The distinctive stilted houses, vibrant Miao songs and dances, and mouthwatering sour soup cuisine… To experience the colorful ethnic culture of Guizhou, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village in Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture is an excellent choice.

The village's stilted-house construction techniques can trace their lineage back to the "pile-dwelling" architecture of the Hemudu culture 7,000 years ago, evolving over the centuries to adapt to local living environments. Houses here are built entirely of wood, using no nails or metal fasteners. The framework is joined by mortise-and-tenon structures and follows the natural contours of the mountain, giving the village its uniquely characteristic landscape of Miao-style stilted houses.

Local stilted houses fall into two types: flatland stilted houses and mountain stilted houses. Architectural features such as stilt corridors and the suspended balconies with goose-neck benches (literally translated as "beauty's benches") are especially distinctive. From one of the village's viewing platforms, visitors can admire the spectacular sight of tiered stilted houses built up the mountainside.

Major attractions in the village include the Xijiang Miao Museum, the Guzang Head's House, the Huolu Head's House, distilleries, embroidery workshops, batik workshops, silverwork studios, viewing platforms, and the Gage Ancient Alley. The entire village is an open-air museum that presents an epic history of Miao cultural development, making it a prime destination for observing and studying traditional Miao culture.

Ethnic Customs

Miao villagers, dressed in full traditional attire, line up twelve cups of welcome wine at the village gate to greet guests from afar. Visitors can experience the rich Miao wine culture and the ceremonial way of drinking wine poured from high to low into one's mouth. They can also try their hand at activities such as Miao batik, embroidery, silver forging, weaving, and other intangible cultural heritage crafts.

Cultural Feast

The "Beautiful Xijiang" evening show and the "Love in Xijiang · Courting with Flower Belts" performance at the village square are not to be missed. Villagers dressed in Miao costumes sing and dance, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the unique charm of Miao culture.

Source: Guizhou Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism