Searching for Spirited Away｜Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village

It wasn't until I left Qianhu Miao Village that I realized Xijiang had quietly tied its beauty to my heart.

Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is located at the foot of Leigong Mountain in the northeastern part of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. It is currently the largest Miao ethnic settlement in the world.

The village is built along the mountain, with the Baishui River running through it, creating a picturesque scene of green mountains as a backdrop and a jade-like ribbon at its feet. The village still preserves traditional wooden stilted houses, which are layered and orderly along the slopes. These houses are representative of traditional Miao architecture and have been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

I love overlooking the village from the viewing platform in the early morning, where the morning mist intertwines with the cooking smoke, sketching the outline of a fairyland. When the lights come on at night, it feels like stars have fallen to the earth. The thousands of lights in the village illuminate the valley, and from the viewing platform, it feels like stepping into the world of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away.

Unforgettable are the Miao singing and dancing performances at the Lusheng Square, where visitors can participate and experience the enthusiasm of the Miao people. Unforgettable are the exquisite carvings on the Wind and Rain Bridge in the village, telling historical stories. Unforgettable are the simple thousand-year-old terraced fields, which change their appearance with the seasons.

If you have the chance, you must visit Xijiang, known as the "Miao Open-Air Museum," to personally experience the unique culture and magnificent natural scenery of Qianhu Miao Village.

Post by 左撇子碩士 | Oct 30, 2025