Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village

Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village

Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site protected by Guangdong Province.

Nangang Yao Village is located in Nangang Town, about 20 kilometers from Liannan County. It is a relatively ancient Yao settlement. The village streets are laid out in neat, orderly lines, and the residences are simple yet well-aligned, giving the entire village a perfectly harmonious layout. Hence, it is known as the “Elder Brother Village” or “Chief Village.” Lush terraced fields stretching layer upon layer from the foot to the ridge of the mountain nearby present a breathtaking sight. This place has long been a favorite spot for photographers and painters seeking inspiration.

Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village is situated to the southwest of Liannan County, at an elevation of 803 meters. At its peak, it had over 700 residences, more than 1,000 households, and a population of around 7,000 people, earning it the title of Chief Village. Built during the Song Dynasty, the village has a history of 1,400 years. According to expert research, Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village is the largest, oldest, most distinctive, and best-preserved Yao mountain village in China and even the world. The entire ancient village covers an area of 129 mu, while the scenic area spans 250 mu. The Yao people currently living in the village mainly belong to four clans: Deng, Tang, Pan, and Fang. Nowadays, only dozens of households with a little over a hundred residents remain, along with 368 well-preserved ancient homes from the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as structures like the village gate, walls, and stone-paved paths. Stepping into the ancient village is like entering a time tunnel of history, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and allowing one to appreciate the long history and classical beauty of Yao traditions… Outside the old village, a few ancient pine and cypress trees nestle close to the stone wall, as if they are the last guardians of the ancient settlement. Upon crossing the stone wall, you instantly feel as though you’ve stepped into another era. The rich cultural scenes of the Yao people from centuries ago unfold before your eyes, and the wind seems to carry an air of mysterious allure.

The houses in the ancient village are uniquely built. Although some are dilapidated due to age, the vast architectural complex resembles a grayish-brown Potala Palace nestled among the mountains, faintly exuding the grandeur of its former days. Under the blue sky, Ming and Qing-style houses with black tiles and grey bricks are built against the mountains—layered, staggered, and well-arranged, all facing south, creating an imposing sight. Stone paths crisscross the village, clearly divided between primary and secondary routes, connecting every household and forming the layout of the Yao terraces. Within the ancient village, there are quaint stilted buildings, bamboo water pipes hanging overhead and crisscrossing in all directions, fire pits used for both cooking and smoke-curing, grain storage facilities that serve as stables below and granaries above, as well as primitive distilleries, tofu workshops, and oil presses. Every brick, tile, door, and household modestly showcases the way of life of the Yao people from hundreds of years ago. The house of the village chief boasts an exceptionally open front yard, with misty green mountains in the distance, and even the “Three-State Mountain,” from which you can see three provinces at once, seems to pay homage at the chief’s doorstep. In the center of the ancient village lies a wide flight of stone steps, serving as the “central square.” During important celebrations, the Yao people would gather here to hold meetings, discuss matters, drink, and rejoice. It offers visitors a glimpse into the vibrant and festive atmosphere of the village during its prime.

Walking along the quiet mountain paths, every step reveals a new view. The ancient houses blend exquisitely with the layered mountain scenery, creating a rustic yet beautiful scene. Sunlight filters through the grey bricks, black tiles, and withered trees, casting light on the moss, stone slabs, and wild grass on the ground. The whole scene is fresh yet carries a touch of desolation. The village also features thousand-year-old stone coffins, ancient trees, and stone arch bridges from the Ming and Qing dynasties… It is like a shy mountain maiden, quietly tucked away in the lush forests, yet radiating an even more delightful rural charm. Climbing up to the viewing platform on the small hill opposite the ancient Yao village, you can take in the majestic and solemn panorama of Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village. Beside the layered terraces, within the continuous green mountains, and under the golden sunlight, the millennia of history and vicissitudes of the Yao village unfold freely in the wind—an absolutely stunning sight.

Address: Nangang Village, Nangang Ancient Pai, Sanpai Town, Liannan Yao Autonomous County, Qingyuan City

Type: Folk Village / Ancient Town / Historic Village

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Phone: 400-7889-377; 020-34819783

Official Website: http://www.chinayaozhai.com/

Opening Hours:

9:00–17:30 (Monday–Friday); 8:30–17:30 (Saturday–Sunday and public holidays)

Nangang Ancient Pai Village: Located in Nangang Ancient Pai Village, Sanpai Town, Liannan Yao Autonomous County, Guangdong Province, Nangang Thousand-Year Yao Village in Liannan Yao Autonomous County is hailed as the “No. 1 Yao Village in China.” It is the largest, oldest, and most distinctive Yao village in the country. Surrounded by perilous mountains and rushing streams, with undulating green peaks, rows of neat and uniform ancient residential buildings spread across the hillsides when viewed from the base of the mountain. The ancient houses are uniformly built with grey-brick walls and black-tiled roofs, featuring unique designs that are truly distinctive.

Nangang Ancient Pai, also known as Xingxiang Pai, is situated on a high mountain at an altitude of 803 meters in Nangang Town, Liannan Yao Autonomous County… More details about Nangang Ancient Pai Village ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units