Written by Veronica |
As the largest Miao ethnic group inhabited area in the world, Xijiang Miao Village in Guizhou province is an excellent place to study and explore Miao culture. Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village includes more than ten small villages, and more than 6,000 villagers live here. Every year during the Spring Festival, Xijiang Miao Village will hold ethnic performances with Miao characteristics, attracting many tourists to experience and watch.
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- Xijiang Miao Village Facts
- What to See in Xijiang Miao Village
- How to Visit Xijiang Miao Village
- Attractions nearby Xijiang Miao Village
- Is Xijiang Miao Village Worth a Visit?
- Plan a Xijiang Miao Village Tour with China Xian Tour
Xijiang Miao Village Facts
- Location: No.20 Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province
- Chinese Name: č„æę±åę·čåÆØ
- Recommended Visiting Time: 2 days
- Highlights: Ethnic performances, murals, long-table banquet, stilt house homestay, Xijiang Miao Nationality Museum
- Ticket Price: 90 yuan/person
- Opening Time: All year round
What to See in Xijiang Miao Village
The Viewing Platform
It is the best and a popular place to visit and enjoy the panoramic view of Xijiang Miao Village. From here you can look across to the main fortress. The nearby mountains are densely packed with stilted houses, which become a beautiful natural landscape with Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village.
The Xijiang Miao Village scenery at night is just as enchanting. The whole village is brightly lit, complementing the stars in the night sky.
Twelve Welcome Drinks
Miao people have always used wine to express their emotions. It is the basic hospitality etiquette of Miao people to welcome guests with wine. Arriving at Xijiang Miao Village scenic area of North/West gate, you will see villagers dressed in costumes, put 12 welcome drinks to greet you.
The “high mountain and flowing water” toast involves pouring wine from the top down through a layer of large bowls, and finally passing the wine into the bottom bowl to the guest’s mouth. It means that the enthusiasm of the Miao people is as high as the mountain, and the friendship between them and the guests is as long as the waterfall.
Xijiang Miao Nationality Museum
This museum is shaped like a stilted building in the Miao style and has 11 exhibition halls. There are more than 1220 pieces of Miao cultural relics and more than 350 representative pictures, portraits, books and so on. You can learn about the uniqueness and diversity of Miao culture.
Gage Ancient Lane
Gage Ancient Lane is one of the must-see spots in Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village for many tourists. There are many old wooden houses on both sides of the ancient lane, and the wooden walls are painted with murals of national customs. These vivid and colorful murals record the mysterious totems of the Miao people, beautiful legends, and grand Miao New Year scenes. In the ancient lane, there is the “Jiaji Bridge” which shows traditional Miao family culture of bridge worship.
In addition, you can enjoy the performance of ancient epic songs passed down from generation to generation by the Miao people, displays of Miao embroidery intangible cultural heritageĀ andĀ silver jewelry forging, and taste Leishan green tea.
How to Visit Xijiang Miao Village
How to Get to Xijiang Miao Village
By Bus: You can take the direct bus at Leishan Bus Station Xijiang Miao Village, or take the bus at Kaili Bus Station in Kaili City.
By Self-driving: If you drive from Guiyang City, you can follow the Hukun Expressway to reach Kaili, then turn onto the Kailei Expressway and get off at Xijiang (Liancheng) exit. If you head to the Hukun Expressway from Hunan province along the direction of Huaihua and Kaili (without passing Kaili), then it is recommended that you turn into the Kailei Expressway, and finally leave the expressway at the Xijiang (Liancheng) exit to Xijiang Miao Village.
By High-speed Rail: After arriving at Kaili South Railway Station, you can take the sightseeing bus or taxi to Xijiang. Or take the bus to Kaili Bus Station first, then transfer to bus from Kaili to Xijiang to Xijiang Miao Village. At present, Kaili South Railway Station can be reached from Beijing, Changsha, Guiyang, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Nanchang, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shanghai, Nanjing and other places.
By Air: Most people who travel to guizhouĀ will choose Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport, whichĀ is about 3Ā hours’ drive from Xijiang Miao Village. When you arrive at the airport, you can transfer by high-speed train to Kaili South Railway Station. Or you can go to Guiyang East Bus Station, which has the direct bus to Kaili. In addition, the closest airport to Xijiang is Kaili Huangping Airport, but only a few flights are currently in operation.
How to Plan a Xijiang Miao Village Tour
It is recommended to visit the village for 2 days and 1 night, since a single trip from Guiyang/Kaili to the village requires 2 – 3 hours. And staying overnight allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of the Miao village at dawn and dusk. The classic itinerary is as follows.
Day 1: arrival and stilted house homestay check-in – watch the song and dance performance during 14:00 – 14:45 at Lusheng Field – explore Fengyu Bridge and the ancient street to buy some handicrafts as souvenirs – go to the viewing platform to enjoy the twilight and night scenery at around 19:00 – have a meal or watch the live-action performance Beautiful Xijiang at 20:00.
Day 2: learn about theĀ history and culture of the Miao ethnic group in Miao Nationality Museum – Experience intangible cultural heritage projects in Gage Ancient Lane – Wear the Miao ethnic costume and capture beautiful moments within the village.
The best spots for photography are the viewing platform, Fengyu Bridge, the riverside and the distinctive stores inside the village, like Cunshang Shufang Art Museum, Gengduji Restaurant.
Accommodation inside Xijiang Miao Village
Inside Xijiang Miao Village, the accommodation mainly consists of homestays at the halfway and foot of the mountain, with hotels at the mountain top as a supplement. The homestays are basically transformed from stilted houses and are operated by the local Miao people. They usually provide authentic Miao cuisine and characteristic service. The hotels also integrate the traditional architectural style, meanwhile providing modern facilities. Regardless of the type, most hotels offer a pick-up service for guests. You can confirm before the reservation if carrying heavy luggage or having difficulty finding their way.
The area near No. 4 and No.5 Fengyu Bridge and Miao Nationality Museum is the most cost-effective choice. It offers the view of the village and partial night views. Meanwhile, it is close to the core area, convenient for dining and entertainment. The cost is also moderate. It is suitable for most tourists.
The hotels near the viewing platform offer the best view of the scenery and the photography. But the cost is the highest and it requires tourists to climb many steps or take a sightseeing bus. Although it is relatively far from the main street, it can be a better choice for photographers, couples, and travelers with ample budget.
For families, budget travelers and tourists with heavy luggage, the area near the ancient street is an ideal choice. It is the most convenient area for strolling around and dining. The cost is also affordable. But without a panoramic view of the village, tourists need to head to the viewing platform for the scenery appreciation.
Attractions nearby Xijiang Miao Village
- Langde Miao Village: With a history of more than 600 years, Langde Miao Village attracts tourists with its original Miao cultureandĀ unadorned style
- Datang Short Skirt Miao Village: It is known for theunique Miao dress and culture. Miao women here wear traditional skirts that are only 5-7 inches long all year round.
- Leigongshan Nature Reserve: Itis rich in biological resources and boasts beautiful natural scenery, with nearly 2,000 species of creatures.
Is Xijiang Miao Village Worth a Visit?
If you are a first-timer or a photographer, Xijiang Miao Village is an ideal option. Over 1,000 stilted houses are built against the mountain. After the lights are on at night, they together look like a starry sky when appreciated from the viewing platform. Photographers can not miss it.
The profound cultural charm and unique ethnic customs will also impress you. When entering the village, the hospitable Miao people will welcome you with the Twelve Welcome Drinks. Stepping into the Xijiang Miao Nationality Museum, you can learn about the history and culture of the Miao People. In Gage Ancient Lane, intangible cultural heritage projects such as batik or Miao embroidery handicrafts can be experienced. There are also free song and dance performances, which are rich in ethnic culture. It will be unforgettable to rent an ethnic costume and explore the village.
But in peak season, the village is relatively crowded and the cost of hotels and costume rental is also higher. During this period, the Langde Miao Village will be a better choice. And compared with Xijiang Miao Village, the village offers a more primitive experience and authentic local life.
Plan a Xijiang Miao Village Tour with China Xian Tour
When planning the tour to Xijiang Miao Village, the common problem every tourist faces is the transportation and language barrier. Travelling with China Xian Tour, you will not need to worry about it. We will assign a driver and book the hotel based on your requirements. Besides, our local guide is familiar with the complex route inside the village, so he can take you to travel around efficiently. Also, he will be a translator and handle the problems you may meet during the tour, like food ordering. With his vivid introduction, you will have a deep understanding of the Miao culture. Do not hesitate to contact us.
