Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village in Xijiang Town, Leishan County, Qiandongnan Prefecture, is described as the largest Miao settlement in China, with more than 1,000 households, and qianhu itself means one thousand households. The village lies in a valley of the Leigong Mountain range along the Baishui River, with several hundred timber stilted houses climbing the slopes in tiers. The Miao have inhabited the region for centuries, and the village's layout, with houses fitted to the contours, is a characteristic example of their building tradition, using local fir, open verandas and carved railings. The settlement is organised in several residential clusters linked by stone steps and plank paths, with a main road, a river and a bridge dividing the old part from newer sections. A principal attraction is the Xijiang Miao Museum, which displays Miao silver headdresses and jewellery, embroidery, batik, costume, musical instruments and festival objects arranged thematically to explain Miao social and ritual life. Performances of lusheng pipe music and dances take place in the village's performance hall, and a viewing platform on the hill gives a panoramic view of the village, especially at night when the houses are lit. Restoration and conservation have been carried out to repair timber houses and control modern construction, though tourism development has introduced shops, restaurants and guesthouses throughout the lower village. Fires have damaged parts of the village over time, and several houses were rebuilt in traditional form. Admission costs about CNY 90 and typically covers the main village area and performances, and the village is open for walking at any time of day. It is the largest of the Miao villages in the area and is often visited with Langde Upper Village, located about 30 kilometres away.