Read my Travel Guide to discover rural Guizhou beyond the famous tourist spots, with practical tips for visiting Miao villages, Dong villages, rice terraces, and hidden places.
Rural Guizhou is one of the most interesting places to visit in China if you want to explore ethnic minority cultures, beautiful natural places, and take unique photos. The whole province is still quite underrated, especially if you step outside the most famous areas. You won’t find many tourists in most of the places I mention in this article.
At the same time, I think it is also one of those trips that can easily become repetitive if you do not plan it well, since, unlike Yunnan, most of the ethnic groups and villages honestly all look very similar, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
Why is Guizhou so underrated?
One of Guizhou’s biggest problems is its location. The province is surrounded by places that are often more famous, and honestly, easier to sell to travelers. To the west, you have Yunnan, with places like Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Yuanyang. To the north are Sichuan and Chongqing, with Chengdu and western Sichuan on the Tibetan Plateau. To the south, you have Guangxi, with Longji, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Xingping. To the east, there is Hunan, with Fenghuang, Furong and Zhangjiajie.
This means Guizhou is often ignored. Many tourists look at the map and choose one of the neighboring provinces instead, because the names are more familiar and the attractions are easier to understand. In a way, this is a curse for Guizhou.
But I like to look at it differently. I think this can be a big advantage. Since Guizhou sits right in the middle of these regions, it is quite easy to add five to seven days in rural Guizhou while also visiting other parts of southwest or south-central China. You could start in Chongqing, continue to Guiyang and the villages, then go east towards Fenghuang, Furong, and Zhangjiajie. Or you could continue south towards Longji, Guilin, Xingping, and Yangshuo.
This is probably the best way for most people to visit Guizhou. Instead of planning a long trip made only of villages, which might quickly become boring, you can use rural Guizhou as the cultural part of a bigger itinerary. This adds variety to the trip and makes the overall experience much more balanced.
Most people who visit Guizhou for the first time go to the famous places, especially Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village, Zhaoxing Dong Village, Huangguoshu Waterfall, and maybe Fanjingshan. But this might be disappointing for most people. If they decide to visit Guizhou, it is because they expect to find some authentic places, and despite being really great in pictures, none of these areas can be defined as “authentic ” anymore.
This article is based on my recent trip to Guizhou, and I will be very honest about what I liked, what I did not like, and what I think is worth your time.
Why visit rural Guizhou?
As I mentioned at the beginning, the main reasons to visit rural Guizhou are its culture and nature. This part of China is home to many ethnic minority communities, especially the Miao and Dong people. You will find wooden houses, drum towers, wind-and-rain bridges, silver workshops, embroidery, rice terraces, small markets, and villages that still feel alive.
The Dong villages are especially interesting because of their architecture and music. In many Dong villages, the drum tower is the center of the community. It is not just a beautiful wooden structure, but a place where people gather. Dong culture is also strongly connected with singing. The Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group is listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and it is one of the most important cultural traditions in this part of Guizhou.
Of course, not everything is untouched. Some villages already have tickets, electric buses, souvenir shops, costume rental shops, and photo sets for tourists. This is still China, of course, and tourism development moves fast. I don’t think this should stop you from visiting, but you should know what to expect.
For me, the most interesting part of the trip was not seeing the most famous places. It was visiting smaller villages like Huanggang and Zhanli, where people still live in a very local way, and tourism has not yet completely changed the atmosphere.
But I also want to be clear. Rural Guizhou is not always spectacular in the obvious sense. Some villages are interesting for one specific feature, some are good only in the right season, and some are honestly not worth visiting unless you have a very specific interest in documenting poverty or rural change in China.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit rural Guizhou is probably during the rice season, especially from late spring to autumn. If you want green terraces, summer can be beautiful, although it is also humid and rainy. If you want golden rice fields and harvest scenes, autumn is the best time.
That said, since most of this itinerary focuses on villages, you can actually visit almost any time of the year. The main issue is winter: it can be quite cold and humid, and many traditional houses and guesthouses lack proper heating.
In summer, it rains a lot, but this can also create a beautiful atmosphere, with misty mountains, low clouds, and a much more dramatic mood for photography.
For photography, I would try to visit around harvest season, usually in September, depending on the village and altitude. Around that time, there are also quite a few local festivals and buffalo fights, which can be very interesting to photograph if you manage to be there on the right dates.
Regarding the main Chinese public holidays, especially the first week of May and the first week of October, it is always a good idea to avoid traveling during those days. That said, these remote areas usually do not see many tourists, even during national holidays. The main issue is that the guesthouse and driver prices will definitely be higher.
How to visit rural Guizhou
The best way to visit rural Guizhou is with a local driver. There’s no way around it. While famous villages like Zhaoxing and Xijiang are well connected, most other small villages lack good public transportation. This is pretty much true all over China. If you want to explore rural, authentic areas and avoid tourists, you’ll have to travel by car.
If you need a local driver or a travel company to organize this kind of itinerary, you can DM me on Instagram. I can put you in touch with someone local.
Rural Guizhou Recommended Itinerary
This is the itinerary I followed because I had plenty of time and wanted to explore as many villages as possible. But as I mentioned earlier, if you include only villages, the trip can quickly become repetitive. I recommend using the following itinerary as inspiration and including only a few of these places, depending on how much time you have and what kind of trip you want to take.
Day 1: Guiyang (贵阳), Matang Gejia Village (麻塘革家寨), and Langde (朗德苗寨)
Your first stop will most likely be Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou. I recommend spending one night there before starting the trip. Guiyang is one of my favourite cities in China. It reminds me a bit of Hong Kong and Chongqing, but on a much smaller scale, with steep streets, dense buildings, old neighborhoods, and a very local atmosphere. It is still a big Chinese city, of course, but it feels more traditional than many other provincial capitals, and it can be very good for street photography, especially in the evening and early morning.
The following morning, you can start your trip from Guiyang. The first stop, Dolpit Coffee, also called Qiongdao Tiankeng Coffee (穹岛天坑咖啡), is an interesting place to break the journey and take a few photos. It is basically a coffee shop built inside a cave. I would not build a trip around it, but it makes sense as a stop between Guiyang and the Kaili area.
There are more and more places like this popping up in Guizhou and Guangxi, as many rural areas are trying to attract tourists but often have little else to offer. Before heading there, make sure it’s still open. Unfortunately, places like this open and then go bankrupt quite frequently because the business is not profitable (unless they get subsidized by the government). The place is mainly good for photography and as a quick stop to rest.
After that, head to Matang Gejia Village (麻塘革家寨). I had already been there years ago, and I wanted to see how it had changed. The Gejia are a small community living mainly around the Kaili area. They are often officially classified as part of the Miao group, but they have their own identity, clothing, customs, batik, and embroidery traditions. Matang is one of the best-known Gejia villages near Kaili.
Matang is culturally interesting, but I do not think there is a lot to do in the village. It is worth visiting if you are curious about the Gejia people or want to photograph local costumes, batik, or embroidery, but it is not a place where I would spend too much time.
You can then head to the famous Langde Miao Village (朗德苗寨) and stay there for the night (I recommend this guesthouse). I think Langde is still a good option if you want a Miao village that isn’t as overwhelming as nearby Xijiang. It is already developed, with a ticket required to enter the village, and there are too many shops and photo setups for my taste, but it is still nice and not too busy with local people living there.
Day 2: Maliao (麻料村), Qiaoniao (雀鸟村), Wudong (乌东村), and Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨)
The first stop on the second day is Maliao (麻料村). This village is interesting mainly for its silversmithing tradition. Local artisans are very skilled, and it is possible to attend a workshop. Maliao is often described as a silversmith village, and Miao silverwork in the area has been connected with national intangible cultural heritage protection and tourism development.
I think this is the main reason to visit. Apart from that, there is not much to do unless you want to hike in the area. But if you are interested in photographing crafts, it is a good stop. Silver is a very important part of Miao culture in Guizhou, and seeing the work behind the final piece is much more interesting than only seeing silver decorations in a tourist shop.
After Maliao, you can head to Qiaoniao (雀鸟). This village had no tourists when I was there, but it felt a bit empty. I think Qiaoniao is probably much better during the harvest season, when the rice terraces and village life are more active. Outside of that period, it may feel a bit too quiet.
The next stop is Wudong (乌东). The village has many small water channels, and when the weather is clear, the view is beautiful, with the surrounding rice terraces.
The final stop is Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨). This is one of the places I would fully recommend (do not confuse it with Dali in Yunnan). This is a Dong village, and it’s one of the best stops on the trip.
Dali is already commercialized, and there’s a ticket to pay to enter the village and an electric bus, but it’s still worth it. People still live there, the atmosphere is good, and it is very good for photography.
The village has a good balance. It is not completely untouched, but it does not feel fake either. You can still find wooden houses, stone paths, bridges, old trees, village life, and people going about their day. If you only have time for a few villages in rural Guizhou, I would keep Dali on the itinerary.
Day 3: Zaidang Dong Village (宰荡侗寨) and Huanggang Dong Village (黄岗侗寨)
The first stop of the day is Zaidang Dong Village (宰荡侗寨). This is an authentic village with no ticket when I visited, and the locals are extremely welcoming. There are quite a lot of people still living there, and the village feels quite busy.
There is not a long list of attractions in Zaidang. You go there to walk slowly, observe daily life, talk with people if you can, and photograph the village without feeling that everything has been arranged for visitors.
The next stop is Huanggang Dong Village (黄冈). I’m not gonna lie: I had very high expectations after so many people told me that this is the most beautiful village in Guizhou. And they were absolutely right.
Huanggang is known for its drum towers. There’s usually one in each village, but Huanggang has eight, each connected with local Dong clans and agricultural traditions. You may read that there are five, and this is what many tourist sources mention, but it’s not true.
This is the kind of place you should visit as soon as possible, because I don’t think it will stay like this for long. The village is close to Zhaoxing, but the atmosphere is completely different. Huanggang today feels like what Zhaoxing Dong Village must have been like 15 years ago, before mass tourism and heavy commercialization changed it. Huanggang has a real village atmosphere, and it’s truly beautiful.
I heard that the government is preparing to develop it, and in China, this means heavy gentrification, new guesthouses, performance spaces, tickets, parking lots, standardized shops and a cleaner but less authentic version of the original place. I cannot say exactly what will happen, but if Huanggang follows the same path as many other villages, it may lose a lot of what makes it special now. In any case, as of now, it truly is beautiful. Stay there one night: you won’t regret it. I recommend this guesthouse.
Day 4: Zhanli Dong Village (占里侗寨), Yintan Shangzhai (银潭上寨), and Congjiang (从江)
After Huanggang, head to Zhanli Dong Village (占里侗寨). This was another hidden gem, and I would fully recommend it. Zhanli is especially interesting during the rice-drying season because of the traditional structures used for drying rice. These create a distinct visual element, especially in autumn, when the rice is hanging.
Zhanli is not commercialized at all, and it still feels like a real place. For photography, I think it is one of the most underrated stops in this itinerary, especially if you follow the small river upwards and walk towards the end of the village.
Yintan Shangzhai (银潭上寨) is another village located not too far away. Is just ok compared to the previous ones, and I only recommend it if you have extra time, otherwise, I would just skip it.
You can end the day in Congjiang (从江县). There really is not much to do here, so it is mainly useful as a small county town where you can spend the night. Congjiang has a train station, so if you want to end your trip here, you can easily continue to other places, such as Guilin, which is only about 40 minutes away.
Day 5: Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨), Dadai Dazhai (大歹大寨), Dadai (大歹村), Daijia (歹家村), and back to Congjiang (从江)
Before visiting the Dadai area, you can stop at Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨). The village itself is not very good compared with other places. It’s extremely commercialized, but from a photography perspective, it can still be interesting because it is possible to arrange a photoshoot with the Basha gunmen.
Basha is famous in China as the “last gunmen tribe”, because local Miao men traditionally carried firelocks, wore a topknot, and used a sickle to shave the hair around it. The topknot is connected with ancestral identity and local beliefs, and the sickle haircut has become one of the most recognizable traditions of the village. Basha is also known for tree worship and old forest beliefs, with the village surrounded by ancient trees and built into the mountain landscape. Several Chinese sources describe Basha as a place where customs such as carrying firelocks, sickle haircuts, and worshipping ancient trees are still part of its cultural identity, but it’s honestly just for marketing.
The other villages are also a bit difficult to recommend. Dadai Dazhai (大歹大寨), Dadai (大歹村), and Daijia (歹家村) are among the poorest places I have seen in Guizhou. Chinese reports about Dadai Village describe it as a deeply poor village before recent poverty alleviation efforts, with road construction, livestock projects, and other development initiatives introduced to improve local conditions. The truth is, GDP per capita is still around 650€ per year, so, as you can imagine, life is quite challenging there.
For a tourist, I don’t think these villages are worth visiting unless you have a specific interest in seeing the poorest side of rural Guizhou or documenting social change.
Honestly, I would not include this day in a normal itinerary unless you are interested in photography. I would rather spend more time in Huanggang, Zhanli, Dali or add Jiabang Rice Terraces if the season is right.
Day 6: Longli Ancient Town (隆里古城), Zhenyuan (镇远古城), and back to Guiyang (贵阳)
Longli (隆里古城) is a very interesting surprise. It is developed, but not too touristy, and is ideal for a short two-hour visit. The town has a very different feel from the Miao and Dong villages because of its strong Han military history.
Longli was built as a military town during the Ming period, and this explains why some of the architecture feels different from the rest of rural Guizhou. It is connected to Tunpu and the ancient fortified-town culture in Guizhou, and official Guizhou tourism information describes Longli Ancient City as a living ancient Han-culture city in Jinping County. The architecture clearly reminds of Anhui Province. After several days of wooden villages, drum towers and rice terraces, it’s nice to see a town with a different history and urban structure.
The last major stop is Zhenyuan Ancient Town (镇远古城). Keep in mind that is extremely commercial, but I still think it is nice. It reminded me a bit of Fenghuang, but with fewer tourists. The town sits along the Wuyang River, with old buildings, bridges, mountains, and lights reflecting on the water at night. Zhenyuan is often described as one of the main ancient towns in Qiandongnan, located about 97 km from Kaili and about 265 km from Guiyang. I wrote a detailed guide about this town in this article.
Above the town, on Shiping Mountain, there is also a section often called the Miao Great Wall. This is not the same as the famous Great Wall in northern China. It is a local defensive wall connected with the history of the Miao frontier region and the conflicts between imperial authorities and local communities. If you have time, the mountain area is also good for views over Zhenyuan.
Which villages are actually worth visiting?
If I had to choose only the best villages from this trip, I would focus on Huanggang (黄岗侗寨), Zhanli (占里侗寨), and Dali (大利侗寨). Huanggang is the most important one. It still feels real, it is close to Zhaoxing, and I think it may change soon. Zhanli is great during harvest season thanks to its rice-drying structures. Dali is already developed, but still very photogenic and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Rural Guizhou is not the usual China you see on social media, and that is exactly what makes it interesting. You will find very authentic areas, but also a lot of poverty, and you will have the chance to discover a side of the country that is often hidden.
One important thing I would add is that many villages in Guizhou can start to look similar after a few days. Wooden houses, drum towers, rice terraces and narrow lanes are beautiful, but if you only walk around taking pictures, the trip can become repetitive quite fast. This is why I think having a good local guide can make a big difference, possibly someone who is Miao or Dong, or at least someone from the area who really understands the local culture. A good guide can help you experience local life in a more meaningful way, explain the customs behind what you see, and introduce you to people respectfully.
If you plan this trip well, rural Guizhou can be one of the most rewarding travel experiences in China. But do not rush it, do not try to visit every village just because it is on the map, and do not expect every place to be a hidden gem.
Choose a few good villages, spend the night in the right places, wake up early, and leave space for slow moments. That is when Guizhou becomes really interesting.
To conclude, get a VPN before visiting China. Otherwise, you will lose access to all social media and Google, including Gmail. If you need an eSIM, you can use this one. As for travel insurance, I recommend this one.
Here’s my travel guide to another interesting place in Guizhou: Suoga the Long Horn Miao Village.
