Qiandongnan

Qiandongnan brings together rich Miao and Dong culture, mountain villages, and terraced landscapes. It is ideal for slowing down and immersing yourself in local life over about five days.

• Xijiang Thousand Miao Village: This is the world's largest Miao settlement, with stilted houses spreading layer by layer along the mountainside. The lights gradually come on at night, creating expansive views. You can arrange a Miao-costume photo shoot and learn about Miao traditions.

• Zhaoxing Dong Village: One of China's largest Dong villages, it preserves five century-old drum towers, with a stream running through the settlement. The local Dong Grand Song is a highlight, and you can also experience the relatively laid-back lifestyle of the Dong people.

• Zhenyuan Ancient Town: This ancient town has a history of more than 2,200 years. The Wuyang River runs through it in an S shape, earning it the nickname “the ancient water Taiji town.” Ming and Qing buildings are arranged along the hills and beside the river. The town is especially pleasant at night and is free to enter.

• Jiabang Rice Terraces: One of China's four major original ecological terrace systems, these terraces are dotted with Miao stilted houses. The rice ripens in September and October, and clouds and mist often surround the area in the early morning, making it ideal for enjoying the mountain countryside.

• Basha Miao Village: Basha Miao Village is known as “China's last gunmen tribe.” Local men still wear traditional topknots and carry blunderbusses, and customs such as shaving with a sickle and firing guns to welcome guests can still be seen. The village has a distinctly rustic, traditional character.

Classic 5-Day, 4-Night Slow Travel Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Kaili and travel to Xijiang Thousand Miao Village. In the evening, go up to the viewing platform to watch the village lights gradually come on, then stroll along the old street and try local snacks at night.

• Day 2: Take a morning walk through the Miao village to observe the misty scenery and arrange a Miao-costume photo shoot. In the afternoon, travel to Zhaoxing Dong Village. At dusk, visit the five drum towers named Ren, Yi, Li, Zhi, and Xin, and enjoy the village's night views.

• Day 3: In the morning, take a sightseeing bus to Tang'an Rice Terraces. You can stop at a café near the rice fields and wait for sunset. Return to the Dong village in the afternoon to continue exploring and try batik and tie-dyeing. Watch a bonfire performance in the evening.
• Day 4: Travel from Zhaoxing to Jiabang Rice Terraces. The journey is fairly long, so hiring a private car is recommended. In the afternoon, enjoy the sunset from a terrace viewing platform, then stay overnight at a terrace guesthouse and take in the mountain surroundings.

• Day 5: Watch the sunrise and morning mist over the terraces, and take in the rural scenery during harvest season. Begin your return journey in the afternoon. Alternatively, travel to Zhenyuan Ancient Town and finish the trip with a walk along the Wuyang River.

Choosing Where to Stay

• Xijiang Thousand Miao Village: If you want to avoid frequent uphill climbs or will be carrying a lot of luggage, choose accommodation near Wind and Rain Bridge No. 6. If panoramic night views are more important, consider a room on the mountainside. The village has many stone-paved paths, making suitcases difficult to pull, so check whether your guesthouse provides luggage transport.

• Zhaoxing Dong Village: Within the village, accommodation near the Lituan or Zhituan Drum Tower is a good choice, and rooms often offer views of the drum towers reflected in the water. If you prefer peace and want elevated views, you can stay at a guesthouse at the top of Tang'an Rice Terraces, though there are fewer dining options there.

• Zhenyuan Ancient Town: Riverside guesthouses across from Zhusheng Bridge are relatively quiet and usually have good views. If you are traveling with children, confirm in advance whether there is an elevator. Many accommodations in the old town are converted from traditional wooden inns and typically do not have elevators.

Must-Try Local Food

• Sour Fish Soup / Sour Beef Soup: A signature dish of Qiandongnan, made with fermented sour soup flavored with litsea seeds and served with rice-field fish or fresh beef. It is tangy, spicy, and appetizing, at around ¥60–80 per person.

• Dong-Style Oil Tea: A common savory breakfast in the area, usually served with glutinous rice cakes or fried foods. Its flavor is quite different from a typical breakfast.

• Rice-Field Fish / Roasted Fragrant Pig: The rice-field fish are raised in the terraces, while fragrant pigs are generally raised by local farmers. Both have tender meat, with common preparations including sour-soup cooking and charcoal grilling.

• Roast Meat Wrapped in Glutinous Rice: A common street snack made by wrapping roast meat and seasonings in hot glutinous rice. One serving costs about ¥10.

• Iced Bayberry Juice: A sweet-and-sour, refreshing drink that pairs well with sour fish soup or griddle-cooked dishes and helps ease the heat of spicy food.

Transport and Practical Tips

• Getting There: Take the high-speed train to Kaili South Station, which is more convenient for reaching Xijiang Thousand Miao Village. You can also travel to Congjiang Station, which is more convenient for Zhaoxing Dong Village. After leaving the station, use the official scenic-area shuttle and avoid unlicensed cars soliciting passengers outside the station.
• Getting Around the Villages: Xijiang Thousand Miao Village and Zhaoxing Dong Village mostly have steep, stone-paved paths, so wear nonslip flat shoes. You can buy sightseeing-bus tickets, as exploring entirely on foot can be tiring.
• Photo Shoot Tips: Avoid renting Miao or Dong costumes on the main streets. Shops halfway up the hills or in side alleys are usually half the price, around ¥30–50 per hour. Before the shoot, confirm with the photographer how many original images and retouched photos are included, as well as whether items such as false eyelashes cost extra.
• Respect Local Customs: Ask for permission before photographing villagers or joining traditional performances. Do not touch elderly people's silver jewelry or ritual objects without permission.
• Weather and Clothing: Temperature differences between morning and evening can be significant in the mountains, so bring a light jacket. Mountain weather changes quickly, so carry an umbrella. Some villages have many mosquitoes and other insects, so consider bringing insect repellent.