Dehang Miao Village & Grand Canyon
Dehang Miao Village is truly a beautiful valley, as its name suggests in the Miao language. It is nestled at the bottom of gorgeous mountains, offering views somewhat similar to Zhangjiajie. No wonder it is considered the most beautiful Miao Village in Western Hunan. Besides experiencing the Miao surroundings and culture, there are two hikes you can do there. One is a two-hour flat walk to a waterfall called “Flying Sand”. The other is a hike to a stunning view platform called “Questioning Sky”, which takes three hours and includes an uphill climb.
Dehang Grand Canyon is located twenty kilometers from Jishou City. Furthermore, it embraces a typical karst landscape. Besides its natural beauty, it features the famous Aizhai Highway. Additionally, the area boasts the magnificent Liusha Waterfall. Notably, it is the highest waterfall of its kind in China. Moreover, the world-renowned Aizhai Suspension Bridge spans the canyon. The bridge has an impressive main span of 1,176 meters. Furthermore, it features a breathtaking vertical drop of 400 meters. Consequently, it is the most prominent bridge of its kind globally. When you walk across it, you feel like walking in the air. Therefore, this engineering marvel is truly spectacular.
Vibrant Miao Village Culture
Dehang Miao Village is home to about 820 households. These residents are famously passionate about dancing. Consequently, the village is well known for the Miao Drum Dance. In fact, three famous kings of this dance originated here. Additionally, the locals celebrate many vibrant traditional festivals. For instance, they celebrate the third day of the third lunar month. They also celebrate the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. Other important events include the bull-fighting festival and Sister’s Day. Most importantly, the Miao New Year is the grandest festival. During these celebrations, the activities are incredibly bold and joyous. Visitors can easily enjoy the lively Miao songs and dances.
Authentic Local Experiences
Furthermore, visitors can explore traditional local households. There, they can personally extract oil and make paper. Additionally, tourists can try weaving cloth and grinding rice. If a hostess invites you for dinner, you will experience impressive culture. The meals are served in blue wave patterned bowls. Moreover, you will use chopsticks made of fresh bamboo. The hosts generously serve meat in very large pieces. They also offer drinks in big traditional liquor bowls. Furthermore, the dishes feature bold sour and spicy flavors. Ultimately, these authentic experiences perfectly showcase the rich local culture. Therefore, Dehang offers an unforgettable journey for all travelers.
