Qiandongnan

Basic Overview

Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture is located in southeastern Guizhou. It is known as the “Primitive Ethnic Customs Museum of China”, gathering the most complete and original Miao and Dong ethnic cultures in China. With thousands of ancient ethnic villages, terraced fields, alpine streams and forest landscapes, it retains simple folk customs, unique ethnic architecture and traditional handicrafts, being a top destination for overseas tourists to experience authentic Chinese minority culture.

Natural Landscapes

Qiandongnan features layered alpine terraced fields, dense primitive forests, clear mountain streams and pastoral village scenery, with strong natural and rural wildness.

• Jiabang Terraced Fields: Rolling layered alpine terraced fields, golden in autumn and water-filled in spring, forming magnificent pastoral landscape.
• Xijiang River Valley: Clear mountain rivers surround ancient villages, with green mountains on both sides and fresh ecological scenery.
• Liping Forest Scenic Area: Large primitive forest with lush vegetation, fresh air and diverse wild plants.
• Alpine Pasture Scenery: Wide alpine flat land with scattered villages, presenting quiet plateau pastoral style.

Historical and Cultural Sites

Qiandongnan has a large number of well-preserved thousand-year-old ethnic ancient villages and characteristic wooden buildings, which are living fossils of southwest ethnic culture.

• Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village: The largest Miao ethnic village in the world, with thousands of stilt houses built along the mountains, spectacular village night view.
• Zhaoxing Dong Village: The most representative Dong ethnic ancient village, famous for ancient Drum Towers and Wind and Rain Bridges.
• Qingyan Ancient Town: Well-preserved ancient military and commercial town, integrating multi-ethnic cultural characteristics.
• Ancient Drum Tower Group: Unique Dong ethnic wooden buildings, with exquisite structure, being the symbol of Dong village culture.

Local culture experiences

Qiandongnan’s core charm lies in original immersive ethnic experience, with many national intangible cultural heritage projects.

• Ethnic Costume Shooting Experience: Wear authentic Miao and Dong costumes, stroll in ancient villages and take characteristic travel photos.
• Dong Song & Miao Dance Performance: Appreciate world intangible heritage Dong Grand Songs and original Miao folk dances.
• Handmade Batik Experience: Learn traditional ethnic batik craft and make unique handmade souvenirs.
• Village Night View Appreciation: Watch the layered lights of Qianhu Miao Village at night and experience the quiet night life of ethnic villages.

Local cuisine

Qiandongnan cuisine is pure original ecological ethnic flavor, with natural mountain ingredients and unique fermented cooking methods.

• Miao Sour Soup Beef: Classic ethnic specialty, tender beef matched with natural fermented sour soup, fresh and unique.
• Dong Braised Fish in Rice Field: Wild rice field fish cooked with local rice and spices, retaining original rural delicious taste.
• Ethnic Smoked Meat: Traditional handmade smoked pork with unique wood-fired fragrance, a must-taste local specialty.
• Mountain Wild Vegetable Hot Pot: Assorted fresh wild mountain vegetables, healthy and refreshing plateau delicacy.

Recommended itinerary 

– Day1: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village → Ethnic Custom Experience → Night View Appreciation
– Day2: Zhaoxing Dong Village → Drum Tower & Wind and Rain Bridge Sightseeing → Terraced Fields Viewing

Travel tips

Best travel time: April-May for flower blooming, September-October for golden terraced fields. The mountain village roads are mostly stone steps, wear comfortable walking shoes. Respect local Miao and Dong ethnic taboos and folk customs.