The Vanishing Mountain Tribes in Guizhou
Guizhou, a rarely visited, landlocked province is an anthropological treasure trove. In this pristine land of Guizhou, reside many of China's ethnic minorities. From the Dong to the Miao to the Shui, each minority, with its own distinct lifestyle, culture and mythology embodies a unique and refreshing vision of the world.
Except the diversified minorities culture, Guizhou also boasts its appealing picturesque landscape and cultural spots, such as the Huangguoshu Waterfalls, the Dragon Cave, Tunpu Culture of Ming Dynasty, Wind and Rain Bridge, Miao, Buyi and Dong people's villages, Grand Opera and so on.
Visit the Guizhou areas in festival time and experience the unique Sister Meal's Festival in March 15-16th, or Lusheng Festival of Miao people and New Year of Miao in October, which are the most important and celebrated festival in Guizhou. Note that celebrations are held on Chinese Lunar Calendar.
Why not leave yourself a chance to witness the slash and burn agricultural civilization vanishing in this ever-changing country? Why not go with Easy Tour China to see and record the fading history and culture in the transition period?
Major Festivals of Minority Ethnic Groups in Guizhou
|
Chinese Name |
Festival |
Minority |
Date (Lunar Calendar) |
Location |
Activities |
|
根今 |
Genjin Festival |
Bouyei |
Jan.4-15th |
Zhenning County, Huangguoshu Town |
Blow So-na, Ganbiao (Have Love Affairs) |
|
跳场 |
Tiaochang Festival |
Miao |
Jan 9 |
Tongmuling Village, Huaxi District, Guiyang City |
Lusheng Dance |
|
芦笙会 |
Lusheng Festival |
Miao |
Jan 11-15th |
Villages of Zhouxi Town, Kali City |
Lusheng Dance, Bullfight, Horse Race |
|
地戏节 |
Dixi Festival |
Bouyei |
Jan 15th |
Villages of Huaxi District, Guiyang City |
Sing Local Opera |
|
芦笙会 |
Lusheng Festival |
Miao |
Jan 16-18th |
Lushengtang, Zhouxi Town, Kali City |
Lusheng Dance, Horse Race |
|
翻鼓节 |
Fangu Festival |
Miao |
Feb |
Qinglang Village, Qingman Town, Kali City |
Beat Wooden Drum, Blow Lusheng |
|
三月三 |
Sanyuesan |
Dong |
Mar 3rd |
Baojing Town, Zhenyuan County |
Antiphonal Singing, Lusheng Dance |
|
姊妹饭节 |
Sister Meal’s Festival |
Miao |
Mar 15-16th |
Taijiang County |
East Sister's Meal, Drum Dance, Blow Lusheng |
|
芦笙节 |
Lusheng Festival |
Miao |
Mar 19-21 |
Panghai Town, Kali City |
Lusheng Dance, Bullfight, Horse Race |
|
四月八 |
Siyueba |
Miao |
Apr 8 |
Huangping County, Songtao County |
Blow Lusheng, Antiphonal Singing, Dance |
|
龙舟节 |
Dragon Boat Festival |
Miao, Dong |
May 5 |
Zhenyuan County |
Dragon Boat Race |
|
六月六 |
Liuyueliu |
Bouyei |
Jun 6 |
Huaxi District, Guiyang City |
Singing Match |
|
踩歌堂 |
Caigetang Festival |
Miao |
Jun 6 |
Jinbao Town, Zhenyuan County |
Antiphonal Singing |
|
跑马节 |
Paoma Festival |
Miao |
June |
Guading Town, Kali City |
Horse Race, Antiphonal Singing |
|
吃新节 |
Chixin Festival |
Miao |
June |
Villages of Panghai Town, Kali City |
Eat New Rice, Celebrate Harvest |
|
爬坡节 |
Pabo Festival |
Miao |
Jun 19 |
Xianlu Mountain of Kali City |
Lusheng Dance, Antiphonal Singing |
|
查白歌节 |
Chabaige Festival |
Bouyei |
Jun 21 |
Chabai Town of Xingyi City |
Antiphonal Singing, Play Yu-kin, Dance |
|
七月半 |
Qiyueban Festival |
Miao |
Jul 13 |
Outskirts of Kali City |
Lusheng Dance, Horse Race, Bullfight |
|
七月半（吃新 |
Chixin Festival |
Miao |
July |
Zhouxi Town and Qingman Town of Kali City |
Eat New Rice, Assemble |
|
芦笙节 |
Lusheng Festival |
Miao |
Jul 21 |
Panghai Town of Kali City |
Blow Lusheng, Horse Race, Antiphonal Singing |
|
重阳节 |
Double Ninth Festival |
Miao |
Sep 9 |
Qingman Town of Kali City |
Blow Lusheng, Bullfight, Horse Race |
|
斗牛节 |
Bullfight Festival |
Miao |
Sep |
Yongxi |
Bullfight, Horse Race, Antiphonal Singing, Dance |
|
苗年 |
New Year of Miao |
Miao |
October |
Zhouxi Town, Guading Town, Kali City |
Blow Lusheng, Bullfight, Horse Race, Beat Drum |
|
端节 |
Duan Festival |
Shui |
October |
Sandu County, Dushan County, Dujun City |
Ancestor Worship, Horse Race, Celebrate Harvest |
|
侗年 |
New Year of Dong |
Dong |
End of Oct. to Beginning of Nov. |
Rongjiang County |
Lusheng Dance, Bullfight, Lantern Fair |
Recommended China Guizhou tours for the ethnic minority villages:
More trip ideas in April
