Gouliang Miao Village

Gouliang Miao Village

Gouliang Miao Village is located in the northwest of Fenghuang, a historic and cultural city, about 29 kilometers from the ancient town of Fenghuang. It is a typical remote and primitive community of the Shenghong Miao people. The village is divided into three natural sections—Upper, Middle, and Lower—with over 300 households and more than 1,000 residents...

Scenic Area Introduction

Gouliang Miao Village is located in the northwest of Fenghuang, a historic and cultural city, about 29 kilometers from the ancient town of Fenghuang. It is a typical remote and primitive community of the Shenghong Miao people, with the village divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower natural sections, comprising over 300 households and more than 1,000 residents.

The village features a blend of natural and cultural landscapes that together form a vibrant tapestry of the Shenghong Miao tribal life. It is renowned for its ancient, steep, perilous, unique, and beautiful scenery. The site also includes the former camp of the Qian-Jia Miao Rebellion army, ancient battlefields from conflicts between officials and bandits, and numerous historic ruins. The terrain here is rugged and imposing.

Gouliang Miao Village not only offers the cool and pure Miao King Spring and the stunning Ancient Demon Pool Waterfall Cluster but also boasts the legendary Green Dragon Mountain. There is a Miao village that combines aesthetics and architecture, as well as thrilling traditional Miao skills on display...

Gouliang Miao Village is a magical place with deep historical and cultural roots, distinctive ethnic characteristics, vibrant folk activities, and breathtaking natural scenery. It is an ideal destination for visitors from around the world. We warmly invite you to experience the natural beauty and rich cultural traditions here, and to enjoy a cup of fragrant Miao wine.

Gouliang Miao Village lies at the junction of Hunan and Guizhou, and at the intersection of Han and Miao regions. Here, the Chu-Wu shaman culture of the southwest and the Central Plains Han culture, as well as Han and Miao cultures, clash and integrate, creating a unique cultural phenomenon of fusion and mutual enrichment.

Gouliang Miao Village is a “mystery.” Its profound history, rich ethnic customs, and picturesque landscapes combine natural beauty, ethnic architecture, folk traditions, historical legacy, and culinary specialties into one, making it a destination of exceptional tourism aesthetic value and undeniable appeal.

Gouliang Miao Village is a jewel in Fenghuang’s tourism industry. Visiting this place allows you to immerse yourself in the ancient and rustic Miao wedding customs and the mystical soul-calling rituals, all set against a backdrop of lush greenery and flowing streams. It is sure to broaden your horizons and leave you in awe.

Gouliang Miao Village is a magical place with deep historical and cultural roots, distinctive ethnic characteristics, vibrant folk activities, and breathtaking natural scenery. It is an ideal destination for visitors from around the world. We warmly invite you to experience the natural beauty and rich cultural traditions here, and to enjoy a cup of fragrant Miao wine.

Gouliang Miao Village is an administrative village under Luochaojing Township in Luxi County, western Hunan, consisting of eight villager groups with over 350 households and approximately 1,900 residents. Due to its location at the convergence of Hunan and Guizhou, Central Plains Han culture and Southwest Chu-Wu Miao shaman culture collide and integrate here, giving rise to a unique cultural phenomenon and a wealth of fascinating cultural heritage.

In recent years, with the continuous growth of tourism in Fenghuang, the Fenghuang County Party Committee and County Government officially launched the construction project of the “Gouliang Ethnic Culture Village.” Provincial and prefectural ethnic affairs departments provided strong support for the project. The Fenghuang County Party Committee Propaganda Department, the County Ethnic Affairs Bureau, and the Luochaojing Township Party Committee and Government diligently implemented the plans. Notably, the Fenghuang Ethnic Affairs Bureau undertook significant work in project planning and fund-raising, laying the foundation for the establishment of the “Gouliang Ethnic Culture Village.”

Gouliang is a magical place. With its deep historical and cultural roots, distinctive ethnic characteristics, vibrant folk activities, and beautiful natural scenery, it is a great destination for travelers.

Travel Precautions

Gouliang Miao Village is home to the Miao ethnic minority. When visiting, it is important to respect local customs. Please take note of the following points to avoid any issues.

1. Prepare some small bills before entering the Miao village.

2. Avoid whistling casually in Miao or Tujia villages, as it is believed to attract ghosts—especially at night.

3. When visiting someone’s home, do not step on the threshold.

4. You may use an umbrella outdoors when it’s hot, but refrain from doing so when entering someone’s house.

5. Do not sit in the central seat of the main hall, as it is considered disrespectful.

6. Maintain a respectful distance from married women, as this behavior can be sensitive in the village.

7. Male and female guests should not share accommodation when staying in local homes.

Legends of Gouliang Miao Village

Legend has it that long ago, Gouliang Miao Village was home to a brave hunter named Wu Tianlong. Intelligent and courageous, he was an exceptional archer who never missed his mark—whether shooting birds or eagles—and was known as the Divine Archer among the Miao people. Wu Tianlong’s mother, in her seventies, was dearly loved by him. Day after day, year after year, the tigers and leopards in the mountains were hunted to extinction. Though the Miao people no longer feared wild beasts, their hardships seemed endless, with no relief in sight. Tianlong and his mother still lived from meal to meal.

One day, after returning from hunting, Wu Tianlong told his mother: “Mother, I’ve rid the mountains of all the tigers and leopards with my divine arrows, but there are more and more human ‘beasts’ around us. We suffer under the oppression of the officials—we can’t endure this life anymore. I will lead the Miao people in rebellion, drive out the corrupt officials, and bring a better life for everyone.” His mother worriedly replied: “Son, that’s a capital offense. You’re my only child. What will I do if something happens to you?” Seeing his mother upset, Tianlong comforted her: “Don’t worry, Mother. I have a plan. The cruel officials are like man-eating beasts. If we don’t fight them, they’ll devour us. We can’t just wait for death.” Hearing her son’s words, his mother fell silent. Delighted by her tacit approval, Tianlong jumped for joy.

From then on, Wu Tianlong rose early every day to train diligently. He crafted a bow from cherrywood that had matured for three years, using bowstrings made from old palm fibers soaked for forty-nine days. He also carefully kept three divine arrows he had obtained from the Hidden Dragon Cave in Longshan Mountain, preparing to shoot the emperor at dawn during the royal court session.

On the day of the plan, Wu Tianlong made all the preparations and instructed his mother: “Tomorrow at dawn, when the emperor holds court, I will shoot him with the divine arrows. Don’t sleep tonight. Wake me up at the first crow of the rooster at dawn. Remember, missing the timing means losing the chance.” His mother agreed: “I understand. Go rest, and don’t worry.” Strangely, that night felt unusually long. His mother waited from the first watch onward, waiting and waiting... for what felt like ages, yet the rooster still hadn’t crowed. Exhausted, she dozed off while sitting. Afraid her son might blame her for missing the crow, she went to the kitchen, picked up a winnowing basket, and started clapping it loudly. At the sound of the “clap clap clap,” the rooster crowed, and she was overjoyed. She hurried into her son’s room to wake him up.

Wu Tianlong thought it was indeed the rooster crowing, so he picked up the divine bow and arrows he had prepared in advance, climbed to the top of Moon Mountain, faced north, drew the bow and nocked the arrow, and with all his divine strength, whoosh!, whoosh!, whoosh!, he shot three divine arrows in succession toward the emperor’s palace. Unfortunately, just as the emperor had just entered the court and walked to his throne, he suddenly saw three divine arrows embedded in the golden dragon pillar, which frightened him so much that cold sweat poured down his body.

The emperor, trembling with rage, immediately issued an imperial decree to capture the criminal who dared to shoot at the emperor. When the news reached Gouliang Miao Village, Wu Tianlong realized he had been tricked by his mother and had failed to kill the emperor, thus provoking a catastrophic disaster. He immediately gathered the Miao people from ninety-nine villages, trained their skills day and night, and prepared for a fierce battle against the government forces.

Before long, the imperial troops sent by the emperor indeed arrived in the Miao mountains. Wu Tianlong led the Miao people in battle against the government forces for seven days and nights, fighting fiercely until the soldiers were thrown into chaos and the battlefield ran red with blood. Wave after wave of troops came, but the rebel forces grew fewer and fewer. Outnumbered and outmatched, the rebels were ultimately defeated. Wu Tianlong was captured by the government forces. Remaining brave and unyielding to the end, he was eventually executed by the soldiers. After Wu Tianlong’s sacrifice, he transformed into a rooster and stood tall on Gouliang Mountain, heralding dawn for the Miao people every day and ushering in the light. To this day, on Gouliang Slope, there still remain relics such as Rooster Rock, Rooster Village, and the Archery Platform.

The day Wu Tianlong was killed happened to be the sixth day of the sixth lunar month. In memory of this hero, the Miao people hold a festival in Gouliang Miao Village — singing, performing antiphonal singing, and dancing — to praise and celebrate their hero and express their beautiful aspirations and ideals. Since then, the “Sixth of June” Miao Song Festival has been passed down from generation to generation.

Address: Luocha Jing Township, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:00

Ticket Price:

58 yuan per person