The grace and majesty of the Miao people
A CULTURAL JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF PENGSHUI COUNTY
Step into a world where ancient legends breathe through emerald valleys and vibrant traditions paint the landscape.
In Pengshui County, the story of the Miao people begins to unfold along the misty banks of the Wujiang River, echoing from centuries-old towering stilt houses and soaring limestone karst peaks.
This is a realm of sacred history and untamed natural beauty—a place where every view and hidden pathway invites you deeper into a living heritage. Prepare to lose yourself in an extraordinary cultural journey where time slows down and the welcoming majestic spirit of the Miao people awaits.
Your adventure begins in the light and shadow of towering green mountains and ancient architecture. At Chiyou Jiuli City, the grand history of the Miao comes alive through spectacular structures and thriving artisan crafts; intricate embroidery and silver, all crafted by master hands.
For those seeking natural wonders, drift on traditional bamboo rafts along the Ayi River and visit striking karst formations that showcase nature's raw artistry. Beyond the scenery, you will connect deeply with the living culture of communities here. Whether you seek a cultural escape or outdoor adventure, the experience will stay with you for life.
A Miao marvel
Dominating the hillside with jaw-dropping scale, Chiyou Jiuli City is the largest Miao architectural complex, boasting three incredible Guinness World Records that applaud its architectural grandeur.
As you approach the entrance, you are met by the monumental Nine Gates—which is the world's largest Miao gatehouse landscape.
And, deep within the complex, the staggering 99-metre-tall Jiuli Palace rises against the cliffs as the world’s tallest and largest stilted building.
Nearby, the breathtaking Jiuli Sacred Pillar commands the plaza as the tallest and largest stone Miao totem pole on Earth, intricately carved with 108 mythical figures.
Beyond its record-breaking structures, this living city offers tourists an immersive dive into the vibrant beating heart of Miao tribal heritage. Every day, the complex comes alive with thrilling cultural showcases, from gravity-defying Knife Mountain climbing stunts to the rhythmic beats of bamboo and drum dancing. Inside the winding corridors of the Jiuli Palace museum, visitors can view stunning collections of brilliant silver headdresses and exquisite examples of embroidery.
This majestic fortress is not simply built; it is sculpted into the mountainside like a frozen waterfall of interlocking wood and stone.
High Mountains, Flowing Wine
DARE TO TRY THE ULTIMATE MIAO TOASTING CHALLENGE
Experience the exhilarating 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' (Gaoshan Liushui) ceremony, a legendary tableside toasting ritual that showcases the deepest hospitality of China's Miao ethnic minority.
This passionate ritual was created to honour weary travellers and solidify community bonds through joyful oral traditions rather than written text. During the toast, the hosts sing melodic antiphonal welcoming songs to celebrate friendship.
The star of the ceremony is a sweet, aromatic, homemade rice wine poured from stacked ceramic bowls in a continuous, waterfall-like cascade directly into the guest's mouth.
Because custom strictly dictates that you cannot touch the bowls with your hands, the receiving person must keep drinking for as long as the wine flows and the music plays—making it an unforgettable challenge of endurance and an ultimate sign of respect.
Neon in nature
As night falls in Chiyou Jiuli City, the entire mountain fortress transforms into a glowing, ethereal palace beneath the stars, providing the perfect backdrop to sample authentic delicacies like Miao sour soup fish. It is an unparalleled destination where legendary tribal history, stunning photography spots and sensory experiences combine.
More Miao moments
Beyond Chiyou Jiuli City, the wider region reveals a spectacular landscape of pristine valleys and ancient stilt-house settlements. These secluded villages offer an authentic glimpse into daily Miao life, where centuries-old traditions remain completely untouched by time.
As you wander off the beaten path, the scenery unfolds into dramatic karst rock formations, hidden waterfalls, and quiet stone pathways. The air here is exceptionally crisp and clean, carrying the sweet scent of wild mountain orchids, pine wood and damp river stone.
It is a peaceful, rustic world where the beautiful melodies of traditional folk songs echo through the hills.
The historical communities nestled along the Ayi River are especially enchanting. This pristine waterway carves through deep limestone canyons, flanking riverside settlements with soaring cliffs and crystal-clear jade waters. Visiting these waterside havens allows travellers to experience legendary Miao hospitality firsthand, whether drifting down the calm currents on a traditional bamboo raft or sharing a regional meal.
A geological wonder
THE GRAVITY DEFYING LOTUS STONE OF DACHICUN
Dachicun village, an 800-year-old clan settlement, hosts a geological site and a millions-of-years-old karst marvel called the ‘Stone Lotus’, or Shimoyan. Resembling a blooming flower, it stands as a sacred monument deeply tied to Miao folklore. According to indigenous myth, it symbolises eternal love and spiritual connection. Revered as the 'first stone in the world' it is a majestic natural altar where the community has gathered for generations to pay reverence to the earth, elements and the spirits of the peaks.
Jiao Ao Yi translates to 'beautiful Miao maiden' and is the single most famous folk song of the Miao ethnic group in Pengshui County. It is the definitive cultural anthem for the region—so much so that Pengshui's famous Ayi River is named directly after it.
Surrounding the village is a wild Stone Forest Maze featuring more than 30 bizarrely weathered rock formations. Explorers can navigate a natural labyrinth filled with jagged limestone crags shaped like crane beaks, stone geese and Egyptian lions. And, beyond its geological marvels, Dachicun is celebrated as the historic hometown of Miao folk songs and the birthplace of the legendary Pangetang which translates as ‘The Hall of Interlocking/Challenging Songs.’ This communal wooden structure and public square serves as a physical monument and spiritual home for the preservation of China’s national intangible cultural heritage. It is also where the famous oral masterpiece Jiao Ao Yi has been sung for generations.
Preserving living traditions
A PRISTINE WINDOW INTO MIAO ETHNIC MINORITY LIFE
Situated close to Dachicun village is the largest and best preserved family-style Miao settlement in the region. Luojiatuo features over 250 ancient wooden and tile stilted houses with distinct green tiles and flying eaves built directly against the steep mountain slopes. Home to generations sharing the Luo surname, Luojiatuo has preserved its raw architectural identity for more than five centuries and offers a pristine, living window into authentic ethnic minority life.
Ancestral traditions remain an active part of daily life. Visitors who time their trip with the vibrant Flower Mountain Festival can witness spectacular ‘Stone Lifting and Pole Erection’ ceremonies before joining a traditional long-table banquet.
Even outside of festival season, the village is a sensory feast. Travellers are welcomed with regional wine, hot pounded glutinous rice cakes, and authentic Miao-style oil tea cooked over farmhouse hearths. As a vital preservation site for national intangible cultural heritage, you can wander the historic pathways to the echoes of traditional Lusheng reed pipes, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to touch the true soul of Southwest China.
Exquisite embroidery
AN INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMBINING ART, CRAFT AND SKILL
Pengshui Miao Embroidery is far more than an art form; it is a beautiful visual language.
Officially recognised as a Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage, this ancient craft traces its spiritual roots back to the legendary tribal king Chiyou, the supreme ancestor of the Miao people.
Legend has it that during their great historical migrations, a brave female leader named Lan Juan came up with a brilliant idea: she used colored threads to stitch maps of their migration routes directly into her clothing.
Because the Miao people historically had no written script, every intricate stitch and bold geometric pattern became a way to record history, myths and memories.
Master artisans still practice direct embroidery without any pre-drawn sketches, using unique methods like layered, piled and knot techniques to keep a centuries-old history alive with every single stitch.
Today, National Model Worker Li Shaoyu and her enterprise the Rongyu Miao Embroidery Company are preserving this tradition through a 'Company & Farmer Household' model, offering free structured training to rural women, mothers and people with disabilities.
Once trained, these women receive raw materials to embroider high-quality crafts directly from the comfort of their homes. The company then buys back the finished pieces, ensuring a stable, guaranteed income.
By 2025, this incredible system had trained more than 2,000 people, providing a steady livelihood for more than 500 families. It has grown into a booming 10-million-yuan industry.
While rooted in centuries of tradition, this heritage skill is taking a giant leap into the modern world. By combining age-old stitching techniques with contemporary designs, the company creates innovative daily essentials—ranging from elegant butterfly brooches and briefcases to contemporary digital artwork and branding. These beautiful creations are now shared globally via e-commerce livestreaming, international design competitions and cultural exchange trips to countries like Singapore. What began as a humble village tradition has truly transformed into a globally celebrated art form.
Watch the company's video to see these remarkable artisans in action and discover how every stitch is weaving a brighter, more sustainable future for families in Pengshui.