Langde Upper Miao Village

Langde Upper Miao Village, known locally as Shang Langde, lies in Leishan County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, in southeast Guizhou, and is widely regarded as a model of Miao cultural preservation. The Miao have lived in the Leigong Mountain region for many centuries, and the village's layout reflects the traditional pattern of timber stilted houses climbing a hillside above a stream, with rice terraces below. The houses are built of local fir, with open upper floors, balconies and carved railings, and rely on timber-frame construction rather than nails. At the entrance, the village is known for its welcome ceremony, in which residents in silver headdresses and embroidered costume greet visitors at the gate with songs and rice wine, a custom that has become a signature of the site. A stone-paved road leads through the gate and past the buildings to a central plaza used for performances. Within the village are a small museum or display rooms showing Miao silver ornaments, batik, embroidery and musical instruments such as the lusheng reed pipe, and workshops where residents demonstrate crafts. Interpretation is largely experiential and thematic, built around songs, costume and festival life rather than a formal chronological exhibition. The village has been conserved with regulations limiting modern building materials, and fires, which are a constant risk, have prompted repairs and rebuilding of some houses in traditional style. Tourism has been a major part of the local economy since the 1990s, and entry costs about CNY 60. The village is a short drive from Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village and is typically visited on the same day. Visitors can see Miao festivals, including the Lusheng festival and Miao New Year, which take place in the village plaza and draw large crowds.