Jidao Miao Village

In Guizhou Province, the Miao Ethnic Group has several branches, namely Short Skirt Miao, Long Skirt Miao, Silk Felting Miao and Hundred Bird Miao. Jidao Village's people are known as the Long Skirt Miao as its women wear traditional long skirts.

Located 25 km away from Kaili City, Jidao Miao Village consists of two villages: Shangzhai (Upper Village) and Xiazhai (Lower Village). Shangzhai is set in idyllic surroundings. It backs to the mountains. Its front is patched drowsy fields and flowed by a bright clear river, murmuring over its pebbly bed. The village has more than 100 households and about 530 Miao people inhabit there; Xiazhai is located about 1 km southwest of Shangzhai along the river and relatively smaller. It only has 70 households and populated by over 460 Miao people. This village features many attractions, such as the Old Geomantic Trees, time-horned granaries, the Cave of the Immortal, the Footprints of Buffalos & Horses, the Song and Dancing Square, and the ancient street. Both Shangzhai and Xiazhai have many traditional wooden stilt houses. The houses all look very old and well-designed. They usually have several levels, the domestic animals live in the first level and their owners live in the upper levels. The two villages also have many waterwheels. It is said that the locals have used such tools to irrigate their fields for centuries.

Being a generational settlement of the Long Skirt Miao, Jidao Village remains original, remote and tranquil. Its villagers are very hospitable. The guests are usually served several cup of home-made wine (usually by beautiful girls) when they get into the entrance of the village. Like other Miao people, the villagers in Jidao also excel in songs and dances. And they also offer their guests very wonderful show in their halls or the village dancing square.