MAGNIFICENT VIEW: A bird's-eye view of terraced buildings of Xijiang Miao Village By (WAN QUAN)

In an open-air community center, the Xijiang Village presents a traditional Miao song and dance performance every morning from 11 o'clock to 12. Though they are not professional actors, they carry with them the aboriginal Miao essence.

"Tourists who visit Xijiang look not only for the beautiful natural scenery but also the authentic Miao culture. Most of them are impressed by the long-table dinner toasting and enjoy the folk songs and dances. Some join in the dancing to have a good time," said Long of the PIO of Leishan County.

Long said the Miao festivals, such as Guzang Festival, Lusheng Festival and Mountain Climbing Festival, are all very distinctive. During those celebrations, the Miao people wear traditional costumes to perform a variety of ceremonies and rituals, which are both exotic and impressive for visitors.

The lusheng, an ancient reed-pipe musical instrument, is primarily used in the rural regions of southwest China. The Lusheng Festival is one of the most important festivals for the Miao people and is held every year on the 27th day of the ninth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. During the festival, the Miao people from villages far and near gather at a public place. Young women dress up in their best costumes and silver accessories, and young men carry their lusheng. They form a circle, and the men play the lusheng while the women dance to the rhythm. Through singing and dancing, people celebrate in the hope of a plentiful harvest, and young people will take this chance to meet their beloved ones and express their affection for one another.

The Guzang Festival, held once in 13 years, is regarded as the grandest festival of the Miao people. It is a traditional festival that offers sacrifices to the Miao's ancestors and celebrates the autumn harvest. Its related celebrations last four years, with a different theme for the ritual each year. The festival lasts 13 to 15 days in different villages. During the days of the festival, the Miao people sing, dance, and hold numerous feasts to welcome friends and visitors from afar. Other activities include bullfighting, drumming and praying ceremonies. According to Long, celebrations of the Guzang Festival in Xijiang will be held in September this year.

"For some reasons such as geography, the industrial and economic development of Guizhou Province is falling behind most of other provinces or regions in China. But the underdevelopment also means a better preservation of the natural environment and cultural resources, which is an advantage for the province to develop the tourism industry," said Li Sanqi, Deputy Director of Guizhou Provincial Travel and Tourism Administration. "Guizhou is rich in minority cultures, with all 56 Chinese ethnic groups living in the province. Some ethnic groups have well preserved their unique heritage, which appeals to tourists very much."

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