A Travel Guide to Xijiang Miao Village
- Mar 16
- 8 min read
Tucked away among forested mountains, Xijiang Miao Village is the largest Miao ethnic village in the world. More than a thousand wooden homes line a steep mountainside, connected by narrow, winding staircases. While tourism has grown here, pockets of everyday life still remain—during our short visit, we saw kids playing badminton on a basketball court, locals enjoying a celebration together at home, and neighbors chatting in the streets.
In early December 2025, my cousins and I visited China for the first time. Xijiang Miao Village was unlike any place we’d seen before—it felt like a step back in time. What stood out to me was the way the Miao people live closely tied to the land, the stillness of the neighboring terraced fields and farmland with faint sounds from the village, and the way sunrise and sunset cast the most beautiful shifts in light over the village and surrounding mountains.
To help plan your own visit to Xijiang Miao Village, keep reading for our detailed guide—and watch my YouTube video! Planning a visit to China can feel overwhelming as it can be logistically tricky (at least it was for us), so I hope this guide makes it easier for you!
If you're interested in exploring more of China, check out my blog post for a travel guide to Guilin and Yangshuo.
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific sections in this guide!
When to visit Xijiang Miao Village
Below you’ll find a breakdown of what weather to generally expect during each season in Xijiang Miao Village.
• Summer (June—August): Expect warm and humid weather. Summer is the hottest and wettest season in Xijiang Miao Village, with frequent rain showers turning the surrounding landscape into a sea of green. Summer is also a busy time for domestic tourism, so expect larger crowds throughout the village.
• Fall (September—November): Expect mild days and cool nights. Autumn is considered one of the best times to visit Xijiang Miao Village, with more comfortable temperatures making it ideal for exploring in and around the village. I highly recommend visiting during fall or early winter as this region becomes draped in fall colors.
• Winter (December—February): Expect cool to chilly weather. Winter is the quietest season in Xijiang Miao Village. While snow is rare, thin layers of frost can appear across the village and misty mornings are common.
• Spring (March—May): Expect mild weather. Spring is also recommended as one of the best times to visit Xijiang Miao Village, with comfortable temperatures and pockets of blooming flowers throughout the area. However, keep in mind that late spring marks the start of the rainy season.
Where to stay in Xijiang Miao Village
Below you'll find guidance for accommodations in Xijiang Miao Village based on our personal experience.
• Stay inside the village for the full experience (and for convenience). I highly recommend booking accommodation within the village. Not only will this allow you to experience the village before the day-trip crowds arrive (and after they leave), but it’s also more convenient—especially because access to the village requires taking a shuttle that runs on a set schedule.
• Expect mostly locally run accommodations. Most accommodations in the village are locally run guesthouses and boutique hotels rather than large international chains.
• Book through Booking.com or Trip.com. We booked our stay through the latter, but both platforms are reliable for China travel.
• Choose a room with a view of the village. We stayed at Yue Stay Hotel, which offered an unobstructed view of the village and surrounding mountains.
• Be prepared for lots of stairs. Most accommodations can only be accessed by steep, uneven staircases, as the village is built along the mountainside. Hotel staff will often help carry luggage to your accommodation, so consider packing lighter to be courteous.
Getting around in Xijiang Miao Village
Below you'll find recommendations on how to get to, from, and around Xijiang Miao Village.
Getting to and from Xijiang Miao Village: The village can only be reached by vehicle. The closest train stations are Kaili South Railway Station and Kaili Railway Station, and the closest major airport is Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (KWE). From there, you’ll need to take a DiDi, taxi, or pre-arranged private transfer to get to the village. Drivers are only allowed to drop off at the village entrance, where tickets must be purchased onsite which cover both entry and the shuttle into and out of the village.
This was the logistically trickiest part of our entire trip. We arrived at Sanduxian Railway Station, which was located in a small town. DiDis and taxis were scarce here, so it took some time to find a ride on the spot. While we ran into several obstacles to get to the village, our experience with our driver ended up being one of the most memorable moments of the trip for me. During the ride, we learned about his life which was vastly different from ours but grounded in values that were deeply meaningful and resonant. He was not only incredibly warm, but also went above and beyond to make sure we reached the village without issues. After the hour-and-a-half drive (and still having to make the return trip on his own), he even went with us into the ticket office in case we needed help—a kindness we won’t forget.
Getting around in Xijiang Miao Village: While private vehicles are not allowed in the village, tourist shuttle buses are available and stop at popular spots. However, the village is best explored on foot.
Travel tips for China
Below you'll find extra bits of information that you might want to know before your visit to China.
Are there international entry requirements that I should be aware of? As of March 2026, United States citizens need a valid passport and visa to enter China. However, entry requirements can change or vary depending on where you're traveling from—be sure to check the most up-to-date requirements here before your visit.
How do I get a visa? The process is mostly the same for all U.S. applicants, but the exact requirements might slightly vary depending on your local consulate—wherever you are, you can search online for your local consulate’s website to confirm the exact process. I got my visa through the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. As of March 2026, the process includes completing an online application, visiting the consulate in person to submit your completed application and passport, and returning to pick up your passport with the visa.
To expedite the entry process upon arrival in China, complete the official declaration card online before your visit. You can fill out your arrival card in advance on China’s National Immigration Administration Government Service Platform here to save time upon arrival.
What currency should I bring? For other countries, I’d typically always recommend bringing local currency. But in China, you can rely almost entirely on mobile payment. Every place (and person) from larger establishments to street vendors uses Alipay or WeChat Pay. I recommend downloading Alipay or WeChat Pay on your phone and linking your credit card beforehand—payments are made directly from your card.
How does internet work in China? This stressed me out the most before our trip, especially because I needed access to U.S.-based sites. As you might know, China has very strict internet regulations (often referred to as the "Great Firewall") which block access to sites like Google, YouTube, and more. Here’s how I stayed connected during our visit:
• Accessing blocked sites requires both an internet connection and a VPN. Internet can be via mobile data or Wi-Fi, but a VPN is needed to access blocked sites.
• I used this eSIM from Airalo that included both mobile data and VPN for my phone, which worked reliably throughout our visit. If you plan to purchase an eSIM from Airalo, you can use my referral code for $3 off your first purchase: CAROL5123.
• If you plan to use Wi-Fi on your phone or laptop, you’ll still need a separate VPN to access blocked sites. I used Mullvad VPN and LetsVPN, which were both easy to set up and use. I purchased two because it was recommended to have a backup in case one doesn’t work.
Make sure to download these apps prior to your visit. In addition to Alipay or WeChat Pay, be sure to download these apps ahead of time to make your visit smoother:
• WeChat: China's primary messaging app—similar to WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
• DiDi: China’s primary ride-hailing app—similar to Uber and Lyft.
• AMap: China’s primary navigation app—similar to Apple Maps and Google Maps.
• Google Translate: Download offline translations in advance, and use your phone’s camera to translate text on the go.
• Dianping: China's primary local reviews app—similar to Yelp and Google Reviews.
• Trip.com: If you booked trains or hotels through Trip.com, download the app to easily access your bookings.
Only certain power banks are allowed. If you plan to bring a power bank to China, be aware that only certain models are allowed. Power banks must meet the requirements here—otherwise, they will be confiscated at the airport (mine was).
Things to Do in Xijiang Miao Village
Below you'll find recommendations for things to do in Xijiang Miao Village. Plan to spend at least one full day walking around the village and try to explore beyond the main paths—some of our most memorable moments happened off the beaten path. Note that all of the links listed below direct to AMap (China's primary navigation app), as some locations can’t be pinpointed on Google Maps.
Wind and Rain Bridges: Originally built to help locals cross between either side of the village, the Wind and Rain Bridges were also designed to provide feng shui. These covered pedestrian bridges stretch across the river running through the center of the village. Be sure to visit all seven bridges, each offering a different view.
Sightseeing platform: This dedicated sightseeing platform offers a view of the entire village, with terraced fields and mountains stretching out behind it. It can be reached by tourist shuttle bus, though we chose to walk up from our hotel. That said, many of the village staircases also offer similar views if you’re already exploring on foot.
Lusheng Square: Watch a Miao folk song and dance performance at Lusheng Square, showcasing the village's rich traditions steeped in history—many of which are well over a thousand years old. Performances are held daily around 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM (times may vary, so be sure to confirm with locals).
Tickets are not required. This is a free, public performance.
Staircases and alleyways: Take some time to wander the village’s maze of staircases and alleyways—the perfect way to see pockets of local life… and plenty of adorable cats along the way! You can use Gage Alley as a starting point.
Farmland and terraced fields: One of my favorite parts of the village was the farmland near the terraced fields. Here, life felt quiet and still, with only distant hums from the village. We saw locals walking to their homes by the farmland, away from the main tourist area. Being here not only gave us a glimpse into daily life, but also a clear picture of how the village has adapted to the land.
To reach the farmland, walk past this bridge.
Street vendors: The village has a plethora of street vendors offering a variety of foods, snacks, and drinks. Some of my favorites were the sweet potatoes, pork skewers, and soy milk! But if you’re looking for a sit-down meal, I highly recommend hot pot at this restaurant which a local had recommended.
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