May Day Reverse Tourism: Exploring China's Last Gun-Holding Tribe

Tired of the crowds in popular cities? This time, dive into the mountains of Guizhou and unlock a long-treasured niche travel destination: Basha Miao Village. This primitive tribe, hidden deep in the mountains of Congjiang County, is known as "China's Last Gunman Tribe" and is one of the 21 mysterious primitive ecological tribes in the world! I spent two days here immersed in the culture and have compiled this guide to help you avoid the crowds and experience the real "primitive secret realm."

📍 How to get there?

- Transportation: Take the high-speed train to Congjiang Station, then:
✅ Take the scenic direct bus (Congjiang Station-Zhaoxing Dong Village line, get on at the Health Center, round trip is CNY 60, departures from 9:30–12:30, advance booking required) to Basha Miao Village;
✅ Or take a taxi directly (more flexible).

- Cost: Admission ticket is CNY 40, shuttle bus in the scenic area is CNY 20, performance ticket is CNY 40.

🌿 Walking into the Shangri-La of Dayao Mountain

This ancient village, hidden in the folds of the Guizhou mountains, still maintains an almost original appearance: no commercial shops, only stilted buildings built on the mountains, with green tiles and wooden walls looming in the clouds. Standing on the observation deck and looking into the distance, the entire village is like a secret realm forgotten by time, and the simplicity and mystery of the Miao architecture rushes towards you.

👥 Must-see tribal culture

✅ Scythe haircutting/coming-of-age ceremony: A 16-year-old boy has his head shaved with a sickle and carries a hunting gun on his back, completing the transformation from a boy to a "gunman," full of ritual!
✅ Bullfighting/ancient dispute resolution: A traditional competition in which bulls are the "referees." Everyone accepts the outcome, primitive and full of wildness.
✅ Tree burial/philosophy of living in harmony with nature: After a person passes away, they are transformed into a tree, and every leaf is a continuation of life. The belief that all things have a spirit takes root here.

🏡 Where to stay?

**Mu She Xi Wei Homestay (Basha Miao Village Branch)** is the first choice! It is rooted in the core location of the scenic area, with mountain views from the window. You can spend an afternoon by the window in the lobby with a cup of coffee and a book. I never expected the mountains of Guizhou to be so beautiful and peaceful, truly "stealing half a day of leisure."

❗️ Useful Tips

1. See the village from God's perspective: Bring a drone! When shooting aerial photography on a sunny day, the stilted buildings are intertwined with the green mountains and clouds, and every frame is wallpaper-worthy.

2. Leave a way back: It is not easy to get a taxi from Miao Village back to Congjiang Station, so it is recommended to keep the driver's phone number in advance to avoid missing your train.

3. Notes on fire gun culture: It is a traditional custom for men in Miao Village to carry guns, but it is strictly forbidden to carry guns out of the village. Please respect local rules!

When the hustle and bustle of the city is suffocating, why not dive into such a primitive tribe—listen to the ritual horn of the sickle haircut, watch the dust raised in the bullfighting arena, and feel the dialogue between life and nature in the tree burial forest. This May Day, be a "reverse" light chaser! 🌿