Kaili, located in east Guizhou, is the capital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, about 125 kilometers from Guiyang. Kaili is called “a Pearl of Southeast Guizhou” with many ethnic groups living in Kaili, including Miao, Dong, Mulao, She, Bouyei, Shui and more ethnic minorities. Among them, Miao is the largest ethnic group with 2.84 million people.
No matter you go from Guiyang or from Rongjiang/Congjiang to Kaili, there are many primitive Miao villages you should never miss - Xijiang Miao Village, the largest Miao village in China and even in the world; Upper Langde Miao Village surrounded by beautiful countryside where you can experience the primitive traditional customs of Miao people; Matang Gejia Village with outstanding skill of wax printing; Nanhua Miao Village and Jiadao Miao Village along Bala River; “Short Skirt Miao” in Qingman Miao Village and Datang Miao Village… All the primitive Miao villages present you everything about Miao - festivals, architecture, costumes, ethnic food, art, embroidery, silverwork and their traditional way of living, etc. You won’t leave any regrets when coming to Kaili in Guizhou Province!
Kaili, though its name is not so famous among international travelers, is the hometown of Miao ethnic group with many primitive villages surrounded. Travelers who are planning a trip to Guizhou Province, they must spend 2 or 3 days in and around Kaili City. The highlights include Xijiang Miao Village, Upper Langde Miao Village, Matang Gejia Village, Qingman Miao Village, and more. If you have one more day, you can extend to Zhenyuan Ancient Town for further exploration.
Since Kaili is located in the east of Guizhou, between Guiyang City and Rongjiang/Congjiang. It is a good idea to extend your Kaili trip longer that you can add Guiyang, Congjiang, Rongjiang into your Guizhou Kaili trip. No matter you come from Guiyang or from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, you won’t miss the most highlighted Miao and Dong ethnic villages in Southeast Guizhou.
For another part of travelers would like to do an overall Guizhou trip for more sightseeing in the hot destinations, they usually put Kaili in the middle of the trip and cover Huangguoshu Waterfall in Anshun City for one day, Mount Fanjing in Tongren City for one day... Just tell us your likes and interests, China Discovery is here ready to help customize your own Guizhou tour with best prices! Contact Us now.
The Miao people are one of the most fascinating ethnic minorities in China. Paying a visit to Miao people means you need to visit their habitation – different Miao Villages. Among them, Xijiang Miao Village is the largest Miao Village with over 1000 household and Langde Upper Miao Village is less crowded and developed Miao Village. Of course, you won’t miss other highlighted Miao villages when visit Kaili. For more attraction info, please read All Attractions in Kaili.
Called the “Open-air Museum”, Xijiang Miao Village is largest Miao Village in China with thousand-household where you can explore typical Miao culture. Both daytime view and night view are amazing.
About 29 km from Kaili City, It is less commercialized than Xijiang Miao Village, giving you a chance to experience the traditional Miao customs in the hundred-household peaceful village.
Gejia women wear Typical Gejia customs - red fringe hats, silver ornaments, clothes with batik patterns and embroidery. Visitors can appreciate wax printings and embroidery arts in every family.
Located in Kaili downtown area, Kaili Minority Museum shows the cultures of Miao and Dong in Southeast Guizhou, giving you overall idea about different ethnic groups’ culture and costumes.
It is on the way from Kaili to Langde Village. Nanhua Miao Village situated at the upper reach of Bala River with idyllic scenery. The Miao women wear long-shirt as long as 80cm. Besides, ox horn silver is another feature.
Xinqiao Miao Village is the hometown of short-skirt Miao. The ladies in the village usually wear 5-7 inches pleated skirt. The whole village has preserved Song Dynasty architecture, Ming & Qing costumes, 47 barns on water...
Keeping a history over 600 years, Qingman Miao Village is reputed as the “Hometown of Miao Embroidery”. The whole village has preserved the traditional way of spinning, embroidery and cloth dyeing. It's worth your time to visit.
With a history over 2200 years, Zhenyuan Ancient Town, is located 108 km in the northeast of Kaili. The Wuyang River flows through the town in the shape of “S”, forming eight diagrams. So it is called Eight Diagrams Ancient Town.
All the Miao people in every village are very hospital and talented. They will welcome you at the entrance. Besides, interesting and distinctive singing and dancing are performed at different time.
The Miao Villages are built leaning the mountains with clear rivers flowing through. Travelers can get a panoramic view of the whole idyllic village. Of course, don’t miss the spectacular view of Xijiang Miao Village.
Hiking in the primitive countryside is one of the best way to relax your mood and have the great chance to meet the local ethnic people. Don’t forget to bring your camera to shoot the beautiful Miao or Dong Villages.
Kaili is located on the east side of Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, belonging to the subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by mild weather all the year round. The average annual temperature is 14°C-18°C. The hottest month is July with an average temperature of 26 °C while the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 5 °C.
Kaili can be visited all the year round, especially in January, February, April, May, June, July and November for the famous ethnic festivals held. If you are interested in the festivals, you can come in Sisters' Meal Festival (usually in April), Miao New Year (usually in November) and Lusheng Festival (usually in January, February or November).
>> To read more weather in Kaili, please read Kaili Climate, Weather & Season to Go.
Travelers can take flight, train and bus to reach Kaili. Kaili Huangping Airport is the airport served in Southeast Guizhou. There are flights connecting Kaili with Guilin, Hangzhou, Kunming, Jinan, etc. Kaili Huangping Airport is about 70km in the north of Kaili downtown area, which needs about 1.5 hours to transfer to transfer from the airport to downtown area.
High speed trains are available between Kaili and Guiyang (0.5 hour), Kunming (2.5-3 hours), Changsha (2.5-3 hours), Chongqing (3 hours), Chengdu (4.5 hours), Beijing (10 hours), Shanghai (8.5-9 hours), Wuhan (4.5 hours), Nanchang, Zhengzhou, Nanjing, Jinan, Xiamen, etc. Many travelers choose to take G trains from Guiyang to Kaili with only 30 minutes' transfer. Kaili South Railway Station, 8 kilometers from Kaili downtown area, is served as the high speed train station. It takes only 20-30 minutes by taxi or car to the downtown area of Kaili.
Buses are connected between Kaili and many Miao villages around Kaili, including Xijiang Miao Village, Langde Upper Miao Village, Rongjiang and Congjiang. Since the road condition is not so good and the buses are not fixed, it is highly recommended to travel with China Discovery and use our licensed private car with experienced driver and local guide to escort you all the way.
>> To check more detailed Kaili transportation info, please see How to Get to and around Kaili | How to Get from Guiyang to Kaili | How to Get from Guilin to Kaili.
Travelers usually spend one or two nights in Kaili. The hotels are located in the downtown of Kaili, close to shopping area and tourist spots, like Kaili Ethnic Minority Museum. Some of the hotels are modern with well pointed facilities, clean rooms and good service. Some of the hotels are designed in Miao or Dong minority style. Travelers can choose your likes based on your requirements and needs. If you transfer to Xijiang Miao Village, you'd better stay one night there and enjoy the fantastic night view of the Miao village.
>> Learn more about Kaili Hotels & Where to Stay.
Traveling to Kaili with the surrounding ethnic minority villages of Southeastern Guizhou, here we’ve selected some useful Kaili Maps for you to better understanding the location and attraction sites. All the maps include Guizhou Kaili Maps, Kai City Maps and Transfer Maps from Kaili to Other Villages, etc. For more maps. please check 2024 Updated Kaili Maps.
Kaili Guizhou Map
Kaili Attraction Map
Kaili and Surrounding Map
Guizhou is a mysterious province in southwest China. Besides its brilliant ethnic minority cultures in Southeast, there are some other outstanding destinations to see and explore. You can extend from Guiyang to Huangguoshu Waterfall in Anshun City, reach Mount Fanjing in Tongren City, or travel to Libo for Small Seven Arches... Check the travel guide of each destination below to get inspired.
China is vast and diverse. You can choose your favorite destination among more than 70 tourist destination and regions. Following are 4 popular destinations you may get interested in. Check all destinations in China
All itineraries and side trips can be customized privately, so please feel free to contact with our travel consultants if you have this kind of need.
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In 3 days, you’ll visit several Miao villages including the largest Miao village in China and even in the world - Xijiang Miao Village, Langde Upper Miao Village, Matang Gejia Village, Shiqiao Miao Village and Wudong Miao Village...
The whole visiting covers 5 best Miao villages (like Langde Upper Village, Biasha Miao Village) and 5 best Dong villages (Zhaoxing Dong Village, Huanggang Dong Village) along the route.
This 6 days Guizhou tour will give you overall impression about the diverse Guizhou Province. You’ll start from the heart of Guizhou in its capital city - Guiyang.
This is the tour to take you to explore the diverse Guizhou - Hidden Ethnic Villages and Wonderland Fanjingshan, which is full of fun.
Take this 5 days Southeast Guizhou ethnic tour and you’ll involve in some cultural activities to fully know about Miao people and their culture.
This 6 days Guizhou Miao and Dong ethnic tour is especially designed for travelers who want to have in-depth exploration in Southeast Guizhou, the last peaceful habitat for human being to rest their soul.
This 7-day Best of Guizhou vacation takes you to have the closest look at awesome natural treasures of special Karst landform and the best ethnic villages.
This tour offers you an off the beaten path route to explore the real life of the local ethnic minorities, appreciate the marvelous Karst landscapes and enjoy a leisurely life in the rural villages.
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