Yanban Yan Miao Village

Yanban Yan Miao Village

Yanban Yan Miao Village is under the jurisdiction of Tiema Village, Alatown, Fenghuang County. It is located 500 meters downstream of the moat of Huangsiqiao Ancient City — China’s best-preserved stone city — 26 kilometers from Fenghuang Ancient Town and 10 kilometers from Tongren Airport. The Feng-Da Secondary Highway runs through the area, making transportation convenient. Int

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Yanban Yan Water Village Miao Settlement consists of several small, scattered villages with a small population. However, the area features numerous distinctive weirs. These weirs are built by standing large bluestone slabs upright and topping them with traditional millstones. The local Miao people have a special love for water — they even build their houses along the streams or even over the water. They live with the water, make a living from it, and find joy in it. The most unique feature here is the Yanban Yan, and it is also the most indispensable part of daily life, which is why the village is named after it.

In front of the village, fields and streams crisscross in a winding, meandering pattern. Along the water are rows of waterwheels and stone mills. The streambeds consist of massive natural bluestone slabs. Where the water flows out, it forms islets; where it flows in, it cascades down as waterfalls, creating many unique stepped waterfalls. Above the water are layers of bluestone weirs, and on top of the weirs are various styles of…

…stepping stones. Massive bluestone slab bridges span the water channels... The landscape of mountains, rivers, and fields, together with the waterwheels, stone mills, bluestone weirs, slab bridges, and stepping stones, create a series of stunning, picturesque scenes.

After getting off at Huangsiqiao Ancient City and taking a boat downstream, you can enjoy the pristine, simple, natural scenery of this water village Miao settlement, filled with the authentic charm of Miao life. The hospitable Miao people will welcome you with their traditional welcoming wine.