Backpacking 26 days through 6 provinces in China Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi and 3 days in Hanoi, North Vietnam (29 Mar - 26 Apr 2011).
Day 16 (13.04.2011) Fenghuang > Tongren > Kaili > Xijiang Qianhu Miao village
Getting to Xijiang, we first took the 9am bus (Y1) to Tongren, got on a 12pm bus (Y82) to Kaili and changed into another 4pm bus (Y24) to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. Started the bus journey at 9am and reaching our destination at 6pm - it was a long journey getting to Xijiang from Fenghuang ... by local bus ride.
We stayed at Full View guesthouse at Y120 a room for 2 and had dinner here. This guesthouse is strongly recommended as it is clean, quiet and has full view of the whole Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. The food prepared by the guesthouse is also fantastic.
Xijiang Miao Village, the thousand-household village, is the largest Miao village in China. Travelers can see wooden stilted houses, wind and rain bridges and experience colorful Miao’s performance and festivals.
Kaili township 凯里 is a county-level city under the administration of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, in southeastern Guizhou province.
Another street scene in Kaili town.
At Kaili bus station for the 4pm bus (Y24) to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
The beautiful country side farm houses on the road to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
The entrance fee of Y60pp to get into Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Panoramic view of the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village from the mountain road leading down to village.
Xijiang is a village in Eastern Guizhou, known as the largest Miao village in China. It bears the title 'thousand household village' and has a little over a thousand residential dwellings, which amounts to a population of over 5000, of which 99.5% are Miao.
It is often quoted by researchers as a living fossil for the study of the Miao people's history and traditional culture. It is host to a number of festivals, particularly around the Chinese new year, where Miao from surrounding villages.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village map.
We stayed at Full View Guesthouse at Y120 a room for 2 and had dinner here. This guesthouse is strongly recommended as it is clean, quiet and has full view of the whole Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. The food prepared by the guesthouse is also fantastic.
Ching Neng Bin taking a rest in Full View Guesthouse room at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
A boy from Full View Guesthouse taking dinner at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Bai River runs through Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Dancing girls taking photos at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Ching Neng Bin took this night photos of the lighted Xijiang Miao Village from his room at Full View Guesthouse.
The wooden Wind and Rain Bridge over the Bai River in Xijiang Miao Village.
An elderly mother, daughter and grand-son at Full View Guesthouse in Xijiang Miao Village.
Day 17 (14.04.2011) Xijiang Miao Village
In the morning we trekked up the narrow street lanes through the villages along the hill slopes right up to the top where we saw the Dating Ground. This place is where the young Miao couples meet and chat. We also had seen how the people built their own wooden houses with river stone foundation. At 11.30am we had the opportunity to see a half hour free cultural show performed twice daily with songs and dances.
In the afternoon at 2.30pm, we trekked 4km to Gan Rong to visit another Miao Village with farmyard and rice-terrace. In the evening after dinner, we went again for the specially arranged Miao cultural show at the square.
Day 16 (13.04.2011) Fenghuang > Tongren > Kaili > Xijiang Qianhu Miao village
Getting to Xijiang, we first took the 9am bus (Y1) to Tongren, got on a 12pm bus (Y82) to Kaili and changed into another 4pm bus (Y24) to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. Started the bus journey at 9am and reaching our destination at 6pm - it was a long journey getting to Xijiang from Fenghuang ... by local bus ride.
We stayed at Full View guesthouse at Y120 a room for 2 and had dinner here. This guesthouse is strongly recommended as it is clean, quiet and has full view of the whole Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. The food prepared by the guesthouse is also fantastic.
Xijiang Miao Village, the thousand-household village, is the largest Miao village in China. Travelers can see wooden stilted houses, wind and rain bridges and experience colorful Miao’s performance and festivals.
Kaili township 凯里 is a county-level city under the administration of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, in southeastern Guizhou province.
Another street scene in Kaili town.
At Kaili bus station for the 4pm bus (Y24) to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
The beautiful country side farm houses on the road to Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
The entrance fee of Y60pp to get into Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Panoramic view of the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village from the mountain road leading down to village.
Xijiang is a village in Eastern Guizhou, known as the largest Miao village in China. It bears the title 'thousand household village' and has a little over a thousand residential dwellings, which amounts to a population of over 5000, of which 99.5% are Miao.
It is often quoted by researchers as a living fossil for the study of the Miao people's history and traditional culture. It is host to a number of festivals, particularly around the Chinese new year, where Miao from surrounding villages.
Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village map.
We stayed at Full View Guesthouse at Y120 a room for 2 and had dinner here. This guesthouse is strongly recommended as it is clean, quiet and has full view of the whole Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. The food prepared by the guesthouse is also fantastic.
Ching Neng Bin taking a rest in Full View Guesthouse room at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
A boy from Full View Guesthouse taking dinner at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Bai River runs through Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Dancing girls taking photos at Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.
Ching Neng Bin took this night photos of the lighted Xijiang Miao Village from his room at Full View Guesthouse.
The wooden Wind and Rain Bridge over the Bai River in Xijiang Miao Village.
An elderly mother, daughter and grand-son at Full View Guesthouse in Xijiang Miao Village.
Day 17 (14.04.2011) Xijiang Miao Village
In the morning we trekked up the narrow street lanes through the villages along the hill slopes right up to the top where we saw the Dating Ground. This place is where the young Miao couples meet and chat. We also had seen how the people built their own wooden houses with river stone foundation. At 11.30am we had the opportunity to see a half hour free cultural show performed twice daily with songs and dances.
In the afternoon at 2.30pm, we trekked 4km to Gan Rong to visit another Miao Village with farmyard and rice-terrace. In the evening after dinner, we went again for the specially arranged Miao cultural show at the square.
Xijiang Miao Village is an incredible collection of closely packed wooden houses built on river stone foundations well arranged up the side of two adjacent hills.
Xijiang Miao Village is an incredible collection of closely packed wooden houses.
The wooden Wind and Rain Bridge over the Bai River in Xijiang Miao Village.
Xijiang Miao Village is an incredible collection of closely packed wooden houses.
We stayed at Full View Guesthouse in Xijiang Miao Village.
Xijiang Miao Village.
Walking to Xijiang Miao Village.
The wooden Wind and Rain Bridge over the Bai River in Xijiang Miao Village.
The other wooden Wind and Rain Bridge over the Bai River in Xijiang Miao Village.
We trekked up the street through Xijiang Miao Village market along the hill slopes. The best way to experience Xijiang is just walking around, soaking the Miao culture that exudes from all sides, from the decorations of the buildings, to the traditional clothes worn by the locals.
We trekked up the street through Xijiang Miao Village market along the hill slopes.
The Miao traditional costume at Xijiang Miao Village market.
The Miao metal handicraft for sale at Xijiang Miao Village.
The Miao metal handicraft for sale at Xijiang Miao Village.
Vegetables and fruits for sale along the street at Xijiang Miao Village.
Vegetables and fruits for sale along the street at Xijiang Miao Village.
Honey and royal jelly for sale along the street at Xijiang Miao Village market.
Honey and royal jelly for sale along the street at Xijiang Miao Village market.
Well dressed lady at Xijiang Miao Village.
Ching Neng Bin gave a helping hand in pounding sticky rice at Xijiang Miao Village.
Lee Kam Boon also helped in pounding sticky rice at Xijiang Miao Village.
Sticky rice almost like our local "mua chi" wrap up with filling of our choice.
We trekked further up the street through Xijiang Miao Village along the hill slopes.
We trekked further up the street through Xijiang Miao Village along the hill slopes.
While the main streets are quite full of souvenir shops selling snacks, trinkets and beautiful silver works, just going up towards the outlying areas of the village is possible to get out of the crowds and enjoy a much more peaceful Xijiang.
We trekked further up the street through Xijiang Miao Village along the hill slopes.
Well dressed old gentlemen sitting together at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly ladies in their finery sitting pretty with the silver neck band at Xijiang Miao Village.
That is why Xijiang is so unique ... the whole village is a living Miao experience for visitors whilst the Miao people can continue their traditional lifestyle & also enjoy a little bit more prosperity from tourism.
Traditionally dressed elderly ladies converge here to do the Miao welcome dance for visitors and govt. would pay each Y14 per day at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly ladies converge here to do the Miao welcome dance for visitors.
Traditionally dressed elderly lady at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly lady at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly lady at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly lady at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly lady at Xijiang Miao Village.
Traditionally dressed elderly man at Xijiang Miao Village.
Street at Xijiang Miao Village.
This cement steps took us up the hill slope to the top at Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful Miao girl in traditional dress coming down for cultural performance.
The Xijiang Miao Village view from the hill slope.
The beautiful sight of the haphazard clusters of Miao houses along the hill slope at Xijiang Miao Village.
A beautiful look out point on the hill at Xijiang Miao Village.
The stone wall house with corns being air dried along the veranda at Xijiang Miao Village.
Ching Neng Bin walking on the edge and has to be very careful not to roll over at Xijiang Miao Village. The main architecture of Xijiang Miao Village is the wooden stilted buildings. In this area, the wooden stilted houses are usually built one next to another on a 30-70 degree mountain slope, which forms a magnificent view. All these wooden architectures are without any nails and rivets. The buildings usually have three storeys, with different use. The first floor is used for storing tools and manure, raising poultry and livestock, etc. The second floor is used for living room, central room, bedroom and kitchen and out of the central room is the special place for resting and embroidery. The third floor is mainly used for storing grain.
Beautiful sight of the rice terraces on the hill slopes and valleys at Xijiang Miao Village.
A bee on the flowers at Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful sight of the rice terraces on the hill slopes and valleys at Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful sight of the rice terraces on the hill slopes and valleys at Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful sight of the rice terraces on the hill slopes and valleys at Xijiang Miao Village.
Three little Miao boys at the top of the hill at Xijiang Miao Village.
An elderly Miao man repairing the stone foundation of his house at Xijiang Miao Village.
Ching Neng Bin walking on the edge again for panoramic view of the valley below.
A mother and child walking down the hill at Xijiang Miao Village.
A lady farmer sorting out the produce at Xijiang Miao Village.
The main architecture of Xijiang Miao Village is the wooden stilted buildings.
The main architecture of Xijiang Miao Village is the wooden stilted buildings.
Beautiful sight of the rice terraces on the hill slopes and valleys at Xijiang Miao Village.
The Miao stone grave along the road beside the houses at Xijiang Miao Village.
The Dating Ground at the top of the hill and have a look at the whole Xijiang Miao Village.
The white horse at Dating Ground of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's Performance - Twice a day around noon and 5pm, free Miao performances (15 minutes) are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful Miao dancing girl with intricate head gears at Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful Miao dancing girl with intricate head gears at Xijiang Miao Village.
Beautiful Miao dancing girl with intricate head gears at Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance are played in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Lee Kam Boon and Bernard Lee having beef noodle for lunch at Xijiang Miao Village.
Gan Choi Geok enjoying the noodle. Noticed a plastic is wrapped over the bowl at Xijiang Miao Village.
Workers cleaning and upgrading the Bai river banks at Xijiang Miao Village.
Typical wooden village entrance gate arch at Xijiang Miao Village.
Senior Miao traders at a market of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao children at play at Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao lady auctioning her little piglets at Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao lady auctioning her little piglets at Xijiang Miao Village.
In the afternoon at 2.30pm, we trekked 4km to Gan Rong to visit another Miao Village with farmyard and rice-terrace.
We trekked 4km to Gan Rong to visit another Miao Village with farmyard and rice-terrace.
Gan Rong Miao Village with beautiful farmyard and rice-terrace.
The best time is always the dinner time to fill our stomach at the Full View Guesthouse, Xijiang Miao Village.
Dinner time at Full View Guesthouse, Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance at night in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.
Miao's performance at night in the squares of Xijiang Miao Village.Day 18 (15.04.2011) Xijiang > Yongjiang > Congjiang
Another 9 hours of long travelling today as we first took two vans (Y600 each) at 8.30am to Yongjiang in a 6 hour drive through the mountain roads to avoid the bumpy normal route to Yongjiang which is under repair. Then from Yongjiang we took a 3 hour bus (Y20) journey to Congjiang arriving at 6pm.
For the first time in our travel that we were not able to reach our destination. Today we are supposed to reach Chenyang to view the 'bridge house', but by the time we arrived at Congjiang it was too late to proceed further, so we had no choice but to stay a night at a local hotel (Y80) and had dinner at a cafe nearby. This town is dusty and dirty due to road works and housing development everywhere.
The way to transport log in Xijiang Miao Village.
Bernard Lee answering emergency nature's call by the roadside.
A 9 hours of long travelling today from Xijiang Miao Village to Congjiang arriving at 6pm.
A short stopped in a village for van driver to take breakfast on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Congjiang.
A small village view on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Congjiang.
A rock garden view on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Congjiang.
There are many such arch along the long and winding mountain road to Congjiang.
Part of the very misty 6 hour drive through the mountain roads from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
Part of the very misty 6 hour drive through the mountain roads from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
Taking a toilet break on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
Part of the very misty 6 hour drive through the mountain roads from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
Another toilet break on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
Another toilet break on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
There are many such arch along the long and winding mountain road from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
The wooden country houses along the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
Another toilet break on the road from Xijiang Miao Village to Yongjiang.
An iconic pagoda at Yongjiang town.
An iconic pagoda at Yongjiang town.
In a cloud of dust and dirt road from Yongjiang town to Congjiang.
The packed bus ride from Yongjiang to Congjiang - student can hitch a ride for free.
The newly constructed highway from Yongjiang to Congjiang.
This is Congjiang town - arriving at 6pm.
Dinner in Congjiang town and later walk around.
Total expenses in China to-date is RM2,261 per person. End of part 5.
///Backpacking Adventure
Simply breathtaking scenery and beautiful landscapes in Guizhou. Thank you so much for your kind sharing, Bro. Ching!!!
ReplyDeleteI can see a pic of me scouting around for a secluded spot for nature's call ! :)
ReplyDelete