Yao Ethnic Folk Village

Yao Ethnic Folk Village

Jinxiu is a settlement area of the Yao ethnic group, boasting a long history, rich Yao culture, distinctive living customs, and vibrant ethnic charm. The Yao people's clothing, dwellings, folk songs, as well as their traditional farming life are colorful and diverse, with strong local characteristics, elegant and unique customs, and remnants of ancient frontier traditions. As a result, the renowned anthropologist Fei Xiaotong once said, “The world center for Yao studies is in China, and China’s center for Yao studies is in Jinxiu.”

Currently, established Yao Ethnic Folk Villages include the “Mengcun Folk Village (8 km from the county town),” the “Shibajia Folk Village (28 km from the county),” the “Renlai Village (in the county town),” and the “Guyongcun Village (14 km from the county town).” These villages are all located at the foot of high-altitude mountains, beside county-level highways, with towering, cloud-piercing peaks nearby, tranquil mountain streams like mirrors in front of or behind houses, and thousand-year-old trees around the villages. The villages mainly showcase unique ethnic architecture, diverse Yao costumes, living customs, languages, as well as primitive and simple folk lifestyles to visitors. There are also colorful cultural elements from the five branches of the Yao ethnic group, including festivals, dances, and unique marriage customs. In particular, when Yao youths perform Yao songs and dances, tourists are specially invited to join in group dances. After the lively celebrations, they may be given tokens of the tribal experience. Visitors can also try the Yao people’s homemade meals, whose delicious aromas leave an unforgettable impression.