Exploring Chinese ethnic minority villages in the southwestern province of Guizhou, one will be fascinated by the locals' exotic dress, daily life and the unique architecture of their wooden houses. Xijiang Miao village is one such place that researchers call a living fossil for the study of Miao people's history and traditional culture. In today's On the Road, we'll follow our guide Ning Yan to the biggest Miao village in China.
It's a lovely place to go to enjoy the unusual lifestyle of the Miao people. Here are some tips for your trip. In winter, the area is very cold, so I don't recommend staying overnight in the village. If you do, make sure to take some warm clothes and blankets!
Located 35 kilometers northeast of Leishan County, Xijiang is the largest Miao village in China. There are 1,000 households in the village.
Yang Changzhi works at the Laishan County Scenic Area management office.
"Our village is also known as the one-thousand household village. To develop tourism in this ancient village, we strictly kept the original appearances of the ancient buildings when we repaired old buildings and constructed new ones."
Xijiang is set on two large slopes covered by wooden houses. The houses are so tightly packed along the slopes, they look like trees in a forest. Cobblestone paths wind through the village, connecting every house. In the morning, the houses higher up on the slopes are bathed in shades of brown and gold from the morning sun. As the sun rises, everything emerges bright and clear. The Baishui River that begins in the primitive forest area near the main peak of the Miaoling Ridge cuts the village in two. Luo Yan, a tour guide from China International Travel Service, is impressed by the beauty of the village.
"When you come here, you have seen enough of Miao villages in China. The river here is especially beautiful. There is clear, green water all the way down."
Dubbed a "living fossil of Miao ethnic culture" by historians and researchers, Xijiang is a cultural relic under provincial level protection.
The village is also a center for grand festivals and celebrations of Miao people in the area. Famous festivals include the Lusheng Festival, the New Year, and the harvest celebration, during which the Miao people worship their ancestors and celebrate the autumn harvest. The celebrations are featured by songs and dances accompanied by the Lusheng, a Miao wind instrument. Chen Suoying is a tourist from Guangdong.
"This is my first time here. This place is so special. I'm very much attracted by the local architecture. I also like its beautiful scenery and enjoy the genuine friendliness of the people here."
There is only one guesthouse in the village, but many families offer accommodations for tourists. In any restaurant, visitors are treated with the best food and wine. Sounds of cheering and toasting often ring out from the restaurants.
Many local dishes are displayed on the table, with visitors sitting on one side and the family on the other. The housewife gives everyone a cup and fills it with rice wine. As soon as the wine is poured, she sings a folk song inviting everyone to drink wine.
Other family members sing one by one and toast the guests. It's a local custom that guests cannot refuse to drink. Li Zhen runs her home restaurant, which is popular for Miao people's long table dinners.
"The long table is for tour groups. Our specialties are chicken soup, hot pepper dishes, preserved ham and sausage. Wine is the most important item for dinner."
Xijiang is also famous for its silversmiths. The silver ornaments worn by Miao girls weigh about nine kilograms. Silversmith Li Shining has been doing the business for 12 years.
"Our family has been in this profession for generations. We can make whatever the customer asks. Silver ornaments are very popular among western tourists and those from Beijing, Guangzhou and other parts of the country."
