Gouliang Miao Village

　　Gouliang Miao Village is situated in the northwest of Fenghuang, a historically and culturally significant city, 29 kilometers from the ancient town of Fenghuang. It is a classic, remote, and primitive Shenghong Miao settlement. The village is divided into three natural sections—upper, middle, and lower—comprising over 300 households and a population of more than 1,000.

　　Scenic Area Introduction

　　Gouliang Miao Village is located in the northwest of Fenghuang, a historically and culturally rich city, 29 kilometers from the ancient town of Fenghuang. It is a typical, secluded, and primitive Shenghong Miao tribe. The entire village is divided into upper, middle, and lower natural sections, with over 300 households and a population of more than 1,000.

　　The area features a blend of natural and cultural landscapes that create a vibrant and colorful depiction of the Shenghong Miao tribe. 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 where officials and bandits clashed, and numerous historic relics. The terrain here is rugged and imposing.

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

　　Gouliang Miao Village is a magical place, not only rich in historical and cultural heritage and distinct ethnic characteristics, but also vibrant with ethnic customs and folk activities. Coupled with its beautiful natural scenery, it is an ideal destination for visitors from around the world. We warmly welcome you to experience the natural beauty and cultural charm of Gouliang Miao Village and to enjoy a cup of fragrant Miao wine.

　　Gouliang Miao Village is located at the junction of Hunan and Guizhou, and between Han and Miao regions. Here, the southwestern Chu-Wu culture and Central Plains Han culture, as well as Han and Miao cultures, collide and integrate, forming a unique cultural phenomenon of fusion and complementarity.

　　Gouliang Miao Village is a “mystery.” Its profound historical and cultural roots, rich ethnic customs, and beautiful landscapes combine natural beauty, ethnic architecture, folk traditions, historical significance, and distinctive cuisine, making it highly valuable in terms of tourism aesthetics. Its appeal as a tourist destination is self-evident.

　　Gouliang Miao Village is a jewel in Fenghuang’s tourism industry. A visit here allows you to immerse yourself in the traditional Miao wedding customs and the mysterious soul-calling rituals, all set against a backdrop of lush forests and flowing streams. It will surely broaden your horizons and leave you in awe.

　　Gouliang Miao Village is a magical place, not only rich in historical and cultural heritage and distinct ethnic characteristics, but also vibrant with ethnic customs and folk activities. Coupled with its beautiful natural scenery, it is an ideal destination for visitors from around the world. We warmly welcome you to experience the natural beauty and cultural charm of Gouliang Miao Village and to enjoy a cup of fragrant Miao wine.

　　Gouliang Miao Village is an administrative village in Luochaojing Township, Fenghuang County, in the western border region of Hunan Province. It governs eight villager groups, with over 350 households and a population of more than 1,900. Due to its location at the junction of Hunan and Guizhou, where Central Plains Han culture meets the southwestern Chu-Wu Miao culture, a unique cultural phenomenon has emerged, giving rise to many fascinating and thought-provoking cultural elements.

　　In recent years, with the growing expansion 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 have provided strong support for the project. The Fenghuang County Party Committee Propaganda Department, the County Ethnic Affairs Bureau, the Luochaojing Township Party Committee, and the local government have diligently implemented the plans. In particular, the Fenghuang Ethnic Affairs Bureau has carried out substantial work in project planning and fund-raising, laying the foundation for the establishment of the “Gouliang Ethnic Culture Village.”

　　Gouliang is a magical place. Not only does it have a rich historical and cultural background and distinct ethnic features, but it also boasts vibrant ethnic customs and stunning natural scenery, making it an excellent travel destination.

　　Travel Precautions

　　Gouliang Miao Village is an area inhabited by the Miao ethnic minority. When visiting, it is important to respect the customs of the ethnic group. Please pay attention to the following points to avoid any issues.

　　1. Prepare some cash before entering the Miao village.

　　2. Do not whistle casually in the 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. Use an umbrella outdoors when it is hot, but refrain from doing so when entering someone’s home.

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

　　6. Maintain a distance from women who have recently given birth, as this behavior is somewhat sensitive in the Miao 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, a brave hunter named Wu Tianlong came from Gouliang Miao Village. He was clever and courageous, and skilled in archery, never missing his target whether shooting birds or eagles—earning him the title of Divine Archer among the Miao people. Wu Tianlong had a mother over seventy years old, whom he cared for deeply. 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, and life remained a struggle. Tianlong and his mother still lived from meal to meal.

　　One day, Wu Tianlong returned from hunting and said to his mother, “Mother, I’ve rid the mountains of tigers and beasts with my divine arrows, but there are more and more human beasts. We’ve suffered under the oppression of the officials, and life is unbearable. I want to lead the Miao people in rebellion, drive out the officials, and bring a better life for everyone.” His mother worriedly replied, “Son, rebelling is 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 tigers and wolves—if we don’t fight them, they’ll devour us. We can’t just wait for death.” Hearing this, his mother fell silent. Seeing 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 took three years to grow, using bowstrings made from old palm rope soaked for forty-nine days. He also kept three divine arrows he had obtained from the Hidden Dragon Cave in Longshan Mountain, preparing to shoot the emperor at dawn when he held court.

　　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 my divine arrows. Don’t sleep tonight. Wake me up at the first crow of the rooster at dawn. Remember, if you’re late, we’ll miss our chance.” His mother agreed, “I understand. Go to sleep without worry.” Strangely, that night felt unusually long. His mother waited from the first watch, waiting and waiting... for what felt like ages, but the rooster never crowed. Exhausted, she began to doze off. Afraid her son would blame her for oversleeping, she went to the kitchen, picked up a winnowing basket, and started clapping it. At the sound of “clap clap clap,” the rooster crowed, and she joyfully rushed to wake her son.

　　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 an arrow, exerted all his divine strength, and with a whoosh whoosh whoosh — three divine arrows were shot in succession toward the emperor’s palace. Unfortunately, the emperor had just arrived at court and was walking to his throne when he suddenly saw three divine arrows embedded in the golden dragon pillar, scaring him so badly that cold sweat poured from his body.

　　The emperor, trembling with rage, immediately issued an imperial decree to capture the culprit who had dared shoot at the emperor. When the news reached Gouliang Miao Village, Wu Tianlong realized he had been tricked by his mother and hadn’t killed the emperor, thus having committed a grave disaster. He immediately gathered the Miao people from ninety-nine villages, trained their skills day after day, and prepared for a fight to the death with the government forces.

　　Before long, the imperial troops sent by the emperor did indeed arrive 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. Though wave after wave of troops were sent, the rebel forces grew fewer and fewer. Outnumbered and overpowered, the rebels were eventually defeated. Wu Tianlong was captured by the government troops. Heroically unyielding, he was ultimately executed by the soldiers. After Wu Tianlong’s sacrifice, he transformed into a rooster and stood tall on Gouliang Mountain, heralding dawn and bringing light for the Miao people every day. To this day, relics such as Rooster Rock, Rooster Village, and the Archery Platform can still be found on Gouliang Slope.

　　The day Wu Tianlong was killed happened to be the sixth day of the sixth lunar month. To commemorate this hero, the Miao people hold a celebration in Gouliang Miao Village — singing, antiphonal singing, and dancing — as a way to praise and glorify their hero, expressing their beautiful aspirations and ideals. Since then, the “Sixth Month Sixth” Miao Singing Festival has been passed down from generation to generation.