Xijiang

Nestled at the foot of Leigong Mountain in Leishan County, Guizhou Province, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is the largest Miao settlement in China and possibly the world. The village is home to over 1400 households with a population of more than 6000 people, of whom 99.5% are Miao. Xijiang was one of the destinations of the five large-scale migrations of the Miao people in Chinese history; they travelled thousands of km over two or three thousand years before reaching the Leigong Mountain area and eventually settling here.
The village is built on steep slopes, with layer upon layer of traditional wooden stilted houses, known as Diao Jiao Lou, constructed without nails or rivets. A clear river named Baishui river runs through the valley, with seven wind and rain bridges spanning its banks. Xijiang was once trapped in poverty, with a per capita annual income of less than 1700 yuan in 2007. By 2024, this figure had risen to 31000 yuan—approximately 18 times that of 2007. Thirteen items of intangible cultural heritage, including the Miao New Year and Guzang Festival, have been recognised as national-level heritage.
How to get to Xijiang
The simplest way is to travel to Kaili south by high speed rail and from there take a taxi to the village.
Accommodation
There are hotels in Xijiang, bookable via international hotel booking portals.