Archive for the ‘Guiyang’ Category

How to get to Xijiang 1000-Household Miao Village

Tuesday, September 29th, 2020
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If you are in the process of planning your Guiyang tour or Guizhou tour,  a day trip from Guiyang to Xijiang 1000-household Miao Village (西江千户苗寨) is highly recommended. About 200km to the east of Guiyang, Xijiang Miao Village is located in a deep valley of Leigong Mountain National Park, about 30 km to the Leigong County, and 34km to the southeast of Kaili, the seat of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (黔东南苗族侗族自治州), southeastern Guizhou province, China.

You may take the bus from Guiyang East Bus Station for a 3-hour bus ride directly to Xijiang Qianhu (1000-household) Miao Minority Village ( Bus fare: 80 yuan); or you may first take the bus to Kaili ( two hours, 170 km ), then connect the local bus heading to Xijiang Miao Village. Guiyang East Bus Station is located about 10km to the southeast of Guiyang city center and you may take the Bus No.240 from Guiyang Railway Station to the east bus station ( 2 yuan and 40 minutes ).

There are two main entrance gates to Xijiang Miao Village ( West Gate and North Gate)  and your bus will stop at the North Gate. Go to the ticketing office to buy your entrance ticket ( 100 yuan ) and shuttle bus ticket ( 20 yuan).  You need to take the shuttle bus from the main entrance to the west side of the village.

Xijiang Miao Village is oft-lauded as the largest Miao minority village in the around with over 1300 Miao households and 6000 people and 99.5 of them are Miao. The Miao village is situated in the deep valley with Bai River passing through from the west to the east. Most of the old wooden stilt-houses cascade on the northern two hillsides and there are fewer houses on the southern hillsides. But at the time of my writing, new houses are being built on the southern hill slope.

The Bai River and the Ancient Street ( the main street in the village) just north of the Bai River divides the Xijiang Miao Village into two parts – the northern part and the southern part. There are seven wind and rain bridges spanning the Bai River from the No.01 Wind and Rain Bridge ( on the east side) to the No.07 Wind and Rain Bridge on the west, the photogenic  spots to take some pictures. The main ancient street has been renovated with many street-front stores and restaurants.

At the east side of the main ancient street, you will find the Xijiang Miao Village Museum (09:00 – 17:30). The museum displays the history and folk custom related to Miao people in several separated rooms. One room has a TV set to play the video introducing the silver and Miao minority.

The highlight of your trip to Xijiang Miao Village is to ascend to the southern high platform on the southern hill slope to have a panoramic view of the 1000-household Miao Village perched on the two northern hill slopes above the Bai River in the deep valley. You walk to the east end of the main ancient street and take a sightseeing cart up to the southern hill viewing platform. The view is stunning – the mist, the rows of stilt houses cascade in swirl down to the valley; at sunrise, dusk or sunset, the village looks gorgeous! So staying overnight in the village is not a bad idea since most of the tourist groups are gone and tranquility returns to the village.

If you are interested in Miao’s architecture and authentic life, you may walk up the northern hill slopes to have a close-up view of the households perched above where fewer tourist groups will venture. There are also several hiking trails from Xijiang Village and you may pay a local to escort you for a leisure and adventurous hiking trip.

The performance stage in the village will put on the Miao singing and dancing performance (11:30 – 12:10 free of charge). There are also some intriguing  activities related to batik making, distillery,  embroidery and silver arts. At night, the mega performance known as ” Beautiful Xijiang ” will be on the stage from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm ( entrance ticket: 110 yuan ).

Where to stay?
1. Xijiang Hotel (西江饭店): just on the west of Xijiang Museum Tel: 0855 – 3348003
2. Yelangju Inn (夜郎居): To the south of the Viewing Platform Tel: 0855 3348686
3. Hope of the Angle (好望角): Just opposite to the Performance Stage Tel: 0855 334678
4. Xijiang Tourist Information Center: Just opposite to the second wind and rain bridge Tel: 0855 3348088

Where to dine?
1. Xijiang Taste (西江味道):  Mr. Qin 0855 3348100, 15985007007
2. Bai River Eco Food House (白水河生态食庄): Just located by the first Wind and Rain Bridge Tel: 0855 18385711480

Now follow me to have a glimpse of Xijiang Miao Village.

The Bus 240 going from Guiyang Railway Station to Guiyang East Passenger Bus Station where you can buy your bus ticket for Xijiang Miao Village.

Guiyang East Passenger Bus Station
Guiyang East Passenger Bus Station

Arriving at the North Gate to Xijiang Miao Village and you will be welcomed by the Miao ladies, old and young clad in their traditional dresses with silver ornaments.

The Entrance to Xijiang Miao Village.

The Entrance to Xijiang Miao Village
The Entrance to Xijiang Miao Village

The main ancient street cutting the village into two parts.

The main street in Xijiang
The main street in Xijiang

The third wind and rain bridge span the Bai River.

The Wind and Rain Bridge in Xijiang Miao Village
The Wind and Rain Bridge in Xijiang Miao Village

The Bai River cuts through the Miao Village.

The Bai River
The Bai River

Continue to stroll along the main street flanked by the two- or three- story wooden stilt houses.

 stroll along the main street of Xijiang
stroll along the main street of Xijiang

The Xijiang Museum on the east side of the main street.

Xijiang Museum
Xijiang Museum

The wooden houses on the southern side of the valley.

The wooden houses on the southern side of the valley
The wooden houses on the southern side of the valley

The Singing and Dancing Performance at the stage ( free from 11:30 – 12:10).

The Singing and Dancing Performance Xijiang
The Singing and Dancing Performance Xijiang

Take the sightseeing cart up to the viewing platform to have a bird-eye’s view of the houses on the northern hillsides.

the viewing platform Xijiang Miao Villiage
the viewing platform

A panoramic view of the old wooden houses cascading the steep hill slopes north of the Bai River.

A panoramic view of the old wooden houses in Xijiang
A panoramic view of the old wooden houses

Have a close-up view of the stilt houses on the steep slopes.

Have a close-up view of the stilt houses in Xijiang
Have a close-up view of the stilt houses in Xijiang

The houses and the rice terraces.

The houses and the rice terraces Xijiang
The houses and the rice terraces Xijiang

Xijiang Long Table Feast

Xijiang Long Table Feast
Xijiang Long Table Feast

Xijiang Post Office

Xijiang Post Office
Xijiang Post Office

Tip:  Hassle-free Escorted Guizhou

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free guided tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Guizhou:

Guizhou Tour
Guiyang Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Guizhou
How to Visit Huangguoshu Waterfall
How to Get to Qingyan Ancient Town
How to Get to Xijiang 1000-Household Miao Village
When is the Best Time to Visit Guizhou?

Any questions,  just drop a line.

How to get to Qingyan Ancient Town

Thursday, August 27th, 2015
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Plan your Guiyang tour? As the capital city of Guizhou Province, Guiyang is basically used as a transit place for further diving into the beautiful Guizhou with colorful ethnic minority diversity and sublime karst landscapes. But Guiyang itself has some interesting places which can keep you busy for a day trip. Qingyan Ancient Town, 30 km south of the city is highly recommended.

Qingyan Ancient Town was once strategically situated in a busy area that served as a trade hub for the three provinces – Guizhou, Yunnan and Guangxi.  In Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644), the first emperor of Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to tighten control over the far-flung areas and ordered the construction of Qingyan town in 1378.

Originally it was an earth rammed town. After being repaired and rebuilt for several times, it became an stone town with stone city walls and streets. It is a typical town in Ming and Qing dynasties, a smaller Pingyao ancient city. There are four main streets – North Street, South Street, East Street and West Street crisscrossed by plentiful lanes with buildings ornately and elaborately designed and built.

What makes the town unique is the peaceful coexistence of the three religions – Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism and Christianity. You see the intricately built temples and churches

Entrance Fee: 10 Yuan
Through Ticket: 80 Yuan
Note: The town is charged for 10 yuan; if you want to go inside some of the old buildings like the temples, churches and old structures, you need to buy a combo ticket.

How to get there?
1) Public Transport: Take the bus 203 from Guiyang Railway Station and get off at the 27th stop ( the last bus but the third stop ) of Sheng Dang Xiao 省党校, then wait and change for Bus 210 heading to the parking lot close to the West Entrance to Qingyan Ancient Town. After visiting the old town, exit from the west gate and take the same Bus 210 and get off at the 4th stop of Sheng Dang Xiao 省党校, wait and change for Bus 203 back to Guiyang Railway Station. Single way: one and half hour. Be ready for 2 yuan for the bus fare and no change due to the self-service.

2) Taxi: 30 km, 70 yuan single way, 1 hour.

Now follow me to have a glimpse of the ancient town.

The Bus 210 is waiting at the parking lot close to the West Entrance to Qingyan Ancient Town.

The Bus 210 Qinhyan Ancient Town
The Bus 210 Qingyan Town

Standing on the south gate and look at the restored city wall

Qingyan Ancient Town's restored city wall
Qingyan Ancient Town’s restored city wall

At the end of the South Street, you will see a magnificent Centenarian Memorial Archway of Zha Lilun. Originally set up in 1843, it is 9.5 meters high and 9 meters wide with four pillars.

 Centenarian Memorial Archway of Zha Lilun
Centenarian Memorial Archway of Zha Lilun

Walking on the south street with stone flagged road flanked by one- or two-story wood-framed houses. Most of the street-front housed are rented for commerce – shops and restaurants.

Qingya's south street with stone flagged road
The south street with stone flagged road in Qingyan.

The building of the Christian Church on the South Street.

Christian Church in Qingyan
Christian Church in Qingyan

The north entrance to Qingyan Ancient Town.

The north entrance to Qingyan Ancient Town
The north entrance to Qingyan Ancient Town

The Longquan Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the town.  It is located at the end of the Northern Gate to the town.

Longquan Temple in Qingyan Ancient Town
Longquan Temple

Strolling along the north street.

Qingyan North Street
Qingyan North Street

The Wanshou Palace, a Taoist Temple in Qingyan on the West Street.

Taoist Temple in Qingyan
Wanshou Palacein Qingyan

The Catholic Church is located on a side lane from the West Street.

Catholic Church in Qingyan
Catholic Church in Qingyan

There are a rich variey of local products like pot-stewed pigs’ trotters, Qingyan Tofu,  Rose Sugar, Rice Jelly, Shuanghua Vinegar and many more.

 pot-stewed pigs' trotters in Qingyan
Pot-stewed pigs’ trotters in Qingyan

There are also many silver artwork shops.  An old silversmith is working at his silver shop.

An old silversmith in Qingyan
An old silversmith in Qingyan

Tip:  Hassle-free Escorted Guizhou

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself bus route and prefer the hassle-free guided tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Guizhou:

Guizhou Tour
Guiyang Tour

Further Readings


Top 10 Attractions in Guizhou
How to Visit Huangguoshu Waterfall
How to Get to Qingyan Ancient Town
How to Get to Xijiang 1000-Household Miao Village
When is the Best Time to Visit Guizhou?

Any questions,  just drop a line.