pastoral sightseeing area
It is a serene landscape with terraced fields, clear river water, and winding paths weaving through the paddy fields. Occasionally, you may spot a family working in the fields, leveling the land, and transplanting rice seedlings. In this tranquil farming setting, you can't help but feel a deep sense of calm and peace.
7. Observation platform
Standing on the observation platform, one can gaze across and witness the wispy smoke rising from the kitchens of thousands of Miao households as they prepare their meals. The stilted houses of the Miao people, known as Diaojiaolou, are built along the mountainside, creating a majestic and imposing landscape with their overlapping tiers and neat rows. From the foot of the mountain to its peak, every shot captured is a picture of beauty.
Travel Tips
Address: Nangui Village, Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
Tickets Price: CNY 90
Openging Hours: With access all day
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn
Recommended Visiting Time: 1-2 days
Scenic Spot Level: National AAAA Tourist Attraction
Climate: Subtropical humid monsoon climate
