Guizhou Culture

Guizhou is a multi-ethnic province in the southwest of China. It has the country's third largest minority population in China, after Tibet and Xinjiang. Miao and Dong are the two main ethnic minority groups in Guizhou Province. Therefore, in addition to enjoying the scenery, visitors can also explore the rich and colorful folklore and culture of the different ethnic groups living in the area.

Ethnic Groups

Guizhou Province is home to many varieties of Miao, Buyi, Dong, Tujia, Yi, Gelao, Shui, Hui, Bai, Yao, Zhuang, She, Maonan, Man, Mongol, Mulao, Qiang and other ethnic minorities. Tourists can meet many ethnic groups in Guizhou's three autonomous prefectures and 11 minority autonomous counties. 

Minority Autonomous Counties

There are 11 autonomous counties in Guizhou province.

Traditional Ethnic Villages

Jidao Long-skirt Miao Village in Kaili, Qiandongnan

Qingman Short-skirt Miao Village in Kaili, Qiandongnan

Langde Miao Village in Qiandongnan

Basha Miao Village in Qiandongnan

Zhaoxing Dong Village in Qiandongnan

Xijiang Miao Village in Qiandongnan

Tianlong Tunbu Village in Anshun

Miao Paper-cut

Miao people in Qiandongnan called paper-cut as cut flowers, or Miao stained paper. In the long practice of embroidery, embroidery artists found that embroidery with paper-cut patterns rather than painting patterns on the surface of embroidery can be accurately and continuously copied, saving labor and time, meantime keeping the embroidery surface clean and bright. Since then, they used paper-cut patterns as embroidery blueprints. In order to ensure the quality of embroidery, Miao women apply their intelligence and aesthetic taste to paper-cut patterns, making it have distinct ethnic characteristics.

Food Culture

Guizhou food is also called Qian cuisine, including Guiyang cuisine, Qianbei cuisine, ethnic dishes and other flavors. In the early Ming dynasty, Guizhou cuisine tended to mature, with many dishes dating back more than 600 years. Sour food is a feature of Guizhou cuisine. Almost every citizen in Guizhou has pickled vegetables in their homes. The main materials of pickled vegetables include radish, Chinese cabbage, cabbage and so on.

Ethnic Festivals

Guizhou is a land of festivals, hundreds of festivals are celebrated every year. Among so many festivals, the Lusheng Festival, Sisters' Meals Festival and the New Year of Miao Minority are celebrated grandly.