I recommend an absolutely off-the-beaten-path spot, and I’m eager to capture its charm
Here is a detailed travel guide for Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, hoping to help you plan a perfect trip to the Miao Village.
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Complete Travel Guide to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is the largest Miao ethnic settlement in China and even the world. It consists of more than ten natural villages built along the mountains, connected into a large area. Known as an "open-air museum," it is the top choice to experience Miao culture.
1. Basic Information
· Location: Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
· Highlights: Grand scale, stilted wooden houses, Miao culture, terraced fields scenery, stunning night views
· Recommended visit duration: 2 days 1 night (strongly recommend staying overnight to experience the morning and night views)
· Suitable for: Culture enthusiasts, photography lovers, family trips, friends traveling together
2. Preparation Before the Trip
1. Transportation:
· High-speed train (most recommended): Take the high-speed train to Kaili South Station. After exiting, there are direct tourist buses to the Miao Village (about 1 hour) or carpool rides (about 40 minutes).
· Airplane: Fly to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport, then transfer to the high-speed train to Kaili South Station (about 40 minutes), and then take a bus.
· Self-driving: Navigate to "Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village." The scenic area has a large parking lot, but parking spaces are tight during holidays. After parking, you need to transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to enter the village.
2. Tickets:
· Purchase in advance via the official WeChat public account or major travel apps, usually including the main entrance ticket + 4 shuttle bus rides.
· Ticket prices vary between peak and off-peak seasons. Guizhou often offers ticket discounts for visitors from certain provinces in summer. Please check the latest policies before traveling.
3. Accommodation:
· Book in advance! Especially during holidays.
· Near the viewing platform: Best views, overlooking the entire Miao Village, but requires climbing a mountain path.
· Mid-mountain inns: Also have good views, relatively quiet, a good balance between view and convenience.
· At the foot of the mountain/near the old street: Most convenient for travel, dining, and shopping, but views are limited and it may be a bit noisy.
· Note: Most inns in the village are wooden stilted houses with generally average sound insulation, so be mentally prepared.
4. Essentials:
· ID card, some cash (some small shops may only accept cash), umbrella/raincoat (weather in mountainous areas is changeable), comfortable shoes (needed for climbing slopes and steps), mosquito repellent, camera, power bank.
3. Itinerary Planning (Classic 2 Days 1 Night)
Day 1: First Exploration of the Miao Village, Feel the Lights of Thousands of Homes
· Morning: Take the bus from Kaili South Station to the Miao Village. Collect or buy tickets at the scenic area entrance, then take the shuttle bus into the core area of the village. Find your booked inn and drop off your luggage.
· Noon: Find an authentic restaurant on the old street or Youfang Street to enjoy your first Miao meal (recommended: sour soup fish).
· Afternoon: Leisurely explore the village.
· Stroll the old street: Walk along both sides of the Baishui River, browse specialty shops, and taste snacks (such as glutinous rice cakes, cured meat, rice wine).
· Visit the museum: Free admission, quickly learn about Miao history, migration, culture, and silver jewelry costumes.
· Watch the original folk song and dance performance (free): There is a fixed time for folk performances every afternoon at the performance venue, where you can enjoy authentic Miao songs and dances, more down-to-earth than the evening show "Beautiful Xijiang."
· Experience batik/dyeing or embroidery: At specialized workshops, you can personally try traditional Miao batik or embroidery crafts and make unique souvenirs.
· Evening: This is the most beautiful moment in the Miao Village.
· Take the shuttle bus to the viewing platform and secure a good spot.
· Watch as dusk falls and thousands of homes light up, twinkling like stars, dreamy and magical. This is the golden time for photography.
· Night:
· Dinner: You can dine at a restaurant near the viewing platform while enjoying the night view, or return to the foot of the mountain to find a lively restaurant.
· Watch the large-scale song and dance evening show "Beautiful Xijiang" (paid): A grand spectacle that tells the history and legends of the Miao people through song and dance, with stunning visual effects. Worth seeing if you are interested in ethnic culture.
· Night stroll on the Wind and Rain Bridge: The Wind and Rain Bridge over the Baishui River is especially charming under the lights. Walking through it, you can feel a different atmosphere from the daytime.
Day 2: Immerse in Nature, Deep Experience
· Morning: Enjoy the morning in the Miao Village.
· Get up early to see the beautiful mist swirling among the mountains; the village is quiet and pristine at this time.
· Visit the local market to experience the most authentic daily life.
· Morning:
· Hike the terraced fields: Walk upward from Yedong Village to explore the terraced fields around the village, enjoy the pastoral scenery, and breathe fresh air.
· Visit Yedong Village: Climb along the stone path, passing by the batik workshop, Miao King’s house, Drum Keeper’s house, etc. This area has fewer tourists and offers a more authentic feel of the indigenous lifestyle.
· Noon: Taste foods you missed the day before or relax in a café.
· Afternoon: Pack up, check out, take the shuttle bus back to the scenic area entrance, and start your journey home.
4. Must-Experience Activities and Attractions
1. Viewing platform night view: Core experience, irreplaceable.
2. Stroll the Wind and Rain Bridges: There are 7 Wind and Rain Bridges in the village, each with its own name and features. They connect both sides, provide shelter from wind and rain, and serve as social gathering spots.
3. Taste the Long Table Banquet: The highest hospitality ritual in the Miao Village. Everyone sits in a row, and Miao girls sing toast songs while offering "Gaoshan Liushui" wine, creating a lively atmosphere.
4. Wear Miao traditional clothing once: You can rent exquisite Miao costumes anywhere in the village (about 30-50 RMB/hour) and take photos by stilted houses, Wind and Rain Bridges, and terraced fields—very photogenic.
5. Listen to ancient Miao songs: In some small squares on the old street, sometimes elderly Miao people sing epic poems in ancient Miao language, powerful and poignant.
5. Food Recommendations
· Sour soup fish: Guizhou’s signature dish, even more authentic in Miao style, sour and spicy with fresh tender fish.
· Cured meat/sausage: Homemade Miao cured meats with a fragrant aroma.
· Glutinous rice cake (Ciba): Handmade on-site, coated with soybean powder, soft and sweet.
· Bamboo tube rice: Rice cooked in fresh bamboo tubes, with a fresh bamboo fragrance.
· Rice wine: Miao homemade rice wine, low alcohol content, sweet and mellow taste with a strong aftertaste. Don’t drink too much!
6. Warm Tips
1. Manage expectations: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is highly commercialized, very mature and convenient, but this also means it lacks some of the "primitive" feel. Come with the mindset to experience culture, enjoy scenery, and relax.
2. Respect customs: When entering the village, respect local customs, such as not touching villagers’ silver jewelry casually, not stepping on the fire pit in others’ homes, and showing politeness when toasting at the Long Table Banquet.
3. Travel light: The village has stone paths and steps; dragging large suitcases is very inconvenient. It is recommended to carry a backpack or small suitcase.
4. Keep your belongings safe: Although security is good, the crowds can be dense, so watch your personal items carefully.
I hope this guide helps you better enjoy your trip to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. Have a pleasant journey!