Traversing the veins of China’s vast landscape, one finds themselves utterly enchanted by the captivating canvas of colorful Guizhou.
True to its name, this place is a veritable treasure trove, concealing myriad wonders of heaven and earth, with every mountain and river reciting its own magnificent poem.
In this land, numerous dazzling pearls shine brightly: the cascading waterfalls of Huangguoshu, the emerald waters and peculiar peaks of Libo Small Seven Holes, the mist-shrouded Mount Fanjing, the tranquil ancient town of Zhenyuan, the precipitous and profound Malinghe Canyon, and the ancient charm of Zhaoxing Dong Village… each one a pride of Guizhou.
However, when we speak of Xijiang Miao Village, the name has likely long been prominent on many people’s travel itineraries. As the world’s largest Miao settlement, it is hailed as a “living fossil of Miao culture,” bearing the weight of profound history and heritage.
Viewed from afar, the Miao village is built along the mountainside, with houses stacked in tiers, intricately arranged like an exquisite landscape painting, quietly narrating ancient tales.
In spring, the Miao mountains are shrouded in mist, poetic and picturesque; in summer, the village is lush with verdant mountains and crystal-clear waters, brimming with vitality; in autumn, the village is blanketed in golden hues, the fragrance of rice wafting through the air; and in winter, the village is draped in silver, resembling a fairy realm.
Regrettably, in recent years, the reputation of Xijiang Miao Village has dimmed like a falling star.
Excessive commercialization has altered the once simple and honest Miao village, replacing its former tranquility and harmony with noise and superficiality. Visitors are confronted not only with high ticket prices and inflated costs but also with ubiquitous commercial solicitations, gradually eroding the initial purity and beauty.
Nevertheless, I still believe that Xijiang Miao Village is worth visiting.
Because here, you can still experience the unique charm of Miao culture.
As night falls, the village built on the mountainside illuminates with twinkling lights, flickering like fireflies beneath the night sky, adding a touch of mystery and peace to this ancient land.
Therefore, I sincerely hope that Xijiang Miao Village can reevaluate its development path and rediscover its simplicity and authenticity.
Let visitors not only appreciate the beautiful natural scenery and distinctive ethnic culture but also feel the tranquility and harmony that emanate from the depths of their hearts.
Only in this way can Xijiang Miao Village truly become a captivating tourist destination that enchants the soul.
Apart from the well-known Miao villages and popular attractions, Guizhou also conceals numerous “niche hidden gems,” adorning this colorful land like sparkling stars, awaiting the exploration of travelers.
Each of these secret places possesses its own unique characteristics and picturesque scenery, resembling fairy realms lost in the mortal world. If asked which place can rival Xijiang Miao Village, I must cast my precious vote for Zhaoxing Dong Village.
Not only is it one of the “Six Most Beautiful Ancient Towns in China,” but it also ranks among the “33 Most Alluring Travel Destinations in the World” jointly selected by “Fashion Travel” and “National Geographic Traveler.”
The Dong village is built along the mountain, nestled in a narrow valley basin surrounded by green mountains, with a small river meandering through the village.
Within the village, stilted wooden houses are densely packed and intricately arranged, all constructed using fir wood and topped with small gray tiles, exuding a rustic yet practical charm.
At the entrance of the village, five wind and rain bridges stand silently, not only providing shelter for passersby during inclement weather but also serving as a sacred place for Dong youth to meet and date, bearing witness to romantic love.
Beneath the bridges, the gurgling stream reflects the life of the Dong people and their unique romantic sentiments.
If you come to Guizhou yearning to witness the grandeur of waterfalls but are weary of the clamor at Huangguoshu, then Yangpidong is your ideal choice.
Although the Yangpidong Waterfall may not be as renowned as Huangguoshu, its untamed beauty is enough to shake your soul. The waterfall is like a galloping white horse, racing down from the heights, forming a magnificent vista.
Standing before the waterfall, you will be overwhelmed by its magnificence and feel the endless power of nature.
The scenery of Chishui Danxia is even more breathtaking, lauded as “a natural beauty that’s hard to resist.”
The red landforms resemble rosy clouds or deep crimson rays, stunningly beautiful.
The Chishui Waterfall, the gem of this area, is 76 meters high and 80 meters wide, making it the largest and most spectacular waterfall in the Yangtze River system and the Chinese Danxia landform area.
The water cascades down from the sheer cliffs like tens of thousands of galloping horses, with an awe-inspiring momentum and a thunderous roar that can be heard for miles. In the sunlight, the mist creates dazzling rainbows and a marvelous “Buddha’s halo,” leaving one intoxicated.
Wanfenglin, on the other hand, is a place akin to a real-life “paradise on earth.” Waking up in the morning and opening the window, you are greeted by the sight of well-arranged peaks stretching out before your eyes, with insects chirping and birds singing in the rice fields, and the rising smoke from the ethnic minority villages, small bridges over flowing streams, and green bricks and black tiles…
It’s as if the pastoral life painting depicted in Tao Yuanming’s “Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, leisurely gazing upon the southern mountain” is slowly unfolding before your eyes.
Wanfenglin is also a summer resort. In the summer, Wanfenglin is refreshingly colorful, with lush green rice fields spread out along the contours of the mountains under the blue sky and white clouds, dotting the villages with their green-tiled roofs and white walls amidst the azure sky and white clouds.
Occasionally, a flock of birds takes flight, adding vibrancy and vitality to this landscape painting.
Strolling in the embrace of Wanfenglin, you will be stunned by the magnificent scenery of mountains surrounding you and peaks overlapping one another. This is nature’s oxygen bar, a pure land amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
Speaking of Wumeng Mountain, people often know of its steepness but seldom of its beauty. However, Jiucaiping at the summit of Wumeng Mountain is an astonishing sea of flowers.
A hundred thousand acres of chive flowers blanket the entire wilderness like an embroidered tapestry, adorning the landscape like a poem or a painting. Immersed in it, the rich fragrance of the flowers is intoxicating, as if embraced by the gentle arms of nature.
Apart from the flower sea, the sunrise at Jiucaiping is also a sight not to be missed.When the sun first rises, its rays shine across the wilderness, and you will feel the grandeur and vitality of nature. As the sun rises, the entire world is tinted with a layer of golden hue, so beautiful that it takes your breath away.
The terraced fields of Yunnan and Guizhou are equally enchanting. The Gabang Terraced Fields cover a total area of nearly 10,000 mu (6.67 square kilometers), winding along the mountains from the foot to the summit, stretching for 25 kilometers.
The tiers of terraced fields are intricately arranged, forming a World Agricultural Heritage Protection Site, a National Wetland Park, and one of the most beautiful terraced fields in China.
In summer, the cool breeze dispels the heat, with lush rice seedlings and green wheat shoots, and the fields are full of vitality.
Inhaling the fragrant breeze, admiring the leisurely scenes at the edges of the terraced fields, and listening to the chorus of frogs in the fields, it’s as if you are in a vivid pastoral painting.
The Getu River is a river flowing with vitality. The water flows gently, the sun shines on your face, the birds sing, and the breeze caresses your cheeks.
Walking from the light and shadow into the reflection of the mountains, time seems to freeze at this moment. The green mountains face each other on both banks, and the light boat has already passed through the myriad mountains, giving a sense of ease, serenity, and freedom.
Someone once said, “The beauty of Guizhou is eternal at first glance.”
Perhaps it may sound exaggerated when you first hear it, but when you truly set foot on this land, you will understand that this statement is not an empty promise.
Hidden within these endless mountains are infinite traces of human life, folk customs, and stunning beauty.
Only after personally experiencing it can you appreciate the unique charm and allure of this ancient land.
