Thousand-household Miao Village: A hidden paradise in the mountains

When the car arrived at the scenic parking lot of Xijiang Town in Guizhou, we took our belongings and walked towards the visitor center. Cars are not allowed to enter the Miao Village. Thousand-household Miao Village is a Miao ethnic gathering place, formed by the connection of more than a dozen villages. 'Thousand households' should mean many; locals say there used to be more than a thousand households. The entire Miao Village in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, is built along the mountain terrain, with a unique style. At night, when the lights come on, it has a bit of the feel of Chongqing's Hongya Cave. A river runs through the village, adding a touch of spirituality to the scenery. The covered bridges, the overlapping wooden houses by the mountains, and the women in Miao costumes taking photos by the river make it feel like a mythical land of peach blossoms. The streets in the village indeed have Miao ethnic characteristics, but the shops are similar to many ancient towns. At the end of the street is a circular square, with beautiful patterns made of stones on the ground. The square is surrounded by corridors, providing shelter from the wind and rain, and serves as the activity center of the village. We encountered a group of Miao women, walking rhythmically, carrying pork and wine, with the leader drinking and singing folk songs. It was a live performance of Miao customs. The Miao women are naturally free and bold, infecting everyone around us. Xijiang Thousand-household Miao Village is built in a valley, surrounded by mountains. You cannot see the whole picture from the visitor center. After the mountain road twists and turns, a large area of Miao Village buildings appears in front of you. This moment is quite stunning. Staying in the Miao Village for two or three days, you can enjoy the tranquility of being isolated from the world. Miao Village ticket: 120 yuan (including ticket and round-trip transportation), usually sent to No. 1 Wind and Rain Bridge. Miao Village accommodation: You can find homestays on the mountain with a great view. Opening the window at night to see the night view is very nice. Miao Village transportation: Take the high-speed train to Kaili, there are shuttle buses or taxis, only a 40-minute journey. Miao Village shopping: Look for local shops in the back alleys. The cured meat we bought was very delicious. We also visited the Miao vegetable market. The black pork looked very good, obviously without lean meat essence, and we heard it is very fragrant when cooked.