The largest Miao village in China, with over a thousand households of stilted wooden houses climbing a valley, and daily song-and-dance performances.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, in Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou, is regarded as the largest Miao settlement in China, with more than a thousand households of timber stilted houses climbing the slopes of a river valley. The name means Xijiang Thousand-Household Miao Village. The houses, built on stilts with carved balconies and dark wooden walls, stack up the hillside around the Baishui River, and the sight of them lit at night is the village's best-known view. Visitors enter through the ticket gate and follow paved lanes past shops selling silver jewellery, embroidery and batik, small museums, and restaurants serving sour fish soup and other Miao dishes. Daily song-and-dance shows take place in the main performance square, and a welcome ceremony with drinking-horn toasts is offered at the village gate. Several viewing platforms on the slopes give the classic panorama, with the best light in the late afternoon and after dark when the houses are illuminated. A visit can be done in half a day, but many travellers stay overnight in a guesthouse or homestay to see the village empty of day-trip crowds and lit up in the evening. The village is busiest during Chinese public holidays and in summer, when tour buses arrive from Kaili and Guiyang. The Miao New Year and the Sisters' Meal Festival draw particularly large numbers, and prices for lodging rise sharply at those times. The surrounding hills have terraced fields, and a morning walk up through the upper lanes is quieter and rewards visitors with views of mist over the valley. Kaili, the nearest city, offers rail connections and is the usual base for reaching Xijiang by bus in about one and a half hours.
| Admission | CNY 90 (approx USD 13) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Village open all day; ticket gate daily approx 8:00AM-6:00PM |
| Typical visit | Half day to overnight |
| Best time | October-March for fewer crowds; evenings for the lit-up terraced houses |
| Getting there | Bus from Kaili to Leishan then local bus to Xijiang, about 1.5 hours total |
| Address | Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou |
Location
Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou
26.5040, 108.1700 View on map
Highlights
- See over a thousand stilted Miao households climb a valley around the Baishui River
- Watch daily song-and-dance performances in the main square
- View the lit-up terraced houses from the hillside viewing platforms at night
- Browse silver jewellery, embroidery and batik in the village lanes
Tips for visiting
- Stay overnight to see the village at night and in the quiet early morning.
- Visit outside Chinese public holidays, when crowds and lodging prices rise sharply.
- Climb to the upper viewing platforms in late afternoon for the best light before dusk.
- Check performance times at the gate, as shows run on a fixed daily schedule.
- Compare prices before buying silver, and ask whether items are handmade or machine-made.
When to visit
October to March brings fewer crowds, and evenings are best for the illuminated houses. Avoid Chinese public holidays and the summer peak if possible.
Accessibility
The village is built on a steep slope with many steps and cobbled lanes, so access for wheelchair users is limited. The lower lanes near the river and entrance are flatter.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a visitor spend in Xijiang?
A half day covers the main lanes, shows and viewpoints, but many travellers stay overnight to see the village at night and in the morning.
When is the best time to see the village lit up?
The evening, after dusk, is when the terraced houses are illuminated. October to March is quieter than summer and holidays.
Is Xijiang suitable for families?
Yes, the performances and lanes suit families, but the village is steep and has many steps, so strollers are difficult.
How does a visitor reach Xijiang from Kaili?
A bus from Kaili runs to Leishan and then a local bus continues to Xijiang, taking about one and a half hours in total. Taxis and tour transport are also available.