Explore the classic scenery of Qiandongnan in Guizhou, getting up close to the original ethnic culture and experiencing the simple folk customs of minority ethnic groups.
Day 1: Kaili Ethnic Museum – Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village
Route: Depart from Guiyang to Kaili, a journey of approximately 3 hours, arriving in Kaili around noon. Visit the Kaili Ethnic Museum and then take a bus to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, about an hour’s drive away. Xijiang is the largest Miao village in the world, with the spectacular sight of thousands of lights illuminating the village at night. The picturesque stilted houses, Miao women in silver jewelry costumes, and captivating dances will dazzle you.
Dining: Lunch can be enjoyed in Kaili city, where a variety of restaurants offer a range of Guizhou’s distinctive local delicacies and snacks. Special mention goes to the signature sour soup fish dish representing Guizhou cuisine. While Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village offers fewer dining options, you can try some local specialties such as sticky rice cake, fried potatoes, and fried tofu.
Accommodation: Stay overnight in Kaili city. As the central city of Guizhou, Kaili offers a wide range of accommodations including hotels, hostels, and guesthouses to suit every budget and preference.
Alternative Attractions in Kaili: Matang Gejia Village; Xiasi Ancient Town; Nanhua Miao Village
Day 2: Rongjiang: Zaidang Dong Village
Route: Get off at Fengdeng intersection and walk for 2 hours or take a taxi to Zaidang Dong Village. The village boasts ancient buildings and flower bridges dating back to the Qing Dynasty, with lanes paved with bluestones, exuding a quaint charm. The rustic lifestyle of farming and weaving can be witnessed here every day. You can hear authentic Dage (grand songs) in Zaidang, but for the most authentic and melodious ones, head 1km further uphill to Jiasuo Village. The exact location can be inquired from the local villagers.
Dining: The cuisine in the village consists of simple home-cooked meals typical of the local farmers’ daily fare.
Accommodation: Accommodations in Zaidang are mostly in simple guesthouses, offering basic amenities.
Alternative Attractions in Rongjiang: Sanbao Dong Village; Dali Dong Village; Kongshen Miao Village
Day 3: Congjiang: Basha Miao Village
Route: Return to Fengdeng intersection from Zaidang, take a bus from Liping to Rongjiang, then transfer to another bus to Congjiang. The journey takes about 3 hours. From Congjiang, take a taxi to Basha Miao Village. Basha is known as the last gun tribe, where you can see the Miao people still carrying guns and machetes, continuing the martial traditions of ancient times.
Dining: Mostly Miao ethnic cuisine is available, offering dishes such as sour soup fish, roast pig, grilled lamb, grilled fish with lemongrass, cold mixed sheep (or pig) blood, and oil tea. Dining in Basha is more expensive than in Congjiang county town, but you can also order dishes, with prices ranging from a few dozen yuan to several dozen yuan per person per meal.
Accommodation: In Basha, you can stay in the Miao village, where accommodations mostly consist of small wooden houses, offering a unique experience with decent surroundings.
Alternative Attractions in Congjiang: Zengchong Drum Tower; Xiaohuang Dong Village; Jiabang Rice Terraces
Day 4: Zhaoxing Dong Village
Route: There is only one bus departing from Jiang to Zhaoxing at 7:10 in the morning, but you can take a bus to Luoxiang, as there are many buses available, then transfer to Zhaoxing Dong Village from Luoxiang. Zhaoxing is the largest Dong village in the country, with five drum towers and five flower bridges. Driving through the mountains, you can see smoke rising from the villages, full of vitality. Surrounded by mountains, Zhaoxing village is built in a basin, with two small streams converging into a river flowing through the village. The houses in the village are stilted wooden structures, orderly and practical, all built with fir wood and topped with small blue tiles, exuding an ancient charm. Afterward, you can stay in Zhaoxing or take a bus back to Liping and return to Guiyang.
Dining: For lunch and dinner, you can taste local specialties in Zhaoxing, with fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. The taste is generally spicy and sour, so it’s best to inform the restaurant if you can’t eat spicy food before ordering.
Accommodation: There are many hotels in Zhaoxing town, with the Zhaoxing Hotel offering relatively good conditions. There are also numerous family inns, most of which have bathrooms and air conditioning, providing decent accommodation options.
Alternative Attractions in Liping: Qiao Street in Liping County; Liping Tiansheng Bridge; Dimen Dong Village; Tang’an Dong Village; Longli Ancient City