Stunt Miao Township, Magic Pine Peach

When you come to Guizhou Province, which has both humanities and natural scenery, no matter where you are, you will find many surprises.
She is not Xijiang, but she has a profound heritage of Miao civilization;
She is not Chishui, but she has a unique Danxia landform;
She is not Libo, but she has clear river water as emerald green as a jade belt;
She is not Congjiang, but she has the beauty of terraced fields that amazes the world.
This is Songtao, a paradise on earth and a paradise on the eastern foot of Fanjing Mountain.

about me

Signed photographer of M.O.A Gallery in New Zealand Atour Hotel signed photographer "The Age" special photographer "Life Weekly" "Changyou" magazine cooperative photographer Lotto columnist Weibo signed self-media Canon social media cooperative photographer Tuchong senior documentary photography division


About the itinerary

Day1 Shanghai-Guiyang (transit)-Tongren Phoenix Airport
Dinner: State Guest House Chinese Restaurant
Accommodation: State Guesthouse


Day2 Songtao-Miaowang City-Songtao Miao Autonomous County
Breakfast: State Guesthouse
Lunch: Miaowang Chengnei Farmhouse
Dinner: Songtao Miaojia Eight Bowls Specialty Restaurant
Accommodation: Songtao International Hotel

Day3 Songtao - Red Stone Forest - Xiangshuijian - Biancheng Town - Songtao
Breakfast: Songtao International Hotel
Lunch: in Songtao County
Dinner: Songtao International Hotel Chinese Restaurant
Accommodation: Songtao International Hotel

Day4 Songtao-Zhaiying Town Rolling Dragon Cultural Festival-Songtao
Breakfast: Songtao International Hotel
Lunch: Zhaiying Town Farmhouse
Dinner: In Songtao County
Accommodation: Songtao International Hotel

Day5 Songtao - Qianlong Cave - Dawan Miao Village - Songtao
Breakfast: Songtao International Hotel
Lunch: Qianlong Cave Tourist Service Center Restaurant
Dinner: State Guesthouse Buffet Restaurant

Day6 Songtao - Tongren Phoenix Airport - Shanghai (return)
Breakfast: State Guesthouse

about traffic

aviation
Tongren Phoenix Airport is located in Daxing Town, Songtao County, at the junction of Guizhou and Hunan Provinces. It is a 4C-level civil airport. It is 41 kilometers away from Songtao Miao Autonomous County and takes about 30 minutes by car.

railway
The Yuhuai Railway passes through Dalu Township, Mengxi Town, Pujue Town, Shabahe Township, and Niulang Town in Songtao Miao Autonomous County, including 7 townships (towns), 23 administrative villages (including 3 Miao villages), with a mileage of 39.893 km, which is a national first-class green transportation line.
Songtao Station, formerly Mengxi Station, was renamed in October 2012. The site is located in Mengxi Town, Songtao Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, about 33 kilometers away from Songtao County.

highway
Three high-speed border crossings
In Songtao County, Fengda Expressway (Hangrui Expressway), Xiushan-Songtao Expressway in Guizhou (Xiusong Expressway), and Songtong Expressway (Songcong Expressway) pass through.

About accommodation

State Guesthouse
http://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/6027410.html
In the Ethnic Customs Garden, No. 5 Wuling Avenue, Bijiang District.

Just like the window of the city, combining the best of multiple professions, the combination of original natural scenery and leisure and entertainment blocks has made the area of ​​Ethnic Customs Park the first choice for high-end people and leisure and entertainment. A restaurant with local ethnic characteristics and a stylish and cozy lobby.

Songtao International Hotel
http://www.stgjdjd.com/
Songtao International Hotel is only 3 kilometers away from the city center. It is about 50 minutes' drive from the railway station and 40 minutes' drive to Phoenix Airport. The transportation is very convenient

The hotel is designed, constructed, decorated and equipped according to international five-star hotel standards. It is a foreign-related business hotel with strong comprehensive performance. It is worth mentioning that the business room is also equipped with a full-body massage chair, which is fatal for friends who often go out. Attractive, I will give 32 likes to this arrangement!

about food

Qiandong cuisine is good at steaming, frying, roasting and boiling. The taste should be strong, one dish with one taste, hot and sour taste, salty, heavy oil, home-style flavor, personalized taste, spicy and sour, spicy should be spicy to appetizer, sour should be sour and refreshing, I like to eat seasonal dishes.

Because Songtao Miaojia cuisine has lived with the Han people for a long time, the diet is deeply influenced by the Han people, and it also affects the tastes of the Han people. For example, the staple food of Miaojia cuisine is mainly pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks, and fish. , and often eat some game, generally good wine, big bowls of wine, and large pieces of meat have slightly different tastes from those of Miao people in other places. They like to eat pickled products, and they like to eat sour food. Pickled sour at home, sour in four seasons, love sour, can not do without the degree of sour every day, any raw material can be made into sour dishes in the hands of Miao people, such as sour meat, sour fish, sour chicken, etc., and all vegetables are sour , The commonly used cooking methods are marinating, stewing, roasting, stewing, roasting, frying, etc. Hunting is a frequent sideline of the Miao people, so there are many wild game in the cooking raw materials.
Among them, it is also famous for the Songtao Braised Duck known as "Southern Roast Duck", Songtao Crispy Rice Noodles made of rice and mung beans, and the snow-white, tender, and delicious Panxin Tofu and other special delicacies.
Miaojia Eight Big Bowls

Create a restaurant that focuses on Miao’s traditional and authentic Tujia cuisine

The improved eight bowls not only include all kinds of traditional Miao cuisine, but also improve the taste to be more acceptable to tourists. The portion is full, and the warm and thoughtful service also makes the business of the small shop extremely hot. Of course, the main restaurant is nearby. Songtao International Hotel has also created its unique advantages.

About Songtao

Songtao is located in the northeast of Guizhou, at the foot of Fanjing Mountain, at the junction of Guizhou, Hunan and Chongqing provinces and one city. It has the reputation of "Three Provinces". "Gateway".
With the question of "magical pine peaches, stunted Miaoxiang", we embarked on a journey that subverted cognition.
History of pine seedlings

The Miao nationality in Songtao is a tenacious and unyielding nation. During the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court intended to surrender the Miao people and make them submit to the imperial court. However, the Miao people in Songtao did not give in with stubbornness and resistance. Therefore, the imperial court built a side wall here and built the famous "Southern Great Wall". Separate the "raw seedlings" of resistance in Guizhou, Hunan and Chongqing from the "ripe seedlings" of submission. The tenacious struggle of the Miao people in the Miao area has greatly preserved the complete and original Miao culture. For example, Miaowang City in Zhengda Town and Panshi Town are scattered with well-preserved ancient Miao villages. The perennial battles have instilled indomitable and courageous blood into the character of the Miao people. This unique cultural history has created Songtao's unique Miao culture.

miaowangcheng

Miaowangcheng has a history of more than 600 years. It is a well-preserved Miaojiang ancient city integrating politics, economy, culture, military and architecture on the border of Hunan, Guizhou and Chongqing. In fact, there are many ancient cities of Miao people and the Great Wall of the South in Guizhou. Among them, Miaowangcheng is the benchmark, and it has been known as "the first village of Miaojiang for thousands of miles" since ancient times.

The tea sea that is being expanded at the entrance of the scenic spot also combines green ecology with self-service tea picking, providing tourists with more play experience.

After crossing ten thousand acres of emerald green tea sea, we came to the first stop of this trip as the landmark scenic spot of Songtao, Miaowang City

Before entering the city, the ceremony of blocking the door for wine stopped all the visitors outside the city. Don't panic. In fact, this is also a unique ceremony for the Miao family to receive distinguished guests. Of course, it is not just as simple as drinking, but also must meet Only two folk songs can enter the city. For us who are visiting Miaojiang for the first time, it is both fresh and strange, and we are not good at singing and dancing. We can't help the enthusiasm of the girls, so we tried to get away with the folk songs of two tigers, but we didn't expect This turned out to be the most popular door-to-door song, and it was a good hit, and it passed smoothly.

Following in the footsteps of the tour guide, we also learned about the unique culture, laws and other customs of the Miao people. In its heyday, there were more than 200 households living in Miaowang City. If there is no systematic and perfect management method, it will be quite troublesome. Think about it In addition to practicing soldiers and horses every day to prevent problems before they happen, King Miao also has to take good care of all his subjects, which is not much easier than the emperor in power.

Walking into the ancient village of Miaowang City, every ancient rock on the building seems to be telling that period of ancient history. The layout and structure of the lanes in Miaowang City can also be called unique. In the ancient village, the lanes are criss-crossed, seemingly connected but not connected, like a maze, where every family is connected, and every household is connected. It is one of the few well-preserved ancient royal cities in the country.

Among them, the boudoir and Diaojiaolou are also the scenic spots of many well-known movies such as "The Man in the Border Town".

It is reported that the second phase of the scenic spot in the distance is still under planning. I believe that the farmhouse here will be larger in the near future. It is a kind of leisure to live in the royal city while watching the smoke from the kitchen, surrounded by mountains and rivers.

As the most well-preserved ancient Miao village, it has steep terrain and beautiful mountains and rivers. It not only has beautiful natural and cultural landscapes, but also has profound historical and cultural heritage.

By the way, the wonderful Miao people's stunt performance performed at noon every day can be said to be the trump card program of Miaowangcheng. Why is it called the trump card, because most of the actors here have appeared on well-known variety shows such as "I want to go to the Spring Festival Gala". The word "stunt" in the "stunt songtao" we visited here is also reflected in this.

The beauty is reflected in the body of the Miao girl, with exquisite silver jewelry and exquisite embroidery on her head. These works are mostly based on flowers, birds, insects, fish, sun, moon, mountains and rivers. The composition is exaggerated and romantic, and the patterns are between concrete and abstract. Bold and free, with various stitches and embroidery methods, it has a distinctive style. This is far from pure silk, tie-dye can be compared to comment.

Whether it's elder brothers and younger sisters who are good at singing and dancing, or a man who eats fire, or wonderful performances such as going up the knife mountain, these stunts remind you all the time-they are a martial fighting nation, brave and fearless .

As the saying goes, hearing is believing, seeing is believing, and only when you witness the mountain of swords and the sea of ​​fire with your own eyes can you truly feel their existence.

The wonderful interactive games at the scene and trying on Miao costumes made everyone laugh, which greatly improved the entertainment of the whole performance.

At the end of the performance, you can also take photos with the actors or dance the folk dance in a circle, which made me feel the unique enthusiasm and boldness of the Miao people again. Drinking heavily, dancing happily, this is also the moment for you and me to release ourselves, accompanied by cheerful dance The melodious singing can not be forgotten for a long time.

The lunch of all kinds of mountain delicacies gave us a better understanding of the daily meals of the Miao people. The taste of the dishes is really a big fuss in terms of spicy, fragrant and sour. deep impression.

The former residence of the Miao people, located at the core of the back of the scenic area, still retains its original appearance for tourists to visit. If you are interested, you can change into a Miao costume and take a photo with the descendants of the Miao King. It is also a worthwhile trip.

Benduo Mountains and Waters in Guizhou, the scenic spot also created ziplines, bamboo rafts and other entertainment projects for tourists to experience according to local conditions. While experiencing the rich history and culture of Miaowang City, you can also experience the dynamic feeling of crossing mountains and ridges.

Miao Wang Mansion is different from the former residence of Miao Wang, quite magnificent, of course, the current buildings are rebuilt according to the records at that time, I think that Miao Wang is not only no different from the emperor in official affairs, even the usual seat The chairs are also comparable to the specifications of the Golden Luan Hall. This place is so high that the emperor is far away, and it is definitely dominating the place.

A heavy rain washed the bluestone slabs brighter. Walking in the Miaojiang King City, what makes you linger and be moved is not the so-called modern buildings, but the vicissitudes and mottled ancient meanings that can be seen everywhere in the ordinary alleys. . The impression of Songtao has overturned all my previous imaginations. If you only know a little about the life of the Miao people, you must not miss this stop in Miaowang City.


Zhaiying Town Rolling Dragon Culture and Art Festival

Zhaiying Ancient Town is located in the southwest of Songtao Miao Autonomous County, 65 kilometers away from the county seat. The Song (Tao) River (mouth) three-level oil road runs through the whole area. Fanjing East Line Ancient Road must pass through, known as "Fanjing Ancient Capital".

Zhaiying Ancient Town was first built in the Hongwu Period of the Ming Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with a history of more than 600 years. The existing ancient residential buildings, guild halls, shops, handicraft workshops, city walls, city gates, piers, streets and alleys, as well as artesian water supply and drainage and fire protection systems in the ancient town show the glory, prosperity and perfect war defense features of the past.

For lunch, we specially chose the local farmhouse to taste the special food of Zhaiying Town. Compared with the local dishes of Miaowang City, the cuisine of Zhaiying Town is more distinctive. The famous dishes such as Songtao Braised Duck and Panxin Tofu mentioned are all on the scene, which makes people's index fingers wide open.

The day we visited the ancient town was the 13th day of the first lunar month. On this day, Zhaiying Ancient Town, located at the foot of Fanjing Mountain, also ushered in the annual Rolling Dragon Art Festival.

According to the villagers, Zhaiying Gunlong Culture is a native folk art form at the foot of Fanjing Mountain. Since the early Ming Dynasty, the Zhaiying people located at the foot of Fanjing Mountain imitate the shape of a dragon every year, tie the dragon head, keel, and dragon ribs with bamboo strips, and use white cloth to make dragon skins, and then use paraffin fried paper to make them on the points of each building (hole). Make twisters to make the dragon body shine, and play from the sixth day of the first lunar month to the fifteenth Lantern Festival.

The Rolling Dragon Festival in Zhaiying Ancient Town, when I first heard the name, I didn’t pay much attention to it. In fact, when the Rolling Dragon Festival really started, everyone was stunned by the number of rolling dragons in front of them. There were more than 60 giant The rolling dragon is displayed vividly in the hands of the villagers

The traditional rolling dragon team from the surrounding villages such as Zhaiying Village, Kaipai Village, Dashui Village, Jiaoxi Village, Dengbao Village and other villages lined up from the hillside to the riverside, with gongs and drums ringing, colorful flags fluttering, and a great crowd of people. It feels much more lively than New Year's Eve

The biggest feature of the rolling dragon in Zhaiying Town, which is different from the traditional dragon dance, is that it is not only unfolded on land, but villagers will also roll the dragon in the stream. This kind of momentum and atmosphere is by no means comparable to the dragon dance in ordinary villages. , no wonder the Dragon Rolling Festival has long been included in the world's intangible cultural heritage and has attracted much attention.

They walk through the streets and alleys of the ancient town, or wander and fight among the mountains and rivers. The industrious and courageous Miao people have transformed this traditional custom of celebrating a good harvest and hoping for good weather in the coming year into today's general mobilization of the whole people. It is really amazing.

During the Rolling Dragon Festival, there is another traditional custom in Zhaiying Town, the "Long Table Banquet". The banquet combines the characteristics of the eight bowls of the Miao family. , as long as the tourists who are seated can taste the authentic Miao cuisine for free

For us who just tasted the eight bowls of food a few days ago, the dishes in front of us are very familiar, but after the villagers' careful cooking, the original food culture of Songtao Autonomous County is once again perfectly presented in front of us. The tourists are worthy of this trip, which is a feast for the eyes and a feast for the mouth

The fireworks show and the rolling dragon ceremony at night also brought the whole event to a climax. The rolling dragon decorated with colorful lights attracted people from all over the world to watch it.

I think this annual Miao folk event will be staged here every year during the Lantern Festival, and this is the first time I have encountered a dragon dance of this scale in my life. If you missed this year, remember to hurry up next year!


red stone forest

The Red Stone Forest is located in Laer Mountain, Songtao County. According to the research of geological experts, the history of rock formation in Hongshilin is about 500 million years. At that time, this area was a sea, and a large amount of carbonate materials mixed with mud and sand were deposited on the seabed. Through crustal movement, erosion and dissolution, this beautiful area was formed. geological wonders.

All kinds of red stone forests are completely different from the natural stone forests seen in the past. Walking in them, there is an illusion of exploring the underwater dragon palace.

The stone forests of various shapes also become more mysterious due to the change of the weather, coupled with the heavy fog that day, it has a unique charm.

Songtao Miao Autonomous County is also dominated by karst landforms. The discovery of this red stone forest is also very legendary. This reminds me that the discovery of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an was because farmers wanted to dig wells. Coincidentally, the red stone forest in Songtao was also because local farmers wanted to open mountains for afforestation. It was discovered by accident. After a short period of excavation, the two developed corridors have begun to take shape.

Every holiday, there is a lot of people here, and there is a lot of traffic. If you want to find out, please avoid the holidays.


Xiangshuijian

Located in Panshi Town, Xiangshuijian relies on the original name of Xiangshui Cave, and has developed a large area of ​​terraced fields and a wooden plank road comparable to the length of a marathon according to local conditions.

The wooden plank road is winding and winding, with the sound of mountain springs and streams, strolling here is like a paradise

No, there are several farmhouses at the end of the plank road for tourists to take a break. I am afraid that for us who have lived in the city for a long time, the ducks, mountain springs, and farmhouses in front of us are the easiest places to relax.

The fresh air, the environment of singing birds and fragrant flowers, and various natural landscapes, I admire Songtao County's development and utilization of nature.

Compared with the well-known terraced fields crowded shoulder to shoulder, isn't the scenery here unique?


Dawan Miao Village

Similar attractions include the antique Dawan Miao Village

The villages built along the mountain form a half-moon shape. Looking down, the whole village is patchwork and faintly visible.

There is only one main road in and out of the village except for the waterway, and it is also a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Presumably the village owner took great pains in choosing the location here.

So far, the villages in the deep mountains still maintain their inherent living habits. The simple village people are very enthusiastic about us who came from afar, and they took us to share the joy of marrying a daughter


Qianlong Cave

Qianlong Cave is located in Qianlong Village, Wuluo Town, Songtao Miao Autonomous County. Qianlong Cave is 60 kilometers away from Songtao County, only 3.5 yuan from the railway station, 30 kilometers away from Songtao Mengxi Railway Station, 100 kilometers away from Daxing Airport, and about 1300 meters above sea level. It is a typical alpine cave.

I think besides the Rolling Dragon Festival, Qianlong Cave, a natural karst cave located at the eastern foot of Fanjing Mountain in Guizhou Province, is the biggest highlight of this trip to Guizhou.

Walking into Qianlong Cave, and crossing the 100-meter spacious and majestic cave gate, you will suddenly see a bright view. There are many stalagmites in the cave, and the stone mantle descends from the sky.


The unique stalactite structure and colorful neon are dazzling


Among them, Qianlong hall, Qianlong pool (West Lake in the cave), Qianlong spring, stone wall, gallery, Qianlong hall, Qianlong waterfall, Qianlong column, Qianlong palace "tropical rainforest", "lotus in full bloom", "stalagmites standing steeply", The main scenic spots such as "Antarctic Ice and Sky" are in various poses and with different expressions, which are too beautiful to behold.

The hall of Qianlongzhu is about 30 meters high. In the hall, there is a huge stone pillar obliquely inserted into the roof of the cave. It is extremely magical. There are various stone statues and vivid murals on the cave wall. It is secretly engraved on it, looming.


The Qianlong Palace, which is about one kilometer long, has one step at a time, and the scenery is picturesque. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most beautiful natural cave I have ever seen.

Even when I walked out of the cave entrance through a corridor that is hundreds of meters long, I was still deeply impressed by the scenes in the cave just now. It is reported that the panorama of Qianlong Cave is tens of kilometers long, and the current development has only progressed to a few kilometers. The wonders such as the underground long river and waterfall presented are even more exciting!


postscript

How is it, Miao Township with its unique skills, has the magical Songtao infected you? For me, whether it is Miaowang City, which carries history and culture, or the unique Rolling Dragon Festival, or various natural landscapes and karst caves tailored to local conditions , are well protected, which is rare in today's commercialized world. The simple and hospitable Miao people are warm and hospitable. As long as they are distinguished guests from afar, they will definitely bring out good wine and food. For those who want to learn more about the unique Miao people Culture, for you who have found another self-driving route, the stop of Songtao is definitely worth your try.